Reptile & Amphibian Forums

to be tested this spring, please dont run me over I'm about as noticeable as a knat at 60mph on this thing....
B

You need a head light on that thing and a good tail light, so someone can see you at night and not take you for a nat.
Dell

Down here you would need a helmet and a face guard to prevent yourself from swallowing a bug. That is a great machine however the disadvantage is that you are kinda low to the ground so you cannot see far, but the good thing is you can just lean out to photo or capture a snake. And what if you accidentally run over a western diamondback? Do you get bit in the behind? Oh well, take a cell phone just in case. lol.

Dan

LOL, yep Im taking a chance of one crawling aboard. but the good news is the seat shell is kevlar reinforced fiberglass with 2" of high density foam. I can actually see better, than when Im in the vehicle, the perspective is more intimate due to the mode of travel I think. And I have major lightage in the works, Im actually kind of jazzed abuot this and think it will make some cruising runs quite abit more fun not to mention cheaper and better for my health.
cheers
B

I can actually see better, than when Im in the vehicle, the perspective is more intimate due to the mode of travel I think.

Probably less vibration on the pavement than a car, too.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I think this would be a very dangerous unit to be out on a dark highway with regardless of reflectors and such. Besides how much surface area of highway can you cover vs a car. If you are really going to be going out at night on this would you mind if I took an insurance policy out on you?

my wife has one already, if I told you half the things Ive done in my life you would agree she is a smart woman. I dont cruise the hwys only quiet backroads and fireroads, nightsun lighting will keep me visible. I cannot cover as large an area as fast but I can still cover plenty and do it quietly and alittle more in tune with whats going on around me. Sometimes its nice to stop and smell the flowers.

Cheers
B

That's very cool. You may not cover as much ground as a car, but you have a much better chance of spotting something that is there. I have come very close to some very cool wildlife while riding my bike, including this little cutie that slithered in front of me at Lake Georgetown. Just get a couple of nice large blinking red lights for the back, and people should see you just fine.

Thanks Tex, I have two brakelights installed and I plan on several nightsun lamps on the front outriggers. Between that and the screaming green paint job I should show up in someones headlights, I hope! It is far more stealthy and I believe the silence will enable to see more than just herps. That elusive Jaguar on Mt. Hopkins better keep a weather eye peeled for me
Cheers
B

You will see a whole lot more, and get closer to it. I've almost been run over by a deer that I surprised and it couldn't decide which way to run, but the coolest was riding through a flock of about 20 turkeys as they all tried to fly away. Just one of those sounds like a helocopter taking off. I don't know how much night riding you have done, but it sounds like a good helmet mounted light would really round out your set up. That way you get light where ever you look, not just where the bike is pointed. Nightsun is good stuff, but have a look at Turbocat too. I've used their lighs for years and it is top quality.

Now that makes for fun riding! A headlamp is just what I had in mind, my helmet has a mount stashed in the garage someplace. I'll take a look at the Turbo cat stuff thanks for the tip.
Cheers
B

Thanks for the tip Tex, those are some nice lights and VERY affordable considering the quality. Ive been using my bike light as a herp light for years, works very well when walking at night. Those turbocats look pretty much the same, so I will be getting a double beam setup with the Macho battery. That way I can use it on and off the bike and have several hours of high intensity lighting. Should work very well.

Cheers
B

Good choice! The run time with the macho battery should keep you herping all night long. I'll be looking forward to some great reports when the weather warms up.

Yep, Tom is easy to work with and once I described the multi-tasking this light will do, he was quick to offer some upgrades that will make my new system way beeter than before.
Just in case you cant wait till spring....
SE AZ, 7/05

...may not be as cool as your'n...

but i tiz pretty sweet too...

Is a desert vet and good at finding many elusive critters such as the gray ghost and the green mamba!LOL
I think next year you need to drop me at the top of Hopkins or in the Babos and we can tag team, or better yet I can fly down Ruby and play chicken with the illegals and the BP.
B

Nice recumbant; similar to those I've seen in marathon/large events...but much more suiteable to the needs of the herper! You can buy clips for the frame of the bike that will hold pumps for emergencies...or flashlights...or better, snake hooks? I have a collapseable hook mounted right on my mountain bike and how conveniently placed it is (a full size hook would mount fine as well with 1 strong/2 clips).
-Sean

thanks Sean, yeah I gotta lot plans for this beast. Its pretty dang fast thats for sure, too bad I cant ride the single tracks.
Cheers
B