Are Sportbikes dangerious?
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Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 33
From: Louisiana
Are Sportbikes dangerous?
Last edited by Throwedsmurf; Sep 14, 2007 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Because I can't spell!
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 120
it's another biased article obviously. for the most part, sportbikes tend to attract the younger less experienced riders. of course you will see a higher percentage of injury and/or death in that demographic.
Boosted
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
From: Sioux Falls, SD
IMO, a lot of the "danger" is rider-controlled.
Sure, I could die any time I straddle my 'Hawk. But, I could die driving my car or walking across the street too. More dangerous than cars? Absolutely, it comes with the territory. In America, I don't think enough people are used to seeing, reacting, and driving with motorcycles. The combination of increased HP, lighter bikes, and ignorant drivers (both car and cycle) are sure to cause more deaths than other types of motorcycles.
Also, this article is aimed at "super sport" bikes, which makes me think more of 'Busa's and the ZX14 (pictured in the article). I don't consider my SH a "Super sport"; sure it's a liter bike, but it doesn't have the gearing or power to hang with the "big dogs".
my $.02
Sure, I could die any time I straddle my 'Hawk. But, I could die driving my car or walking across the street too. More dangerous than cars? Absolutely, it comes with the territory. In America, I don't think enough people are used to seeing, reacting, and driving with motorcycles. The combination of increased HP, lighter bikes, and ignorant drivers (both car and cycle) are sure to cause more deaths than other types of motorcycles.
Also, this article is aimed at "super sport" bikes, which makes me think more of 'Busa's and the ZX14 (pictured in the article). I don't consider my SH a "Super sport"; sure it's a liter bike, but it doesn't have the gearing or power to hang with the "big dogs".
my $.02
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Superstock
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 470
From: titusville, fl
Statistics show the average single vehicle motorcycle fatality these days involves a new or returning rider in his late 40s or early 50s on a cruiser.
Oh, Bikes don't kill people, people kill people.
Oh, Bikes don't kill people, people kill people.
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
It definitely isn't reported well - not even an attempt to control for some other factors. but its believable that they are more likely to be involved in lethal injuries 1. they attract young riders, unfortunately often with little experience. I am thankful that when I was 17 the only 750 bikes available had about 75 hp - even that was enough as a first big bike to get in over our head often 2. there currently isn't any restrictions on what you can buy even as a brand new rider, 3. they encourage all of us, experienced or not, to go faster and not the speed is dangerous, but the consequences are worse as speeds increase. Of the 5 or so fatalities in our area in the past year most were young, supersport type riders in single bike accidents (no car present).
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MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
Just more evidence of biased reporting....
Dexter Ford from Motorcyclist magazine did an article about this a short while ago and clearly showed that sportbike deaths/accidents are not rising (if anything they are on their way down) but that there is a significant rise in accidents due to the Baby Boomer-induced cruiser rage. Strangely, that little tidbit goes largely unreported.....
Dexter Ford from Motorcyclist magazine did an article about this a short while ago and clearly showed that sportbike deaths/accidents are not rising (if anything they are on their way down) but that there is a significant rise in accidents due to the Baby Boomer-induced cruiser rage. Strangely, that little tidbit goes largely unreported.....
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Superstock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 266
From: Portland, OR
Just more evidence of biased reporting....
Dexter Ford from Motorcyclist magazine did an article about this a short while ago and clearly showed that sportbike deaths/accidents are not rising (if anything they are on their way down) but that there is a significant rise in accidents due to the Baby Boomer-induced cruiser rage. Strangely, that little tidbit goes largely unreported.....
Dexter Ford from Motorcyclist magazine did an article about this a short while ago and clearly showed that sportbike deaths/accidents are not rising (if anything they are on their way down) but that there is a significant rise in accidents due to the Baby Boomer-induced cruiser rage. Strangely, that little tidbit goes largely unreported.....
Granted, this article was definetly not the most objective of reports, and puts superbikes in a bad light, disregarding a lot of variables, but welcome to the world of statistics, where a ZX-14 can be just a "Kawasaki Ninja, a superbike"
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SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
the worst example I saw of "missing the point reporting" wsa when the Bills quarterback had his accident awhile back. I'm a helmet wearer and supporter of their use, and wished he'd had one on, but not a single report I saw or read about focused on the driver error that was responsible for the crash or tried to use the high profile example as an awareness campaign for motorcyclists. Maybe the AMA pursued it but I thought they missed an opportunity to use some celebrity PR to raise awareness of bikes.
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Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 33
From: Louisiana
Ahhh you wouldn't understand. I grew up down da bayou cher, with dem alligators and crawfish now! Nah I just hated spelling in school. Wait, Nope, I still hate spelling.
