Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes, not only in physical dimensions but also in engine capacity (CC’s). Many motorcycle riders are very vocal about bigger motorcycles being better and safer for the rider on the road. So, are bigger motorcycles safer?
Here’s my answer:
Physically bigger motorcycles can be safer to ride. Their bigger tires and greater visibility give them added safety benefits over smaller motorcycles. Larger, more powerful engines on motorcycles can also be safer depending on the rider’s experience. In contrast, bigger motorcycles with smaller, less powerful engines are safer for newer, less-experienced riders.
When choosing a motorcycle from a safety aspect, getting a physically larger motorcycle would probably be your safest choice. While this may seem somewhat counter-intuitive since bigger motorcycles are heavier and usually faster, you may be surprised at why they are safer than smaller bikes!
Why Are Bigger Motorcycles Safer?
Many people would say that no motorcycle is safe to ride, but that’s why it is great that we can all have our own opinions and make our own choices. Most motorcyclists I have asked who have ridden both small and large bikes will confirm that out of all the bike sizes, larger motorcycles are safer to ride than their smaller counterparts.
I decided to take a closer look at why there is a consensus and determine if it is true. After investigating this matter, I find that big motorcycles are not the best choice and are not necessarily safer in some instances.
Here are the main reasons why big motorcycles are considered to be safer:
- Big motorcycles are more stable
- Big motorcycles have larger tires
- Bigger engine size means faster acceleration
- Bigger motorcycles have better brakes
- Bigger motorcycles are more visible
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Big Motorcycles Are More Stable
The additional weight associated with a physically big motorcycle makes the motorcycle feel more stable on the road and less affected by bumps and uneven road surfaces or small obstacles in the street.
For a less experienced rider, these road conditions can feel exaggerated on a small, lighter bike, which could affect the rider’s balance, cause the bike to wobble, and even fall over in some circumstances.
Some would argue that a heavy motorcycle is difficult for a rider to control because of its weight.
In my experience, you only feel a bike’s weight as a disadvantage when you are maneuvering the bike at very slow speeds. When you are almost at a standstill, the likelihood of an accident other than dropping the bike is very slim, so safety is not a concern here.
While riding a physically bigger, heavier motorcycle out on the open road, I have found that a motorcycle’s weight to be of no concern whatsoever. Much of the weight on the larger motorcycles are usually low down on the bike, which helps disguise the weight.
Big Motorcycles Have Larger Tires
Bigger motorcycles usually have larger tires, and this equates to more rubber on the surface of the road at any one time than that of smaller bikes.
The larger surface area of the tires on physically bigger bikes are particularly beneficial when cornering the bike and even more so when riding in wet conditions. When combined with the additional weight of the bike, the wider tires make the grip on the asphalt significantly superior to that of smaller, lighter motorcycles.
The extra amount of rubber on the road is also an advantage when braking hard. The additional tire rubber that is in contact with the road surface adds friction and makes braking more efficient, even though there is more weight to the motorcycle, which has to be halted.
The smaller, thinner tires on small bikes combined with their lack of mass make cornering less safe on these bikes, and they are easily displaced in the wet weather, causing them to lose traction more easily.
The tires on larger heavier motorcycles also are manufactured to last longer and more information about this can be found by reading my other article How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last.
Big bikes are definitely safer than smaller bikes when this aspect of their size difference is taken into account.
Bigger Engine Size Means Safer Motorcycle
Non-bikers will struggle to understand that acceleration can be a safety contributor on a motorcycle. However, having a quick turn of speed can contribute to how safe motorcycle riding can be.
Get out of trouble fast.
Fast acceleration is an option available when on a bike and can get the rider out of a sticky situation. In some circumstances going faster will help the rider avoid a potential accident more so than hitting the brakes and slowing down. You will be quite surprised at how common this situation is and when a turn of speed is the best option for a biker.
However, this option is not just available on the more physically bigger motorcycles but also on, the smaller sized bikes with big powerful engines.
Getting ahead of traffic.
The ability to pull off from a standing start and get ahead of the traffic is a part of riding a big bike that should not be diminished. Getting ahead of the traffic stream makes you less vulnerable than mixing it up with vehicles that are much larger than you are and sometimes don’t notice the bikers when changing lanes.
However, this option is available to the physically smaller motorcycles with powerful engines and not just to the physically larger types of motorcycles.
Of course, the greater acceleration and speed of the physically bigger and the smaller, more powerful motorcycles can be a safety hazard for the rider, especially when misused.
However, responsible riders can benefit from having the extra power available, which can significantly increase the safety factor.
In my opinion, a bigger, more powerful motorcycle can be a safety aspect with regards to motorcycle safety if used appropriately.
Bigger Motorcycles Have Better Brakes
Because of the additional weight of a large bike, the braking system installed on a physically more significant or more powerful smaller bike is usually a more superior braking system than those installed on smaller and less powerful motorcycles.
Most modern big bikes will have disc brakes on the front and back, which is a more efficient braking system than the traditional drum brake system installed on the rear wheel of many smaller bikes.
The braking systems on physically bigger bikes are designed to bring these large machines to a quick stop, even considering their higher speed capability and additional weight. This often makes it possible for a bigger bike to stop much more effectively than a smaller bike, making the big bike safer to ride than a smaller bike.
This is also the case for smaller-sized motorcycles with bigger, more powerful engines. The braking systems on these bikes are manufactured to a higher standard than those of smaller, less powerful bikes.
The size, weight, and power of a motorcycle will also affect how long the brake pads on a motorcycle last which I talk about within my other article, How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
Bigger Motorcycles are More Visible
While there are many ways to increase your visibility as a bike rider, such as wearing high visibility clothing and helmet, there is no doubt that a larger bike has more bulk. The size presents a more significant shape to motorists, which other road users are more likely to notice than a physically smaller bike.
The visual profile of a smaller bike more closely represents that of a slow-moving bicycle than a motorcycle. Unfortunate as it may be, this unconsciously means that motorists take less notice of you because a bicycle poses less of a threat on the roads to the motorist than a motorcyclist.
A big bike has a bigger and more commanding presence, which forces motorists to notice you in the traffic and makes them more aware that you are sharing the road with them and need to give you attention.
The extra attention that a physically big bike affords over a physically smaller bike in traffic by making you more noticeable to other road users is a definite plus in motorcycle riding safety.
When Is A Big Bike Not Safer?
There are times when a big bike is not the safest option when it comes to motorcycles. Mostly this is when the rider is a novice biker.
A new person to biking will find it difficult to control a large bike in heavy traffic and be so focused on controlling and handling the bike that their attention will not be fully on the traffic and road conditions.
The additional horsepower of a large bike often complicates the learning experience for a new rider, which is why it is recommended that a new rider learn the basics on a smaller, lighter, less powerful machine before taking on the raw power of a larger bike.
Sometimes the riding conditions are not suitable for a big bike, such as frequently traveling on un-tarred road surfaces. Bigger bikes are generally not adept at negotiating these kinds of roadways, and a smaller, lighter bike would be more suitable and safer.
This is one reason when choosing which motorcycle to purchase; the buyer should know what type of riding he or she will use the bike for.
Conclusion
Riding motorcycles is a dangerous way to be on the road because of the additional risks of being on two wheels and being more vulnerable in the event of an accident.
However, taking precautions, riding sensibly, and making the adventure as safe as you possibly can, will definitely make great strides to making motorcycling a safer experience.
Riding a bigger bike definitely has many advantages that can contribute to making your time on the road safer.
Happy riding!
