I was just thinking, why do atvs get such a bad rap on safety? I can't understand the thinking behind the rules that govern atvs, especially when you look at other ohrv's like dirt bikes and snowmobiles. For instance you can ride double on a dirt bike or snowmobile, you don't have to be a certain age to operate them either. Where I live, acouple years ago it seemed like a person was getting killed on a snowmobile once a week ( 11 or 12 total for one three month riding season), and yet there has been no performance limits placed on that sport. Nor do I think there should be, 9 times out of ten it was the fool behind the handle bars that was at fault, not the machine. I just don't get it, why are atv's treated so unfairly, they are no more dangerous than motor bikes , snowmobiles, personal water craft or any other ohrv. What really set me off is, where I live a kid has to be 12yrs old to ride an atv, but he can operate any of the afore mentioned ohrv's at what ever age the parent deems appropriate.(supervised of course) Go figure. I guess I'll have to wait until my son is twelve to buy him that 50cc first atv.....yeah right. Later Bob.

 

Bob ,I have been bitching about the two sided rules also.In Michigan it is illegal to ride double on any Quad.Quads must also be on designated orv trails as well.Snowmobilers can ride double,they also can ride allmost any right side shoulder of most county roads.I trail ride alot, and now in order for family involvement, im forced to buy another quad for my wife,or I could be fined for riding double.I do agree that I should'nt be hill climbing and riding recklessly on my quad,but the Sportsman is very capable of riding double on flat lands.Yes,I do ride double and have been stopped before.So far,I've not been ticketed.I simple explain my veiw in a civil manner to the DNR and he usually agrees. ====happy trailing-====BILL

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Bob,
If I'm not mistaken, a 50cc quad is designed for kids 6 or older.

 

Dave, thats my point, 50cc atvs are designed for kids 6yrs old. In my state a kid has to be 12yrs old to operate an atv, any atv. Later Bob.

 

Bill, if you want to see how atving should be, go to Quebec, Can. I went on a sled trip there last year, and couldn't believe it. They have snowmobile trails and atv trails, that run side by side. They have trail side club huts that welcome both atvs and sleds, and believe it or not it is perfectly legal to ride two up. In fact most of the people I saw were riding double, with those seats that mount to the rear rack. They didn't seem to have any problems. Where I come from sledders tend to dislike atvs anywhere near their trails. Later Bob.

 

Well Bob thats the way it used to be in Michigan until 1991.I would love to see it back that way.

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Its too bad, but I can understand the manufacture point-of-view, the reason is too many unexperienced riders see an ATV and decide that they could hande ride that, because it is easier than a bike. Then these people go riding without the proper gear (HELMET) and ride above their level and get hurt. Then as society is today, they don't want to be responsible for their own actions, so instead they want to blame somebody else for thei actions, thus being the manufactures. Did you know honda paid out $2 billion in lawsuits to these exact people in 1991. I don't know about you, but who cam blame them, so next time your riding and you see somebody without a helmet on, do as we do, tell them to wear one.

Sickman

 

Isn't some of it though because all these guys that were wrecking their quads were sueing the manufacturer for making a "tippsy" machine & such? I don't recall too many times anyone has tried to sue one of the big 4 sled companys after they wrecked.
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.

 

You must not know any product liability lawyers. That is how they make their living. Plenty of people do idiotic things, fully well knowing better, and when something goes wrong...well, somebody's got to be blamed and pay for it. You don't hear about it or see it much just like you don't see many legs with fractures protruding through the skin everyday, unless you are involved with it in your job.

 

Even though New Jersey is one of the worst states on ORV land use, I had my day when Hurricane Floyd hit the state. It was bad for most people but my best day yet on my quad. People on the highway were staring at me as if asking "What the hell is that thing?" Search the forums for "Hurricane Floyd" (don't include quotations) for the full story. It's amazing what the government allows when you help it, and I'm sure thankful for it!

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99' SP500