Well I had my first fall last week, and while I did not get hurt, my z took a beating. I was rippin through some woods (unfamiliar area) and all of a sudden I hit a hill with a nice incline. I knew there was no stoppin, so I nailed it, and said a prayer. I got about 50 ft up it and there was a little step up. Before I knew it, I was on my back, and all I thought was I'm gonna get run over. I dove off to the side of the trail, and watched as my quad tumbled back down the hill. With every smash, my heart and wallet started to ache. Luckily the thing fired up, but the handlebars were bent to the gas tank, front brake was ripped off, plastics totally cracked, grab bar bent, back light cracked, and a whole crap load of scratches. Lucky it fired up though, and I was able to ride home (by myself). Anyway I know this post is a drag, but I needed to vent. BE CAREFUL ON HILLS....it happens so fast, you dont know what hit ya. ....

 

Been there, Done that, WAY TOO MANY TIMES [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] The quad is repairable you just make sure and keep yourself outta the way. save yourself before your quad. Its good you didnt get hurt. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Man, that sucks! Glad you didn't get hurt but I know its painful watching your quad roll down a hill. Had the same thing happen to my Ozark. I'm use to riding my 400EX but every once in a while I'll take the Ozark out for a ride. One time while riding the Oz, I attempted a hill the 400EX flys up but the Oz didn't quite make it to the top. Tried to back her down and she got sideways so I had to step off. She rolled sideways 3 or 4 times to the bottom.......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] There was a little damage but would have been a lot more if it rolled endo.
You'll get her back together..................[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

be happy your quad didn't take a big beating. like the grabbar and handbars arent "really" expensive, as compared to if you bent or broke a a-arm[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] which are about 500 dollars per. or it coulda bent or broke the chassis, which woulda been a nightmare

 

I feel your pain about your bike. I'm just glad you're OK.

I flipped my V-Force during a desert hare scrambles race last August; 7 broken ribs and a punctured lung that wouldn't stop bleeding. I tried rolling out of the way but the handlebar end impaled me in the back. I was wearing all of the protective gear and still ended up with 2 stays in the hospital, intensive care for a few days, chest tube through the broken ribs into the lung to drain the blood (that hurt), operation to remove blood clots from the lung, and a $30K hospital bill. See my photos under "Stupid ATV Tricks". [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I would have gladly traded that for a $3k ATV repair bill.

It's all relative.

Mark

 

Wow Mark,

Im glad the YOURE ok. That must have been a scary time. And yes that quick flash as I was falling off that was the only thing on my mind, is that if this thing rolls on me I am in big trouble. My only luck was it kind of wheelied backwards and to the right side, so I had a split second to get out of the way before its momentum started going.

Ozark... Im surprised you that you are better on the ex up the hills. I rode a 500 quadrunner 4x4 for a long time before the z, and would def take that in a heartbeat going up hills over the z. I just feel like the 2 wheel drive brings the front end up, while the 4 drives through. Dont get me wrong, I have taken some nice hills on the z, but never with the confidence of the 4x4. And now I kind of have this thing about hills (go figure) and I'm likin the flat ground these days.

Anyway I got my parts for the z....handlebars, brake parts and it only cost me $90, so it wasnt that bad afterall. Everything else seems to be ok. Have to live with the bad plastics, and brake light for now. Either way I'll be back out in a few days. Thanks for the responses and be safe out there!!!

 

JCee,
I have a thing about hills now too. I think we both give them a little more respect than we used to. My girlfriend rides with me and has no fear, but she hasn't been hurt on an ATV....yet.

I like to think it makes me ride a little smarter. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]


Mark

 

Yeah, i used to be fearless on my z..........would go up anything untill my cockyness got ahead of me and the nex thing i knew was watching my quad role down the hill in absult disgust. Also it definatly played a huge mental game with after that cause i would start to second guess me selt. But after conquering the hill that took my quad i am back on my game. But crashing wile hill climbing is scary.

 

Climbiing nasty hills on a quad makes me want to go back to riding my old xr 600 dirtbike. They are a lot more forgiving when you don't make it, wait now that I think about it that one little reason wouldn't be enough to switch back to 2 wheels.