This still is about younger riders, just now were talking about the age restrictions. Younger kids can get hurt on an lt80 or a sp700 just one might hurt more. So as long as he can handle such a quad he should be able to ride it.

 

anyone can RIDE a quad.. But.. buying it is where the law comes in.

 

Knowsalot how can you say that a 90cc atv would be better for a kid about 13-15 years old then a blaster,250ex etc.. You may actually be providing more accidents for atvs that ARE NOT RIGHT FOR THEIR SIZE, for instance the rider may be to big so he puts his foot down only to have the tire wrip him off his quad. I've seen that before, but if he or she had a bigger atv that accident could have been prevented. If the child wants to pretend to be like dana creech and do jumps then he will still get hurt, if he lands it though he will then get hurt again because the suspension will bottom out. I agree with the instructor that there should be tests instead of rules. Most if not every dealership in ohio would want to see a kid over 12 or 13 on a larger atv. They want this because the kid will be able to grow into it and they dont want the kid to be upset with something that goes 30mph.Now tell me HOW CAN A KID 5'10 RIDE A 90CC QUAD.

 

lonestarbanshee is right. Besides, how many 15 year olds can afford a $5k plus quad? Chances are they're going to get an used quad and not have to worry about the guidelines. I persoanlly think that if the kid really wants a quad that he "shouldn't" be riding, he'll find a way to get it. The rules should be changed for the GNC and GNCC series though, even if you're under 16 you should still be able to race the 250 classes.

 

You asked why I thought a child would be safer on a 90cc machine than a larger quad even if the child was too big for a 90cc machine.

There are risks riding an ATV regardless of it's size. I never said that it was safer for a kid too ride something too small. I agree that a larger kid would be at risk for an accident on a machine too small. However everyone knows for damn sure that one too big will cause accidents. There are statisctics to prove it.

It's a no-win situation for a 6' 15 year old either way. A machine too small or a machine too big. I know there a kids 12 years old riding Banshee's out there. There are some who have never had an accident and are the best riders out there. BUT that does not represent the majority of young riders.

For the thousandth time. The age restrictions WERE NOT put into place based on the rider's size. It was implemented based on RESPONSIBILITY. And if you ask me, younger riders are LESS responsible than they were 20 years ago.

It all comes down to the same reason there is a restriction on a person's age to acquire a driver's license. You wouldn't let a 12 or 13 year old driver loose with a license and a new Mustang or Camaro would you??

The biggest debate among anyone with an issue on the age restrictions is the comparison with the motorcycles. There is no comparison. Sure, a 13 year old can buy a 55 horse power dirt bike. Sure, there are more INJURIES due to motorcycle accidents each year compared to the ATV's ...BUT the death rate among ATV riders is nearly 3 times the rate of dirtbike and streetbike related deaths combined. [Sept. DealerNews]

If people respected ATV's more than seeing them as something easy to ride on 4 wheels that can do anything, the sport would slowly pick up as being a just as safe sport as the motorcycles are. But until then, everyone pays the price for mistakes made by the irresponsible.

Bill, I don't quite understand this law you say that you guys have in Michigan. The Consent Decree, although expired, is still "Manufacturer Law" nation wide. How is it possible there for a child to purchase any machine as long as he passes some kind of test?? Is it some state law or is it just that some dealer sells the machines to them anyway and hasn't been found out yet.

A nearby dealer was penalized heavily in January by trying to sell a 300EX to a 15 yearold at Christmas time. The 14 year old and his "father" were actually two employees from American Honda. The dealer owner and the salesman that tried selling it were required to attend a training camp in Atlanta for one full week. All at the expense of the dealer. The price was 5000.00 for each plus their travel and stay. A second offense will cause Honda to cease the Honda franchise from his dealership.

 

Knowsalot what is iresponssible to you? i do wheelies and jumps with my atv does that mean I'm iresponssible. I did figure something out more accidents occur from riding with others then having a quad to big. How could this be? Its simple people want to show off their amazing skills. What your main reason for not wanting kids on bigger quads and dont say because they will get hurt cause thats bull$hit.

 

Well I see that this has now went from a debate to talking smack while talking out the @$$.

HondaGuy300EX,...It isn't bull$hit as you say, it's because facts are facts. I didn't assume that kids on bigger ATV's get hurt more often. I gave you the proof above. Did you not read it? Motorcycle Dealer News is the only official publication of the entire industry. It isn't made up of extremist members trying to make a point. The numbers are very real. If you don't want to believe it than that's fine. I'm only sating my opinion on the matter, as you are, but don't make things personal here HondaGuy. I didn't say you are crazy for riding a larger ATV or that I despise of those who do. In my years, I have had dozens of friends of mine [customers] who were killed early in life for no other reason than "showing off" as you describe. I show off my self when I ride. I am at an age where that decision is mine to make and whatever concequences result from my actions are those of my own as well. However, a 15 year old in the same situation is another matter entirely. Everyone, but the 15 year olds on this forum know what I mean.

These were my final thoughts on the subject.

It wasn't a personal attack on you or or any other youth ,HondaGuy. Ease up there.

 

Knowsalot im just trying to figure out now why you wont sell a atv over 90cc to a parent for a child. I just think that it should be the parents decision and you'll be losing lots of buisness.

 

okay guys I'm gonna tell it like it is. You can say I give younger people a bad name or whatever you want to say about me go ahead. but hey everybody is responsible for their own actions so if you wear a helmet that's great that is what lots of riders should do and If you don't well that's your problem. yes I don't wear a helmet never have and probably never will but like I said that's my problem not others you got that. and yes doing jumping and wheelies without a helmet might be stupid to some or all people and I understand where you are coming from because you never know what could happen or go wrong. but hey this is final when it comes to my riding I care more about the riders I'm with than my ownself and that's it. so if I mess up and get hurt that is my deal not them or anybody else. so to everybody be cool and ride the way you want to ride later from NBR

 

Politics would play arole at our dealership even if we wanted to sell to parents knowing that the quad was for someone under age. We are far more involved with things than your average dealership.

We wouldn't sell to parents knowing that it would be for someone under age for the reason I mentioned above.

First, We stand by the consent decree to every letter.

Second, The situation that I described above about the dealer getting in trouble??? Well, that could happen to any dealer from anywhere. Yamaha and other's do the same thing. They send couples in with an underage kid wanting a larger machine to see if you would actually sell it.

They also just send in adults wanting to buy a quad for their "kid" for a gift. they say they can't bring in the kid because it's a surprise. Well,..doesn't matter. It's hard to explain, but I think you get the idea of what the consequences are for not going by Honda's rules. Some dealers don't care and do it everyday without getting caught. We do care and aren't willing to risk an established business of over 20 years to satisfy one age group of owners for ATVs.

As far as hurting our business with lost sales.....Nearly every dealer in our area go by the same sense of rules as we do. If one wants to risk everything and get a bad image just so they can make a few hundred dollars, than that's their risk to take. But one we refuse to take.