New Bike Specifications

Riding during the night is a big challenge within city limits and an even bigger one on highways. BIKE India tells you how to remain safe if you ride after sunset

CLEAN VISOR

Before setting out for a night ride, clean both sides of your helmet visor with a mild soap solution. Make sure it dries up before you go ahead with the ride. A scratched or hazy visor must be replaced as it has a high level of refraction. Such visors result in double vision –  two headlights of a car would look like four. A rider can literally be blinded with the refractions coming from tens of vehicles coming in the opposite lane. It is best to clean your helmet visor thoroughly, twice a week.

INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY

One must take care to increase his/her visibility on the road. Usage of bright coloured riding jackets make sure you stand out in the dark. If your riding apparel is dark coloured, stick reflector tapes on it to enhance your visibility and road presence. Sticking reflectors to the back of your helmet as well as to the bike’s tail is advisable. Even if the tail light ceases to work for any reason, the tape will help to an extent.

CLEAN LIGHTS

You must keep your bike’s headlight clean. Irrespective of the power output of the headlights, you can get the best out of it only when it is properly cleaned. Before going out on a night ride, wash off any dirt with water and wipe it dry. Repeat the same for tail/brake lights as well as the side indicators. Carry spare bulbs if you are planning to go on a long ride.

DECLINE MIRROR ANGLE

Headlights of vehicles approaching you from the back can easily be a distraction through the rear view mirrors. Setting the  mirrors a little lower helps reduce the glare to an extent. This setting, however, should let you see vehicles approaching you as well as part of the road behind you.

USE INDICATORS

On any given night, it is more important that others see your manoeuvres properly than you seeing theirs. Hence, you must use indicators before you change lanes or take turns. Sudden manoeuvres are a strict no-no at night. A simple lane change at high speeds without a warning can put you in a vulnerable situation.

USE LOW BEAM IN THE CITY

If riding within the city perimeter, you should refrain from using high beam as it can blind others thus risking theirs as well as your safety. A low beam should have a cut-off limit of not more than 20 metres. This will make sure that you can see a good stretch of road without throwing light on other road users’ face.

UPGRADE HEADLAMP

If you want to go on long rides at night, consider upgrading the bike’s headlamp. A halogen bulb would help in throwing more light. If that does not suffice your requirement, take the help of an expert to rewire the electrical system to support a higher wattage headlamp. Remember not to exceed legal limits.

LOOK AT THE ROAD AHEAD

It’s very tempting to look at the headlights of oncoming vehicles and it happens inadvertently. Practice not to look at the light. Rather look at the point you are heading to. You need to judge where you are going and if it is safe enough to carry on.  Learn to look much ahead on the patches on which lights of other road users fall.

TAKING U-TURNS

If you intend to take a U-turn, you must turn on your indicators long before you approach the turn. You may also signal with your hand to further clarify your intention, but with caution. This will alert drivers behind you. Instead of taking a U-turn all of sudden, pause at the turn and look out for oncoming vehicles from the opposite side. Flash your pass light if needed. When the traffic becomes responsive and slower, take the complete turn within the shortest possible radius.

JUDGE SPACE

On a narrow road, be careful of the surroundings and road undulations. Take care not to get off the tarmac accidentally as this can set you off balance quite easily. Similarly, before negotiating a corner, judge road and traffic density to make sure you have enough space to lean safely.

REST IF TIRED

Never try to push yourself at night, if you feel tired. There is a high chance that you would fall asleep on the go before you even realise it. It’s better to park at a safe place and take a nap. You can have a cup of tea or coffee before you take off again.

