How Aftermarket Modifications Increase Your Risks Of A Motorcycle Accident
If you have filed a motorcycle accident claim, don't be surprised if the defendant claims that you caused or contributed to the accident. This isn't an outlandish claim because motorcycles do cause accidents, and the risk of a motorcycle accident is even higher for those who have modified their bikes. Here are some of the modifications that increase your risk of a motorcycle accident:
Handlebar Weights
Many riders find original handlebar weights to be drab in appearance. Therefore, a common motorcycle mod is to replace the original handlebar weights with more stylized ones. The problem is that handlebar weights are not just about aesthetics; they are meant to absorb the weights of the vibrations and act as a cushion in case of a crash. This is only possible if the handlebar weights maintain a certain weight balance. By modifying the handlebar weights, you run the risk of interfering with this balance and affecting your motorcycle's overall balance.
LED Turn Lights
Turn lights help notify other road users about your presence and intention. Unfortunately, many riders find OEM lights to be too large for them, which is why they replace them with overly slim ones. In fact, there are even riders who make modifications that obscure the turn lights. Of course, this makes you less visible to other road users and increases the risk of an accident.
Hand Levers
As if the modification of handlebar weights wasn't bad enough, some riders also don't like the look of their OEM hand levers such as the throttles, cables, and shifters. The problem is that some of the aftermarket levers are not as strong as they should be. Imagine trying to brake and then having the brake lever break on you because it isn't strong enough; that is a perfect recipe for an accident.
Aftermarket Wheels
Using a modified wheel is one of the hottest forms of modification, whether it is for vehicles or motorcycles. The problem comes when you use extremely heavy wheels that your motorcycle wasn't designed to handle. In such a case, your braking power will reduce because the brake is designed to operate with a specific weight in mind; the greater the wheel weight the more difficult it will be to stop the bike. This means you have a high risk of crashing if you don't know this and you are riding with the usual stopping distance in mind.
Never accept liability for a motorcycle accident just because your bike is heavily modified. Consult a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you evaluate the case and determine whether you have a claim against the other party and pursue the damages.