I currently have 2 Bombardier Outlander Max's, and I am thinking about adding a Rhino to the bunch.

My question is this:

Here in Southern California, the rules are very strict as to what can go where. Will a Rhino be allowed everywhere an ATV is?

Some trails are marked ATV only, and some are marked street legal only, and the Rhino is wide and not street legal, so I am wondering if I will run into all sorts of problems out here.

Thanks!

 

A rhino doesn't meet the qualifications for the most part, to get a street legal license plate. Therefore, it is issued a green sticker just like an atv. Now, while you are out on the trail, I would strongly suggest you use common sense[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] while traversing certain areas, like narrow trails, I would make sure the tires are not "too" wide, to where, they cause unnecessary damage. that's really the only catch, I can think of. If you have questions, I suggest checking with the local authorities.

 

That's a good point.

The problem I see is the "gates" (usually two metal or wooden poles) spaced just far enough apart on the entrances to some of the best trails to barely allow a big utility quad through...

 

Yea, that can be a drag[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] But remember, they are doing it to limit damage out there. Need to keep as many trails open, as possible[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] makes me wonder why some guys go wider on their quads[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]They must only ride in open places[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

Exactly, I am all about treading lightly, (and quietly, why do some people have such noisy bikes, anyhow?).

And since tose narrow twist trails are my favorite, I'll stick to the quads. Maybe someday I'll get a Rhino for those days when I go to bigger, more open riding areas...

Thanks for the advice.

 

Ignorance. IMO

 

In many states.. the majority actually.. the Rhino does NOT meet the ATV definition in two major categories. 1) width.. by definition they are too wide for the standard, and 2) they are too heavy to meet the standard. This has led to issues with registration and classification as well. There are several groups involved with trying to change the ATV definition in order to include them, but right now, they seem to be a machine without a country in most areas.

That being said, there are few areas that are enforcing the standards on them, however I have been told by both the Hatfield/McCoy and the Rocky mountain Jamboree folks in Utah to leave them at home.. .as they do not want them.

The biggest detriment to the use of a Rhino on established trail systems like this is the fact that in many cases, the trails have been built to the 48 inch standard... and it represents a great deal of liability for the trail operators if you get yourself into a situation where the trails are not capable of handling anything wider.

The standard was implemented to keep jeeps off the ATV trails...

Hopefully, in time, they will be able to relax that a bit to include them, but right now, you may experience some "Issues" with where you can go.

 

That is interesting, and concerning.

I do want to be legal, and it seems California's legal code would exclude them from the ATV category, but there are many vehicles out here with "green stickers" - not just ATV's. I've been told that out here, there is no problem registering them, but does anyone else have any specific info on California in particular?

It would be a shame not to be able to ride in Utah, but CA is where I do the majority of my riding anyhow.

 

On another website (Can't say who or I would be violating rules here) they announced that the state of Idaho had recently changed it's laws and definition of ATV's to include the Rhino and others by increasing max width to 60 inches, and weight to a little over 1800 pounds. Although I can't offer any comment of help on the green sticker issue, I do not think that is teh major problem, since the Grizzly is approved.. and the Rhino is nothing more than a grizz on steroids. Perhaps you need to spearhead a movement to get the laws changed to accomodate the new class of machines... Nothing better than a group of voting citizens talking to their elected state officials and working within the system for change.