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I've been invited to go hang with some friends at and check out a band at a club tomorrow night (Saturday). I'm wanting to ride out there and this would be my 1st freeway ride at night. It's a straight shot up North 820 for me from Jacksboro Hwy to Grapevine Hwy (about 20-30 minutes). I know the area well. From I-35 eastward to the 183 change-up (about 7 miles) is usually heavily congested during the day, but this will be at about 8:30-9:00, so it shouldn't be that bad. I'll probably leave the club around 12:30 to avoid the drunks. I don't drink, so my sobriety is not a concern.

I know not to over-ride tmy headlight, and I'll be watching the cage in front's headlight. The area is pretty well lit too.

Any tips?

Thanks!

it's no big deal on streets and freeways... just go slower since some cars might not have their lights on.

now night canyon riding, that's a diff story.

Cool VX... I planned on driving slower. Thanks!

Someone said that 12:30 is prime drunk time. I'm a musician and usually drive home at 3-4 AM and the roads are pretty deserted. Is there a better time?

You'll be fine at night on the highway. You've already got a good idea with staying behind a cage and using their headlights. I do that all the time. =-p.

Hough has a page or so about time of day vs accident frequency. I cannot remember the safer of the two times to ride home and dont have my copy handy, but I'm sure someone with a copy will chime in.

You might want to consider picking up a reflective vest.

There isn't any magic to it, at least I haven't found any... enjoy the ride, don't crash. Same as daylight really. Closing time +/- an hour is drunk time... closing time varies depending on where you are though. Unless you're in a big-time drunksburg it isn't a big deal. Around here I'd rather have the (few) drunks than the day-time crowds.

Some people take uncrowded night highway as an invitation to insane speed... those people are very likely to wind up smeared across the road. If you are one of those people you won't listen to advice like "don't" anyway so at least have fun.

Mikeydude wrote:Cool VX... I planned on driving slower. Thanks!

Someone said that 12:30 is prime drunk time. I'm a musician and usually drive home at 3-4 AM and the roads are pretty deserted. Is there a better time?

yeah, i don't like riding at night since it forces me to be ride defensively.

dieziege wrote:There isn't any magic to it, at least I haven't found any... enjoy the ride, don't crash. Same as daylight really. Closing time +/- an hour is drunk time... closing time varies depending on where you are though. Unless you're in a big-time drunksburg it isn't a big deal. Around here I'd rather have the (few) drunks than the day-time crowds.

Some people take uncrowded night highway as an invitation to insane speed... those people are very likely to wind up smeared across the road. If you are one of those people you won't listen to advice like "don't" anyway so at least have fun.

I'm not one of those people... I want to live to ride another day.

Bars close here at 2 AM that's why I thought 12:30 might be a good time.

Thanks

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just ride defensively and give the cages a WIDE berth.

if your headlight sucks maybe you can upgrade it.

the headlight on my old CX500 was terrible. The headlight on my bandit is great, even better than some cage lights.

Perhaps it goes without saying but I'll say it anyways: clear visor advisable.