How To Choose A Safe Motorcycle

Motorcycles make a statement, even when they are not trying to.  The rumble of the engine is unmistakable, and seeing a motorbike zip past you as you look out the window of your car is an impressive sight, even if you are not easily impressed.  People choose motorcycles based on how they look for the image they project.  By contrast, people choose non-motorized bicycles based on practical concerns.  No one is going to be impressed with your rail thin racing bike with the skinny tires except your fellow triathletes.  The target audience for utility bikes, which are known as “Grandma bikes” in the Netherlands, has long since stopped caring about impressing people.  They just want a bike that will get them from point A to point B and that they can ride without leaning forward in an uncomfortable position.  There is so much information on the Internet about choosing the best bike for your budget and fitness level that one can easily get overwhelmed.  You should put as much thought into the safety implications of your chosen motorcycle.  If you were careful about choosing a motorcycle, but the driver that hit you was not careful about noticing that there was a motorcycle nearby, contact a Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer.

How to Tell If a Motorcycle Is Right for Your Height

Riding a motorcycle that was built for someone shorter than you is slightly uncomfortable, but riding a motorcycle built for someone taller is downright dangerous.  You should not borrow a motorcycle from a taller friend, even for a short ride.  If a motorcycle fits you, you should be able to reach the handlebars easily when you are in a normal riding position; for most motorcycles, a normal riding position means sitting upright, but some motorcycles are built for the rider to lean forward, much like non-motorized racing bicycles.  Even more importantly, you should be able to put both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the motorcycle’s saddle and while standing and straddling the motorcycle.

A Well-Maintained Bike Is a Safe Bike

Motorcycles require maintenance to stay in safe riding condition.  If you buy a used motorcycle, find out as much as possible about the motorcycle’s history.

Heavier Bikes Do Not Always Mean More Protection

You are at higher risk of serious injury in a collision if you are riding a motorcycle, as opposed to a car, but that does not mean that heavier motorcycles provide more protection.  Instead, inexperienced riders should choose lighter bikes, since these are easier to control.

The Bike Design Is Not Usually the Deciding Factor in the Severity of an Accident

Even with the safest motorcycle that you used the utmost care in choosing, you can still get seriously injured in a collision.  Helmets reduce the risk of death and brain injury.  In many cases, though, the reason you got injured was someone else’s negligence.

Let Us Help You Today

The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you if you have suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle accident.  Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.