Are Scooters Really Safer Than Motorcycles? This is What the Research Says
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- Non-riders generally perceive scooters to be safer than motorcycles, while bike riders disagree. Who is right?
To find out, check out adventurebiketroop.com/scooter - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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It's not about the bike. It's about the rider. Some fools ride like they are looking for trouble. They often find it.
100%
I have never cut myself with my kitchen knife until I did something stupid.
I’ve been riding bikes and scooters for over 30 years,
Most of the crashes I know of are Middle Aged men on big bikes that they only ride on sunny days,
I also find that maxi scooters handle much better than bikes with a pillion passenger,
I have ridden many bikes over the past 20 years. Recently I bought myself my first maxiscooter. And I really have to confirm what you say. When I took my wife with me on the scooter for the first time I was amazed by how well the scooter handled that. It was the first time that I enjoyed riding with a pillion...
Not all scooters are the same. My 150cc Honda will go 67 mph. It has a 14 inch front wheel. I have tremendous storage and can even go grocery shopping. It stops very quickly and even has abs braking. I have had many motorcycles in my life and this Honda handles very well. Yes, now I am older and I ride very conservatively and I wear very bright colors to be seen.
I own both a huge 1800 cc Gold Wing plus a 650 Bergman scooter. The scooter is much easier to drive and once set up, just as comfortable as the Gold Wing (20 years and 140,000 kms). Not sure it's relevant but I never get tailgated on the Gold Wing but do so frequently on the scooter. It would seem that auto drivers have different perceptions of both motorcycles and scooters. Since driving the scooter, I never leave without wearing a high visibility orange vest which hopefully allows them to see my grey in colour smaller vehicle. Not sure how relevant this information is, but I can attest to the fact that it is so based on my own personal experience. How that translates into accidents is anyone's guess
I think scooters are less likely to get into an accident, because scooter riders are more likely to respect cars. In my experience as a motorcyclist, safety has a lot to do with how you treat car drivers. If you ride safely, then car drivers will respect you, and keep their distance. However, if you ride like an idiot, then the car drivers will treat you like an idiot, not placing much value on your life. I'm speaking generally; of course there are always going to be the exceptions to the rule.
I agree. In general, scooter riders tend to be older or female as well, which (again, generalizing) are less macho and not trying to assert their dominance. On the other hand, some scooter riders just see it as a means to get from A to B and therefore, do not pay attention.
There are exceptions of course... but in the end... the safety of the rider mostly depends on how defensive and alert you are riding.
In NZ you have to pass a bike test with gears and clutch even to ride a scooter over 50cc.
Interesting
I ride both motorcycles and scooters when I was 29 I was hit head on by a car and was gravely injured but because I was on a scooter that day and my legs were in front of me, I didn't lose a leg according to the police investigation they believe if I had been on an ordinary motorcycle my right leg would have been pinned under the bike and it would have sheared off so my opinion both are dangerous but it depends on the circumstance and the angle of impact on which is more dangerous at the time
I think you said it best, both are dangerous!
Its not about what the research says its all down to how experience the rider is that makes it safer. Iv ridden motorcycles, scooter riders are really safe and they can go really fast and they're fun. Im in my 20's I would go for maxi scooters for commuting and offroad. It feels so good that you are able to ride both.
I had many scooters growing up (my dad didn't like bikes, so it was all I had) and they were super fun. I agree, it is all about the attitude of the rider!
I'm riding for 2 years and so far I have 38000 km on 125cc motorcycles(2different) in city traffic environment,not one drop of bike, not one crash not 1accident.
I believe it’s a mix of factors from skill level to safety gear. I believe one overlooked factor is infrastructure for motorcycles/scooter. Something similar for bicycles in the Netherlands. Roads in the US are mainly designed for the cars and not really anything else. Would be cool to see some motorcycle lenses or something 😁
Was just looking for an answer to this question and found your video very helpful, Scooter for me :)
Oh awesome! I am glad you found it. Enjoy your scooter Vijay!
Same
Like we say in Medical field- pathogen factors and patient factors in causation of disease.
