Thank you tripleR. Irresponsibility is a disease spreading throughout our country at epidemic levels. Is there anyone who is responsible for their own mistakes anymore? Where have the real men gone? It sickens me to see our country reduced to a bunch of sniveling whiners looking for a lawyer so they can make a fast buck dues to an unfortunate ACCIDENT.
It's a shame when anyone gets hurt or killed in any situation, but I dont understand how a big lump of cash from the manufacturer makes it all better if the machine did not malfunction in any way. If there were any mechanical failure that caused the accident then sure the manufacturer is liable. But that is not the case here, the kid was riding as passenger with an inexperienced rider driving the machine FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT OR ANY PROTECTIVE GEAR. The novice rider turned to sharp at to high of a speed and tragedy was the outcome. I know the details because the same guy has posted the same story in many topics and on many OHV websites.
If anyone is to blame it's the person behind the wheel, if it was a kid driving then whoever let that kid do so is responsible. That's who should be sued.. But my instinct tells me there is no $$$ there to be had so.. Lawyer time, lets blame someone else.

It's been over a month since john threw down that challenge, yet he still has not knocked on my door.

 

your exactly right prowrench, I myself do not own a rhino, nor have even riden in one, but I agree 100%. Btw I just live down highway 36 east from you, lil town called Marceline.

 

Prowrench and Mo Brute,

Small world, my first assignment with the state was in Kansas City, MO and I lived near Claycomo until I got a transfer back home to the southern part of the state. I rode my Triumph T120RV up in that area with several friends from my office.

While I spent my career in Criminal Justice, I saw many cases such as you describe come into courts. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions and they are always looking for someone to blame and hopefully with deep pockets. I agree with "product liability" as the first time I was thrown off of a motorcycle was when the engine on my Honda seized at around 70 mph. My bike was totaled and Honda denied any responsibility even though the dealership had a back room full of bikes that had done the same thing; not much you could do back then and I was not seriously injured.

I use to ride dirt bikes a lot and my outlook was if you weren't crashing, you weren't trying hard enough. Now how in the heck can a Rhino or any UTV be less stable and provide less protection than a blamed dirt bike and it is not a "faulty design".

I am glad people have access to machines to keep them entertained and involved in life. There will come a time when I will no longer be able to get on my Grizzly, but I will manage to get in my Rhino one way or the other.
'
PW, have you looked into power steering for your Rhino? I saw a You Tube with an aftermarket unit installed.

 

650 I know exactly where Marceline is, I prefer to travel the slower and less congested routes like 36 and have passed through there many times. Yeah I'm old but with the price of fuel today the significant MPG from simply traveling a few MPH slower means a lot to me. It's a small world.

TripleR, was that a CB 1000 your referring to? There were some low oil pressure problems with those. I grew up riding Dirtbikes and worked in the Cycle industry much of my adult life. Losing the ability to ride was as bad as losing the ability to walk and I was very pleased when Yamaha introduced the Rhino.

I have one of the electric power steering units now, it works great! Trying to work an electric power brake master cylinder into my budget.

 

prowrench,

When I began riding in 1965, Honda did not make a big bike. Mine was a CB 160 which was considered to be a "mid sized" bike then as no one made anything bigger than a 650 except a Harley and it was slower than molasses. The CB 160 would seize up, throw your *** off and then start up and run fine. Some said it was due to overheating, but don't know if they ever figured it out, I stayed away from Hondas after that.

I know what you mean, after a car crash, I couldn't ride for over six years and thought my riding days were over, but with therapy, trial and error I made it back on for quite a few years, but my condition is getting worse and I can no longer ride a motorcycle. I have limited use of my left arm and leg that is getting worse with time.

I haven't gone with the power steering on my Rhino yet, but bought my Grizzly specifically for that feature; was hoping the Rhino would come out with it.

Don't know if it's an option for you, but my wife's cousin is a paraplegic and he rides a Trike with a VW engine and an automatic transmission with a bracket to hold his wheel chair. He raced motorcycles before being injured.

