Essentials for Motorcycle Night Riding

Riding a motorcycle at night can be a fun experience. But it can also expose you to some extra hazards, from nocturnal animals jumping out onto the road to drowsy drivers sharing the road with you. You’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for night riding so you can ensure that you’ll be safe and seen! The following guide can help you set yourself up for a safe and stress-free motorcycle night riding experience.

Headlight and Tail Light

Start by making sure your standard lighting gear is actually doing you some good. There are a lot of great headlights that come out of the factory, but others need an extra boost. Look into upgrading to a better bulb. We suggest either LED lights or a full HID lighting conversion. 

You can do the same for tail lights so you aren’t missed by people coming up from behind. These usually need a little help, as they’re not the biggest priority on your bike, but they’re incredibly easy to upgrade. For your tail lights, you’ll probably want LED bulbs. They’re brighter than halogen bulbs and don’t suck as much energy. 

Light Bars and Fog Lights

Light bars and fog lights are a great way to add extra visibility for you and your bike. Both of these often go on the front of your bike, around the headlight or on the lower front part. The light bars simply accent the amount of light coming from the front of your bike, which makes them great for all riders. Fog lights are a favorite among touring riders as their low setting on the bike gives the rider more low to the ground visibility, plus it gives you a better chance of being seen. Just make sure your bike’s battery will be able to handle the extra load.

Reflective Accessories

Another great way to make sure you’re seen is to outfit your bike with reflective parts. From the standard circular reflectors to mini reflectors to wheel tape, there are lots of tools for adding reflective parts to your bike. A flash of a reflective element can signal to another driver that you’re around. And most of these things are subtle enough that you won’t have to worry about ruining your ride’s look.

Mirrors and Windscreen

Your bike’s mirrors are just as important as your car mirrors. Not all your upgrades will be about making sure other people see you, but that you can see other people. Factory mirrors are generally fine, but there’s always room for improvement. You’ll want at least one, though preferably two or more, mirrors that offer an unobstructed view of the road behind you.

Finally, windscreens can help make your night riding, and riding in general, much easier. They deflect strong winds and debris away from you. Some models come with windscreens, but not always. Some of the windscreens are tinted, which makes night riding difficult. If you need a new windshield, try to look for one that’s clear and scratch-free.

If you’re in the market for a motorcycle, check out the selection at Bartels' Harley-Davidson®. Our dealership is based in Marina Del Rey, California, and we also serve those in Malibu, Santa Monica, and Brentwood.