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Riding Your Motorcycle at Night

Sep. 1 2022 Health & Safety By Polaris Of Gainesville

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While it’s easier and safer to ride your motorcycle during the day when you have perfect visibility, that isn’t always possible. Sometimes, you’re going to have to ride at night. As a motorcyclist, you need to be extremely careful when riding after sunset, because you’re a lot less visible to other motorists and a lot more likely to end up in an accident if you’re reckless. Here are some strategies to keep yourself safe while riding at night.

Make Yourself Visible

A person on a motorcycle is simply not that easy to see at night, especially if you and your bike are all clad in dark colors. Instead, invest in light-colored riding gear or reflective tape that you can apply to your bike, your helmet, and your jacket to make sure other motorists see you. Changing out your lights to make them brighter can also help.

Ride Defensively

People driving cars and trucks are likely to be more distracted and tired at night, and sure, it would be great if they would just get off the road. Unfortunately, drunk and tired drivers are always a risk, so you have to pay attention to how the vehicles around you are moving. If you see anyone going at uneven speeds or weaving between lanes, give them a very wide berth so that you aren’t in their way. Be ready to react to anything, even if it means riding onto the shoulder or the median.

Slow Down

Speeding is never ideal, no matter how good the riding conditions are. But you should especially avoid speeding while riding after dark, because you’re not going to have enough time to bring yourself to a stop for a sudden obstacle that you can’t see coming. Stick to a speed that keeps up with traffic without going overboard.

Stop by our dealership location in Alachua, FL, to check out our fine selection of new and used motorcycles for sale. WE can even help you out with financing options and allow you to perform a test drive on one of our motorbikes! Polaris of Gainesville serves our Florida customers in greater Gainesville, Lake City,  and St. Augustine.