Motorcyclists who ride high-performance racing motorcycles called supersport bikes are being killed in accidents at a rate nearly four times higher than those who ride all other types of bikes. The bikes are built on racing platforms and then modified for the highway before being sold to consumers.
Research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the greatest insurance losses were incurred in claims involving racing motorcycles. Supersport bikes made up less than 10 per cent of registered motorcycles in 2005 but accounted for over 25 per cent of rider deaths.
Here’s a breakdown of deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles in 2005:Supersport drivers: 22.5 per 10,000
Sport and unclad sport bikes: 10.7 per 10,000
Cruisers and standard motorcycles: 5.7 per 10,000
Touring motorcycles: 6.5 per 10,000
Other/unknown: 4.3 per 10,000
Total: 7.5 per 10,000
Motorcycles are increasing in popularity as well. Between the years 2000 and 2005 registrations climbed by 51 per cent.
