Motorcyclists in Washington face unique risks every time they take to the road. According to recent data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 110 motorcyclist fatalities were recorded in 2024. While this represents a 23% decrease from the record-high 142 deaths in 2023, the numbers remain concerning.
Herschensohn Law, PLLC has earned a reputation for winning tough cases and has obtained millions in settlements and verdicts for injury victims throughout Kent, Seattle, and Chehalis, Washington. Riders considering ways to protect themselves often ask about motorcycle crash bars, also known as engine guards or highway bars. Victims of motorcycle collisions can call (206) 222-9553 to discuss their legal options. If they want a fight, Herschensohn Law, PLLC will give them one.
Should I Use a Motorcycle Crash Bar?
Motorcycle crash bars can provide protection during low-speed tip-overs and parking-lot drops, helping shield the engine, fuel tank, and the rider's lower extremities from direct contact with the ground. However, their effectiveness diminishes significantly during high-speed collisions, where the forces involved often exceed what any crash bar system can absorb. Riders should view crash bars as one component of an overall safety strategy rather than a complete solution to crash protection.
Summary
Motorcycle crash bars may help protect riders and motorcycles during low-speed tip-overs, but they offer limited benefits in high-speed collisions.
- Crash bars are designed to shield the engine, fuel tank, and a rider’s lower extremities during parking-lot drops and other low-speed incidents.
- Their effectiveness decreases significantly at highway speeds, where collision forces can exceed the capacity of crash bar systems to absorb.
- Proper material selection, model-specific fitment, and professional installation affect how crash bars perform and whether they cause handling or clearance issues.
Herschensohn Law, PLLC, represents individuals injured in motorcycle collisions throughout Kent, Seattle, and Chehalis, Washington, and provides guidance on legal options following serious crashes.
What Are Motorcycle Crash Bars and How Do They Work?
Crash bars, sometimes called engine guards or highway bars, consist of metal tubing, typically made of steel or aluminum, that attaches to the motorcycle's frame. These protective bars form a loop around the engine and extend outward from the sides of the motorcycle, creating a buffer zone between the rider's legs and the ground. When a motorcycle tips over, the crash bars contact the pavement first, preventing the engine casing, fuel tank, and bodywork from sustaining direct impact damage.
Key points about crash bars:
- Made from steel or aluminum tubing attached to the motorcycle frame
- Create a protective buffer between the rider's legs and the ground
- Contact pavement first during a tip-over, shielding the engine and bodywork
- Most effective in low-speed incidents and stationary drops
- Should be part of a broader safety strategy, not a standalone solution
Understanding these fundamentals helps riders make informed decisions about whether crash bars suit their needs.
The primary purpose of crash bars is to absorb and dissipate impact forces during a fall. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lower-extremity injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes, with leg injuries and bone fractures occurring frequently. Crash bars may help reduce the severity of such injuries by preventing the motorcycle from lying completely flat and potentially trapping the rider's leg underneath.
How Kent, Seattle, and Chehalis, Washington Riders Benefit From Motorcycle Crash Bars
Washington riders face specific challenges that make crash bar protection worth considering. The state's varied terrain, from urban Seattle streets to the rural roads around Kent and Chehalis, presents different scenarios where crash bars might prove valuable. In 2024, motorcycles accounted for only 3% of registered vehicles on Washington's roads, yet represented 16% of all traffic fatalities, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. This disproportionate representation underscores why many riders seek additional protective measures.
The benefits of crash bars include:
- Protection for the engine, radiator, and fuel tank during stationary drops or low-speed tip-overs
- A buffer zone that may prevent riders' legs from becoming pinned beneath the motorcycle
- Potential reduction in repair costs following minor incidents
- Additional mounting points for auxiliary lights or highway pegs for long-distance comfort
- Easier lifting of the motorcycle after a fall due to the leverage the bars provide
These advantages make crash bars a popular accessory among riders who want to minimize damage from common low-speed incidents.
Understanding the Limitations of Crash Bars
While crash bars offer certain protections, riders should understand their limitations. Research has produced mixed results regarding their effectiveness in preventing injuries. Some studies indicate that crash bars may reduce ankle and foot injuries in single-vehicle accidents, but the benefits in multi-vehicle collisions are less clear. Experienced riders in online discussion groups frequently note that crash bars perform most effectively during stationary drops or very slow-speed incidents.
