Hey all,

I recently broke my right leg (tibia in 6 places + fibula) while test-riding my son's YZ80 after work one day. Like a big dummy, I wasn't wearing MX boots (I had been riding my Banshee, and was just wearing my workboots, not really thinking it was going to be an issue). So, after hitting a small set of jumps, my right foot slipped off the peg and my boot caught the edge of a berm (this happening as I'm landing on the rear wheel, front end too high), snapping my leg like a twig. Called 911, go to the hospital in an ambulance, and 6 hours later I'm in surgery getting more titanium hardware in my leg (rod & 3 screws in my tibia - I already have a rod in my femur from 3 years ago). I'm still amazed that it happened - I've had worse crashes that I've walked away from!

Which leads me to my question (which may seem to have an obvious answer, but that's not all I'm looking for) - how many lower leg injuries are prevented due to the construction of MX boots? I mean, I think that had I been wearing my MX boots, there's a good chance I would've avoided this injury. I say this because I feel that my work boots, having a high-traction sole, actually "caught" the berm (got traction), which kept my foot there (stuck), while the rest of me kept moving. This is what I think snapped my tibia & fibula. Also, my work boots don't have the same level of protection/stiffness/support, which contributed to the cause of this injury. I feel like an idiot now, especially since I had my MX boots in my truck with me! Why I didn't just put them on, who knows? Laziness? Just not thinking? I was just riding my 'Shee after work in a field next to the shop (which I do a few times a week), and decided to run the kid's bike to see how it was performing (we recently replaced the fork seals & oil, and did some airbox mods). I really didn't even think about it - I would have never thought it would end in such a serious injury (I've been outta work for 6 weeks now, and won't be able to ride until the end of summer if I'm lucky)!

You can bet that that was the LAST TIME that I will ride without MX boots - regardless of what or how I plan to ride. I do have a concern though, as I was considering getting a pair of the new Thor Quadrant ATV boots (the ones with the traction-type sole), as I heard that they are very comfortable, and for trail riding the traction sole would be nice. However, I am convinced that a large contributing factor to this injury was the traction sole of my work boots. Do I have a valid concern, or am I just "spooked" now? I'd like to get some other riders' opinions on these concerns in this post. Thanks guys (and gals too?).

 

Hi, when i bought my boots, i was also looking at "atv" boots. After trying on several different brands, i ended up buying a pair of alpinestar tech 4 motocross boots. They fit me much better, were more comfortable, and most importantly to me, offered a lot more support. As a "mature" rider i to have been through my share of injuries (including ankles) and i do occassionally ride my lt250r on the motocross track so i opted for stiffness over walking comfort. Riding, the alpinestars are more comfortable than the atv boots i tried on. I have a pair of work boots that are pretty stiff, so when i am utility riding, i wear those. WHen i am going to be riding hard i wear the mx boots. I have been happy with my choise but then again i do have work boots that are almost as tall as riding boots and very supportive. I ended up getting a great deal on the tech 4's online because the dealer was out at the time, paid about$130. I figured that i could get an atv sole put on them if i didn't like th unidirectional mx sole. haven't had to do that yet.

 

They way you said you leg broke....I personally think it would have happened with boots on also. With you twisting and breaking.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Luckily, I seem to be healing fast - I'm back to work (though still on 1 crutch), and hope to be able to at least trailride in a month or so. I think I'll skip the Thors for now, as I already have a pair of MX Boots, and after being out of work for almost 2 months, I'd rather have the $140 to spend on bills. Disability comp is a joke! $170 a week - that's about 1 day of work for me. Good thing I had (key word, HAD) money in the bank, or I'd have been screwed.

 

u said u didnt want the traction of the thor boots right?
well the thing is those were designd for ATV riding and u were riding a dirtbike...where u would want slicker boots...so if you are going to ride an atv more often i guess the boots would be a good idea
-just tryin to help

 

DieselTech, how are you doing now? Back to riding yet?

 

I think Thrash is right, sounds like it would have been bad (maybe not as bad) even with riding boots. Ater getting a pair of Alpinestars, I've never gone back to any other brand. But, as you're probably telling yourself, any brand would have been better than what you had on.

Hope the healing process is going well. No more playing with the kids toys. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Scooter - no, not REAL riding.......I have putted around on some trails, but that's hard to do on a 'Shee. Kickstarting with your left leg is wack.......no impact on the right leg for at least a few more months - so no kickstarting, jumping, etc.

Right now I'm concentrating on getting my son's YZ80 ready for his 1st race.....it was going to be this weekend at Area51, but we have to make an emergency trip to FL (leaving in a few hours) for a death in the family.

The leg is healing well, though. Back to work, and I can walk now (er, hobble).

Yeah, no more playing with the kid's toys - it's too embarrassing....... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]