User forums: Let’s talk about cars

Maybe you’re the person friends and family turn to for advice on cars, or you just love chatting about the great deal you got on your new car. Or perhaps you’ve run into some annoying problems with your car and are wondering if other owners are experiencing the same difficulties with this particular model. If you’ve got something to say about cars, join the conversation in our engaging community forums. Our forums are the place to discuss everything from what’s the best car to buy if you are a taller-than-average person to negotiating the best price on a particular used car. There have been some great discussions recently, as highlighted below. These particular topics caught our attention for being timely and insightful. We welcome you adding your own two cents to any of these ongoing conversations or starting a new one.

Online subscribers are encouraged to interact with our tech team in the Best Car for You, John’s Toolbox, and Tire Talk sections.

GPS navigation systems:
GPS address accuracy – Problems and potential solutions for when your GPS doesn’t take you exactly where you want to go.

Also, join the conversation in some of our blog entries on GPS:
Garmin GPS – New navigators with reality view and lifetime traffic
Garmin lowers GPS prices, discontinues some models
Personalize your Garmin GPS - Follow that burrito!

Choosing a new car:
Choosing a small car:  Where does the gas go in?—How can you find out which side the gas tank is on when comparing models?

Also check out our blog entries on buying and leasing a car.

Share your experience and tips:
Owning your car: Go beyond the popular 200,000 Mile Club to engage the 400,000 Mile Club—Read about how other drivers got their cars to go the distance.

Motorcycles & Scooters:
First Bike Purchase—What is the best motorcycle for a new rider?
Why a scooter—Are two wheels a good choice for running errands around town?
Commuting on a motorcycle—Readers discuss the pros and cons of using a motorcycle for their commute to work.

For more conversations about motorcycles and scooters, check out the discussions in our blog entries:
From the archives: Motorcycle safety tips

—Desiree Calamari

From the archives: Motorcycle safety tips

Scanning through past Consumer Reports articles on motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds, advice from the June 1981 issue resonated with me today. The basic wisdom from decades past still applies today. I set this research aside to address later, along with lessons gleaned from the well-packaged Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Guide to Motorcycling Excellence and other bike publications cluttering my desk. However, a news headline from Automotive News today ("Pininfarina CEO dies in road accident") drove home the importance of again sharing safety advice, particularly before a summer weekend. (Also see the Pininfarina company statement and New York Times article.)

Andrea Pininfarina, the CEO of famed automotive design firm Pininfarina, died this morning. He was reportedly riding a Vespa scooter to work when he was struck by a car. At this time, I do not know the particulars of this tragedy, though it underscores that safety must be of paramount concern when riding any motorcycle or scooter, and much of the following applies to both.

Excerpted from Consumer Reports, June 1981:

There are three main reasons [motorcycles have a higher death rate than automobiles]:

1. A motorcycle is much harder to see than a car.
2. A motorcycle offers its rider little or no protection
3. A motorcycle’s handling is tricky—if it skids, it often spills.

• Like any motorized two-wheeler, a motorcycle must be ridden with extreme care. Steering, accelerating, and braking require skill and a high degree of coordination to handle competently. If you’re used to power steering, power brakes, and automatic transmission, learning to balance a motorcycle while handling its clutch and gear-shifter can be a formidable task.
• If you’re a beginner, ride especially conservatively for the first six months or so. Learn to operate the clutch and both brakes smoothly and precisely, to avoid skidding. As your skill increases, gradually discover the limits of your motorcycle’s traction—but do it in a safe place, away from traffic, and do it carefully.
• A properly designed motorcycle, when cornered too hard, always skids out at the rear. To recover control, allow the skid to continue somewhat, without aggravating it. Reduce throttle so the engine is neither speeding you up nor slowing you down. Don’t touch the brakes. To maintain balance, steer in the direction of the skid—that is, turn the front wheel to the right if the rear wheel is skidding to the right. Brake only when you have the motorcycle under full control.
• Use the front brake carefully to avoid locking up the front wheel. If the front wheel begins to skid, release the brake instantly.
• Drive defensively. Assume that you are invisible and that motorists therefore will not give you the right of way. It’s unwise to place your life in the hands of every stranger who drives by.