MISCELLANEOUS

If you wear spectacles, consider using contact lenses for night riding. The starry effect (flare) of other vehicle headlights will be less likely with contact lenses than through a pair of glasses. Another point to remember is that wild and stray animals become more active at night. Hence, you should ride at a speed you are comfortable with, which in most cases should be lower than your regular daytime speed.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Believe it or not, but night riding is something that almost all of us go through on a very regular basis. Working individuals often get late at office and have to head home in the dark. Ditto for youngsters who like to spend their evenings out with friends. And of course, we can’t neglect the tourers who often end up riding to their destination in the darkness, relying solely on the headlamp. Two-wheeler riders are more vulnerable than other vehicles and hence the foremost step is to be noticed on the road. Wearing reflective gear, making sure that all lamps work perfectly, giving hand signals while taking turns, etc. are some of the measures one should follow. It is also easy to get blinded by the headlamps of oncoming vehicles and hence one should make sure that the visor of the helmet is as scratch free as possible. Invest in a good set of contact lenses and refrain from using spectacles at night. For those who tour a lot and have to ride at night, care must be taken to make sure you don’t feel drowsy. Follow these simple guidelines and we are sure your night riding will never be the same again.

This month’s touring guide is all about tackling different terrains and conditions smartly

Rough Terrain

While traveling for long distances one often encounters rough patches. Some like it and some don’t. However, you can make the most of it and have loads of fun by going off-road. Unlike smooth tarmac, you witness a lot of undulations while going off the road. Hence, keeping your body in the right position will help you control the bike in a better way. Always keep your eyes on the surface of the path as even a slight distraction might result in a slip. Never hold the handlebars too tight or very lose. You need to hold them just right and caress the throttle finely which will lend better steering control while going over bumps and dips. Stand on the footpegs and use your knees like a suspension while tackling gravel laden paths. Next on the agenda is braking. Never use the front brake while riding on loose surface as chances of losing control are really high. Instead, use the rear brake which will give you better control even on gravel. Off-road riding can be dangerous especially when you are not completely geared up. So always wear complete riding gear including knee pads and a back protector.

Using the rear brake on rough terain gives you superior braking control	Adjusting the suspension settings for off road sections will offer a smoother ride	Don’t hold the handle bars tightly. Apply just enough pressure for controlled acceleration

Hill Riding
Riding in mountainous regions with enticing corners is every biker’s desire. However, this longing should be fulfilled with caution and alertness. Hill riding usually involves negotiating blind corners and hairpins and hence it becomes essential for the biker to assess the road and watch out for oncoming traffic. While taking a corner you should always be in the correct lane and use the entire width of the lane to open up a corner which gives you a better view of the oncoming traffic (refer to illustration). You should also maintain a buffer area between you and the opposite lane to ensure extra safety in case someone from the oncoming traffic makes a mistake. Do not force yourself to ride fast after witnessing tantalizing corners. Watch out for patches covered with gravel, dirt or oil and try to avoid them as going over them while entering or exiting a corner might result in a fatal incident. Never shut the bike’s engine off while coming downhill. Instead use engine braking which will also give you superior control over the bike compared to rolling downhill with the engine off. Always remember to park the bike off the road, with the engine in first gear, incase you decide to enjoy the views around you.

Do not rest your bottom on the seat while going off road as it is bad for the back. Instead stand on the footegs for a smooth ride

Night Riding
You may need to ride during the night for a number of reasons. It can be fun as one can munch up the miles by riding swiftly through the almost empty highways. But at the same time, it can also prove to be dangerous. While riding in the dark, one needs a high level of concentration coupled with common sense. Always ride towards the left side in the correct lane, avoiding collision with any oncoming vehicle that may be in your lane. Watch out for illuminated road signs that indicate a turn, a fuel station, a railway crossing, etc. Focussing on the road can work wonders for you. Never look down or away when the headlight beam from oncoming vehicles hits your eyes. Instead, concentrate on the patch of road that is right ahead of you. This way you can exploit the oncoming vehicle’s lights and see the path better. Most highways in West and South India have a lot of high speed Volvo bus traffic which usually sticks to the right lane. It’s always wise to give them way. Incase you have stopped on the side of the road at night, always look out before taking off again. A few essential things like a well-reflected jacket, helmet, perfectly working headlamp/tail lamp and blinkers make you and your bike visible to other road users. A clear, scratch resistant, anti-glare, anti-fog visor is recommended for better visibility on the road. We strongly oppose the use of dark visors at night.