Ryding after dark

[PrairieSpyder]

Last night my bro, Stoney Rodent, and I rode to a marina at Milford Lake. A band,

John Doe and the Toe Tags

, was performing on the dock, and a couple of our friends are in the group. Great music.

It was late afternoon when we rode out there, but dark when we rode home. I've not ever ridden my Spyder in the dark out of town, where there weren't a lot of lighted landmarks. The county road didn't have white lines on the edges, and it was really hard to navigate. The high-beams helped a little, though. But I think I'll limit my ryding to daytime, or at least in town after dark.

 

[Kungfuspyder]

You afraid the boogieman gunna get ya!:roflblack:

 

[Riker]

Next time you take it to the dealer, have them check the alignment of your lights. Also make sure they have weight on it ( close to yours ) when they check ( although I would think that is somewhat standard practice:dontknow...just a thought...

 

[lyonsden]

Last night my bro, Stoney Rodent, and I rode to a marina at Milford Lake. A band,

John Doe and the Toe Tags

, was performing on the dock, and a couple of our friends are in the group. Great music.

It was late afternoon when we rode out there, but dark when we rode home. I've not ever ridden my Spyder in the dark out of town, where there weren't a lot of lighted landmarks. The county road didn't have white lines on the edges, and it was really hard to navigate. The high-beams helped a little, though. But I think I'll limit my ryding to daytime, or at least in town after dark.

I feel the same way. I don't ride mine after dark if I can help it. I find the shutter type brights and dims a little clunky. I worry to much about deer and objects in the road.

 

[Phil]

Changing out to HID on both the main lights and the fogs mad TONS of difference on my RT. There are comparison pics and how to pics - http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?24907-Phil-s-Mods&p=354746&viewfull=1#post354746

In case that doesn't take you to the right place, go to My Mods; Phil's Mods; post #90


Phil, Tyler TX- from my iPad 7.5 using Tapatalk HD

 

[Don in E Texas]

Adjust rear suspension?

I never did like riding at night on my 2008 Spyder == but my 2010 RT-S is not a problem. I feel that if the rear suspension is set at the softest level, the rear of the bike goes down some making headlights shine further down the road. Works for me. I'll be going home at midnight on my Spyder tonight.

 

[Elembytes]

Can't agree more

I agree 200% with you and some others who posted here. We live in the rural area and yes, the headlights, including the fog lights on our RTS- are NOT as great as a regular car lighting system. Something I think BRP could improve on as well as other things. The shutter system just isn't as great.

We have had a couple close calls with deer especially towards dusk and it isn't even rutting season. Don't care to encounter one at all. Look at Lamont and his wife for an example.

I have ridden a couple times at night but going highway speeds etc., just do not feel that secure. Maybe it is because I am almost 52 and a diabetic and have weird eyes anyways- who knows.

I know a lot of great evenings in KS are good for rydes but I just don't feel like taking such a risk these days. (big sigh)

Thanks for the post--makes me at least not feel like I am alone on this one!

 

[Showie]

Compared to other bykes I think the lights are really good. or maybe my other lights are just bad :banghead:

 

[Buttsy]

Compared to other bykes I think the lights are really good. or maybe my other lights are just bad :banghead:

My thoughts exactly..............:roflblack:

 

[Buttsy]

I have some aircraft landing lights and was at one time thinking about trying to come up with a mount to put on the Spyder,

Lol..........yes all you would have needed to come up with was a mount. :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[Oldmanzues]

I no longer ride at night in the country, if I can help it. I bought the upgraded lights for my base RT. they had a huge sale at the time. It helped, but I still do not feel real good about it.
If you are not comfortable when riding, you probably are not a safe rider. Just my thinking.
Oldman

 

[Bob Denman]

Patti,
My lights were also pretty near useless... until I got the aiming points raised up enough! If you pop that middle panel off on both sides, there's an ajuster in there for your lights.
(The panel is the one that's in the way when you're getting ready to check the oil level on your RTS...)

 

[Erags]

TrkcLED's

Check out this short video on RT lights. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ricLED-Long-distance-high-power-LED%92s-Video

 

[CruiseRT]

There are challenges to ryding after dark.

I live in the back of beyond.
One of the things that made Glo & I really love the Spyder is ryding at night on these back roads.
The second day we had it Glo woke me up at 3:10 AM and said "C'mon I want to go for a Spyder ride"

We rode until dawn.
The next three days we did the same thing.

Deer and other critters have to be dealt with.
But, the rewards are amazing.
That warm air engulfing you.
That big Rotax purring.
You see distant lights.
Whizzing by houses filled with people asleep and unaware of the fun we were having.

Glo giggled and I smiled.
It made us feel like kids again.

This sounds like a wonderful time.....:2thumbs:

 

[crossbowme]

Changing out to HID on both the main lights and the fogs mad TONS of difference on my RT. There are comparison pics and how to pics - http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?24907-Phil-s-Mods&p=354746&viewfull=1#post354746

In case that doesn't take you to the right place, go to My Mods; Phil's Mods; post #90


Phil, Tyler TX- from my iPad 7.5 using Tapatalk HD

I had the dealer install the Limited's HID on my mine. It's great at night and I ride at night whenever permits. No problems at all.

 

[Dochands]

I have to agree as well. My HIDs were a huge difference. Doubled my night viewing distance.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

There are challenges to ryding after dark.

I live in the back of beyond.
One of the things that made Glo & I really love the Spyder is ryding at night on these back roads.
The second day we had it Glo woke me up at 3:10 AM and said "C'mon I want to go for a Spyder ride"

We rode until dawn.
The next three days we did the same thing.

Deer and other critters have to be dealt with.
But, the rewards are amazing.
That warm air engulfing you.
That big Rotax purring.
You see distant lights.
Whizzing by houses filled with people asleep and unaware of the fun we were having.

Glo giggled and I smiled.
It made us feel like kids again.

I'm not sure what to say, Roger. I'm happy for you that your wife wakes you up at 3 am and you have so much fun ryding in the country. On the other hand, your wife wakes you up in the middle of the night . . . to go ryding?:joke:

 

[shelbydave]

Last night my bro, Stoney Rodent, and I rode to a marina at Milford Lake. A band,

John Doe and the Toe Tags

, was performing on the dock, and a couple of our friends are in the group. Great music.

It was late afternoon when we rode out there, but dark when we rode home. I've not ever ridden my Spyder in the dark out of town, where there weren't a lot of lighted landmarks. The county road didn't have white lines on the edges, and it was really hard to navigate. The high-beams helped a little, though. But I think I'll limit my ryding to daytime, or at least in town after dark.

My high beams are fine, but the low beams are a VERY short distance. I just can't get used to that shutter, and the "line of infinite darkness" after that...

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

Bright lights on a Spyder? The ones on my Spyder are basically worthless. Turning on the fog lights helps a little to light up the shoulder of the road but that's it. I have some aircraft landing lights and was at one time thinking about trying to come up with a mount to put on the Spyder, but since I'm getting rid of it, why bother?

Aircraft landing lights..... on the road?:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
Here's a link to get you a jump on your GW HID upgrade. Evidently, you'll need them....
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/show...one-install-HID-lights-on-the-Goldwing-GL1800

So, when is that perfect machine of yours going to be done? opcorn: We'll all want to run and hide, to avoid an inferiority complex. An exact time and date would be nice. :roflblack:

 

[Kratos]

Well call me Batman then, because I mostly come out at night. :2thumbs: