Wolverine man.. let me clear something up.... first of all, I agree that the CPSC guidelines are in dire need of re-vamping. When originally developed.. By the MANUFACTURERS by the way, not the CPSC... they were written to address the technology of the day. Not only have we experienced a tremendous improvement of the machines available today, but also, over the 20 years or so... our children have tended to be larger at a younger age than we were back then. Whether that is do to genetically improved foods etc.. who knows.. the fact remains that the guidelines have not kept pace.

BUT

The other side of the coin is this. I cannot, and I think others may feel this way... I can't preach responsibility, learning the difference between right and wrong, obeying the law, responsible parenting etc. on one hand, and then suggest to someone that it is OK to disregard the standards or laws put forth. That would make me out ot be a hypocrite.. and set a poor example for my child.

All I can do is continue to suggest that we all call for a total revamp and review of the whole system and that experienced enthusiasts be included in the group. Note also that I have repeatedly called for ONE Consistantly enforced standard as well so that no matter where I ride.. no matter which state I am in, I know and can follow the rules.

The issue is made even more confusing because many, but not all states have used the guidelines as a basis for their own legislation and programs. Some states take them verbatum... while others will use them as a framework, but allow common sense to change and improve the programs they inact. Still others ignore teh problem altogether..although their numbers are dwindling.

So understand that while I may come across as someone who works for and agrees with the CPSC on the issues.. I do not. Not fully anyway.. but I do think that there is a need for a standard, if for no reason than to act as a starting point for parents trying to get up to speed.

I am also passionate about helmets, safety gear, professional instruction and parental involvement. Lately I have been advocating getting all the different factions to sit at the table and hammer out a compromise instead of the extreme reactionary all or nothing diatribe we constantly see in the papers.

And yes Whodat and I , and even Blackballed, have drug along some baggage... but it is important to note that the comments are the result of putting child safety first, and a sincere willingness to assist parents who are trying to make sense of this whole process. It would just be wrong to lie to them and say it is alright to this or that, knowing that depending on where they live, it could get them in trouble. It is much more important for them to weigh all the information and make their own choice.

 

Surprise Surprise Surprise...

 

Here is what they need to do..Create larger sized ATV's with the same motor. I just bought my 7 Year old son a 50CC 4wheeler. He is very tall for his age. His feat can't even fit straight on the foot boards cuz there two long. In order for him to hit the foot brake he has to turn his feat sideways. Is this 4wheeler fast enough..Way fast enough and then some. Is it Big (tall) enough...No way...Why can't they create larger size machines using the same size motors? I think this motor is way strong enough that it could easily move a 4wheeler twice the size of the one its moving now. I just want a larger sized atv. Sure I've seen a few but they far and inbetween and cost an arm and a leg. Isn't that really the issue more than the size of the motor is the size of the machine?? Do they need more power/speed(bigger motor)...No...Do they need larger size machines that fit them properly...yes...

They should build machines based on Height/weight.... Would this solve alot of problems I really think so...And be safer!

 

I agree... we have been saying that there is a need for a bridge machine for some time now. It makes more sense than continually building even larger engined behemoths... I have been told that some of the Chinese offerings do fit that category, although I have not had the opportunity to review any of them to date....

 

Dragginbutt,


I understand what you are saying.....BUT.... the original post, by motormouth, was asking if he or his dad would get in trouble if he got caught riding a 90cc+ quad..........


THE ANSWER IS>>>>>>>NO


Not in Pennsylvania. That is where Motormouth is from.


That should have been the end of it


But somehow , it was mentioned that he, Motormouth, wasn't mature enough to ride a larger quad. Also some things were thrown in about not wearing helmets, not obeying his father, police coming to the house, Family services being involved,etc....


The kid only ask a simple question and got blasted by adults. There does seem to be some "growing up " to do, and it is not from Motormouth.


You guys aren't even from Pennsylvania or know what the real answer is to Motormouth's question.


I can understand carrying the baggage from other arguements, but in this case, I think an apology is owed to Motormouth. You guys should be ashamed.

 

I gotta agree with Wolverine.

