I want to say at least my friend was wearing a helmet,and his family and friends think this is what ultimately saved his life,the accident is under investigation by the somerset prosecutors office and my friends grandma tells me the man that hit him calls all the time to see how my friend is doing.Many years ago i wanted a bike when I was a teen and my accountant told me of a rider who was selling his street bike,right before he sold it to the buyer he said I want 1 last ride,the buyer agreed,biker went around the block,skidded and hit something and he went over an overpass and landed dead on a womans windshield,he said that woman is now in a mental hospital.I think that is really really whacked. 1 more true story I have back in 1993 I knew this 1 kid from vo-tech ,he lived in hillsborough nj.Well the 1 weekend he decides to get toasted,well he had just bought a banshee and all the gear,only he didnt put any gear on,and his bud hops on the back of it.Well the way the trail went ya could either go straight up this trail off the pavement or go around an S curve,Well this kid was doing 90 w a pass on back,instead of going straight he went into the S curve.He hit the guardrail at 90 mph,his friend was flipped off in shock and bruised but not severley hurt.well he ran in the wrong direction looking for help.A Passenger car going by heard his moans and they had to airlift him out of there.The complete right side of the quad disintergrated,A-arms and all.He had his face ripped off,broken pelvis,punctured lung and he broke and arm or a leg,they had to take skin off his *** and put it on his face.They say the only thing that saved him was he was drunk and didnt go into shock so his body was able to stay relaxed.I feel that way w my buddy too.I have all the safety gear and while that may seem nerdish,any 1 who has been hurt without gear knows they wish they would of had it.When I was 19 I went riding my mt bike well I was flying through an intersection and had been riding all day and was too tired too react.Well the chain locked up and flew off it endoed me and my shoulder hit 1 then my face hit the ground and rolled 3 times,my foot went through the spokes and I got a knick of flesh outta my kneecap,my pants got hooked on the seat and I just dragged the bike outta the intersection so I didnt get hit.People came over and I couldnt talk it came out like daffy duck cause I was in shock,well I felt myself and laughed and I was like hot damn Im ok until I looked over and saw my shirt ripped on the shoulder,I had ripped off my scapula and it felt like some 1 hit me in the face w a basket ball.Some 1 put the chain on and I tried riding but couldnt due to a bent rim,but I didnt relize it until the next day.I walked home 2 long miles in pain and it was dark by the time I got home and my mom was like wher were you and I told her and she was freaking about it.She was like we need to go the the hospital. I went to the pc and im like no,not the hospy.I was profusely bleeding then the pain set in and I said I think we should go.They X-rayed everything and when the Er dr came in he asked me if I had a helmet on,I didnt answer him and didnt want to due to shear embarrassment,my mom said No he doesnt wear 1.The dr said I was very very lucky,he sees people w brain injuries from this stuff. I was lucky and had to take prednisone I pulled muscles in my shoulder and couldnt raise my arm over my head for almost 3 weeks.Now I wear a helmet and gloves when I ride my mt bike and I wear my full gear when I ride my BIke,I just dont take chances anymore and came too close to being brain injured.In this day and age I dont know people need to grow some ***** and get some common sense.It seems were going backwards as technology moves forward.That was a laughing stock that woman that poured hot coffee on herself and gets money from it.That goes to show every 1 how far this country has fallen in its standards..Thanks every 1 for there sympathy and opinions,there really isnt any right or wrong answer here,cause there is 2 sides of the coin.

 

We used to ride our quads from tavern to tavern and think that was ok.For many yrs we would take our quads and have the times of our lives.In all those yrs,nothing bad ever happened to any of us.Were we lucky?Quite possible.There is a HUGE risk factor when getting on any motor driven vehicle while involving a mind/mood altering substance with it.Our socity now recognizes that and it is no longer acceptable behavior.Even today,I still feel ok to slam a few brewski's down with no adverse effects,only today,I do it at home or with a designated non drinking driver.Put simple,the RISKS are not worth it and im not willing to find that out either.
Bill

 

FKNA,
I think there are lots of us who bring a few frosties along for a ride. Just remember do not put bottled beers in the cooler because they break and that is a major drinking problem.

 

Tim, I bring cans.....and my trash leaves with me. I like to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, not to trash it up.

 

Bill,I'm glad you or your buds never had any accidents.At work 1 of the customers is from Canada,Really cool,collected and funny **** hilarious guy. We joke around about drinking and woman and oj and all that guy stuff.He told me in Canada they have poker runs and every checkpoint ya have to drink the time your late in drinks,he says pretty much every 1 in the race is toasted riding there quads around.At 1st i couldnt stop laughing then I asked him if any 1 gets hurt and he says for some reason really never.I dont know if I can believe this or not,cause the 1 night I had a big glass of red wine and it hit me silly,I couldnt stand up for nothing,if I even got on my bike I would of fell over cause walking down the hall to my br I was liking walking sideways and slamming into the walls,Then again I really never drink so I suppose it would hit me hard.