Whether you are a seasoned motorcycle rider, or looking to get started, you may have heard lots of motorcycle rumors. From helmets not helping to loud pipes saving lives, there are so many motorcycle myths that are not true.
All of these myths, and more, have made the rounds over the years. Below are some of the top motorcycle myths and the facts we found that debunk them.
Myth1: Rider Training is a Waste of Time
Some people believe that motorcycle safety courses and training are a waste of time. But, like with anything in life, the more you learn and practice the better you will be at it. Riding is no different.
If you do not want your motorcycle to become a “murdercycle” then taking a motorcycle safety course is a great step to improve riding strength. There are courses for beginners to more advanced to help you improve your skills as you grow as a rider.
Myth 2: Special Motorcycle Gear is Not Needed
I think back to riding in my twenties. Motorcycle gear was not cool so I did not wear it. My girlfriend with her daisy duke shorts and flip-flops and me in my tank top and work boots. What were we thinking?
I am much older – and wiser now, and gear up for every trip.
The reality is motorcycle gear can be incredibly effective if you crash. Armored jackets and pants or gear with impact protectors can significantly reduce the chance of a severe injury. Well-designed motorcycle boots can keep feet and ankles protected. You can also minimize risk of an accident by wearing gear with reflective gear that will make you more visible to others.
Myth 3: Loud Pipes Save Lives
We get it – there’s nothing quite like the rumble of a powerful motorcycle engine. But, don’t fall for the “loud pipes save lives” mantra. This is probably one of the most controversial myths out there with plenty of riders screaming “my life was saved because of my pipes”. While that may be true once in a while, in most cases loud pipes do not save lives and you should not depend on them to do so.
Research shows car occupants often can’t hear loud exhaust until the bike is dangerously close. Plus, the sound is primarily directed rearward, doing little to alert vehicles ahead of you. Instead of relying on noise, focus on honing your riding skills, wearing high-visibility gear, and practicing defensive riding techniques. Those are the true lifesavers on the road.
Myth 4: Helmets Don’t Help in Serious Crashes
There is a dangerous misconception that motorcycle helmets do little to protect a rider in a crash. There is a substantial amount of study results that say differently.
While no gear can eliminate the risk of injury, helmets have been proven to significantly reduce the severity of head trauma. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that from 2002 to 2017, more than 25,000 lives have been saved by wearing motorcycle helmets. An approved DOT-compliant helmet is estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to operators and 41% effective for passengers.
Myth 5: Helmet Laws Violate Individual Rights
Some riders argue that mandatory helmet laws infringe upon personal freedoms, but the courts disagree. Helmet requirements have been consistently upheld as constitutional, no different than other traffic safety laws like seatbelt use and speed limits.
These regulations are put in place to protect not only individual riders but also society as a whole, considering the public costs of medical care and rehabilitation after serious accidents. So, while you’re free to express your style and personality on the road, always remember that helmet laws are there for the greater good of the riding community.
Myth 6: Laying the Bike Down is Safer than Crashing
It’s a persistent myth that deliberately laying the motorcycle down is the best way to avoid injury in an impending collision. However, this is a dangerous misconception. Intentionally crashing will likely cause the rider to slide across the pavement unprotected, leading to severe road rash, broken bones, and other injuries.
The safest approach is to maintain control, brake hard, and attempt to steer around the obstacle if possible. Skilled riders practice emergency maneuvers to prepare for such situations.
Myth 7: Drivers Don’t Care About Motorcyclists
While it may sometimes feel like other motorists disregard motorcycles, it’s inaccurate to say they simply don’t care. The majority of car-motorcycle accidents occur because the driver didn’t see the smaller vehicle, not due to malicious intent.
Factors like distraction, blind spots, lane splitting, and the brain’s tendency to overlook smaller objects all contribute. Motorcyclists can make themselves more visible with bright gear and headlights. But drivers also have a responsibility to watch vigilantly for bikes and share the road safely.
Myth 8: Motorcyclists are Dangerous and Reckless
Movies and TV often portray motorcycle riders as dangerous and reckless. Shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Mayans show riders as scary and violent packs that cause massive carnage wherever they go.
But most motorcycle riders are the dad or kid next door who want to explore the world on two wheels. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, they have trained over 10 million riders, so clearly most riders do care about safety!
Myth 9: Women Don’t Ride Motorcycles
Women make up 19% of motorcycle riders according to a survey by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). Considering this number was just under 10% a decade ago, so we can see there is growth happening. There are also have been plenty of women who broke barriers in the motorcycle world.
Myth 10: Only Young People Ride Motorcycles
I am not young and I ride, and so do all my friends. While most of us started riding in our twenties – we never stopped. So we rode young – and now we are riding old. Data from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) shows the average rider age is 50 years. Some motorcycle brands are acknowledging this by developing features that cater to this demographic.
The Fallen Motorcycle Brands We Wish Were Still Here
Explore the stories behind 10 iconic motorcycle brands that are no longer in production, uncovering the reasons for their demise and celebrating their lasting legacies.
Motorcyclists Breaking Speed Records Some Can Only Dream Of
Some people were born for speed and these record breaking motorcyclists achieve speeds that seem unimaginable.
The item about loud pipes is often – and in this case misunderstood or misused. This concept only applies to city riding or riding in traffic, and it cannot be ascertained that its true. However – when I bought a Harley at age 80 as my first and only Harley, it had very loud pipes which I was preparing to remove. Then my wife commented that since I bought that bike we had not seen one (not one) deer cross in front of us. Living in Washington state with more than its share of deer and elk, and riding in the areas we prefer, we would often see multiple – make that multiple – animals wandering across the road usually oblivious to motorcycles and or cars which made for some not too much fun riding. I know of 2 personally – and have read of others – that have died because of deer or elk not realizing that it was public property. So – loud pipes do in some cases save lives. Dont think of only town or residential riding. On one trip we had around 100 deer running along the road with only a low fence between them and us. We were extremely cautious during that ride. One deer could have ruined out whole day.
Good point. We too live in a high deer area and do see them run when we get closer on our one bike b/c it does have loud pipes. It would be interesting to add that and a few other ideas to the study that was done on whether the pipes save live! Great thought!!!