cruiser motorcycles

What Is the Safest Type of Motorcycle?

What-Is-the-Safest-Type-of-Motorcycle

In general, motorcycles are not considered the safest option to travel when compared to cars. Motorcycles have open structures; they aren’t covered, unlike cars. They also lack the most essential safety features you find in cars. These include seat belts, airbags, and four wheels for self-balancing.


Despite these facts, motorcycles are among the popular modes of travel. They are widely used for daily commuting, weekend rides, long-distance journeys, and cross-country tours. Regardless of the many different classes and categories of bikes, people want to know the following: “What is the safest type of motorcycle?”


There are numerous types of motorcycles designed for particular purposes and terrain. For off-roading, there are specialized dirt bikes, enduros, dual sport bikes, adventure motorcycles, and scramblers.


Meanwhile, for daily commuting, we have standard bikes and roadsters. For comfortable long-distance motorcycle touring, we have cruiser motorcycles, touring motorcycles, and adventure tourers.


On the other hand, we also have sports and super sports bikes for track racing and high-speed performance.


If safety is your top priority while riding a bike, you should ride a motorcycle that promotes safe riding. Motorcycles are not unsafe. However, there are some motorcycles that are safer than others. In this article, we will discuss the safest type of motorcycles.


Besides choosing the right motorcycle, you are required to maintain certain safety standards while motorcycling to be safe.


Firstly, you must wear safety riding gear, including a DOT-approved helmet. Wear full riding gear, including a leather jacket, pants, motorcycle boots, and gloves. You must also adhere to traffic laws and ride sensibly and defensively at all times.


Continue reading this article if you are looking for the safest motorcycle type of all. However, before answering the main question, it is important to list down the characteristics and features that make motorcycles safe for riding.

1. What Makes Motorcycles Safe for Riding?

  • Reliable Braking Power: A motorcycle must have reliable braking power for stopping in both normal and emergency situations.

  • Motorcycle Safety Rider Aids: A motorcycle with safety rider aids is much safer compared to other bikes. These rider aids include ABS, traction control, stability control, and cornering-enhanced features.

  • Ride Stability: A motorbike has to be stable to ensure safety. Features such as low seat height, low center of gravity, and wider tires provide better ride stability.

  • Riding Comfort: A more comfortable motorcycle is safer compared to those with a sportier or aggressive riding stance. These bikes allow riders to focus more on the road.

  • Upright Riding Posture: An upright riding posture is the most ideal for long rides to avoid back pain. It also ensures better focus and vision of the road ahead.

  • Decent Legroom: The legroom does make a difference when it comes to safety. It must be adequate and comfortable enough to operate foot controls easily.

  • Motorcycle Weight: A lightweight motorcycle is quite a safe option for beginners. They are good for easy handling and maneuverability. However, a motorcycle must be decently heavier to ensure stable rides on highways. A lightweight motorcycle is not able to handle air drag at highway speeds.

  • Wide Motorcycle Handlebars: Wide motorcycle handlebars ensure better control over the bike, making rides safer.

  • Visibility: A motorcycle, along with the rider, must be visible enough to other vehicles on the road for safety. On top of bright motorcycle lights, motorcycle reflectors also improve riders’ visibility on roads.

  • Wind Protection for Motorcycles: A motorcycle with adequate wind protection is also considered safe. The air drag while riding a bike can negatively impact the stability.

  • Decently Wide and Fat Motorcycle Tires: Wide and fat tires improve linear stability and absorb bumps on the road, making rides safer.

2. What Is the Safest Type of Motorcycle?

#1

2.1 Cruiser Motorcycles

Cruiser Motorcycles

2.1.1 Safety & Comfort

Cruiser bikes are the safest type of motorcycles for versatile use. They offer a perfect balance of safety and comfort to riders. The enhanced comfort element of cruisers allows riders to ride comfortably without being distracted by back pain and muscle stiffness.

2.1.2 Suitable for All Riders

Cruiser motorcycles are one of the motorcycle types that are suitable for almost all types of riders. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or expert-level rider, there is a cruiser that suits your preferences.

2.1.3 Comfortable Riding Position & Ergonomics

Cruiser motorbikes ensure a comfortable riding stance to ride in a relaxed manner for miles. You can maintain an upright riding stance during the ride if you are riding a cruiser bike. The legroom is also decently spacious so as not to cause your legs to curl tightly during long rides.

2.1.4 Low Seat Height & Stability

Cruiser motorcycles also have low seat height and low center of gravity, making them more stable and planted. Keeping them balanced while parked on both your feet is easier, thanks to their low seat height.

Note: According to many surveys and safety reports, Cruiser Motorcycles and Standard Motorcycles are the safest motorcycles with the lowest reported motorcycle accident fatalities.

