Updated: December 18, 2024
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Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of injury or death compared to drivers and passengers in sedans and SUVs. In 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than car drivers or passengers to die in a crash per vehicle mile and four times as likely to be injured.
Basic safety practices can help you avoid hurting yourself and accidents, as well as having proper motorcycle insurance coverage plans.
Motorcyclists frequently end up in the blind spots of drivers, while drivers unintentionally hit riders as they make a turn or pull out of a driveway. Good practices can help you avoid accidents and injuries.
Road conditions, weather, and reckless driving all cause hazards. Taking a moment to prepare with the proper gear, awareness, and equipment can help you avoid a bad situation.
The best helmet is a DOT-approved full-face helmet with a polycarbonate or carbon fiber shell. Ventilated helmets also allow air to circulate and keep you cool in hot weather. Depending on your state's helmet laws, you may be required to wear one.
A too-soft tire can unseat itself from the wheel bead and blow out. A too-hard tire won't have a proper grip on the road. Even a 2-pound difference can be a problem on some bikes, so check your pressure before every ride.
Your tread depth affects your tires' ability to grip the road and drive on wet surfaces. Like car tires, bald bike tires can cause you to slip and skid at the worst possible moment.
If your chain gets too loose, your rear wheel could lock up and put you onto the pavement. If it’s too tight, it will stress several components of your bike, make the engine work harder, and potentially even snap.
A regular leather jacket won’t do because you need impact protection around the elbows, shoulders and even the ribs and torso. Look for full leather in the winter and perforated leather in summer.
If you make contact with the pavement, you're likely to hit your elbows, hips, and/or knees, plus you're probably going to slide. Regular jeans won't protect you, which is why you need leather pants with the same armor pockets as your leather jacket.
There are a number of different glove materials available, although leather is a popular choice. Most gloves have a leather palm. Ventilated gloves can keep you cool in the summer, while Kevlar guards over the knuckles can be good in case you slide on the ground palms-up.
Even when you're stopped at an intersection, make sure the people behind you are aware of you. You never know when a driver will not be paying attention.
With any motorcycle crash, shock can overcome your system. If you're on the ground, make sure you're safe, then take a few minutes and assess your body and any pains before you get up. You may not be aware you're actively bleeding, have a broken bone or are badly injured.
Thirty-one states require a motorcycle rider safety course to be made before a rider gets a motorcycle license or an endorsement on their driver's license. Other states only require riders to have a valid driver's license to operate a motorcycle.
Depending on where you live, the requirements may vary. The Motorcycle Legal Foundation provides a state-by-state guide on relevant laws.
Whether it's the course offered by your state's police department, highway patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles or even certain colleges and universities in your area, there's an opportunity for everyone to learn motorcycle safety.
Before you hit the roads at high speed, take a spin to practice how to drive defensively and do basic maintenance safety checks.
Below are some resources to help you find motorcycle safety courses:
When budgeting for your first motorcycle, remember to also account for high-quality riding gear to ensure your safety and prevent injuries. Look for a good full-face helmet, a leather jacket with pockets for elbow and shoulder guards, leather pants with guards for hips and knees, leather boots and riding gloves.
Item | Average Cost | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
Full-face helmet | $250 – $650, or up to $4,000 | A full-face helmet covers your entire head and face and has a clear or tinted face shield. |
Three-quarter helmet | $90 – $400 | A ¾ helmet covers your head and ears but leaves your face and chin open. You can get a ¾ helmet with a face shield. |
Riding jacket | $100 - $400 | A good leather jacket has pockets on the shoulders, elbows and torso for impact protection. |
Riding pants | $100 - $400 | Just like a jacket, riding pants should come with pockets on knees and hips for impact. |
Boots | $130 – $360 | Boots can protect your ankles and toes during skids. |
Gloves | $30 - $100 | Gloves can protect your hands during a crash. Make sure you have knuckle guards in case you land or slide palm-up. |
Insurance is a requirement for riders who own or operate a motorcycle. The average rate for full coverage motorcycle insurance is $364 per year, but prices can vary. You can find affordable full coverage options. It helps to shop around and compare quotes.