Similarly-
Machine factor- Motorcycles are safer than scooters
But Rider factor- Scooterists are safer than Motorcyclists.
Thus the safest combination is a mature/non-teenage/non-thrill seeking commuting scooterist riding a sub 500cc Motorcycle.
That is well said. Can’t agrue with any of it.
Scooters does have a lower CG due to the placement of the fuel tank. On a motorcycle, the fuel tank is higher up at kneel level.
Those small little wheels just handles funny... but I've had many scooters and loved all of them.
There is other factors that can cause accidents like cheap tyres in cold weather. I've learned the hard way so far fell 3 times on my own without even touching the front brakes or even trying to avoid something. Honda put cheap tyres on anything under 125cc . They turn plastic hard under 7 Celsius which is the average temperature here in the uk during winter. my advice for any one who buys brand new scooter or motorcycle is to change the tyres that comes with the bike with premium after market tyres.
Because of the different interests and goals of the average motorcyclists and the average scooter riders, a data will obviously show that MC’s are more likely to crash. But if we get a data about which vehicle rider is more likely to live in the same crash, then I’d say motorcyclists are more likely to live regardless of their skill. The average mc rider treats safety more seriously than the average scooter rider with no gear except for their half face helmet. Most crashes happen at low speeds where both can easily reach, in the end it doesn’t matter which one you ride it’s mostly about you yourself.
100%
I would like to know the fatality percentage when comparing both in accidents.
Good question! I checked the study again and it didn't specify. It just reported the types of accidents, e.g. head on, overtaking, rear ended, etc...
I know sport bike riders die 4 times as much as other motorcyclists
Quite honestly, i think it's a wash. On balance they are similar. If you are a safe rider on one, you will be on the other. I WILL say, that scooters appear to be more appealing to more "responsible" riders, but that is just my opinion.
Also.. it's REALLY REALLY hard to do much stunt riding on a scooter. I couldn't do a wheelie if my life depended on it!
I will stick to scooters (i have had 3. 2 were 250s one was a400.) Because they suit MY riding style. I love motorcycles too!
Yeah, that is 100% true. The rider determines how safe the machine is. I've also had three scooters before I start riding bikes, and I loved them. Would like an old Vespa P200 if I can find one.
@@GreaseAndGravel to be honest, i have put a ton of touring miles on scooters. Several trips of 2000 miles or more. Dozens of 400-500 mile trips. Mostly on 250cc size (perfect size. My opinion) i can not tell you how great scooter touring is. Ok. I have not ridden a vespa! My three were a Honda Helix. A Yamaha majesty and a yamaha morphous. Majesty was stolen. Not long after i took a 1600 mile loop through Arkansas, Missouri. Illinois and Iowa. The morphous is outside right now.. Best motorcycle ever!
As long as you’re not talking about e-scooters like Lime, Lyft etc, compared to those a Yamaha R6 is safe
I ask a question if scooter are safer for the rider if an accident occurs & I'm getting many variants unrelated to my original question ?
If you are in an accident, they are both equally unsafe (is my guess). Safey all comes down to prevention, and there it is the operator (and his/her experience with the specific machine) that counts. But it's all just guessing from my side.
@@GreaseAndGravel fine I'll refrase the question, on a motorcycle crushing leg accident the leg gets crushed but on a scooter the leg wouldn't get crushed because the legs aren't on the side to get crushed ?
@@Oissir Ah, yes. I hear what you are saying. In some cases that would definitely be true. I would argue that evading an accident is more important, because even if your leg does not get pinned, you'll probably be quite mangled being hit from the side.
Good video with good information thank you.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I've forgotten about this vid :)
I just got my motorbike learner licence.dont know what to buy.sporty 150 cc or scooter 150.any help and tips welcome.
Tnx
Hi! I'd definitely get a bike. It is much more versatile and way more fun. The only reason I ever rode scooters in school (I had 3) is because my dad didn't allow me to get a bike. I delivered news papers in the early mornings before sunrise as an excuse to at least get a scooter. The flat footwell helps for the papers ;) Now that I have bikes, I've thought of getting a scooter just for fun (and nostalgia). Good luck with your decision!
