Not a lot of riders have enough time to ride their dirt bikes in the morning or during the day. Therefore, a lot of people may wonder whether it is a good idea to go for a ride during the night instead.
Riding a dirt bike at night can be extremely dangerous if you don’t follow safety precautions. Statistically, the risk of accidents significantly increases if you are riding a dirt bike during the night, so you need to make sure you are very careful if you do so.
Although night riding is far more dangerous than riding in the morning, it can be an enjoyable experience. However, you need to observe all the safety instructions listed below in order to avoid all the danger that comes with night riding.
Table of Contents
6 Tips For Riding A Dirt Bike At Night
1. Safety Equipment
Safety equipment is probably the most important thing to have when it comes to riding a dirt bike, regardless of the time. Still, as riding a dirt bike at night is far more dangerous and the risk of falling off the bike is higher, we recommend you always use high-quality equipment, from your helmet to your gloves.
2. Stay Visible
Dirt bikes are often very hard to see, especially during the night. Therefore, you should stick to wearing bright clothes at night to make it easier for other drivers to see you. Plus, don’t forget to check on the back and front lights, as it’s very important that they are functioning properly so you can see other drivers and so they can see you too.
3. Mobile Phone
Using a mobile phone while riding or driving is something you need to avoid at all times. It is extremely dangerous and often leads to an accident. Still, using it while riding at night makes it even worse as even the slightest of distractions can prove to be more dangerous at night.
4. Reduce Your Speed
Riding in the daylight comes with a lot of upsides. One of them is that you can ride a lot faster and still stay in control and be able to handle the bike properly. As visibility is significantly decreased during the night, you must reduce your speed to compensate for the higher risks.
5. Be Alert
One of the things you must not forget is to always be alert and look for other riders close to you. Plus, if there are animals in the area you’re riding through, you need to always be on the lookout, as these can be just as much of an issue as another vehicle if they jump out in front of you and you don’t react fast enough.
6. Don’t Ride When It Rains
Last but not least, you should never ride a dirt bike at night while it is raining. Although dirt bikes in general are designed to be ridden in the rain, it is something you should avoid at night. Wet ground just makes things more dangerous, and when paired with the reduced visibility of nighttime riding, it can be a recipe for disaster.
Places You Should Ride At Night
Near Hospitals
As there is a huge risk of having an accident while riding at night, you should stick to the areas that are near hospitals. You don’t need to ride up and down the block of the hospital, but just be conscious of straying too far out of the city as if something were to happen to you, you don’t want it to take hours for anyone to find you.
Well-Lit Areas
You need to remember that the front light on your bike alone is not enough when riding at night. Therefore, it is important that you ensure the area where you ride is well-lit. This way it will be much easier for you to see people or animals around you, and for them to see you as well.
Places You Should Avoid At Night
Unsafe Routes
There are certain unsafe routes that must be avoided when it comes to riding a dirt bike at night. Any route that has lots of potholes or debris is bad for night riding as the visibility is decreased and chances of having an accident are way higher. You want to stick to well-maintained roads where you can.
Areas With A Lot Of People
Any area where a lot of people are walking around during the night is definitely not ideal for night riding. We highly recommend you avoid riding a dirt bike in areas with a lot of people in general. During the night, due to the reduced visibility, the risk of you hitting someone is much higher.
Equipment For Night Riding
First Aid Kit
The first thing you need to remember is to always be prepared for an emergency situation. If you’re involved in an accident and you don’t have the ability to go to the hospital, a first aid kit can really come in handy. So, you should always keep one of these with you when riding.
Helmet Lights
Unlike the lights on your bike that allow you to see only what’s in front of you, helmet lights can allow you to see everything around you clearly. Plus, it’ll make you much easier to spot for other people as well.
Communication
Although using your phone while riding is dangerous, having some way to communicate with your family and friends is very important. If you’re riding in areas with limited cell phone reception, it’s worth reconsidering your route to go somewhere where there is at least a payphone you could use if need be.
Clear Goggle Lens
Wearing a clear goggle lens while riding a dirt bike at night is much better than wearing a dark lens. We highly recommend you to always have one clear goggle lens for riding at night and a dark lens for riding in the daylight.
Should Children Ride At Night?
We don’t recommend you take your child on a dirt bike ride at night as it can be very dangerous. Still, if you decide to do this, you must make sure to follow all the safety precautions discussed above. We strongly recommend not riding at night with children less than 12 years old.
Final Thoughts
If you stick to all the safety precautions above, riding a dirt bike at night doesn’t have to be dangerous at all. What’s more, it can be quite a fun experience. It’s very important to have all the necessary equipment for riding a dirt bike at night, and to pick where you ride very carefully, to make it as safe as possible.