2.2 Some Drawbacks of Cruiser Motorcycles

2.2.1 Most Cruiser Motorcycles Are Heavyweight

Cruiser bikes are usually heavier than standard bikes and roadsters. Most cruiser motorcycles use large-displacement engines and metal parts, which make them heavier. However, they are lighter than touring motorcycles.


Due to being heavier, cruiser bikes aren’t the ideal first bike for beginners. However, there are beginner-friendly cruiser bikes available in the market with small-displacement engines. There are also sports cruiser motorcycles that are a bit lighter and manageable for beginners.

2.2.2 Cruiser Bikes Are Difficult to Maneuver and Corner

Another drawback of cruiser bikes is their low ground clearance, which ultimately leads to low cornering clearance. Cruiser bikes, particularly heavier ones, are difficult to maneuver because they are heavy.


Turning corners can also be a problem while riding a heavy cruiser motorcycle because of their low cornering clearance.

2.3 Some Safest Cruiser Bike Options for Beginners

Some of the best and safest cruiser motorcycles for beginners are:

  • Honda Rebel 250

  • Honda Rebel 300

  • Yamaha V Star 250

  • Harley Davidson Street 500

  • Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883

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2.4 Standard Motorcycles

Standard Motorcycles
Photo Credit: Slash Gear

Another safest motorcycle type is the standard motorcycle. A standard motorcycle, sometimes also referred to as a Roadster, is a widely used bike for city traveling and daily commuting. They are usually lightweight and have decent engine sizes.

2.4.1 Ensures Upright Riding Position

Standard motorcycles also ensure an upright riding stance. This helps maintain a comfortable stance while ensuring a better vision of the road ahead.

2.4.2 The Riding Stance Offers Better Control

They may not be as comfortable as cruiser motorcycles and touring bikes due to not having forward-mounted foot controls. However, the legroom is not as strict as you will find in sports bikes. Such a riding stance allows riders to have better control of the motorcycle and be safe.

2.4.3 Easy to Maneuver and Turn Corners

The wheelbase is shorter, the seat height is slightly higher, and the ground clearance is also better than cruisers. These features make standard bikes maneuver easily. Turning corners is also quite easy on standard bikes.

2.4.4 Best For Riding In Urban Settings

Standard motorcycles are one of the best-suited bike options for riding within the city. They are the perfect platform for riding on busy roads and in stop-and-go traffic.


Standard motorcycles are the safest type of motorcycle if you mostly ride within the city. They are also the best motorcycle type for beginners. However, if you are new to motorcycling, start with a low-capacity standard motorcycle.

2.5 Some Safest Standard Motorcycle Options for Beginners

  • Honda Grom

  • Honda CB300R ABS

  • Triumph Speed 400

  • BMW G 310 R

  • Suzuki SV650 ABS

#3

2.6 Touring Motorcycles

Touring Motorcycles

Touring motorcycles are also considered the safest type of motorcycles due to many reasons. Firstly, we need to understand what a touring bike is.

2.6.1 What Is a Touring Motorcycle?

A touring bike is among the heaviest motorcycle types that is widely used for cross-country rides and motorcycle tours. They are the most comfortable Type of Motorcycle with several touring-oriented parts.


Touring motorcycles are fully-loaded with motorcycle luggage bags, including saddlebags, trunks, sissy bar bags, or backpacks. Most touring bikes also feature in-built storage compartments.

2.6.2 Touring Motorcycles Offer Best Wind Protection

Above all, touring bikes also feature standard fairing or windscreen for superior wind protection. This feature makes them the most suitable bike for highway cruising and long-mile journeys.

2.6.3 Most Touring Motorcycles Feature the Top Safety Rider Aids

Most touring motorcycles are also equipped with top-of-the-line modern safety rider aids, including:

  • ABS

  • Traction Control

  • Cornering-enhanced ABS

  • Drag-Slip Control

  • Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

  • Hill Assist/Hill Hold Control


All these features make touring bikes one of the safest bikes on the planet.

2.6.4 Touring Bikes Offer the Most Relaxed Ergonomics

Touring motorcycles ensure the most relaxed riding position for long distances. The seat is usually soft and wide, and the handlebars are pulled back for easy reach. The legroom is extremely spacious, with certain premium touring bikes also featuring rider’s floorboards.

2.6.5 Least Involved Motorcycles in Accidents

The number of motorcycle accidents, as reported by National Highway Authorities, suggests that touring motorcycles are the least involved in accidents.

2.7 Some Drawbacks of Touring Motorcycles

There are certain drawbacks to these heavyweight touring bikes, which make them unsuitable for beginners and even some intermediate riders.

2.7.1 Touring Motorcycles Are the Heaviest

Touring bikes are the heaviest motorcycle type. It is mainly because of their gigantic size, large and powerful engines, multiple touring add-ons, and features.