Ps. That said, any motorized thing with wheels is awesome :)
@@GreaseAndGravel 😁👍.Thank you werry much.Also my first choice is motorcycle, but now i have another problem, my wife wanna scooter that she can drive it too 😒🤣👍.will see what will happend.
Thank you.
@@alenbole8633 Teach her to ride a motorcycle ;) and check out this video of mine: th-cam.com/video/sGW_tTe2wC4/w-d-xo.html where I talk about my wife and I riding from Cape Town to Cairo on small Chinese bikes. My wife started riding the year before. Good luck with you choice!
I tried to ride a scooter once but I couldn't go beyond it's first gear although it was a new scooter from a well known brand. The main difference I noticed is that a motorcycle, with bigger wheels and engine weight at the center, feels pretty well balanced and stable. It can be accelerated mind freely and the handle bar will remain straight, vehicle will seem to be pretty well balanced. It will give the rider confidence to even leave the handle bar for a few moments before holding it again. The rider can make a turn easily. Rider's feet are on the foot rest directly above the ground so he can immediately put his foot down if he feels the need to do so.
A scooter, on the other hand, feels very unstable to a motorcyclist riding it for the first time.
Firstly, it's engine weighs more on one side, like a pail of water on one side, Rider has to intentionally make a balance so that Mr. Scooter doesn't fall on it's engine-side.
Secondly, it's tiny tiny front wheel is much more likely to slip upon breaking or on a turn so one has to be very careful and cautious not to press too hard on the front brake while still balancing and compensating for the heavy weight on one side
Not to mention if God forbid it gets punctured and the tyre has a tube and is not a tubeless tyre.
Thirdly, the rider has his feet on a floor with a small rear brake pedal usually on the right side, disconnected with ground. This adds to the feeling of being unsafe although with practice a rider may learn to wide open his legs in an emergency to touch the ground with his feet LoL!
My salute to those who can ride this thing on speed and even carry passengers. The only pro for it in my opinion is the fact that it has a stepni, small storage compartment, doesn't have a drive chain and doesn't need a battery.
Not sure what scooter you were riding, sounds awful. I have a Vespa 300GTS which has both brakes on the handlebars, it's automatic (as is normal now), it has abs brakes and traction control. Obviously it takes some adjustment as the centre of gravity is different due to the engine and fuel tank placement. Wheels are only 12 inch so it can be a bit unnerving on the highway, but you do get used to it.
Most scooter riders wear proper gear too.
That is good to hear. It is definitely not the case here in SA.
Haha not in Italy they don’t!
@dukeloo: I always wear proper Gear too, it doesn’t matter if I ride a Bike or a Scooter.
I like the ABS brakes on Piaggios, I fear the brakes on a Navi. I'm torn between getting a scooter or a minimoto.
Get both! ;)
@@GreaseAndGravel I'm autistic-may never be able to get anything.
@@johndefalque5061 I hope you do!
@@GreaseAndGravel I just got sacked as an HVAC apprentice after 7 wks. I need a simple menail entry level job, have to leave my luxury apt. Mayne I have to kill the dream of personal transit.
@@johndefalque5061 Good luck, man! You'll find that job and get your wheels. Keep the dream alive!
Baie dankie mnr, you came with the stats! Watching from jhb
Thanks for the local comment 🙌🏼😁
Scooter preferred for a grocery shopping, bike preferred for pong distance traveling.
I use my motorcycle for food shopping
Thanks for trying. The stats from Australia are not useful unless you compare all types of motorcycles (scooters, underbones, cruisers, sportbikes, touring bikes, standard, trail bikes, adventure bikes, etc.). I would be very surprised for if trail bikes for example have higher crash rates than scooters. I have also yet to find a study that deals with the engineering weaknesses and the physics of scooter design (small wheels, flexible frames, rear balanced weight distribution, short suspension travel, poor ergonomics) and their effects compared to more typical designs in other types. As an experienced rider of 37 years with experience on all types of motorcycles, I consider scooters to be the most dangerous. It is because they are so dangerous that most scooter riders tend to be unwilling to travel at high speeds. Therefore, accident statistics do not tell us which type is safest, rather they tell us how people ride them, which is significantly influenced by rider demographics.
