How Effective Are Motorcycle Crash Bars?

When it comes to vehicle crashes, motorcyclists face the greatest risks of anyone on the road. These two-wheeled vehicles have plenty of benefits, but riders trade the flexibility and freedom for the safety of airbags, seat belts, or a hard outer shell. Helmets, padded clothing, special glasses or goggles, and closed-toe boots can offer some form of protection for motorcyclists’ bodies from severe and deadly injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident. Another potentially lesser-known piece of equipment that motorcycle riders can use is a motorcycle crash bar.

What are crash bars on a motorcycle?

A crash bar is a product that is meant to offer some motorcycle crash protection. If you are thinking about purchasing and installing a motorcycle crash bar but are not completely sure, many would urge you to do so as they are viewed as essential pieces of safety equipment. Crash bars are essentially horizontal bars that stick out or protrude from the motorcycle’s lower frame. The goal of a crash bar is to protect certain parts of the body of the bike, such as the engine or gas tank.

It is important to remember that crash bars were never created with the motorcycle rider or operator’s safety in mind. However, many motorcycle owners would argue that crash bars are essential for protecting a rider who is knocked off their motorcycle and lands near their bike. The argument is that without a crash bar, the rider may be crushed or injured underneath the bike. Twisted Throttle, a motorcycle website for avid riders, provides this statement about crash bars on motorcycles: “They can’t protect your bike in every situation––some falls are just too extreme––but if they do their job well enough that you can still ride home, you can chalk that up as a win for your side.”

Are crash bars difficult to install?

Crash bars are usually very easy to install. Depending on the type of crash bar you have chosen, you likely need to simply bolt the crash bar to your motorcycle using various tools, such as screwdrivers, sockets, ratchets, and wrenches. Most of the time, your crash bar will come with a specific set of instructions, which you should follow.

However, if you are not good with installing parts or working on motorcycles, you should reach out to a motorcycle mechanic to make sure that your crash bars are correctly installed. The last thing you want to do is improperly install a crash bar or mess up another part or piece of equipment while trying to add something meant to improve your bike.

What should motorcycle highway bars be made of?

You can purchase motorcycle crash bars made from a variety of materials. Here are a few of the common options, along with their benefits and drawbacks:

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel does not ever rust. It is also known to be very strong, meaning that it will never bend regardless of how much pressure is placed against it. However, instead of bending, it can break if it sustains too much pressure.
• Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight, which many motorcycle riders may prefer. However, this material is not as strong as stainless steel, meaning that it could bend or break more easily.
• Mild steel: Mild steel is another great option for a motorcycle crash bar. This material is very flexible, meaning that it will likely not break in an accident. However, it is important to know that mild steel can rust, which means that it may not last as long as aluminum and stainless steel.

How do crash bars work?

Motorcycle crash bars work by placing a protective bar between the road or asphalt and the motorcycle in the event of an accident. Therefore, many see crash bars as an additional form of protection for motorcyclists. Here are three ways that crash bars work:

1. They absorb the impact: When a motorcycle accident occurs, the crash bar absorbs most of the impact. This is because the bar is designed to specifically withstand the impact energy that the motorcycle frame experiences. Therefore, when a crash bar is installed, some of the most important motorcycle equipment and parts, such as the engine, frame, and gas tank, do not ever strike or make contact with the roadway in an accident.
2. They offer some protection to the motorcyclist: Crash bars provide an additional layer of protection by acting as a barrier between the motorcyclist’s legs or feet and the road or asphalt. As a result, the chance of motorcycle riders experiencing injuries to their feet, ankles, thighs, knees, or legs is reduced. Crash bars can also prevent burn injuries that commonly occur when a rider’s legs or feet rub against the hot engine or exhaust.
3. They increase motorcycle stability: When using a crash bar, you may also notice that your bike has more stability. Therefore, if you ever worry that the motorcycle may tip or fall over, your crash bars may be able to prevent this by encouraging your bike to stay upright. This can also give you peace of mind when riding your bike.

Are motorcycle crash bars effective in accidents in Kansas City, MO?

Crash bars can effectively prevent significant damage to a motorcycle and bodily injuries to the rider’s lower extremities in an accident. However, that does not mean that they are effective in every type of motorcycle crash in Kansas City, MO. For example, if a motorcycle rider is ejected forward from the bike after being rear-ended, the crash bar will not be able to protect them from injuries.

Motorcycle crash bars should never be installed or used with the expectation that they will prevent injuries in all motorcycle accidents. In addition, if you do not choose the right materials, your crash bar will easily bend or break in an accident, making it completely useless at preventing motorcycle damage or injuries.

Overall, crash bars are affordable, easy-to-maintain safety features. While they may not be able to prevent every injury or accident that a motorcyclist experiences, they can add additional safety or protection to you and your bike, which may be able to benefit you in certain situations.

The motorcycle accident lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys have decades of experience helping victims of motorcycle accidents. We know how life-changing injuries from motorcycle accidents can be, which is why we are dedicated to handling the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on healing and recovering. As Kansas City’s Favorite Law Firm, we work diligently daily to ensure that our clients know they are our top priority. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys today. We welcome you to visit our main office in Kansas City, MO, at any time. You may also schedule an appointment at one of our other convenient office locations in Lee’s Summit, Parkville and St. Joseph (MO); Olathe, Kansas City, and Overland Park (KS).