Motorcycles enjoy such a high demand from their consumer base that they’ve become part of American culture. Moto sports, dirt bike racing, and motorcycle clubs are a testament to the love that people have for these nimble vehicles. However, there’s no denying the fact that motorcycles account for a significant percentage of fatalities in vehicular accidents.
Their speed and maneuverability come at the cost of protection and durability. With this in mind, it’s important to keep in mind that the best upgrades are those that mitigate these drawbacks. Here are five upgrades that will improve your motorcycle’s safety.
Better Tires
Tires are the only part of a motorcycle that should ever make contact with the ground while riding, and they are directly responsible for traction while navigating corners and curves. Performance tires are thicker than stock tires, which means they have a greater surface area for gripping the road. While they can indeed be expensive, it’s easy to mitigate their cost by selling your stock tires, which are also in high demand.
Performance Brakes
Performance brakes go best with performance tires because motorcycles need better traction to take advantage of the improved braking power without losing control. Brakes aren’t only meant to stop a motorcycle, they also help maintain control while driving through sharp curves and corners. This is especially true for anti-lock braking systems which apply varying brake pressure to both wheels to ensure that speed is reduced without sacrificing control of the motorcycle. Anything that reduces the risk of crashing makes your motorcycle that much safer.
LEDs
The primary cause of motorcycle accidents is that motorcycles are difficult to see, especially in low light, because of their narrow frames. More often than not, motorcycle collisions occur because the motorists weren’t aware of the other. Motorcycle LEDs can make it easier to see riders, whether it’s by using daytime running lights or through the advantages of an LED license plate. Being seen is just as important as being able to see your surroundings.
Performance Windshields
Performance windshields don’t just keep the wind off your face while speeding down the highway. They are also angled in a manner that significantly improves the aerodynamics of the motorcycle. This minimizes drag and maintains traction at high speeds and it helps keep the motorcycle stable. Performance windshields also indirectly improve fuel efficiency, acceleration, and overall engine performance.
Frame Guards
Finally, while the first four upgrades are aimed at minimizing the risk of crashing, frame guards are meant to protect your motorcycle engine and your limbs during a crash. Frame guards are attachments that keep your motorcycle frame from making contact with the ground during a fall or crash. Engine and frame repairs are extremely expensive and sometimes, you may even be better off by simply buying a new motorcycle. Frame guards are an inexpensive and widely-available preventive measure.
Motorcycles are inherently dangerous. In fact, the matter of a crash ought to be treated more as an eventuality rather than a possibility. These upgrades are some of the best ways to mitigate this inherent danger and they should be among the first upgrades that motorists should consider investing in.
