Motorcycle racing is a fun and exhilarating way to spend time with friends, but you should also be aware of the risks.
Yes, motorcycle racing is dangerous if you do not take it seriously and become irresponsible by not wearing safety kits or not following the safety protocols. If you go for a race with preparation and safety gear, then you will be safe.
Fortunately, for motorcycle racers, most of these risks can be avoided by following essential safety tips and using proper equipment when racing.
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Motorcycles have evolved into highly safe machines compared to their early years. Modern motorcycles have so many safety features that at speeds of over 200 MPH, they are almost impossible to break.
Still, there are certain precautions you should take before starting your ride on public roads or tracks. In this short article, you will have a close look at how dangerous motorcycle racing is.
Is Motorcycle Racing Dangerous?
Motorcycle racing is dangerous, and few people have the scope to deny it. It is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, which is why it has a reputation for being so risky.
There are risks associated with motorcycle racing, but it is not as dangerous as you might think. Let’s have a look at some of those.
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1. Riders Are Highly Vulnerable To Injury
There is no getting around that fact, and you should expect to experience some risk while riding. However, if you think things will be simple and easy,
The risks associated with racing motorcycles are high, and they may surprise you at first glance if you have no idea about the motorcycle racing track and higher-cc sportbikes.
Any rider participating in the race or the track will be fully exposed to the following situation.
Riders are exposed to high speeds and G forces
Riders can fall off their bikes and get hurt badly (or worse)
Rides can get into accidents when they collide with other riders
Also, consider how easy it would be for another rider coming up behind you to strike your rear tire with their front wheel.
If two riders side crash at full speed while crossing curves in the exact same direction—as often happens during races—it may look like there’s no way either could survive without serious injuries.
2. Cost of Racing is High and not just in terms of money
The cost of riding is high, not just in terms of money. Your family must deal with the emotional and financial consequences if you get injured.
You may not be able to work for months or even years due to a severe injury.
And if you die on the track, it could mean that their lives are forever changed due to having lost a loved one too soon—and there is nothing they can do about it!
3. One single mistake leads death of professional racers
In the last Supersport race, known as the 2022 Isle of Man TT, one highly experienced rider named Davy Morgan faced a tragic accident. He died from a heavy crash on the track at the 27th mile of the first race.
Even in the Malaysian MotoGP in 2011, Marco Simoncelli died due to extreme neck, head and chest injuries. He was one of the top-notch racers of that time, but with a single mistake, he said both the world and the track goodbye forever.
These two things show that even the best professional racers rarely make mistakes when they are riding motorcycles.
4. Amateur riders have a high probability of accidents on the track
Motorcycle riders who race are not amateurs. They are professionals with a lot of training and skill. They know how to handle their machines and keep them safe during competitions.
While you may think that being a motorcycle racer is an easy task, it requires more than just riding around on two wheels—it also requires training and preparation. Riders must be in top physical shape.
If you want to be in motorcycle racing, you have to go through the hardship of training.
Because you have to be able to handle your bike in dangerous situations physically, you have to have good reflexes and fast reactions as you compete against other racers at high speeds.
Professional racers train hard year-round to perform well in any race or event. So, without having enough practice under a specific coach or trainer, there is a high risk of even getting on the track for practice. Make a proper plan to reduce the vulnerabilities on the track.
Does Motorcycle Racing Have a Good Side?
Along with the negative side, you should also know the good part of motorcycle racing. Due to technological advancements, bike manufacturers and racing teams are adding more and more safety to racing bikes.
Though there are some accidents, motorcycle racing is still becoming more and more popular globally. And that’s happening at a time when high-level safety features and gear are flooding the market.
Let’s have a look at the green side of motorcycle racing.
1. Racing motorcycles have tons of safety features and technology
Racing motorcycles have safety features and technology designed to make them safer than most other vehicles on the road.
It is preferable if you have a helmet that fits properly and is made of a suitable material.There are no hard and fast rules regarding what type of helmet you should wear, but an open-face or half-helmet is preferable to a full-face because they offer better protection against impact injuries.
Body armour is a must for motorcycle racing. I think you never saw any professionals riding without the gears.
2. Motorcycle racing tracks are designed with safety in mind
When you ride a motorcycle on the track, you are running a race against the clock. It means that every second counts, and you need to be focused on what is happening around you.
Even if it doesn’t seem like there are any obstacles or hazards along the way—like other riders trying to pass—you have to pay attention to little things in case something unexpected happens.
Motorcycle racing tracks are designed with safety in mind, so they’re wide enough for two riders side by side.
And there are no guardrails surrounding these turns because if someone were hit by one, there would likely be severe injuries and property damage caused by debris hitting people nearby when something happened behind them while they were racing through those lines at high speed!
3. Racing motorcycles on public roads is illegal, and for good reasons
You may be wondering: “What kind of law is this?” Why can’t I race my motorcycle on public roads? Who cares if it’s illegal? “
The answer is simple. Racing motorcycles on public roads is dangerous and illegal for a reason. Racing puts you at risk of accidents with other vehicles, pedestrians, or even racers.
When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds and pushes 350+ horsepower or even more through its wheels, plenty of things can go wrong—especially when you’re racing against someone else.
4. Racing can be fun and relatively safe if you follow some basic precautions
If you’re thinking about racing motorcycles, it’s essential to know that it can be fun and relatively safe. Just remember these rules:
Racing isn’t for amateurs—to become a good racer, you need to start slow and learn from other riders. An excellent place to start is with a group of experienced racers who will give you advice on what they’ve learned over time.
Plus, racing bikes have many safety features and technology so that riders can stay safer than ever before. For example, most sports bikes have cruise control (which slows down when someone gets too close), anti-locking brakes (which help prevent skidding), and traction control (which keeps wheels from locking up).
Conclusion
The bottom line is that the risks of motorcycle racing are overblown. Like in any sport, inherent risks are involved, but you can mitigate them.
And if you want to try your hand at racing on closed tracks or dirt tracks where no one can see what you’re doing? Well, you can do that anytime.
Hopefully, this blog post gave you enough information on how motorcycle racing is a dangerous sport for ordinary people.