Our current engineers also caution that traction varies widely on different road surfaces and in different weather. Learn to scan the pavement and determine the level of grip available. If it’s too shiny, it may be slick.

In the future, we explore the Consumer Reports archives further and dig deeper into safety and ownership issues. Learn more about motorcycle and scooter safety from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more motorcycles and scooters coverage, read our blog entries:
Vespa LX150 scooter – A fair-weather friend
Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter
Downsizing to two wheels - Motorcycle interest revs up
Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save
Motorcycle death rates doubled; supersport bikes the most dangerous

Also, join in the Motorcycles & scooters forum discussion. 

Vespa LX150 scooter – A fair-weather friend

About a month ago we promised to get our hands on some scooters for evaluation. We’ve just added a couple of Vespas to our test fleet, a 50cc LX50 and a 150cc LX150. The LX50 model cost us $3,299, the LX150 $4,399. After some buzzing around (“Vespa” means wasp in Italian) in the immediate vicinity, it became clear that most of us prefer the 150. Though the 50cc model doesn’t require a motorcycle license, it’s limited to only 30 mph and feels sluggish. In order to ride legally and confidently on highways, you’d need a 250cc scooter.

The other day I ferried the LX150 home on a trailer so I could ride it in more urban and suburban settings than the rural roads around our test track. I immediately felt very trendy. Spurred on by record high gas prices, the Vespa has become a fashion statement in my neck of the woods in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Mind you, I’m not a two-wheeler novice: I used to own a Triumph motorcycle. It took a bit of a mindset adjustment to ride the Vespa, but I’m happy to announce that my ego remained intact. Luckily, everything else also remained intact despite a few nerve-racking moments in rush-hour traffic and a sudden booming thunderstorm. Riding in the rain is very stressful and fatiguing due to the reduced grip, impaired visibility, and the already  oblivious motorists around you.

The 150, with just 12 hp on tap, had no problem keeping up with traffic in the range of 15 and 45 mph. There’s enough oomph for clearing an intersection without feeling overly vulnerable, and for quick spurts to escape from a potentially hazardous situation. Climbing mild grades is also quite effortless, at least when riding solo. The CVT automatic works well and the muted engine noise is unobjectionable. The manufacturer claims 72 mpg “under lab conditions.” We haven’t been able to confirm that yet, but stay tuned.

We’ve reached a top speed of about 65 mph on a long straight, but the scooter’s natural habitat is the neighborhood, not the interstate. The brakes, activated by two levers on the handlebar, work well and are easy to modulate.

From a motorcyclist’s perspective, you’d think that with the Vespa’s small wheels and the floor board, it might scrape the pavement in corners. Actually, there’s ample clearance, and the Vespa feels quite agile and responsive. With just a gentle lean, you round any corner. Low-speed maneuvering in tight quarters is very easy. The ride is firm yet compliant, and very well controlled when traversing dips, swells, and undulations. Notably, there is very little vibration felt through the seat, handlebar, and floor.

The beige suede seat on our LX150 looks sharp and got several compliments from bystanders. Plus, it dispels rain drops easily. Unfortunately, birds like it, too. I loved the ability to store my full-face helmet under the seat. However, I missed not having a side-kick for quick stops, even though the center stand was easy enough to use. I could see that it might be awkward for the uninitiated.

Overall, the Vespa LX150 is a fun little urban runabout that’s very easy to drive. It can serve as a wind-in-your-face ride to the beach or as a frugal commuter to the train station. There is a certain freedom element to driving the Vespa, as long as you keep in mind that it is a limited-use vehicle and a fair-weather friend.

Keep an eye on the blog for additional posts on motorcycles and scooters, including full evaluations.

—Gabe Shenhar

For more motorcycles and scooters coverage, read our blog entries:
Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter
Downsizing to two wheels - Motorcycle interest revs up
Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save
Motorcycle death rates doubled; supersport bikes the most dangerous

Also, join in the Motorcycles & scooters forum discussion. 

How to reduce the risk of getting hurt on a motorcycle

People considering riding a motorcycle to save gas should be concerned about safety. After all, motorcycles are inherently less stable than cars and riders lack any significant protection from impacts. In fact, motorcyclists are about 34 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Injuries also are often much more severe. However, a properly trained and outfitted rider can significantly reduce the risks, as revealed in the seminal study of the causes of motorcycle accidents and injuries, "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures."

