Nah, I don't think that is reasonable.... We sell this sport as being a family sport, and that would not fit together. Just remember, we were all young once... This isn't a situation where you have to pay your dues and wait your turn. I think kids should have an equal opportunity. I don't know where you ride, but out here in VA, my experience has been that you rarely come upon another machine on the trails. If you do, it isn't a big deal to pull over and let someone who is going faster than you to go by. All the trails I ride are one way trails though. I have riden in areas where you have two way travel. the only time I had a problem is when I met a guy on a dirt bike hell bent to go fast in the trees. Now this was a very narrow trail where he was banging bars with trees all the time. I guess I'd put a name of idiot to that guy... He came head on with a kid on a quad and almost killed them both. Luckily the quad rider saw him coming and swerved off the trail in time. The idiot however just gassed it, flipped us the bird and rode off into the woods. Never to be seen again... Must have been a local because I was the only guy with a tow vehicle.
These days, you just have to be considerate. Like I said, tracks are a good place to get your speed fix. But when on a trail in the woods, it isn't a place to become a statisitc. If you want to splatter yourself on a tree, OK, but just don't take anyone else with you.

 

You dont think that is reasonable........???

What age is reasonable. Our state (Minnesota) has a law that you must be 13 years old to ride on the trails in this state. Its the law! It is a good idea! It is for your kids safety, and for the safety of the kids who's parents are to stupid to figure it out on their own.

This thread is full of descriptions of close calls with "idiots" You will never get all of the drunks and speed freaks off of the trails so in the best intrest of the sport keep your young kids off the trails. Not to say kids cant ride on there own land or somewhere where they can get the supervision that they need to learn to watch out for "idoits" and learn how to control their machines. That way when they are old enough for the trails that they have the skill sets to be safe and in control of there machine.

 

I don't pretend to second guess the laws in your state, however they are different in others, and although some would like ot see a higher age bracket, there are just as many that do not. I think the debate will continue for a long time. All I know is that I have seen kids much younger than 13 riding on trails with parental supervision doing just fine. In most cases they ride much more responsibly than the older ones. I know that in our case, the family rides together on a regular basis without any problems. Of course I'll preface that with the fact that I choose the riding area carefully when children are going to be with us. Out East we are pretty much resigned to riding at pay to ride parks. So the conditions are very well controlled. That is what I mean by making responsible choices. Do I think kids uner 13 should be able to ride. I think the opportunity should be there, however the ultimate responsibility lies with the parent to accurately analyse their child's abilities and mindset. If they do not think they are mature enough to take instruction, then no they should not ride... however I do not think the government should take that choice from out of our hands fully. Under 6, then Yes, I support not being able to ride... and I also think that kids 12 and under should not ride anything over a 125, which is slightly larger than the old 90 CC rule. 13 to 16 should be allowed up to a 250, and over 16 no restrictions. Again however the responsibility of the parental review still applies, and the parents must be strong enough to say no if that is necessary.

 

Good topic

I have a RZR and love it. But it really is better off on Jeep Trails than ATV trails. I ride ATV's also and really don't want to see our trails get any wider. The RZR when stock width will fit but it will not turn the same and does tend to widen the trails. I don't like that happening to my ATV trails even though I love the RZR.

 

I just took in a factory Yamaha ride fest and got to compare a lot of different models and machine types. I had driven a Rhino out in open fields several times and thought they were the greatest thing since bread and butter.... but I was able ot take one into the trails where the trees are somewhat close in some sections. On one corner in particular, it was a simple left hander around an overhanging tree, but in teh middle of the turn were several deep ruts. Every time I attempted to go round it would dop into a rut and suck me into the overhanging tree. Being that is wasn't my machine, I didn't want to mar the paint etc. The Factory guy finally just told me to bang it around a little. I left a real nice mark on the upper roll cage as I ground it around the tree trunk... I have to admit my enthusiasm for them really hit a huge low after that. I was showing my wife how neat they were etc and it let me down. I have to say that on normal trails out East, you are barely able to use one. And that section wasn't even the narrow section... so I am not sure if I'd ever use one now. For about the same price, I could get me a tractor with a bucket, which I need more than I need another toy. So I guess when it comes time (When I get Mrs DB and Junior's new machines paid for) I think I'll be going back to a quad... but one with EPS and EFI and IRS. Getting soft in my old age. I'll keep the Rubicon for working though. It is a tank...

