Well said, scooter. Before this thread went strange it was basically about people modifying existing trails to accommodate larger vehicles, in this case Rhino side-by-sides.
We cannot get sidetracked by arguments of how great it is to see your riding pal beside you rather than behind, or what great people Rhino owners are, or how good for the ATV community their numbers are. That's all irrelevant.

The bottom line is that these machines are larger, and thus existing trails that have tight or technical sections enjoyed by those who created the trails are being virtually 'paved' to allow passage for these golf carts-with-suspension.
Either the trails are being intentionally widened or simply forced wider and straighter by the passage of the machines, and that forever alters the trail and reduces the fun and challange for everyone.

The argument that they (Rhino owners) have a 'right' to go anywhere an ATV can just doesn't wash with me.
The things didn't exist at all until just a couple of years ago, and now immediately after being invented those who buy them are to be granted some basic right to alter any existing trail and path to accommodate their bulk?
I don't agree.

In this area, one owner of a Rhino went on a ride recently (a 'drive' for him, I suppose) with some quadders on a popular trail, and after buffaloing his way through tight spots and moving some rocks, when they came to an ATV bridge that was too narrow to permit him, he just wedged his Rhino on and across, dislodging and knocking off the side rails with his tires. Darned if HE was going to be left behind just because he'd decided to buy a wide toy!
He didn't fix the damage he'd caused either. Why should HE fix what he'd damaged just because somebody built a bridge too small for his machine?

This sort of arrogance is hard to justify.

So my take on the Rhino question is this:
It's a naked Jeep.
It's driver's should go and have fun on them all they want, but that doesn't include any right to go on any existing trail or path that needs to be modified for it to pass.
That's how I feel, in any case.

 

QUOTE by Glenlivet: In this area, one owner of a Rhino went on a ride recently with some quadders on a popular trail, and after buffaloing his way through tight spots and moving some rocks, when they came to an ATV bridge that was too narrow to permit him, he just wedged his Rhino on and across, dislodging and knocking off the side rails with his tires. Darned if HE was going to be left behind just because he'd decided to buy a wide toy!
He didn't fix the damage he'd caused either. Why should HE fix what he'd damaged just because somebody built a bridge too small for his machine?


That person was allowed by his buddies to intentionally destroy property. In my view this makes them accessories.

As far as the side by sides go be it Rhinos, Prowlers, or Rangers, they are not allowed on the streets, so trails are the only option. That is not the case for Samaris, Jeeps, Hummers, etc. Throwing street legal autos into the mix is just confusing the issue.

 

In most situations a SxS falls into the same category that a honda oddessy, pilot, beefed up golf and go karts, or non-dot-legal buggies fall into, and can operate in any area those vehicles do. Sand dunes and some recreational parks have designated areas for ORV and OHV vehicles that do not fit the atv/motorcycle/trike specifications. If the owners of these other vehicles can exist without using 50" atv trails, why can't the SxS market?

Technically SxS machines can be street legal in many states as farm/ranch equipment or under more unique laws usually found in areas where atvs are street legal. In any case the spread of SxS's into undesignated trail systems would encourange owners of other types of vehicles, dot legal or not, to do the same. You may have a dot legal buggy, but it's doubtful that the only place you'd care to drive it is on the highway.

 

Is this the incident you are talking about?

Honestly, before this thread, I had never given any thought to the slippery slope that Rhino's introduces. One of the guys I ride with bought a Rhino last year. He loves it, but it has been a bit of a pain for him because he always has to be extra careful to research whatever trail he plans to go on to make sure it can accomodate a Rhino. And he is completely locked out of Hatfield/McCoy. I guess he is unusal in that he does not intentionally alter a trail to fit the Rhino. But I have seen plenty of other guys move rocks and even cut down trees to get by.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: RSeb
No, that's not the bridge, though it is a good example of inappropriate machine for the trail. So what do you do? Make the bridge wider? Then here come the Samurai's.

The event I spoke of was in British Columbia and the bridge is a handmade one with pole sides to keep such accidents from happening. The Rhino made it across just fine, he just blew the side rails off while crossing, a consequence he knew would happen when he nosed up to it. He just barged his way across anyway.

Moving rocks and cutting down trees (and breaking bridge rails) so that one can get ones precious machine by where others ride without destroying.... <sigh>

Thank you for understanding.

 

aww, theres always some1 out there that has to try and wreck the fun[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

 

Just keep your worthless posts where they belong, in the pointless random discussion threads you guys keep making.

 

If you want to b!tch about 4 inches, maybe you should start behind your fly.

 

Ahh raptorlegs, always out of line and always over the top. What's the matter? Miss being banned?

 

sorry i forgot that your 9000 posts were all quality too, i've never seen u make a pointless post, we should all follow in your example and become as$holes