Myths about motorcycle safety

Whether you’re a new rider or have been riding for many years, you may have heard – or may even believe – some of the myths about motorcycle safety that have been around a lot. If you take actions based on those myths, some of them could cause injury or even death.

If you know a motorcyclist who believes in any of these myths, be sure to direct them to this article!

Myth 1: Motorcycle riders wear leather because it makes them look cool.

While leather looks great, that’s just a bonus. Leather, due to its unique properties, is very protective against abrasions, cuts and scrapes. It is also very hot, even with the wind chill caused by driving on a cold day. Motorcycle skins are often made from cowhide because it provides more protection than buffalo skin or pigskin. We know of a driver whose front wheel slipped on new, wet road tar, and slid right under the truck that had pulled up in front of him. While he had trouble saying “no problem” to the cop who showed up, and his shoulder hurt for weeks, in the end all he had to show for his spill was a black worn area on the right shoulder of his brown leather jacket. . Obviously wearing leather is not an excuse for recklessness, but it can certainly help minimize body surface damage.

Myth 2: Caged drivers don’t give a damn about motorcyclists.

It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that they don’t see you. They are not looking for someone on a motorcycle. You can help these riders see you by wearing motorcycle safety gear, such as a bright helmet and brightly colored clothing. Motorcycle helmets save lives, that’s a fact. You can hear and see quite well even with a full face helmet. Also, have the proper safety equipment on your bike, including brighter than standard lights or additional lights.

Myth 3: the louder the tubes, the safer you are

If you’ve ever ridden in a group, you know that you can barely hear the bike behind you. And the bikes next to you aren’t that loud either, unless they’re right next to you. So no, noisy pipes won’t make people driving cars notice you, especially if they have their noses buried in their cell phones, eat, put on makeup, read, or are distracted in some other way.

Myth 4: Leave the bike on the ground if it is going to crash

This is the worst thing you can do. When you slide, you have a good chance of getting burned beyond belief from the exhaust or you could slide under a vehicle. Instead, learn to brake effectively. The only time it might be better to leave your bike is if you are on an elevated road, such as a bridge, and the only alternative is to fall over the railing and die.

Myth 5: Surface streets are safer than highways

Many people believe that shallow streets are safer than highways because of the slower speeds. However, they are actually more dangerous as there is traffic coming towards you from all sides and often unexpectedly as it is very difficult for motorists to “see” the motorcycles. There are people exiting side roads, parking lots, and driveways. It’s bad enough when someone turns right on red and cuts a car because they are in such a hurry, but when that person does it with a motorcycle, there is more damage than just a broken fender. The roads are safer as they all go in the same direction, unless there is a drunk driving in the wrong direction.

Don’t believe the myths about motorcycle safety!

You may have heard many more myths about motorcycle safety. Don’t believe them. If you hear something that sounds suspicious, do a little research to see how true it is. Having the proper safety gear will save your life more than doing something crazy like throwing your bike on purpose.

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