In WV, they are at least allowing the side by sides on the easy trails, which usually mean logging or mine roads. Probably because they don't have the funding to widen all the trails. I have mixed emotions on the subject. I really think they should be welcomed. Certainly I am not going to turn up my nose at them as long as they are not acting stupid and putting everyone else in danger. Same thing goes for single track riders. Hey we are all just people out looking to forget our daily troubles for a couple hours and deserve a few hours of freedom without being hassled... but again if not putting anyone else in danger. If the trails are wide enough, why not. Pasing one of these mules can be a problem if the trails are just wide enough for them to transit. It hasn't been a major problem yet, but I suspect as we see more and more of them, it could be. I do think they should be 16 to operate one though. In fact I believe that is the local law in WV and VA. Not sure what they do out West.. It has taken a lot of talking to get them this far. Now if you are talking Jeeps and 4x4 trucks, I have riden trails that allow them all on the same trails. I can say this, I won't go back. Generally you have a different mentality and IQ rating when you describe a truck owner with a 6 pack next to him. They can't operate on the road with an open seal, but on the trails it is anything goes with these guys. Put a kid on the same trail and it is a recipe for disaster, and generally they don't want quads there anyway, and make your life miserable all around. I avoid these areas like the plague.

 

Just an additional comment. I am not sure if they are classified as an ATV as suggested. They used to draw the line at 50 inches and under 1000 lbs I think. The new guidelines may have changed that though.. The bottom line is that the States control this designation and each one is different. Know the laws where you intend to ride BEFORE it becomes a problem.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Discovery

We have Plenty of Narrow trails, Here. Look UP "East fort Rock OHV" in Bend Oregon. around 300 miles of trails, went on a few last week end and the 800 Polaris scraped both rear fenders on more than one ocassion. No way a UTV of any type would make it.



Biggest issue I have is everyone has to always go so fast, and they always have to gas it on the corners like they are ricky the racers. I would like to see sport Quads

& Class 3 have different rules, and drifferent trails. and I would also like to see speed limits plus enforcement.



At the east fort Rock OHV last week end me and the wife where not 10 mins on the trail when a Class 3 came around a corner so fast he had to lock it up just so he did not run into us. I had to ride up on the right bank so he could skirt by.



I am sure this could be come a big issue, Me and the wife are going to pretty much stay out of all the Official OHV parks Just because of how fast everyone go's. We will stick to the forest rodes. We are not in a race or going to be stunt jumping and being "Cool" we will Just be slow dorks.</end quote></div>

I'm with you Discovery. I ride down here in Klamath Falls. When I'm with the wife we ride easy and I stick to the forest service roads where there is little or no traffic. When I get out on the sporty it is another story, but I still avoid the crowds at OHV parks.....too many idiots for me!

 

I think there is an element in our sport that says you are supposed to unscrew your head and take your brains out just before you put your helmet on. Be it a need for speed, thrill or whatever. There is a part of us that says you have to push the limit to get enjoyment. By the time you get to my age, that changes to an attitude that makes you want to slow down and actually enjoy what you are looking at as it passes by. That may be a challenge for us adults to teach our kids to learn how to smell the roses. There is just too much competition in the world that I would hope that we can enjoy this for what it is.

Even fishing has gotten to be a competition to see how many you can put in the boat, or who has the biggest one etc. We lose track of just spending time with the kids away from all the hustle we have in our lives. We all need to re-learn how to slow down and recreate.

I'd also like to put in a plug for spending some time with the kids off the machines as well. Whether you spend time teaching them how to clean and care for their rides, or teach them how to cook a campfire meal, or even show them the importance of picking up trash along the trail... these are the caring lessons we need to be teaching. I know that there is no excitement in checking air pressures, or greasing your ride, changing a spark plug etc, but it is a discipline they need as much as learning the importance of running a little faster than the kid next door. Teaching them to be a more caring person is a good thing...

 

Well Said DB!