TIme for a new subject. I keep coming across training programs that have a lot of good information that many of us need, or can use in instructing the wee ones in the correct way to ride... We all know about the CPSC course, but what else is out there? I know some states have their own deal too, so what have you found, and if you know, what do they offer that differs from the CPSC course?

I came across a site from the UK that had several ATV courses, one in particular really piqued my interest.. It was a course in loading and carrying weight on an ATV.. what a novel idea. Mostly geared to the farming community, but usefull all the same. They also had one on basic riding, and ATV maintenence.

www.ptptraining.co.uk (Check out the off road section)

I also have seen some online stuff available from several manufacturers that might be useful.

Has anyone seen something like this in the US/Canada?

 

Yes, lots of ATV info within: http://www.ptptraining.co.uk/atv_training_courses.asp


Within Canada, there is also a big push for ATV Safety and courses. To me, folks should take an ATV course ever 3 years. Year 1 is to learn, year 2 is to practice and year 3 is when many riders start picking up bad riding habits. A course every 3 years would emphasis what one previously learned and become a safter rider in the long run. Since this is our 3rd year riding, I wanted to register my son on another riding course. I sent 3 emails to http://www.mmic.ca/CATV/RTrain.html and they didn't even respond back. I guess they preach it but don't want our business.

I wonder how these courses do differ?

Talk about courses, it would be very beneficial if insurance companies gave discounts to folks who take a certified riding course. To me, the insurance discount should be on a 3 year period, and its amount equal to the price of the riding course. What an excellent way to encourage more folks to take a course. Food for thought!!!

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Insurance discounts would be great... Maybe they could apply a little of their profits in support of riding area construction.... or training areas. Here in the US, to become a CPSC intructor, the first thing I was told was I have to find a large enough riding area to hold classes on.... That is a chore in my area... but still looking.

 

Insurance??? Is it required to have atv insurance where you live? What kind? I would go broke if I had to insure all my toy's.

 

In my area, one MUST legally have insurance. Period!!! We must have a minimum Liability insurance. For our Pred-90, it costs $20/month. For my Adult size quad, it costs $35/month. And that's under a huge discount under my company's fleet discount program. $55/month doesn't sound like much (re: 3/4 tank of gas in our van), but it does add up in the long run. $55 x 12 months is a huge chunk of cash at the end of every year.

If you don't have insurance and get caught, one could get nailed with thousands of dollars in fines, towing charges and towing yard / storage fees. I know because one of my buddies got caught without insurance. If you do get caught, they turn the mircroscope on you & your quad and also nail you with anything else they can stick you with.

In addition to personal insurance, many places need trail insurance as well. If you get injured, one's insurance company instantly sues the land owner. The land owner better have trail insurance to pay the bill. If they don't, their private property insurance won't cover them. I know one land owner in my area who has to sell his place because he didn't have trail insurance at the edge of his property. Thus, the courts & lawyers had a "hay day" with him. Funny thing is, it was a government tail system that looped on the edge of his property. So, should he be sued or should the official trail owners be sued for NOT posting proper "trail ends" signs.

To me, insurance is the the biggest legalized mophie gigs I've ever seen. Who ever heard of insurance on your trail to deflect the insurance company of the quad owner. All because of fool riders who do U-Turns doing 45 mph at the end of a trail, and get rolled over. Their stupidity means everyone suffers.

If you don't need Quad insurance (on your unit or on your trail) in your area, don't ask if it's needed. Some lawyer or government official might be reading this forum and get a "legalized mophie gig" going in your area as well....

Hope this helps...

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Thank's spike99, that is amazing, and no I wont ask. I did have a friend over a while ago and he was talking about the annual "luxury tax" he pays on his jet ski's. He asked me what I paid for all my OHV's. I told him I was not aware of any ohv taxes. He said I should look in to it. YAH.... I will get right on that.... right after I ask about insurance.

Where do you do all your riding?? State park's?? Private riding area's??? Private property??? $55.00 a month is a hell of a lot IMHO.

 

In Michigan,it is Illegal to operate any ORV under the age of 16 yrs old without going thru a State certified safety course and you must also be under the direct visual supervision of an adult 18yrs or older when operating.