Hugh Hurt, a motorcycle safety expert who now runs the Head Protection Research Laboratory, published a comprehensive study in 1981. While the study may be old, the scale and thoroughness provide valuable insights into accident causes, elements that enhance survivability, and ultimately suggests ways that motorcyclists can ride smarter and safer.

Hurt investigated 900 motorcycle accident scenes in the Los Angeles area. In addition, Hurt and his team analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accident reports in the same region.

They summarized key factors that contributed to the investigated motorcycle accidents. The findings can be summed up in three solid pieces of advice:

Wear a helmet (and other dedicated protective clothing).

Make sure you're visible to other drivers.

Get training before you ride.

Beyond that, here are the main findings of the study in more detail:

INJURIES
The likelihood of injury is extremely high in motorcycle accidents. In the study, 98 percent of the multiple-vehicle collisions and 96 percent of the single-vehicle accidents resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; 45 percent resulted in more than a minor injury.

Injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement, and motorcycle size. Wearing protective clothing can prevent or reduce abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent—but rarely severe.

ACCIDENT CAUSES
The failure of other motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic was found to be the predominant cause of motorcycle accidents.Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most often a car. The most frequent accident scenario was a car making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Therefore, making the motorcycle and motorcyclist more conspicuous, especially from the front, is key to reducing accidents.

Accidents were found to be significantly reduced by using motorcycle headlamps and by the rider wearing a high-visibility yellow, orange, or bright red jacket. The study did not identify a clear link between motorcycle color and safety. The report said the color is likely to be insignificant because the accidents were most often frontal, where little of the motorcycle color would be visible to the other driver. Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields may improve visibility.

Most motorcycle accidents happened at intersections, involving a short trip, and occurred a very brief time after the trip originated.

LACK OF SKILLS AND PREPARATION
The typical motorcycle accident allows the rider less than 2 seconds to complete all collision avoidance actions.

Yet, riders involved in accidents had poor collision avoidance skills. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel and underbrake the front wheel, greatly reducing stopping power. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent.

The motorcyclists were found to be essentially without training; 92 percent were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Riders with previous experience riding dirt bikes were less likely to be involved in accidents than others.

Seventy-three percent of the riders in accidents rode without eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on the unprotected eyes contributed to impaired vision, which delayed hazard detection.

Inexperience with the bike is a major factor. More than half the riders involved in accidents had less than five months experience on the accident motorcycle, although the total street-riding experience was almost three years.

Bottom line: get proper training, be visible, and wear a bright jacket and full protective gear.

Riders, have your own tips? Please share them in the comments section, or in our forum.

—Eric Evarts

Also read: "Motorcycle death rates doubled" and "Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save".

User forums: Let’s discuss cars

If you’re car shopping, or interested in fuel economy, motorcycles, GPS systems, or other automotive topics, then join the conversation in our engaging community forums. There have been some great discussions this month, as highlighted below. These have stood out to us for being popular and insightful. Of course, you are always welcome to start a conversation, as well.

Online subscribers are encouraged to interact with our tech team in the Best Car for You, John’s Toolbox, and Tire Talk sections.

Summer travel: GPS navigation forum:
GPS for the older driver - Get advice from readers on which models are easy to use. 
Best price for Garmin Nuvi 760 - Get tips on where to find the best price.
Updating inaccurate maps - Updating inaccurate maps

Also, join the conversation in some of our blog entries on GPS:
The best GPS for me, and you
New portable GPS navigation ratings

Buying a car:
Lease vs. buy - Readers report getting some great deals and share helpful negotiating tips.
How have gas prices impacted you - Find out how readers are dealing with increased fuel costs.
Online research - Get tips on researching and buying a car online.

Take a look at our blog entries on buying and leasing a car.

Two-wheeled transportation:
Motorcycles & scooters - Experienced riders offer detailed insights on what bikes they recommend for new riders.
First bike purchase - Get advice from seasoned riders on where to begin if you are considering a bike purchase.
Protective gear - Find out which gear is necessary to protect you from the elements.

