The evening that I finished my MSF class, I rode my GS500 for the first time around my neighborhood for 38 miles in the dark. I was surprised by how well I could see. A week later, I started commuting to work (10 miles each way) on the GS500, and the return trips were during the night.
I don’ t thinking riding at night on city streets was difficult due to the fairly low speed. In a way it’s easier to see the cars because everybody have their lights on. What’s not as good is being seen on a motorcycle; this is where high visibility, light color helmet, jacket and reflective panels help.
I ride just as fast on the freeway at night but I do worry about running into unseen debris in the un-lit sections more. Riding in the hills at night on twisty roads is more challenging, but still fun; just can’t go that fast.
Some bikes have better headlights than others…