I agree 100%! I couldn't find any other proper studies and even if I did, there are way too many factors to consider. All factors being equal, I agree that motorcycles are safer machines than scooters. And dirt bikes or dual sports are safer than supersports bikes. But in the end, the rider plays the biggest role. That's why I feel horse riding is more dangerous than motorcycling (apparently 40% safer 😂)
Rubbish I’m a rider of all sorts for 50 yrs and scooters are not inherently less or more safe, it the rider and his or her behaviour
I like your comment. But I would add that the most important factor should be speed. Then, other things like bike style, rider experience etc.
At least here in Brazil, we have stats showing that by far most motorcycle crashes comes from powerful ones on highways in very high speeds.
Ossified mindset.
Crap... I have ridden all bikes full time, for just on 60yrs. Trail, sports, dual-sport, cruisers, and maxi scooters. IF you ride any of these bikes, to the conditions, and your own abilities, they are equally safe/unsafe. The biggest factor I have noticed from observing riders, is attitude and experience.
Dude not all scooters have small wheels. Come to Asia and be enlightened.
Thanks man, I believe you! I know it is a generalisation. In the end it is more about the dude on top of the bike/scooter than the machine itself
Only one thing to point out yes in those comparisons motorcycles are "more dangerous" . But also you should be aware of what you compare , mostly scooter riders won't go on twisty roads and in similar fun and enjoyment type of rides. If you give 1man a loaded gun to walk with it around and compare him to person walking around with stick.... Yes one with gun will have 1000times bigger chance of accidentally killing self with it. 😅
100% agree! that is a good analogy! In the end it mostly comes down to the rider.
Yes!
Some comments on here from people who have clearly never ridden either judging by the verbal diarrhoea being spouted. Maybe they should stop listening to their mum's scare stories or 'Dave' the expert on all things two-wheeled down the pub, & instead go out & buy a scooter or bike & start enjoying the freedom & convenience it offers for themselves?
Some people love getting caught up in the what COULD happen. You could have a heart attack, stroke or get the big C tomorrow. Enjoy life. Live a little. Safety on 2-wheels is all about being sensible & riding appropriately for your ability level, the bike's limits, & the road/weather conditions. The rest is in the hands of God & Lady Luck. 😎
Yes, we are the reasons bikes and/or scooters are safe/unsafe. Same with cars.
Thanks a lot for this video.
Cheers!
An important thing is the size of wheels, scooter often go with small wheel
100%! Small diameter wheels shaky over any little bump in the road
It's Who is riding them.
definitely!
I'm considering getting an electric motorbike over a scooter
I'd love to know what you think on the e-bike if you get one!
6:50 you say multiple times motorcycles are faster and more dangerous because of it . But you compare 600r6 with small scooter. Fun fact There are 125cc motorcycles aswel.
Yeah, you are right. That's why the research is kinda pointless. In the end, if you compare a 125 cc scooter with a 125 cc motorcycle, I would maybe argue that the bike is safer... but only because of my skill level. For my brother, the scooter would be safer as he's never ridden a bike in his life. For the experienced rider, there might not be a difference. These studies really report on the mindset of the rider instead of the design of the machine. I think... :)
Sure Scooter have better stability and less heavy than bike. Scooter are wider from front so your legs are protected from front and side impact, and can save your legs.
Bike has longer braking distance and both hands and both legs need to work coordinated way but in scooter, it's only brake and acceleration.
Scooters cannot travel faster than 80 kmph otherwise they can get unstable and drag increases, which is limits speed, while bike can easily cross 100 kmph which is unsafe.
Lots of control, practice and attention is needed to safely drive bike. Scooters have become very refined now a days and electric scooters are even safer.
And grip depends on wheel thickness. If you had brake bike, even the rear brake, the tyre tends to sleep, but scooters naturally have good braking stability.
Yes in event of accident you can rev the throttle by mistake in scooter and make it even worse, but same thing can happen in bike. Because accidents happen within seconds and it's all human reflex that works during that time.
Most importantly scooters have lower centre of gravity compared to bike making them more stable in general.
