A. First up we take a look at the equipment.

i) Make sure your visor is scratch free and clear.
ii) Use an anti-fog device. An anti-fog mask works best for me and has transformed my night riding progress.
iii) I carry a damp cloth attached to the bike by an elastic band. When I know I'm coming to some interesting bits I slow down and give my visor a wipe with the damp cloth then clean it off with my finger wiper.
Top Tip: Tie an elastic band around the finger wiper and attached it to your glove. I've lost a lot of wipers!
iv) Always clean your headlights before you set off and also at anytime you feel your light has degraded.
v) Know where your main beam switch is *instinctively*, also learn where all the other switchgear is. You'd be surprised what difference a change in gloves can make to where you think your controls are.

B: Next we look at you and your attitude.

i) Make sure you are warm and dry. I know it's bloody obvious.
ii) Relax, don't tense up.
iii) Plan your route well ahead.
iv) Don't go at a pace you're not comfortable with.
v) Don't ride further than you can see.

C: Now the actual riding bits.

i) Learn not to look at on-coming headlights, look at the light they project on the road and the hedgerows.
ii) Plan any manoeuvre well in advance, learn how to memorise a hundred metres ahead and then mentally tick off the markers as you pass them.
iii) Hard to resist this one. Don't get into a main-beam duel, if the on-coming vehicles have their main beam on a quick flash by you will remind them, if they still leave it on don't look at it and be prepared to slow down or stop. By using (i) above you will never have to stop.
iv) Use all the road, keep over to the left for right hand bends and over to the right for left hand bends.
v) You've probably noticed that headlights are not very good at looking around corners. As you lean the bike in a bend the headlight is illuminating the other side of the road and not the bit you want to see. In the dark I tend to hang off the bike more and try to keep the bike more upright. I always use my main beam in a tight bend. You will not dazzle on-coming traffic because of the lean of your bike. This is why I say "know where your main beam switch is *instinctively*.
vi) Practice your distance judgement. It's different in the dark.
vii) Look well ahead and look out for parked cars, tractors etc.

Amazingly it's probably safer riding in the country at night because on-coming traffic use headlights. I find that my progress at night is not that much different from the daytime but I do take bends a bit slower at night. I know it's a tad long but you'd be surprised how much you do when you analyse it. I cannot stress strongly enough about the need for a good visor and anti-mist system. This is the biggest factor in riding fast and safe at night.