why is our sport the only one with a shortage of high performance vehicles that is only now beginning to have some type of a selection.

 

Don't count on it. Honda will watch the reaction from the Feds when the other OEMs introduce their bigger badder machines. The CPSC reported that ATV injuries increased significantly (faster than sales increased) last year and you can bet that the industry doesn't want to see a repeat of the 3-wheeler episode.

Its a shame because the technology is there. (Have you read how the folks in Europe have just clamped down on the high performance bikes?)

 

Answer me this than if u would how is it the make snowmobiles and dirtbikes that as much as i hate to admit it, right out of the crate would smoke any of our machines unless we have seriously modified them and no regulations on them. Are WE atvers that bad of people that we can't ride the more powerful machines like the before mentioned folks can or is just a simple fact that we are to lazy and just let ourselves get walked on by anyone and everyone. please explain because i would imagine the other folks riding the dirtbikes and snowmoble have as many accidents yet i see a wide wide variety of powerful machines that have always been and will be continued to produced.

 

I can't understand it either. I own an '88 Honda CR250 dirtbike and a '00 Rancher S 4X4. My dirtbike is extremely fast, and let me tell you, you can wreck on either one just as easy. I wish Honda would put the CR500 engine in a 250R frame or the XR650 engine in the 400EX chassis. Just my 2 cents.

Kyle

 

 

If the new Yamaha comes out with a 600cc motor then sales of the 400ex will fall along with their profits. You would have to believe that Honda would keep up with the competion.

 

Yep... These high performance sport ATV's are downright dangerous with their 20-40 stock HP... That's why I had to watch a new Factory STOCK Kawasaki X-12 run 184 MPH on Motorcycle Week last night on TV... Now that's dangerous and overpowered. BTW - The Suzuki 1300 also ran over 184 MPH. They reported the Honda 1100 to be much slower (only in the 170's). Hope they buy quality helmets.

 

To comment on lt550r statment. The reason why the indusrty regulates our sport is that our sport is open to anyone who can push on the gas. Even a 7 year old kid, or for that matter an 80 year old person can ride a 4 wheeler. Its not likely that a young or older person could mount a CR250. In a sense they have made 4 wheelers so accessible that anyone can ride. When you ride a CR250 or something with a clutch you increase the responsibilty of the rider in my opinion. Responsibilty meaning that the rider must understand the machine and its nature to perform. Thus it limits the users. We have increased the users of ATVS by giving them very simple machines to operate(Polaris). This means any person can go out and hurt themselves and blame the manufacturer. My closing thought is I agree that the manufactures should not limit the power, handling and "race ready" machines or hold back on making them. Just don't make it some damm easy for a 7 year old kid to ride it.
300EX & 99 Recon

 

I think Ryan may be on to something here. It would be interesting to get a percentage breakdown relative to type of ATV for the injuries. I have just assumed that people are getting hurt on the high performance ATVs. It may actually be that more people get hurt on utility type ATVs.

 

I agree, I have been saying the same thing for years.

The fatality stats that the CPSC uses against us are on the web. I have went over them myself. Most all the fatal accidents involve collistions. It breaks them down into 3 and 4 wheeler, type of accident, age, date, location, and a very brief description.

I'll post the link if I run across it again.