In most states, you will need at least $25,000 in bodily injury protection per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $10,000 in property damage. In states such as Florida, the minimums are $10,000 in bodily injury, $20,000 per accident and $10,000 in property damage.
Due to the hazards of motorcycle riding, it’s strongly suggested to carry more than the minimum motorcycle insurance coverage. If you end up in an accident with a high-priced Mercedes or BMW, for example, a policy that covers $10,000 in property damage will still leave you on the line.
Remember that your automobile insurance policy does not cover your motorcycle. Insurers like Progressive have been found to offer some of the cheapest motorcycle insurance, although you should also look for state-specific quotes.
Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be scary. When you have spilled onto the pavement, you will most likely feel vulnerable and shaken. If you can pick yourself up and are conscious, take the following steps.
Assuming you're not in any immediate danger, lay down and assess your body. Move the fingers on your hand to see if they hurt. Then move to your wrist, your elbows and your shoulders. Repeat this with your legs, toes, ankles, knees and hips. If you have any injuries, even seemingly minor ones, call for an ambulance.
If you're not obviously injured, you may be inclined to hop up and get back on the bike. Don't do so. You may be in shock or running on high adrenaline after the accident, which can mask the pain. Move your motorcycle to a safe place and sit down for several minutes to calm down.
Even if you are involved in a solo accident, take photos of everything, including the bike, your injuries, the road and the terrain. If another car is involved, take photos of the vehicle, the damage sustained, the other driver and their license plate.
Just as you would if involved in a regular car accident, get the contact information and insurance information of anyone else involved in the accident.
You may assume an accident is minor if it causes minimal damage. Play it safe, and call the police so you have a report for your insurer.
Properly maintaining your motorcycle can save your life. At the very least, it can affect your enjoyment of the machine and its longevity. For example, tires that are under inflated can run hot, wear out faster and mess with the handling of your bike. A chain that's too tight can shorten the life of your sprockets but also reduce the performance of the engine.
Know the basics: It's important to at least have a basic understanding of how your motorcycle works. The more you know, the better you can assess wear and tear on your machine.
Find a mechanic: Look for someone you trust and work with them regularly. Even if you know how to check your tire pressure and chain tightness, it can still be good to get an expert opinion.
Clean your bike: Good upkeep can prolong the life of your bike. Care for your bike using a soft sponge or cloth, and start with the chain.
A motorcycle has many moving parts, but malfunctioning items can affect your bike’s performance — or worse, cause serious damage. Costs may vary depending on where you live, the type of motorcycle you have and even the quality of work that a motorcycle mechanic can provide.
Item | Maintenance Check | When to Replace | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Tires | Check the pressure each time you ride. Look for wear indicators, dryness and cracking. | Based on normal riding or when tread reaches 2/32 of an inch or five years of age/use. | $150–$300 per set |
Chain | Check for tightness or looseness. Do all links move? | Based on wear — anywhere from 5,000 — 30,000 miles. Change your front and rear sprocket, too. | $200–$250 |
Battery | Does your battery have and take a full charge? | Every 3–5 years | $100–$150 |
Brakes | Check pads and cables for wear and rotors for warping | Check at every oil change. Replacement depends on riding style. | $30–$50 for pads, $200–$600 for rotors |
Oil and oil filter | Check for low oil and change the filter when needed. | Every 5,000–6,000 miles or once a year. Change filter every 2,000–3,000 miles. | $40–$50 for oil, $20 for filter |
A variety of resources can help you learn more about motorcycle riding, safety and tours.
About Erik Deckers
Erik Deckers is a professional blogger and ghostwriter for various financial, fintech and payment processing companies and a few dozen other clients and industries. He is the co-author of Branding Yourself, No Bullshit Social Media and The Owned Media Doctrine. He recently published his first humor novel, Mackinac Island Nation.
Erik has been blogging since 1997 and a newspaper humor columnist since 1994. He has written several radio and stage plays and numerous business articles. Erik was the Spring 2016 writer-in-residence at the Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, FL, and now serves on their board of directors.
