I've been doing extensive night riding for the last 4 years.

I've come to the conclusion you need about 1500 lumens to do it correctly and safely and to ride full speed down hills. Fortunately, this is not a big deal any longer and there are a lot of lights that will get this for you. The best of the bunch are Lupines, Dinotte has some new offerings this year at lower prices that look to be excellent.

What you really need an excellent taillight. Any of those that use AA or AAA batteries are, IMO, insufficient. You need a min of about 100 lumens out the back to really change driver behavior and be safe. Below that, they pretty much don't see you, or at least don't respect you and give you room. Above 100 lumens (more the better), they will slow down and often drive way wide of you. It's amazing and well worth the price. IMO, the best taillight on the market is the Dinotte 300R that is both self contained and exceptionally bright.

J.