Trouble is,the ASI Instructor [ATV Safety Institute]MUST follow the CPSC age/cc recommendations or the student cannot be taught the course.

Ages 6-11yrs old?--69cc or less!
Ages 12-15yrs old?--Not over 90cc!

For the most part,these age/cc recommedations are RIDICULES!Nobody I know is going to buy their 14yr old boy who is five ft,ten inches and weighs 175lbs,a 90cc ATV!

The State of Michigan has adopted their OWN ORV Safety course and if the kid can properly fit and operate the quad they bring to class[regardless of engine size]they WILL be allowed to test on that quad,and if they sucessfully pass their testing,they will be issued a completion certificate.

There are many more States that I expect will follow what Michigan is doing.

Bill

 

I know we have some type of age/safety class requirments here in Ca. I try not to get involved. Those quad/age number's are ridiculous. That is one of the reason's why my boy's rode dirt bike's.

 

... and one of the reasons some of us are working hard to get them changed... At least provide a mechanism to allow youths to upgrade to the next class of machine as their riding skills progress. BUT, and that is a BIG BUT... to implement a program such as that, would require some sort of testing/license program.. and that means the federal government involvement to make sure it is consistently applied.. But I highly doubt that will ever happen... since not even automobiles fall in that category... the programs are left up to the individual states to monitor and control....so to expect any sort of guidance from the federal government is futile.

So what can we do? The key is educating your self on the issues and how your state applies it's program policies... And then becoming involved. Writing letters to interested officials... educating lawmakers on the benefits of our sport and how we provide a value add to the state etc. flood them with good stuff, so that when the environmental lobby, who in partnership with other groups that would love to see us go away, feed negative data to lawmakers, you can set the record straight. It has been noted, that in many cases, the data presented by these groups is tainted, twisted or downright lies. If there is no dissenting opinion available, it comes down to the squeaky wheel syndrome winning the day. That is why it is most important, now more than at any time in our lives, for us to take action.

As for insurance.. I think you will find that if your machine is stolen, your auto insurance, and your homeowner insurance will not cover. I suggest a simple call to your homeowner's and your auto insurance companies would be well worth the time.. It might open your eyes a bit.

 

If I was in your situation with quad's I would probubly get involved in that fight also. Problem is my boy's are older 17/19 oldest one getting married in jan. so it doesnt affect me. Sort of sound's selfish, but I only have so much strength. I am also old enough to remember 20-20. That fine show that in the early 80's completely wiped out atc sales because 3 wheeler's were so "unsafe" never mind that all the fatalities involved alcohol consumption, but that did not matter. Which bring's me to a question I have had since atc's were the evil item. Why is it that you alway's hear about some idiot racing around on a quad with a small child on it, no helmets, barely even dressed. And you never hear about some idiot doing the same thing on his CR250. I think I know, or at least I have a opinion, but I am not a quad guy so I am looking in from the outside not from the inside. So maybe my view is slanted, not sure. I guess my point is that I consider the CPSC to be a bunch of warm and fuzzy liberals trying to save people from themselves and IMO some of them deserve their fate. I know it sound's kind of bitter but I am a dirt bike guy and my way around all those rules was to teach my kid how to do what I have done. Would I have liked to put my kid's on quad's, well maybe but all those restriction's were too much to deal with. When my kids were real little, 4/2 I built a little buggy complete roll cage, 2 seater, seat belt's, fully padded, etc.... Just so I would not have to deal with all the BS. The first time I take it out to my local state riding area I am told my kid's need to take the atc class. To make a long story short I argued that my kids were in a ohv not on one. So after a lengthy discussion and inspection of the buggy I was told that it was ok for them to ride in it because of how the rules were written. I felt fortunate and knew that my boy's were going to ride dirt bike's. It was not worth my hassle. I am sorry if you think I should get more involved but like I said I only have much strength.
As for insurance I am totally aware that my toy's are not covered at all and have looked into insurance and I found that I could buy a new toy every year with the money I saved by not buying insurance. Seems like a win win to me. Just a different opinion. I feel much better insuring my life so my wife will be ok if I should die before my time.