 

I have been looking considering buying a side by side for some time now, my wife is not disabled, but she had back surgery about 2 years ago and it still gives her problems. I would love to get her out riding with us but just dont think she could hang on a quad all day long. So I figured the bucket seats of a side by side would be the best bet, just cant afford one yet.

As of right now ive been looking at the Kawasaki Tyrx purely from a dealer standpoint, I have purchased both my last 2 quads from him and he is great.

Any good riding place up around the Saint Joseph area? We have to haul our bikes a good hour to hour and a half for any real riding. we usually just make a trip up to the farm outside of kirksville http://thefarmatadair.com/ or finger lakes.

 

I had a Rhino. Put spacers all the way around and wider tires. Never got tipsy. In fact, I can't believe where I have taken it! I realize it was not stock and it is probly the stock ones that everyone refers to as being tipsy. Point is, drive it as it was designed to be driven, or change the design and push it to its limits...either way it is all at your own risk! I, for one, have had enough of the government intereference...telling me what I can and can't do and what is safe for me! I would also like to mention a 2005 suzuki vinson 500 I bought for my wife a few years ago. She rolled it twice, my buddies have rolled it, in fact, everyone who has ridden it has rolled it except my son and I (we have a little more experience, [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]) But, you never hear that they are dangerous! Bottom line, it's time people take responsibility for their own actions. If you fear the rhino, don't buy it! They are all dangerous, so maybe don't buy any of them!

 

Since I got my Rhino, I can hardly get my wife on an ATV anymore. Not only is it more comfortable, but you can actually hold a decent conversation while riding. While I prefer the Rhino, I am sure the Kawasaki is also a good machine. I don't care for the Artic Cat because of its size. I have had a couple of Mules and do not like the bench seats and they are easy to fall out of. I don't care for the Rzr, but you might. They are no popular in this area and I have only seen one.

 

I have got maybe 5 inches remaining of my left leg so anything that has to be straddled I cant ride unfortunately. I got my first bike in 62 and a day never passed that I did not own one until just a few years ago when I sold the last of a few I had collected over the years. I had planned on keeping them much longer, but my financial situation would not allow that lol.. I'm so broke now it's embarrassing, I would love to work and feel there is much I can still do but have been unable to find any employer willing to give me a chance. I would not have the Rhino if it were not for my Brother, he bought it for me in late 2005, he is the best Brother anyone could ask for.
Finger Lakes is a great place to ride, I was last there 2 years ago next month. They have the 50" width limit rule as well as the machine must be "straddled" and steered by handlebars. I knew this before and called the MO parks department and explained my situation to them and thankfully they made an exception for me as I simply do not have a choice. The RZR was not available then and I'm not a Polaris fan anyway, but the longer the RZR has been out it certainly has improved the image of Polaris for the better, there history needs improvement and hopefully the RZR does it for them, I do love the 50" width and parallel twin engine. The Kawasaki Teryx did well in its first year and the 2009 models have fuel injection. I'm waiting for a leaner, smaller, sportier Rhino that is coming as either a 2009 or maybe 2010. Or maybe the Can-Am when it's finally released, I'm a big fan of Rotax engines, I just hope Yamaha and Can-Am both use a parallel twin engine, I prefer them for this type of a machine and it does not have the engine width concerns an ATV has.. I'm not an Arctic Cat fan either but they do have a 1000cc V-Twin Prowler out now
Would be great if we could meet up for a ride sometime but there is nothing around St. Joseph unfortunately. I'm going to read up on that place near Kirksville though.

Take care guys,
Curley

 

Prowrench

I have a friend who is a parapalegic. He owns a landscaping company. He bought a prowler last year to help move snow, etc. He absolutely loves it. However, he has not lost any of his legs, just no movement. Of course, much like you, he wanted to work but no one would give him a chance either. He was still young and paralyzed due to a car accident. That's when he decided to start his own landscaping business. I think it is so cool that he does this as opposed to sitting around all day feeling sorry for himself. I send him all the business I can as I develop real estate. I am trying to convince him to get his landscaping license so he can help me on all my new construction. So, I feel for you for your situation. Don't let others get you down and keep trying, it will all work out. Good luck!