The AMA isn't too happy about this report.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=5284&Page=1
The AMA isn't too happy about this report.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=5284&Page=1
Thread Starter
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Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 33
From: Louisiana
Bills QB?
the worst example I saw of "missing the point reporting" wsa when the Bills quarterback had his accident awhile back. I'm a helmet wearer and supporter of their use, and wished he'd had one on, but not a single report I saw or read about focused on the driver error that was responsible for the crash or tried to use the high profile example as an awareness campaign for motorcyclists. Maybe the AMA pursued it but I thought they missed an opportunity to use some celebrity PR to raise awareness of bikes.
What Bills QB had an accident awhile back?
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MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
Helmets;
I always ride with a helmet, even in jurisdictions where thay aren't required.
If someone doesn't want to wear a helmet my attitude is heh, it is their head.
But isn't it unfair that we taxpayers have to foot the bill when they split their head open?
Maybe so, but until we no longer have to foot the medical bill for the fat slob on welfare who has a heart attack 'cause she's 120 lbs. overweight and lives on a diet of cheese doodles and malt liquor, I don't want to hear about it.
I always ride with a helmet, even in jurisdictions where thay aren't required.
If someone doesn't want to wear a helmet my attitude is heh, it is their head.
But isn't it unfair that we taxpayers have to foot the bill when they split their head open?
Maybe so, but until we no longer have to foot the medical bill for the fat slob on welfare who has a heart attack 'cause she's 120 lbs. overweight and lives on a diet of cheese doodles and malt liquor, I don't want to hear about it.
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SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I definitely feel safer on my SH than I do on a 800lb Harley with crappy brakes and tires. IMO overweight cruisers with new riders are the most dangerous although probably less risk taking. But any motorcyclist can find themself in a hairy situation anytime. I'll take mine on a sportbike.
I am also a firm believer that everyone should start off in the dirt too and learn how to control a motorcycle.
I am also a firm believer that everyone should start off in the dirt too and learn how to control a motorcycle.
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
I had to laugh when I read that.
Thread Starter
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Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 33
From: Louisiana
Yeah, I knew he was talking about Big Ben. I was just throwing a line out to see if I could get a bite. LOL Being a little facetious.
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Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 139
From: Mississippi
http://www.gulflive.com/search/index...i?pnews&coll=5
How many of those involved in some sort of mishap have had MSF or an equal rider training day?
I shunned these.....until i took one and have a total 3 under my belt. A trackday opens your eyes to your limits too.
How many of those involved in some sort of mishap have had MSF or an equal rider training day?
I shunned these.....until i took one and have a total 3 under my belt. A trackday opens your eyes to your limits too.
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Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 206
From: Salt Lake City, UT
As was said in the report:
Speeding and driver error caused more of the fatal crashes with supersport bikes, compared to other classes, with 57 percent of supersport riders' fatal crashes involving high speeds in 2005. This compares to 46 percent of the crashes of sport bikes, 27 percent of cruiser cases, and 22 percent of touring.
It has nothing to do with the bike, and everything to do with the rider and the people around him.
Speeding and driver error caused more of the fatal crashes with supersport bikes, compared to other classes, with 57 percent of supersport riders' fatal crashes involving high speeds in 2005. This compares to 46 percent of the crashes of sport bikes, 27 percent of cruiser cases, and 22 percent of touring.
It has nothing to do with the bike, and everything to do with the rider and the people around him.
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Squid
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 51
From: San Diego CA
I definitely feel safer on my SH than I do on a 800lb Harley with crappy brakes and tires. IMO overweight cruisers with new riders are the most dangerous although probably less risk taking. But any motorcyclist can find themself in a hairy situation anytime. I'll take mine on a sportbike.
I am also a firm believer that everyone should start off in the dirt too and learn how to control a motorcycle.
I am also a firm believer that everyone should start off in the dirt too and learn how to control a motorcycle.
I recently rode a Harley Road King and a Softtail and let me tell you that those things are waaaaayyyyyy more dangerous than a sport bike. I was suprised to find that they are less comfortable as well. Cruisers are poop!
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Most accident reports are wrong. Example; Rider crashes all by his/herself. Call made to Police for insurance purposes. Dumb *** crashes and wants to get bike fixed. Cops show up and ask rider "how fast were you riding?" Rider lies about the speed he/her was traveling. First lie. Cop asks "what caused you to loose control?" Car pulled out, dog ran out, oil on road......everything but the truth. The truth is in most cases, the rider is not skilled enough to handle the situation, but you'll never hear them say that, so they lie.
Those lies make it onto the report which gets used against the rest of us riders in the form of higher insurance premiums and statistics. Motorcycling has risks and accidents happen. Accidents are not always the rider's fault.
Those lies make it onto the report which gets used against the rest of us riders in the form of higher insurance premiums and statistics. Motorcycling has risks and accidents happen. Accidents are not always the rider's fault.
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