For more conversations about motorcycles and scooters, check out the discussions in our blog entries:
Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter
Downsizing to two wheels - Motorcycle interest revs up
Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save
Motorcycle death rates doubled; supersport bikes the most dangerous

—Liza Barth

Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter

Anxious to reduce your fuel costs and looking to a motorcycle or scooter? If you can accept the significant safety risks, but are not sure where to start, here are some tips to aid your purchase and use.

Do I need a license? Motorcyclists usually require a special license. Check with your local DMV to determine operator age or engine size restrictions.  In some states, a scooter that displaces less than 50cc requires only a vehicle license to operate, not a motorcycle license. New York State for example, requires a special license when the top speed of the scooter or motorcycle goes above 30 mph. Below that, you don’t need a special license, but there are limitations on where it can be operated. Vehicles that go below 30 mph need to stay in the right lane or shoulder. Other states require completion of a motorcycle training course. Check with your local DMV as the laws vary based on the state in which you live.

How to learn to ride? A training class for motorcycles or scooters is highly recommended, especially for first-time riders. Beyond learning balance, the use of throttle, brakes, and cornering are all very different from driving an automobile. Professional instructors can teach proper, safe riding techniques, explaining such things as how to ride in a lane and how to remain visible to other vehicles.

What about insurance? You need insurance to drive a motorcycle or scooter, and it’s less expensive than insuring a car. You can start by checking with your current vehicle insurer to see if they offer insurance. You must register the vehicle with the DMV, as well.

Is a helmet required? Helmet laws vary in each state. Currently, only 20 states require one for everyone, but other states require them by age. Your local DMV will be able to help. Consumer Reports recommends full-face helmet use for everyone. Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. In 2006, 41 percent of motorcycle deaths were from those not wearing a helmet. When purchasing a helmet, look for ones that are compliant with the Department of Transportation standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218).

What gear is important? In addition to buying the bike/scooter, you need to determine what gear is necessary. Besides a helmet, a face shield will help protect you against the elements (which can include dust, wind, rain, pebbles, and bugs). Glasses or goggles are not as effective as a full-face shield. Motorcycle-specific jackets, pants, boots, and gloves are also necessary to protect you in the event of a crash and from the heat, cold, debris, or mechanical elements on the bike. Bright colors can help make you more visible. Investing in proper motorcycle gear can provide significant protection, particularly from road rash, over regular street clothes.

Consider parking. Before you purchase that motor bike for your commute, consider where you will park. In most cities, you can park on the street like cars, but there is the risk of the vehicle being knocked over or vandalized. You may also get a ticket if you try to park in between designated spaces. In the city of Chicago, for example, motorcycles and scooters must be parked perpendicular to the street. Check with your local town/city for the guidelines. If you decide you want to be safe and park at a garage or lot, make sure that the garage allows them and check the fees—they may be the same as passenger cars.

If you have any other tips to share on motorcycles and scooters, please post in the comments below or visit our forum to discuss two-wheelers with other consumers.

—Liza Barth

Also read: "Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save".

To learn more about motorcycle riding from the American Motorcyclist Association.

Downsizing to two wheels - Motorcycle interest revs up

Readers have been very vocal this spring and summer about their growing interest in motor scooters and motorcycles as a means to reduce their fuel consumption. The rapid rise in fuel prices is taking an unexpected toll on the average household, and these two-wheeled machines promise an entertaining alternative to commuting by car.

As we have conveyed in the forum and through blogs, the Cars team is looking very seriously at motorcycles and scooters. We've been visiting dealers, talking to manufacturers, and studying market research as we get our collective hands around these products and related issues.

Survey says….
One tool we have used is our latest Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The focus for this random, nationwide telephone survey was gas prices, and the results are presented in "Gas prices survey shows pain at the pump hurts at home." In constructing the interview-based survey, we did slip in a question asking the adult car drivers if they have considered the ultimate vehicle downsize--giving up two wheels.

What we found is that 26 percent have considered this significant change, with 18 percent looking at a motorcycle and 14 percent drawn to a scooter.

As we wrote in "Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save," sales of scooters are up 24 percent for the first few months of 2008. With gas prices continuing to rise, sales could increase during the summer months.

