Motorcycle Maneuverability: Are Two Wheels Better Than Four?
You’ve been stopping your husband from getting a new motorcycle for approximately five years. Unfortunately, the day has finally arrived when no matter your concern or how much you plead, he is determined to go to Battley and buy a Harley.
Throughout the entire 10-minute drive, you try to convince him of the risks, but he insists that because of the maneuvering skills he learned on his father’s two-wheeler, he’s probably safer on a motorcycle than he is in a car.
So, should you be concerned, or should you believe that in his capable hands, a motorcycle isn’t that dangerous?
Pros and Cons of Two-Wheel Maneuverability
Although morbidly nicknamed “Donor Cycles” by many emergency room doctors, motorcycles actually possess certain maneuvering qualities that, if in the right hands, can make them safer than most cars. The two-wheel frame of a motorcycle, can inherently give it better control and maneuvering capabilities over its four-wheeled cousins.
Positive Aspects of Having Only Two Wheels
- Superior handling. Not only are motorcycles sleeker and smaller due to having only two wheels, but the maneuverability is increased. This increased handling, allows motorcycles to maneuver around objects easier than cars, which can help prevent potential accidents
- Increased traction control when adjusting and turning. Although four wheels provide better balance, motorcycles can adjust faster, smoother, and more precisely than cars due to having only two wheels to maneuver.
- Faster response time and evasiveness. Due to the smaller size and maneuvering capabilities, motorcycles can stop faster than cars, as well as move faster to avoid potential collisions.
Dangerous Aspects of Having Two Wheels
- Loss of balance. Riding a motorcycle is similar to riding a bicycle in the fact that you must keep it balanced or it will fall over. Four-wheel vehicles do not have that problem.
- False sense of maneuvering capabilities. Some people believe that since motorcycles have greater maneuvering capabilities, that means they can be pushed into dangerous situations and high speeds without normal consequences.
- Increased risks for rollovers and instability when a tire fails. A flat tire on a four-wheel vehicle may be frustrating, but it generally isn’t dangerous. If the stability of a tire fails on a motorcycle, you could wind up losing control, flipping over, or swerving straight into another vehicle.
It is true that once a motorcyclist is in an accident, his injuries—if not fatal—will most likely be more severe than if he were in a car. However, if a biker can anticipate a collision, he can use a motorcycle’s ability to move quickly and evasively in order to get himself out of harm’s way and thus preventing the injuries altogether. The smaller capacity of motorcycles, and the increased maneuverability of two wheels, provides a way to avoid collisions before they even happen.
Riding a motorcycle is an amazing skill that can take years to master. Once it’s been mastered, accidents can still happen. This is why it is extremely important, not only your safety, but for the safety of the people around you as well, that you don’t take unnecessary risks while riding your bike. You may know what you’re doing, and you may know exactly what your bike is capable of doing, but you should never gamble with your life or anybody else’s lives.
Over 60-years of combined experience prosecuting motorcycle accident claims has taught us that no matter what the reason, or how an accident occurred, the resulting injuries can be brutally life-altering. Don’t take the risk—stay safe, cautious, and alert every time you take your motorcycle out for a spin.
Need more information about motorcycle safety or what our vast experience has taught us? Contact us today for a free consultation or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus for periodic updates and recommendations.
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