50 States ranking for motorcycle ownership

[ksquared]

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the Hurt Report is almost 35 years old - so it might be fair to look at some of its findings with skepticism.

 

[1olbull]

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the Hurt Report is almost 35 years old - so it might be fair to look at some of its findings with skepticism.

k^2,
Which finding to you believe deserves skepticism and in your opinion why?
Although rather dated, I would think the data of today would compare well. It would not be exactly the same; but, the representations would be similar.
I'm unaware of any other motor study before or since that is early as comprehensive as the Hurt Report. Most of its data relates to rider behavior and cage driver behavior than to the actual performance of the bike or cage. Therefor, I believe little has changed regarding these human factors and the data still helpful, even though not exact.

 

[ksquared]

k^2,
Which finding to you believe deserves skepticism and in your opinion why?
Although rather dated, I would think the data of today would compare well. It would not be exactly the same; but, the representations would be similar.
I'm unaware of any other motor study before or since that is early as comprehensive as the Hurt Report. Most of its data relates to rider behavior and cage driver behavior than to the actual performance of the bike or cage. Therefor, I believe little has changed regarding these human factors and the data still helpful, even though not exact.

Well, how about this for a starter.

According to the NHTSB, the number of fatalities per 10,000,000 vehicle miles traveled has declined from 4.9 in 1980 to 2.6 in 2000 and fatalities per 10,000 registrations declined from 8.7 in 1980 to 6.3 in 200 (actually up from a low of 5.3 in 96-97). Thus the number of fatalities has steadily declined, leading to several possible conclusions; better bike (with better brakes , steering and tires), more and better rider training, more widespread use of safety gear or, possibly better safety gear. Now I don't know how these factors work in as I haven't collected or processed the updated data, but they do call into question the findings of any report, the Hurt included, which is based on old and outdated data.


Table 1. U.S. Motorcycle Registrations and Travel, 1975-2000

Year Registrations - US Travel - US Fatalities Fatalities per Fatalities per
(million miles) 10,000 10M VMT
Registered

1975 4,964,070 5,629 3,103 6.3 5.5
1976 4,933,332 6,003 3,233 6.6 5.4
1977 4,933,256 6,349 4,008 8.1 6.3
1978 4,867,855 7,158 4,451 9.1 6.2
1979 5,422,132 8,637 4,713 8.7 5.5
1980 5,693,940 10,214 4,961 8.7 4.9
1981 5,831,132 10,690 4,746 8.1 4.4
1982 5,753,858 9,910 4,270 7.4 4.3
1983 5,585,112 8,760 4,104 7.3 4.7
1984 5,479,822 8,784 4,431 8.1 5.0
1985 5,444,404 9,086 4,417 8.1 4.9
1986 5,198,993 9,397 4,309 8.3 4.6
1987 4,885,772 9,506 3,834 7.8 4.0
1988 4,584,284 10,024 3,492 7.6 3.5
1989 4,420,420 10,371 3,036 6.9 2.9
1990 4,259,462 9,557 3,129 7.3 3.3
1991 4,177,365 9,178 2,703 6.5 2.9
1992 4,065,118 9,557 2,291 5.6 2.4
1993 3,977,856 9,906 2,336 5.9 2.4
1994 3,756,555 10,240 2,190 5.8 2.1
1995 3,767,029 9,797 2,144 5.7 2.2
1996 3,871,599 9,920 2,046 5.3 2.1
1997 3,826,373 10,076 2,028 5.3 2.0
1998 3,879,450 10,260 2,186 5.6 2.1
1999 4,152,433 10,584 2,374 5.7 2.2
2000 4,346,068 10,479 2,747 6.3 2.6
Source: FHWA, FARS

Please understand, I have great respect for the Hurt Report, it was comprehensive and groundbreaking in its day. But time marches on and it should be updated. Basing conclusions on data which is decades is unsound in any pursuit.