These numbers are quite dramatic given the inherent compromises with two-wheel transit, such as seasonal, fair weather use; limited speed; limited passenger and cargo capacity; and of course, safety. But clearly, there is an accelerating trend that we will continue to monitor.

Are you using a motorcycle or motor scooter to reduce your fuel costs? Considering purchasing one?

Join in the discussion in our forum. We’re interested in hearing how often you drive one; what you’re riding or considering; and what kind of fuel economy you are observing.

As always, be safe.

—Jeff Bartlett

Join the discussion in the Cars forums to share how gas prices have impacted your lifestyle and what adjustments you are making to compensate. If you’d rather talk motorcycles and scooters, visit this forum.

Consumer Reports opens motorcycles and motor scooters forum

This spring and continuing into summer, we have seen tremendous reader interest in motorcycles and motor scooters as both a recreational outlet and fuel-saving alternative to an automobile. Our initial thread on the topic inspired great discussion, with participants sharing personal insights and sound advice, but clearly the interest is rapidly outgrowing the thread.

So, we have begun a formal discussion area within the Cars forums to enable, and indeed encourage, readers to share their views on buying, owning, and safely operating motorcycles and motor scooters.

In addition, we will continue to provide motorcycle coverage in the Cars blog. Enthusiasts are invited to bookmark the specific "Motorcycles & scooters" category link.

We will be monitoring the forum discussions to inform our future motorcycle advice and general coverage.

So, tighten your chin strap, put up the kick stand, and cruise over to the new discussion area. See you there!

—Jeff Bartlett

Motorists move to scooters and motorcycles to save

With the rising cost of fuel, consumers are looking at other transportation options to ease the burden on their wallets. Consequently, interest in motorcycles and motor scooters has increased dramatically of late, evidenced by both sales and feedback from our readers. Because of this two-wheeler trend, Consumer Reports is taking a closer look at these products, including with this segment overview and reality check on safety.

Sales are revving up
Historically, motorcycles (which include on-highway scooters) have been increasing in sales and registrations since the mid-1990s, with cruisers and touring bikes having particular appeal to empty-nest baby boomers. In 2006, there were over 6.6 million motorcycle registrations, which is an increase of almost 500,000 from the previous year and up significantly over the past 10 years. Sales in 2006 are estimated to be just under 1.2 million.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, sales of scooters are up about 24 percent for the first few months of 2008. Yamaha scooter sales to date this year are up 65 percent over last year. Vespa set an all-time sales record in May, moving 2,758 scooters in the United States, besting the previous record from June, 2007, of 1,675.

The attraction of two wheels
Motorcycles and scooters offer increased fuel economy over traditional vehicles, ranging anywhere from manufacturer claims of 40 to more than 100 mpg depending on the engine size, vehicle weight, and passenger size, which can mean significant savings over most cars.

While the fuel benefits are alluring to buyers, there are some compromises—one is the limitation from driving in all seasons and the second is safety. Scooters and motorcycles are not good year- round transportation if you live in the Snow Belt. Even in southern states, summer heat and the rainy season can limit time for safe, enjoyable riding. So in many areas, riders need a traditional vehicle for certain seasons, inclement weather, carrying cargo, and for family travel.

Reality check on safety
Simply stated: motorcycles are far more dangerous than cars and can be quite deadly. Fatalities have increased by 127 percent since 1997, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a motorcyclist is about 34 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car. In 2006, motorcycle fatalities accounted for more than 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths, despite accounting for only a fraction of total vehicle miles traveled. The rise in motorcycle use may partially explain this trend, but the rising death toll exceeds the increase in registrations and miles traveled.

Some explanation for the high death rate is that inherently motorcycles aren’t as stable or visible as cars. (This may be complicated by recent automotive styling trends, which have reduced visibility in some cars and SUVs.) Crash protection is also lacking as occupants are driving in the open air, without any restraint device, and don’t have the safety benefits of an enclosed vehicle.

