As it turns out, your mother was right when she warned the motorcycles are dangerous. In fact, they are one of the deadliest modes of personal travel due to their design. The rider is unattached to the vehicle by a seatbelt as well as being totally exposed to the elements. Motorcycles are significantly lighter than passenger cars, so both riders and their bikes usually end up in much worse condition compared to car drivers as a result of accidents.
Studies have shown that motorcycle riders are as much as 27 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than others. Similarly, they are more likely to experience serious injuries. Some motorcycles, because of their design and intended uses, are more hazardous than others. In this article, we’ll discuss which motorcycles result in the most injuries on the road and why.
Cruisers
Cruisers in the mold of iconic Harley Davidson styles are the most common type of bike sold in the US. Indian and Victory motorcycles also belong to the cruiser category. Among all motorcycle types, cruisers account for the most accidents for two important reasons. First, they dominate the market. Simple math means that there are more of the cruiser bikes on the road equates to more deaths due to the sheer volume of these models in the population.
Secondly, the culture surrounding cruiser riding fuels the risk-taking that often leads to accident-induced injuries. The ultra-masculine world of cruiser riding, accompanied by frequent alcohol use among riding groups and so-called “biker gangs,” is a recipe for twisted metal.
The bulk of accident and injury cases that motorcycle lawyers, like those at Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers, handle involve cruisers.
Street Bikes
Commonly referred to as “crotch rockets” and other nicknames, street bikes are the swifter, leaner, more race-oriented bikes like the ones in the Kawasaki Ninja series.
To the detriment of riders’ safety, many stock street bike models now arrive straight from the factory with more than 200 horsepower in their chassis – a recipe for disaster for any inexperienced rider who doesn’t know how to handle that much power. They are designed for speed and, for many riders, that’s exactly what they’re used for. Their sleek designs, as opposed to the more upright cruiser style, lend themselves to risky driving and, ultimately, to more injuries on the road.
If you are considering purchasing a motorcycle, safety should be a priority. Choosing a model that is compatible with your experience and enrolling in a safety training course could mean the difference between an enjoyable riding experience and serious injury.
Author information: Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