At highway speeds, the physics of a motorcycle collision change dramatically. The energy involved in a high-speed crash can exceed what even robust crash bars can absorb, potentially causing the bars to bend into the motorcycle or transfer excessive force to the frame mounting points. Herschensohn Law has represented numerous clients whose crash bars provided only limited protection during serious collisions. Additionally, crash bars add weight to the motorcycle, typically between ten and twenty pounds, depending on the design, which could affect handling for some riders.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Crash Bars
Riders considering motorcycle crash bars should evaluate several factors before making a purchase. The material composition matters significantly. Mild steel offers a good balance of strength and flexibility, allowing the bars to absorb impact without immediately transferring all force to the frame. Stainless steel resists corrosion but is generally more rigid. Aluminum is lighter but may not provide the same impact protection as steel options.
Proper installation is essential for crash bars to function as intended. Model-specific bars engineered for particular motorcycles provide better protection than universal-fit options. The bars should not reduce ground clearance to the point where they contact the pavement during normal cornering. Many seasoned motorcyclists in rider forums emphasize that quality installation by a professional ensures the mounting points can handle impact forces without causing additional frame damage.
A Comprehensive Approach to Motorcycle Safety
Crash bars represent just one piece of motorcycle safety. Washington law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets, a measure that the Washington Department of Licensing notes significantly reduces the risk of head injuries. Proper riding gear, including armored jackets, gloves, and boots, provides protection that crash bars cannot offer. Regular motorcycle maintenance, staying sober while riding, and continuous skills training all contribute to safer outcomes on the road.
The leading causes of motorcycle fatalities in Washington include speed, impairment by alcohol or drugs, and distracted driving. Motorcycle crash bars cannot protect against poor decision-making or the negligent actions of other motorists. They serve most effectively as an additional protective measure within a broader commitment to safe riding practices.
Consider Visiting With an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
When a motorcycle collision occurs, the consequences can be severe, regardless of the protective equipment the rider is wearing. Those injured in motorcycle accidents throughout Kent, Seattle, and Chehalis, Washington, may have grounds to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Consider reaching out to Herschensohn Law, PLLC at (206) 222-9553 to discuss the circumstances of any collision and understand available legal options. The team fights tirelessly for the rights of injury victims and works to secure the compensation they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Motorcycle Crash Bars?
Motorcycle crash bars, also known as engine guards or highway bars, are metal structures mounted to a motorcycle’s frame. They are designed to create a buffer between the motorcycle, the rider’s legs, and the ground during tip-overs or low-speed falls.
Do Motorcycle Crash Bars Prevent Injuries?
Crash bars may help reduce certain lower-extremity injuries in low-speed or stationary incidents by preventing the motorcycle from fully pinning a rider’s leg. Their ability to prevent serious injuries in high-speed or multi-vehicle collisions is limited.
Are Crash Bars Effective in High-Speed Motorcycle Accidents?
Crash bars are generally not designed to absorb the forces involved in high-speed collisions. At highway speeds, impact energy can cause crash bars to bend, transfer force to the frame, or provide minimal protective benefit.
Can Crash Bars Damage a Motorcycle During a Crash?
In some cases, crash bars may transfer impact forces to the motorcycle frame's mounting points. Poor fitment, rigid materials, or improper installation could increase the risk of frame damage during a severe collision.
What Materials Are Commonly Used for Motorcycle Crash Bars?
Crash bars are commonly made from mild steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. Mild steel often provides a balance of strength and flexibility, while stainless steel resists corrosion, and aluminum offers reduced weight with potential trade-offs in impact protection.
Do Crash Bars Affect Motorcycle Handling or Clearance?
Crash bars add weight and may slightly alter handling characteristics, particularly at lower speeds. Improperly designed or installed bars can also reduce lean angle or ground clearance during cornering.
Are Crash Bars Required by Law in Washington?
Washington law does not require motorcycles to be equipped with crash bars. Riders may choose to install them as an optional accessory based on riding conditions, experience level, and personal safety preferences.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help After a Crash?
Consider consulting an experienced attorney at Herschensohn Law, PLLC, to learn more about legal options after a motorcycle collision. The team works with individuals injured in crashes throughout Kent, Seattle, and Chehalis, Washington, to help clarify potential avenues for compensation and next steps.
