When it comes to motorcycle accidents and injuries, there is a lot of misinformation. From what you may read online to what you might hear from friends or family, let’s put a stop to the myths you hear and provide you with the best ways to protect yourself when you are out on the open road:
List of 8 Common Myths about Motorcycles
Myth #1: “I only need the minimum insurance coverage required by the state of Arizona.”
Arizona only requires you to carry $15,000 in bodily injury insurance and $10,000 in property damage. Typically, motorcycle accidents result in bad injuries, large medical bills, and totaled motorcycles. It would help if you protect yourself and your passenger; these minimal amounts won’t cover much in medical bills or replace your bike. Therefore, we strongly recommend you purchase high underinsured and uninsured limits of at least $250,000. We also recommend buying property damage coverage of $50,000 to replace your motorcycle in the event of an accident.
Myth #2: “I drive safe and don’t cause accidents. I will never need to use my insurance.”
Many believe that since they are safe and careful drivers, they don’t need to carry much insurance because they will never cause an accident. This is a big myth for two reasons:
Reason 1: You’ll never know if you will be in an accident. Debris, weather conditions, and road conditions can all come into play and affect your driving, no matter how great of a rider you are.
Reason 2: The second reason is that cars and trucks don’t see you, or the driver is distracted by their phone. As mentioned above, you’ll sometimes need to turn to your policy to help protect you- even when you are not at fault. You want to ensure more than the minimum insurance coverage required. You’ll want to ensure you have underinsured/uninsured coverage on your policy, also known as UIM/UM coverage. This coverage on your policy ensures that you’ll be protected when someone else causes the accident.
Myth #3: “Other drivers don’t care about motorcycles.”
You may assume other drivers don’t care that a motorcycle is on the road. Often, that is different. For example, the other vehicle’s handicap tag could be blocking their view of you, or you could be riding in their blind spot or hidden by the structure of their car, or the sun could be blinding them. Instead of assuming that other drivers ignore you or do not see you, try to make it easier for them to notice you on the road. Wear bright-colored and reflective clothing, especially when riding in the dark. Always be a defensive driver.
Be hyper-aware, give yourself an escape route, and have more time to react by riding as far from other vehicles as possible. When possible, ride in the fast or slow lane so that an evasive move can be made onto the shoulder of the road to avoid a driver swerving into your lane. Give yourself 4 seconds of reaction time from the vehicle in front of you.
Myth #4: “You need to ride a lot for your motorcycle to be effective”
This is only sometimes true. Spending too much time on the bike can hurt your engine and damage other parts of the machine. Instead, ride at a moderate pace that leaves enough energy in the tank, so you don’t have to slow down or stop frequently.
Myth #5: “Riding without proper clothing will protect you from harm”
Contrary to popular belief, riding without safety gear is often more dangerous than wearing it. For example, a helmet prevents skull fractures and other injuries while biking; even if you’re not hit by another vehicle, breaking bones in your fall could cause severe injury or death.
Myth #6: “Motorcycles are only meant for speeding”
Although motorcycles make great fast cars, they’re also perfect for cruising around town or taking short trips around rural areas.
Motorcycles are not meant for speeding, and this is especially true if you are a beginner. When riding a bike, taking things slowly and carefully is essential so that you don’t lose control of the bike and end up in an accident. If you’re new to motorcycles, starting on a low-speed motorcycle is best before progressing to larger machines.
Motorcyclists must also be aware of their surroundings because they can travel much faster than cars when recklessly entering or exiting traffic.
Myth #7: “Always wear leathers when riding”
While there’s some truth to this statement (leather does reduce friction). Over-zealous riders often need to remember about all of their other protective gear–especially goggles and gloves–which can still provide significant protection against both cuts and falls should something happen mid-ride.
Myth #8: “It’s okay not to clean my bike every week”
Far from it! Cleaning your motorcycle regularly will help prevent the build-up of dirt, sandpaper residues, and debris inside critical components like engines. Doing so may also lead to problems starting the motorbike in cold weather.
Bikes can accumulate dust, pollen, and other allergens over time, leading to respiratory problems. Cleaning your bike weekly will help reduce the number of inhaled allergens and contribute to better overall health. In addition, by removing all the debris from the frame, components (tire, brakes, etc.), and wheels, you are reducing the chances of developing asthma, gastrointestinal issues, infections, or other respiratory issues.
Myth #9: “Full-face motorcycle helmets affect seeing & hearing.”
A Full-face helmet does not restrict peripheral vision or hearing significantly. Many full-face helmets are designed with a wide viewing angle and optimized acoustic properties to provide the best possible protection for the wearer’s eyes and ears. Additionally, studies have yet to compare full-face helmets with other motorcycle helmets regarding these factors. Therefore, based on current evidence, wearing a full-face helmet appears safe and may offer benefits such as improved collisions and reduced exposure to weather conditions. One study showed that full-face helmets reduced the instances of concussions by 58%.
Myth #10: “Helmets Fail at High Speeds”
Helmets fail at high speeds when they’re not maintained properly. When you stop and start your bike, the helmet’s rotational speed increases by up to 800%, which can cause the headgear to tear or come loose. Additionally, air venting and noise reduction will be compromised if the helmet isn’t snugly seated on your head.
It is essential to ensure that your helmet is correctly fitted by a professional mechanic every time you service it. This includes checking for tightness around the helmet shell’s edges and ensuring that all buckles and straps are secure.
Myth #11: “One Drink Is Okay”
It is important to remember that even one drink can impair your driving ability. And while you may be tempted to take a risk and drive after drinking, it’s better not to do so. Many states have zero-tolerance policies when it comes to alcohol consumption while driving. If you are caught behind the wheel with any level of intoxication, you could face criminal penalties and lose your license.
One reason it is so important not to drink and drive is that impaired drivers are twice as likely as sober drivers to get into crashes. Additionally, drunk drivers are much more likely than heavy drivers to get pulled over for anything! That includes running red lights or making illegal turns on the highway. So whether you’re planning on celebrating at home later tonight or hitting the road tomorrow morning – make sure you plan and avoid drinking and driving!
