After breaking my collarbone three months ago, having it surgically rebuilt, it getting infected, having to infuse Antibiotics intraveously twice a day for three months and ready for a new round of surgerys starting tomorrow, I am very down and thinking of selling the quads and getting out of the sport that I love. And yesl, the accident was my fault. Jumping my V Force beyone the limits of both the quad and my skill level. First time I pushed beyond my limits and it bit me bad.

Have any of you ever felt that this sport was too dangerous and the only way to guarantee not to get hurt on a quad is to not ride a quad?

I need some advice from those dad's out there who have made the decision to let thier wife kids get into this sport. I cannot imagine my wife or kids going through what I have been through lately. How do you feel about the safety? Do you ever second guess your decision when your wife or kids have close calls or actually get hurt?

I am very down right now and would appreciate any feedback on the matter. I know this is not as fun as talking about the new Brute Force, but us Forum members need to look out for one another right?

Thanks in advance for any advice....

 

Read my bio about my wreck, honestly that was the greatest thing that has happened to me, eventho I can never ride a bike again. Point is that wreck has made me a much better rider even if I am on a quad now, but ever time I start it up my mind is going through what can be done, what should'nt be done, and what can't be done. With out a major wreck under your belt people ride to the limits of out of control and don't know it till BANG, well now you know and you can teach your kids how to ride with more knowledge.

My kids are going to be on bikes as soon as I move and buy land, they still don't ride there BMX bikes with out there training wheels. So come Feb. 05 I will start teaching my kids how to ride and be smart about it.

 

Howdy HomeDawg,
sorry to hear about your accident. Where we ride on a ranch we had one young man get killed one night on a quad. He was going too fast on unfamiliar territory and looped it, trying to stop before hitting a fence. I will admit things were not the same for quite a while. We talked it over many times and decided to take it a little easier and keep on quadding. That was 4 years ago and we are still loving quadding. I think that once you are past the mending process and start back riding a little easier, that you will start enjoying the sport again. Enough of the sermon, I wish you a speedy and complete recovery, the sooner the better. Have a goodun!!!!!!!!

 

Me and my riding buddy just started XC racing this year and in one of our recent races, we saw 2 fellow racers get hurt in separate accidents (one broke a leg and the other broke a wrist). My buddy told me that he will give it all up if he ever got hurt that badly b/c he feels like its more important to him/his family that he is healthy and able to work/earn $ for his family. I was shocked to hear my buddy say that b/c we have been riding together for about 3 years (known him for most of my life) and he currently owns 6 or 7 quads for him and his family to ride.

Personally, I have torn a ligament in my throttle thumb and sprained a wrist in 2 separate occasions while riding/racing my atv...so I have been lucky overall. I put a lot of faith in God and in my helmet so that I will be able to walk away from any ATV accident that I might be involved in, but the reality is that there are risks in most anything you do in life...so I chose to live life to the fullest and enjoy it as much as possible (which includes ATV riding/racing for me). I like to think of Mike Penland who somehow manages to stay injury-free and wins XC races left and right even though he is in his 50's...."be like Mike", that is my motto!

Hope you recover soon and get back in the saddle again!

happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

HomeDawg

I feel your pain brother. I am selling my 400ex (hopefully tonight) and going back to a utility quad (Brute Force on the way). My main reason for doing this is that I have a tendency to want to push my limits on the sport quad and it resulted in a few accidents. The first few only resulted in some cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but the last one resulted in messing my leg up pretty bad. I had a severe sprain and bruising in my leg and a nice gouge in my leg that got infected and took almost six weeks to heal. I could hardly walk for about 3 weeks. Not some pain that want to go through again.

Fortunately, it is all healed now. I have ridden a few times since then and I definitely ride more conservative than I used to. Just seems like the right time to get back to a more sensible ride for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the sport bike, just need something that doesn't beckon me to want to push the limit.

If you want my advice (since you asked), I wouldn't sell your quads just because of your injury. Keep them until you get healed and can ride them again (more conservatively this time, I hope). After you have some time back in the saddle, then make a decision if this sport is still for you. No good decision was ever made on emotion alone.

As for the family thing, I have watched my wife wreck twice. She didn't get hurt either time, but it is still a tough thing to watch. She still rides some, but I got her a different quad that better suits her riding skills and she does a lot better on it. I have 5 month old twins. I plan on getting them quads when they get older, however, they will be the right size for them and they will have strict supervision when riding them. They will also look like robots in all of their riding gear and protective gear.

Hang in there. Bones heal, chicks dig scars, but good memories last forever.

 

Although it isn't quad riding, I suffered a terrible mountain bike crash while training for my race season 3 years ago. Over a month off work, and a whole lot of physical therapy later, I was back on the bike, but my spirit was all but destroyed. I took a season off, regrouped, and vowed to ride smart from then on. Now, three years later, I stand on the podium regularly, and I'm faster than ever. All without taking unecessary risks like before.

If you love it, as you say, then keep the quads, and just put them away for a while. It'll come back, and they'll be waiting for you.

 

I personally had a near fatal accident on a motorcycle more than 10-years ago before I was married with kids. Like you, it was also my fault because I was riding way over my head pushing the limit until I couldn't push it anymore. I have never "fully" recovered but I still ride, just a lot more careful now. Teach your kids that they can learn from your mistakes so they don't need to repeat them. I know that feeling of being bullet proof, I don't feel like that anymore. Take care of yourself and heal first. When you get back in the saddle...slow it down a little...you can still have fun without getting crazy.

 

HomeDawg, gettin'out or stayin' in...it's your decision, no one can make it for you, but first, think. Have you had fun with your ATV, is it a fun you'd like your wife and/or children to enjoy. If yes, then learn from your mistake, and use it to teach others.
Nope....I ain't gonna preach no sermon...but I do ride street bikes, have for over 35 years now, and I've experienced much worse injuries than you are now faced with. And yes, my wife of 7 years rides her bike as well...something she'd never even imagined until we met. Yes, I worry about her.
I'm now 51 years old, I've got arthritis, high blood pressure, had a heart attack, 4 cardiac bypasses, been bitten by a 5' eastern diamond back(almost cashed in my chips on that one), and at least 20 separate fractures, some requiring surgery, concussions...

All I'm saying is don't cut your nose off to spite your face. ATV's are a dangerous hobby, accept it, or get away from it...but it's your choice.

My wife and I both wish you well, and a speedy recovery, whatever your choice...mine is to live, like each day is my last.

 

I too broke my collar bone 10yrs ago when I was 17, also got a concussion that blinded me for 15-20min. I've never been so scared in all my life. I thought I was going to be blind forever. It took some of my fearlessness away, but not my passion to ride. I ride with a lot of younger guys who have yet to go through that pain and fear, and give me crap cuz I won't push my, or my quad's, limit. I just tell them, my family comes before my pride. I still have fun hitting the jumps I'm comfortable with, and leaving the monsters well enough alone. I'd rather put around the driveway, than not ride at all. You'll get through this, eventually, hang in there. My prayers are with you.

 

Broke my leg again 2 weeks ago on my ute. I have resolved to slow down and ride for fun instead of competing against myself mostly. If you ride with your family when you recover, you will slow down, they will be better taken care of regarding speed and rules, and you will have more fun as a family.

Tough this one out, and it too shall pass.