Beating the heat at night.........

1613 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by RoadHammerTLM, Sep 11, 2007

RoadHammerTLM

Discussion Starter · Aug 26, 2007

It has been wicked hot here in the Charlotte area. And through the month of August we have not made many rides as a group. But I had been thinking it would be nice to ride after dark. I like the night anyway. So I started riding out to follow my wife home from work at night once a week. She gets off at 3am. So last night my mom and her hubby and I rode after the sun went down. We made three stops and rode about 3 hours or so. But when we stopped at the boat launch we were not the only bikes. And when we got gas the station was full of them. And when we stopped at my wifes work a line of about 10 cruisers went by. We ended up home just shy of midnight and were still passing bikes and people sitting in the grass being cool.

I was just wondering if anyone else likes to ride at night or does when it is so brutal hot.

Hammer

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

esspee51

· #2 · Aug 27, 2007

riding at night

I love to ride at night especially in the fall when the temps get cool and crisp. That's, as they say, as good as it gets.

Here in Minnesota you have to be lucky to find that night.

esspee51

· #3 · Aug 27, 2007

riding at night

I love to ride at night especially in the fall when the temps get cool and crisp. That's, as they say, as good as it gets.

G

· #4 · Aug 27, 2007

I don't mind riding at night, but some nights I have to stop every hour or so and chisel the bugs off the face shield.

CB750F

· #5 · Aug 28, 2007

I don't much care to ride at night, for one I'm usually at work anyhow. There are too many 4 legged brown, woodland creatures here that tend to step out in front of cars and bikes.

max112685

· #6 · Aug 28, 2007

I agree with cb750f, there are many added risks at night including limited visibility, but all in all, the night is like a meditative time on a motorcycle. Its just you and the machine and the road.

Barry McOkAlot

· #7 · Aug 28, 2007

Charlotte

Whats up hammer! I am here in charlotte area as well. Just outside in gastonia. I love riding at night in this area for a couple reasons. It is a lot cooler, and you will see a lot more riders out at night. So you can meet a lot of people. I don't know if your are in a riding chapter or not, but I work for the Yamaha dealership in Gastonia and we have a Star riding chapter. You should come by and check us out some time!

_Dave_

· #8 · Aug 29, 2007

Must admit I am quite off riding at night. I find that I cannot see what I would like to and you just never know what may jump out in front of you.

RoadHammerTLM

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 29, 2007 (Edited)

Barry, I know Yamaha of Gastonia. I am in Stanley. I buy parts there for mine. No sir I do not belong to any chapter. I just like to ride.

I almost forgot. I grew up in the north and very much understand the worry about 4 legged browns jumping out in front of you. But here there are not that many that get hit. They do not need to roam from the mountains to the valley each night for food and water.

Hammer

Guy

· #10 · Sep 6, 2007

I picked up a mesh jacket with armor for when it gets hot. Lots of reflective material, and it cushions the blow when you get smacked by June Bugs.

RoadHammerTLM

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 10, 2007

Guy, would you happen to have a link or pic you could send of the jacket or where to find one?

Hammer

Guy

· #12 · Sep 10, 2007

I posted one in another section, it was an eBay gent. I think Firstgear or Fieldsheer (or something like that) has a nice one -- good open mesh with some armor. I went with mine for half the price.

Urban Coyote

· #13 · Sep 10, 2007

If I want to start using my bike to ride to work, then I will have to get used to riding at night because that is when I work.

Therefore, I think I will take an easy, short ride tonight, to get myself used to it.

Unless you are riding in some remote location that is heavily wooded with no street lights where the roads are almost pitch black, I find most populated highways and public roads in populated areas fairly well lighted for me to see.

It's just being seen by other motorists that I have to be aware of.

Guy

· #14 · Sep 10, 2007

You can pick up an orange and reflective stripe vest for cheap, it would go over your jacket. Not the most stylish fashion statement, but you certainly stand out at night.

Urban Coyote

· #15 · Sep 10, 2007

Guy said:
You can pick up an orange and reflective stripe vest for cheap, it would go over your jacket. Not the most stylish fashion statement, but you certainly stand out at night.

Or you can get one of these helmets.

See less See more

Guy

· #16 · Sep 11, 2007

Wow, an original Close Encounters Spaceship helmet! Where's my Captain Midnite Secret Decoder Ring when I need it?

RoadHammerTLM

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 11, 2007

I have always ridden in rural area that are not at all lit. But I still like to ride at night. Think I would pass on the orange stripes though...lol

Hammer

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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