Comments on: Supersport Motorcycle Death Rates

By: Cody

Cody — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:06:11 +0000

I am new to this site, but I like how you guys dont just single out the sport bikes. I agree with what you other bikers say. I am 17 and recently had the opportunity to purchase a ZX12 -R for very cheap, however my mom told me no so I decided to go online in search of reference material to support my arguement. Now I know you must be thinking that im biting off more than I can chew, and your probably right but I’m not new to motorcycles and have rode and owned many dirtbikes and dual sports over 9 years. But that is beside the point. I have worked at an automotive repair shop for 2 years and have gone out on my fair share of wrecker calls, 10 of which were motorcycles and you know what. All of those riders were intoxicated, or were riding someone elses bike. And none of those people had any business riding after dark on a dangerous highway. They met their demise because they faced hazzards like deer, highway corners, and alcohol. 9 of those people were on HARLEYS and 1 was on a Suzuki cruiser (like a Harley). I am not oblivious to what happens to careless kids going fast on a race ready bike, as I got to watch 2 teenagers hit the rear end of a stopped flatbed trailer that didnt use its lights to signal a turn. That Honda sailed through the air like a big tumbling yellow football and both occupants avoided death with SEVERE injuries. Anyway thats my 2 cents on the subject.

By: Gibbon138

Gibbon138 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:51:33 +0000

hey guys i see what you’re saying here and i agree that supersports bikes aren’t something you should just jump on and “boom” off ya go, here (Australia) we have fairly strict laws relating to learners and provisional plate riders. and before you get even your learners licence you have to do a two day course to learn to ride safely around traffic and even after that you are only allowed to ride a bike with the power output of 150Kw/tonne till you have a full licence (18 months later and after another full day advanced rider training) now we can still get a hold of some fairly big bikes, hayabusa’s among them but not untill you’ve had some time on the roads. I tend to look at it in a positive light because knowing what i know now about my riding skills and roadcraft i would be terrified to think of people without that training and expierience jumping on a bike like that it’s just plain suicidal

By: Randall Graham

Randall Graham — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:41:43 +0000

You need to get the latest AMA magazine, or perhaps their website. The IIHS study is a reguritation of a proven-flawed study of some 20 years ago. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS COMING OUT, AGAIN, IS TO BAN, YES BAN AS IN ELIMINATE, SPORTBIKES IN THE U.S. THEY FAILED ONCE, BUT ARE GOING TO TRY AGAIN. EDUCATE YOURSELF, CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS AND TELL THEM THE IIHS STUDY IS FLAWED.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:29:15 +0000

To reiterate what almost everybody here has said: Ride a small bike, learn, and then buy a slightly larger bike to start learning again. I’m very glad of the 250cc limit on learner motorcycles here in NZ, because looking at the late model Triumphs my dad writes about I realised that if I went straight onto a Speed Triple I would be dead. Hunter S. Thompson was right when he said that a 900 SS Ducati was the easiest, cleanest, least-incriminating way to kill someone.

By: Paul G.

Paul G. — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:22:04 +0000

Good grief… talk about cherry picking data. IIHS is unbelievably biased on this.
#1 Did anybody think of coming up with deaths/mile instead of deaths/registered motorcycles? Let’s face it, no matter what they ride it isn’t going to kill them if it sits in the driveway getting polished every weekend, or collecting dust with their other passing fancies.

#2 Did everybody read this,

“Alcohol also is a problem in fatal crashes of motorcyclists, although less so than among passenger vehicle drivers. In 2005 it was a factor in the fatal crashes of 19 percent of supersport riders and 23 percent of sport and unclad sport riders. Alcohol impairment was an even bigger factor in the fatal crashes of cruisers and standard bikes and touring motorcycles, particularly among riders 30-49 years old. Thirty-three percent of cruiser and standard riders and 26 percent of touring motorcycle riders had blood alcohol concentrations above the legal threshold for impairment.”

So the stereotype is right and more older cruiser riders ride between bars, get drunk and crash into things. Yet nobody mentions that, instead we get a crowd with pitchforks and torches singling out the easily identifiable “racers” as the bad guys that need more regulation.

The IIHS is always looking for ways to charge more for something that is a legislated necessity. They have the ultimate captive consumer base. I was once told by a Gieco phone rep that, “Those race bikes are all about speed, you just keep going faster and faster ’til you crash. I ride a Harley.” Please, like one bike or another makes you safer than another. CBR + Semi or Dyna + Semi still equals dead.

I for one am waiting for the a full NHTSA report that should be less biased.

I don’t remember where I read it but it comes down to three rules, and three rules only.

1. Wear your gear.
2. Pay attention.
3. Don’t do anything stupid.