2.7.2 Difficult to Steer and Maneuver

They are the most comfortable bikes, but they are the most difficult to steer and maneuver, particularly at slow speeds. The heavier the bike and the front end are, the more force and muscle strength are required to turn the handlebars. Turning a corner can be an impossible task for someone new to motorcycling.

2.7.3 Dropping a Touring Bike Is a Nightmare

Also, if you drop a touring bike, you may not be able to pick it up if you are a beginner. Dropping a touring bike can also cost you a lot of money for repair.

2.7.4 Unsuitable for Daily Use and Riding Within the City

If you have to travel on a motorcycle every day, a touring bike may be useless for you. They are highly unsuitable for riding on busy roads and in stop-and-go traffic. They are only good for highway cruising and comfortable long-haul tours.

3. What Is the Safest Type of Motorcycle for Beginners?

A motorcycle with a small-displacement engine, low weight, decent cornering and ground clearance, and low seat height is considered the safest motorcycle for beginners.


Talking about the safest motorcycle type for beginners, standard motorcycles, low-powered cruisers, and dual sport bikes are the best. These motorcycle types provide a perfect blend of features ideal for novice riders.


Dual Sport Bikes are versatile bikes designed for both on- and off-roading. They are extremely lightweight with small displacement engines. They offer exceptional fuel mileage and are easy and cheaper to maintain.


Some of the best and safest dual sport bike options for beginners are:

  • Honda CRF300L

  • Suzuki DR200SE

  • Yamaha TW200

  • Suzuki DRZ400S


For a more detailed information regarding the best dual sport bikes for beginners, read the below article:

4. What Is the Most Dangerous Type of Motorcycle?

What Is the Most Dangerous Type of Motorcycle?

The most dangerous type of motorcycle is the one that offers an aggressive riding stance or forward riding position. These include sports bikes and supersport bikes. Riders have to lean forward to grab the bars while riding a sport bike. This negatively impacts the visibility of the road ahead.


Sport bikes are built for high-speed performance. They have higher top speeds than cruiser motorcycles, standard bikes, and touring motorcycles. As a result, they are the most dangerous and riskier to ride, particularly on busy roads.


Sport bikes, particularly supersport bikes, are ideally designed for race tracks and closed circuits. Though most sports bikes are street-legal, they are still not very suitable for riding on busy roads and streets.


Statistics also prove that sport bikes are involved in most motorcycle accidents. Fatalities as a result of motorcycle accidents are also the highest in collisions involving a sport bike.

5. What Is the Safest Type of Motorcycle Helmet?

What Is the Safest Type of Motorcycle Helmet?

A full-face DOT-approved helmet is the safest type of motorcycle helmet. A full-face helmet protects and covers the full face, head, back of the head, and even the chin section.


However, for a motorcycle helmet to ensure the best safety, it must fit the rider perfectly. A helmet that fits the rider perfectly also helps in avoiding helmet buffeting.


If it is a DOT-certified helmet, it must have a solid outset shell.


The selection of the helmet visor is also important, depending on what time you ride a motorcycle. It is important for your safety to use clear and transparent helmet visors while riding during the night. Dark helmet visors are only good for riding during sunlight hours.

6. What Is the Safest Motorcycle Jacket?

According to most reviews and user opinions, Motorcycle Airbag Jackets are considered the safest for motorcyclists. These jackets include an innovative technology system that senses any irregular movement. The motorcycle airbag jacket inflates the airbag if it detects a motorcycle crash.


This technology keeps riders safe and protected from multiple upper-body injuries in the event of a motorcycle crash. It protects the rider’s spine, chest, neck, and abdomen.


The leather jacket is another popular motorcycle riding gear many riders use. It not only provides a stylish and classy look, but it also ensures decent safety from scratches and bruises in the event of a motorcycle crash.


In the end, make sure to wear a bright-colored motorcycle jacket or vest. It should have reflectors so you are more visible on the road, particularly while riding during the night.

7. Conclusion

It doesn’t matter what type of motorcycle you ride; you are not safe if you don’t ride sensibly and defensively. If you are a responsible rider and follow all the safety protocols, motorcycling is safe for you.


However, as per the stats, design, comfort, and rideability, standard bikes and cruiser motorcycles are the safest types of motorcycles. Touring motorcycles are also considered safe due to being highly comfortable and well-equipped. However, they are quite heavier for beginner riders.


So, if you have to travel within the city on a motorcycle, a standard bike is the safest option. If you want more comfort on a bike with the ability to cruise on highways, a cruiser bike is the safest motorcycle.


These are the safest types of motorcycles you can buy. Nonetheless, the bike you choose must fulfill its purpose. You cannot expect a standard street motorbike to take you long miles comfortably. Similarly, a touring bike is highly unsuitable for daily commuting on busy roads.

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