The big issue we should all focus on is riding responsibly.
If the guy who was injured in this topic had a helmet and not been drinking, he probably would not have gotten himself in the situation in the first place.
No matter what you ride, if you ride that way you will get hurt.

If you see somebody driving a car irresponsibly or recklessy, or while drinking, we have the right to report them and/or tell them how stupid they are being (within reason of course)

We should do the same thing while riding. Whether it's on the trail, at the dunes, in the parking lot, or wherever. All within reason of course, and not to instigate a confrontation.
Some people we will never get to change or care, but if we can just get a few to realize how they can ride a little safer, be more careful and ride responsibly........ We can make a little difference.
I have personally done this...... Just mentioning to a guy loading a quad into his pickup that he should put his helmet on. He'll either tell ya to "F" off and mind your own business, or he'll go, "oh ya, I spose I should". Never had anybody tell me to "f" off yet, but some have said the latter.

Key is to just be nice when talking to them. Some will be reseptive, some probably won't.

The one thing we all agree on, is that yahooo's are the ones that give our great sport a bad name, and we should all do what we can to protect it [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][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

wow[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img].





hope he had health insurance.

 

I am the program Director for the Mich ATV Safety Association and I dont agree with some of what im reading here..I operate a 2005 King Quad,the quad is very powerful and heavy..When I bought the ATV,I assumed the liabilty and risks that can be associated with operating such a big and powerful ATV..IMO,it is up to ME to operate this ATV within MY own known personal limitations and within the capabilities of what that machine is capable of doing..This ATV,by itself,does not have the ability to injury ANYONE..It takes an operator who makes a CHOICE to operate this size of a quad OUTSIDE of his/her own known personal limitations or OUTSIDE of the ATVs CAPIBILITIES in order for this quad to cause an injury..

ATV engine displacements and their weight are not the cause for the majority of injuries,WE are!

And when will WE start taking the responsablilty to police ourselves instead of pushing the blame on the ATV or Dirtbike?

 

wow, that really sux for the guy. my uncles friend recently got into an accident on his street bike. the man got so drunk that he got onto his bike barefoot and crashed into a car at 70 miles per hour. he is now in a coma and has been for 2 weeks now. both of his legs were cut off and he has many stitches and staples. thats wat drinking and driving does to u. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

sports are just getting faster and lighter utilitys are just going to keep getting bigger and bigger its just the way it is you know your capabilities stay off a machine you cant handle or you will most likely get hurt its not the machines fault its or own for thinking that we can handle something we cant and everyone wants more out of there machine either it be a sport or a utility

 

Actually I agree with you 100% on those too. Even in the dunes, do you need a 90 hp Banshee? Is the Raptor 700 really a "trail" machine?

I can see the need to expand your elements. To push the limits is fun be it on a huge 4x4 or a quick sport machine. Different strokes I guess, but rest assured both are pushing their luck in some respects.

But you have to admit, the new 4x4s are way bigger than they used to be. The basic sport machine's dimensions are just about what they were when the whole thing started, fact is they have less of a power-to-weight ratio than they did. The Quad Racer 500 was a monster beyond reason, put a pipe on the thing and it was an absolute rocket that had a dry weight of like 329lbs or something. Sanity prevailed then, and it will probably too now.....eventually....