True, if you slide off a scooter you can tuck your legs in so they don’t get crushed,
This is not possible on a bike and why broken legs are very common in bike crashes,
I never see scooter riders wearing protective gear. They don't even wear gloves.
Yeah, that is quite scary to see. Girls in skirts and dudes with flip flops. Ouch!
@@GreaseAndGravel Yep, scooter riders make Harley riders look good, and we know how bad Harley riders are about wearing protective gear.
@@BEEBEE159 Yep. Scary thought!
That depends on where you live - in the UK we HAVE to wear protective gear, at least, a helmet but I certainly wear all the gear and I have a maxi scoot (Burgy 650) which I love but she's a heavy bugger! Nearly came off her yesterday because of some numbnuts deciding to pull out to the right of his lane (single track road not dual carriageway) and nowhere to turn right so why he did it I don't know but I managed to control my bike even though she did wobble violently and I had to put my foot down - to say the air turned blue is an understatement. It's kind of put me off riding now because I know what could happen and it could have been an awful lot worse yesterday - there was traffic coming towards me too!! Could have been a nasty mess! I'm from the UK BTW.
It is mostly the rider, but I have seen a lot more stupid people on motorcycles than on scooters, scooter people tend to be more com and easy going than motorcycle riders. As for speed the newer 400 cc scooters will do over 140 km, and some have pretty good pick up like the Yamaha 400 Majesty, and the 400 Burgman not like some bikes, but better pick up than the average car off the line. Do wish Yamaha would bring back the 400 Majesty, the best and most fun scooter I have ever ridden. I use to put 102 km on it going down the 400 highway to work, and take the back roads home, with would be from 120 km plus. Now looking at the Suzuki Burgman 400. Much better on the highway than the Yamaha Xmax 300.Which would be my second pick. Had the Suzuki out for a test ride on a very windy day, and it was rock solid on the road. Much more than a lot of motorbikes I have ridden.
If you don't like scooters and they're slow or inferior to motorcycles..just take the time to look at the American and British videos here on u tube! I don't want a 1400 cruiser anymore! I want an economic vehicle..here in sa..the petrol scam is breaking everyone's pocket AND budget! 👊😎🤝👍
Scooters rock! I had 3 when I grew up. I saw another TH-camr with an old Honda Elite popping wheelies and having a blast! But yes, I agree... petrol is painful. I bought a 1997 Prado 3.4 V6 right before the petrol price went to R28/l last year. Ouch!
I thought I was gonna see some experiments backed with scientific formulas and stuff but all I hear is a someone reading boring numbers,
That's a great idea... would love to invest more effort into this, but I'm still a noob 😉
its not about the ride, because sooters in most of the world are allowed to be ridden from age 14, and over 80% of traffic accidents are caused by scooters, where people say ''motorcycles'', but well ye, you said, we dont count mopeds.
yet there are way more motorcycle accidents! especially with new riders! no defensive skills or anything! the average scooter doesnt have that all of sudden burst of speed like a motorcycle does and generally scooters are lot easier to get your license on! you are also less likely to be one these idiot speed demons on a scooter as well and there so much more! i ride a motorcycle but soon i wont be!
Die man klink Suid Afrikaans en definitief Afrikaans😂💥
Haha uitgevang!😅
I would think scooters are safer due to all the stupid bs I see 2 wheel drivers do is being done on crotch rockets.
crotch rockets? do you mean upright naked bikes?
Both are safe, if a woman or a child isn't riding it. Lol. Just a joke.
Lol, you'll get us both into trouble!
@@GreaseAndGravel 😂😂😂😂
The rider is to blame most of the time imo. How often I would be happily riding along when Mr Crotch Rocket would speed past me and I'd always say " wow they can see around corners and have the ability to read the minds of tractor drivers etc oh no wait they're just immature fools ". Just because you ride fast does not mean you have a totally safe unoccupied road ahead it just means your a twat imo
I agree 100%!! And that's exactly what I always ask... 'How can they see around bends and over blind rises?". It is all about the driver. I actually think my 1988 Suzuki Samurai is safer than a new Mercedes S500, just because I drive it like it is a tin box on wheels.