This kid just asked a pretty simple question because his dad thought he would get in trouble for letting his son ride a quad that is "to big" for him.
How do we know this dad would have no problem letting his son ride a 250cc quad if he could.......
WE DON'T........PERIOD

His dad didn't say "son, this is the size quad you are riding. period"
I do not see this kid as defying his dad and coming to us.


Dragginbutt,
I gotta be honest here, you did kinda go way out around the fence on your comments about this poor kid.
In a situation that fits, I agree with you 100%. If I told my kid no, and he did as you interpreted, I would be all over his a$$ and he wouldn't be riding ANY quad............
But that was not the case here with this kid at all........

I give the kid a little credit........
He came here for an opinion on whether he should ride illegally[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] That is a simple one word Answer...NO
He should have know that answer, but at least he asked.
Then we should help point and guide him in the right direction to the correct information for his situation.
Help out a 13 y/o that isn't familar with this whole silly "guideline" situation.

I've followed many of your guys converstations on this topic in the various threads here.
I agree with a lot from both sides.
And yes, the discussions to get heated.

Bottom line is........You guys yourself mentioned it above..............
YOU BRING BAGGAGE FROM OTHER CONVERSATIONS.............

And unfortunately that is what happened here.
Made some adults look like fools to this 13 y/o that really did just ask a simple question.
I can't remember who it was, but one person knowledgable with this kids state gave him the answer he was looking for and needed.

Anyway, you guys ride safe, and keep pushing for better guidelines [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

THANK YOU Wolverineman and quad4fun and everybody else who actually helped me instead of talking about other things that didn't even have to do with my question -cough(dragginbutt)-cough. I just wanted to know if it was illegal for me to ride a quad over 90cc! And thanx to the help of these guys, i found out that it wasnt illegal. I have to wear a helmet on my friggin razor scooter! what makes you think im not gonna wear a helmet when i ride? I told my dad what you guys said and he appreciated that you guys gave me info about the law issues and stuff like that. He's rethinking about what kind of size quad i should get thanx to the help of u guys.

hope to talk again with you guys soon!

-Cory

 

Being from Pa myself said from the beginning that it was not illegal for you to ride a bigger atv. Then others started in on the comments. It was a simple question and you got alot of crap for it. These forums are great for just about any information you want but you also get the crap to go with it. Not saying that anything Dragginbut or some other said was not valid but it was far from the origional question.

 

Well, I am not too big to admit I may have gone overboard... so I apologise to the young man for doing so...

I am glad to see that you were in consultation with your father, and have shared your new information with him. I advocated that. And I am glad to hear your father has altered his view on the subject. It sounds now like you have managed to keep the subject open with him... it didn't sound that way in your original question... From an old guy's persepctive, it sounded like whining and complaining about how closed minded your dad was being... glad to hear I missed that one totally.

I will however offer support to any parent that is making what is a actually a tough decision. As parents, we do want to give our kids everything they want, and all we want is to make them happy...but sometimes that means that in our judgement, we may have to decide to do or say something that will be unpleasent to hear. I applaud him for his decision..based on the information he had availabile at the time. And I applaud you for digging the information out to show him his fears are without merit... that is a very adult way of handling things.

Good luck on your purchase decuisions, and again I have to say I am sorry for mis-reading your intent.

To the others I say this. When questions arise, and it seems that bad advise is given by others, I will continue to offer a voice of reason. I am not going to sit back and allow someone to give advice that I feel is misguided, or dangerous. I have found myself in situations where I do not fully support a certain point of view, but I think I am consistant in saying that I have problems with some of the issues...like the CPSC guidelines for one. I feel they need revamping. But I support their existance. Because I know that without any sort of baseline, we would not be having this conversation.. as the sport would have been eliminated due to injuries and deaths of way too many young people. It is a conundrum.

You can count on me though to continue to offer a different point of view, in the spirit of generating thought... You may agree with it.. you may not.. but you will have thought about it... and I can be swayed... and I am willing to admit I make mistakes, can be wrong, and am willing to take my medicine like a big boy...

I stand corrected.

Dragginbutt.

 

thanx for apoligizing. everyone makes mistakes sometime.


now just one more thing......Suzuki Z250? or Honda 250EX?lol