NOTE - I spent nearly an hour formatting this chart for this post, however, teh forum software isn't holding the formatting. The last two columns are Fatalities / 10,000 registrations and Fatalities / 10MM Vehicle Miles Traveled)

 

[1olbull]

Appreciate your efforts putting together these fatality/miles stats.
I never doubted fatalities are in decline. Hurt does not address this. Motor power on extreme models may have increased a little; but, this has little to no affect on the Hurt stats.
Motorcycles and riders interact with traffic in much the same manner today as 25 years ago.
Perhaps I be a bit obtuse regarding your meaning here; but, I fail to see why the comparison of types of motorcycle crashes and riders would change or be much different today or have anything to do wi.
There is no pursuit here, just compiled information that may be of interest/help to a rider considering how to ride and what to wear. I base NOTHING in my work on this Hurt data which is general in nature at best. That would be like determining you were speeding because over 50+% of riders your age on your type motor on this particular road do speed. Each collision is unique and should be investigated that way. It's the physics and human factors applied to the facts, not the stats, that helps determine fault in collisions. Time has indeed marched on; however, the types of motor crashes and the events leading up to them have not.

 

[Sensfan]

Very nice statistics, can we sub~divide them into classes, I believe we fall into the cruiser category based on the size of our bikes, I am pretty sure our numbers are much lower than that compared to superbikes,etc. I see you running numbers for bikes in total,rather than their classes, I think there would be a difference bEtween.them on your charts, cruisers are bigger,slower and more likely to be seen by cagers resulting in less accidents. Just a thought to the process.

 

[1olbull]

Very nice statistics, can we sub~divide them into classes, I believe we fall into the cruiser category based on the size of our bikes, I am pretty sure our numbers are much lower than that compared to superbikes,etc. I see you running numbers for bikes in total,rather than their classes, I think there would be a difference bEtween.them on your charts, cruisers are bigger,slower and more likely to be seen by cagers resulting in less accidents. Just a thought to the process.

Absolutely true, Sensfan. The Hurt did not have the money or resources to break it down by type of motor.
Just off my seat of the pants experience, I would be surprised if what you say regarding cruiser numbers being "much lower" than superbikes. The Boomers are the largest population segment and I believe more of the cruiser age these days.
Cruisers are indeed slower in the general sense; however, this is very subjective in that all cruiser ARE NOT ridden slower than sport bikes. I also think the headlights are the largest factor in being seen, not the small difference in profile. I haven't searched out the stats; but, based upon my experience the rider demographics tell the story regarding crash frequency. Makes sense that most folks primarily interested in going fast gravitate toward the sport bikes. On the other hand more alcohol is involved with cruiser riders. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of crashes by motor type.

 

[Rick McC.]

Absolutely true, Sensfan. The Hurt did not have the money or resources to break it down by type of motor.
Just off my seat of the pants experience, I would be surprised if what you say regarding cruiser numbers being "much lower" than superbikes. The Boomers are the largest population segment and I believe more of the cruiser age these days.
Cruisers are indeed slower in the general sense; however, this is very subjective in that all cruiser ARE NOT ridden slower than sport bikes. I also think the headlights are the largest factor in being seen, not the small difference in profile. I haven't searched out the stats; but, based upon my experience the rider demographics tell the story regarding crash frequency. Makes sense that most folks primarily interested in going fast gravitate toward the sport bikes. On the other hand more alcohol is involved with cruiser riders. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of crashes by motor type.

I'm sure you're right about that, but I'll never take a drink when running either a motorcycle or a boat.

When things go wrong, they usually happen very quickly, and there's usually more folks involved than just me.

Rick

 

[vanguard138]

Exactly why I left Florida. When you can't hunt wild hogs in Green Swamp or Richloam WMA's without runnin into yankees or seeing them cruising Ocala Nat'l. Forest its time to go. Now they're here in WNC, like an insideous plague. Real estate should be cheap up there but the taxes they left behind will kill you. They managed to bring those to NC with them.

**** Yankees

 

[1olbull]

I'll just bet old Josey has a confederate flag mounted on the wall above his fire place!

 

[Rick McC.]

I'll just bet old Josey has a confederate flag mounted on the wall above his fire place!

Ain't nothin' wrong with that!

Rick