Another safety issue is helmet use. Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. NHTSA estimates that using a helmet could reduce crash fatalities by 37 percent. During the 30 months after Florida repealed its helmet law in 2002, there were 40 percent more hospitalizations and a 24 percent increase in deaths compared to the 30 months before the law was changed. But currently, only 20 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico have a universal law that requires all drivers to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. Twenty-seven states require one only for young people (usually under the age of 18) and three states (New Hampshire, Illinois, and Iowa) have no law requiring helmet use.

Even with all the safety issues related to motorcycles and scooters, there is growing consumer interest in purchasing these vehicles as a cost-saving measure, mainly for short commutes.

Where we stand
Consumer Reports is researching this segment and is looking into developing a test protocol to evaluate scooters and entry-level motorcycles. We approach these products with grave concern for rider safety and caution readers against a hasty decision to move to two-wheeled transportation without proper training and safety gear.

We will provide continued motorcycle coverage in the blog and will advise if it becomes part of our testing.

In the meantime, please visit our forum to discuss motorcycles and scooters with riders and other interested consumers.

—Liza Barth

Also read: “Motorcycle death rates doubled.”

Learn more about motorcycle riding from the American Motorcyclist Association.

Motorcycle death rates doubled; supersport bikes the most dangerous

Riding motorcycles is commonly considered a dangerous recreational pursuit. Just how risky? Motorcyclist fatalities have more than doubled in 10 years and reached 4,810 in 2006, accounting for 11 percent of total highway fatalities, according to recent analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). In addition, 88,000 riders were injured last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Motorcycle deaths are on the rise, while automotive fatalities are decreasing accoding to reports from IIHS, NHTSA, and other safety agencies. The trends do reflect an increasing number of younger motorcyclists piloting performance bikes, as well as continued improvement in car safety. However, averaged across all registered motorcycles for 2005, 99.9 percent of riders did not meet an untimely demise.

What motorcycles show the greatest risks?
Supersport bike riders have death rates that are four times greater than average for all motorcycle types, says the IIHS. These so-called rockets are essentially racing bikes modified for highway use. Engineered for speed, they typically have more horsepower per pound than other bikes. A 2006 model Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, for example, produces 111 horsepower and weighs 404 pounds. In contrast, the 2006 model Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide, a touring motorcycle, produces 65 horsepower and weighs 788 pounds.

"Supersport motorcycles are indeed nimble and quick, but they also can be deadly," says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research. "These bikes made up less than 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005 but accounted for over 25 percent of rider deaths."

The fatality rates for cruiser and "standard" riders rank the lowest, at 5.7 deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles. Touring bikes, such as the Harley example, averaged 6.5 deaths, with sport bikes totaling 10.7 deaths per 10,000.

Why the increased fatalities?
There are a growing number of motorcycles on the road, with total registrations climbing 51 percent between 2000 and 2005. While cruisers and standard motorcycles made up the bulk of registrations, supersport bikes see registrations up 83 percent in 2005 compared with 2000. In 2005 supersport bikes accounted for 9 percent of registrations, cruisers made up 47 percent, and standards 4 percent.

"Supersport motorcycles have such elevated crash death rates and insurance losses because many people ride them as if they were on a racetrack," McCartt says. "Data show that speed is a big factor in their crashes."

Speeding and driver error were bigger factors in fatal crashes of supersport, sport, and unclad sport bikes compared with other motorcycle classes. In contrast, speed was cited in 57 percent of supersport riders' fatal crashes in 2005, compared to 27 percent of fatal crashes among riders on cruisers and standards and 22 percent on touring motorcycles.

Alcohol 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.

"With more motorcyclists on the road and fewer of them wearing helmets, the result is bound to be an increase in deaths and injuries," says McCartt. "Motorcycles are inherently risky, and when crashes occur head injury is a leading cause of death. The most effective way we know to reduce head injury risk is to wear helmets that meet federal safety standards. Wearing a helmet would have saved at least 700 motorcyclists' lives in 2005, an Institute analysis shows."

Certain bike types may invite dangerous behavior, but ultimately it is the driver that takes the risks.  Whatever is your vehicle of choice, obey the law and drive responsibly for all our sakes.

—Jeff Bartlett

Considering buying a bike? Read "Tips on buying and driving a motorcycle or scooter" and other blog posts on motorcycles and motor scooters.

Visit our forum to discuss motorcycles and scooters with riders and other interested consumers.