Tips for Riding a Motorcycle Safely at Night

The vast majority of motorcycle riders have had to ride at night at some point, even if only for a short trip due to circumstances. It is a tense moment that we may not always give much importance to, but it carries a high level of risk if we do not take the proper precautions.

At night and on the road, visual sharpness can be reduced by almost 70%. If you add to that any vision problems you may have (whether near or far sighted), you can imagine the negative equation that may result. For this and other reasons, we recommend keeping in mind the following details when riding at night.

If possible, your riding gear should include reflective elements. Your helmet, luggage, saddlebags, or any additional accessories you add to your motorcycle should also have them. Believe it or not, these approved reflective strips — whether adhesive or stitched — can increase your visibility by several hundred meters when riding at night.

On the other hand, your motorcycle’s lighting system must be in perfect condition. Regularly check that the headlights function properly and that they are set at the correct height.

Motorcycles and mopeds must also have a rear red non-triangular reflector ( catadioptric or retroreflector ). If there is one light, it must be placed on the vehicle’s longitudinal center line. If there are two lights, they must be symmetrical with respect to that center line.

Most of us ride with a slightly tinted or dark helmet visor. Obviously, the clearer the visor, the sharper our vision will be. There are interchangeable visors on the market, and it never hurts to carry a clear one in your backpack when riding at night.

When it comes to riding technique, precautions must be even greater. Now more than ever, keeping a safe distance is essential , avoiding blind spots when overtaking, and staying calm in the event of glare.

If another vehicle’s headlights shine directly into your eyes, do not make sudden evasive maneuvers and do not release the handlebars to use your hand as a visor. Road markings and side reflectors can help you maintain your direction, but you should first reduce your speed.

And above all, remember to take more frequent breaks. Night riding increases fatigue. As we always remind riders, the safest way to ride a motorcycle is with common sense.