For those that don’t know I broke my wrist when I hit a rock with my front left tire which stopped the quad and sent the left side of the handlebars jolting towards me. It bent my wrist back and BAM! We had been riding for about 1 1/2 hours straight at high speeds on rough terrain and my arms were getting tired. I think fatigue had more to do with it that anything.
Now to prevent this from happening again I was thinking of installing the Denton steering stabilizer and going to a 22" front tire to help get up and over the rocks. I think I'm paranoid since this happen the way it did. If I had broken it trying some crazy stuff then I could say "well I just won't do that again without more practice". Also do you think that a set of aftermarket bars with a better bend would help? It seems with the stock bend your arms are resting lower and at an angle while riding. Had my arms been above the bars it would have bent my wrist under and I would have let go of the bar before the damage was done.

 

I had a similar crash...was just coasting down a rutted hill, one front wheel caught on the side of a rut (not even a hole or rock), ripping the handlebars off my hands (I was relaxed -2mph- and not expecting such a bastard move) fell down, and the shee rolled on me. Result: a(nother) dislocated shoulder and a LOL shee looking a me! A steering stabilizer would have done the job. If I had kept the shee, I'd have added one.
As far as bars goes...I have Renthals, probably banshee bend (not sure at all, they were already on the bike when I got it), and I do let off before I hurt my wrists

 

Bobby,
I would try the steering stabilizer first and maybe adjusting the front shocks to make it a little softer. I know how you feel about the wrist, I have a broken elbow. And the worst part, is that it happened while playing softball and then I tweaked it while riding at rocky ridge. So I am retired for a while. Trying to let it heal before hunting season. May have to have surgery before the holidays if it does not heal. Talk to you later.

 

Lee,

Sorry to hear about the elbow. I will be out for at least 6 weeks, might be able to ride around Thanksgiving. I wish I could have made it to Rock Ridge, seems like every time your ready I've got something going on and vise-versa. When every things better we need to get everyone together and go up to Muenster or somewhere. How did you like RR? That's one hell of a hill they got out there, but I think Longview had better wood trails for hauling a**. Keep in touch and let me know when the elbow is better.

 

This is actually quite interesting.
I've jammed my wrist, fingers, thumb etc... from hitting stumps, and rocks, and having the handlebars jerk back.
Would a steering stablizer really help with this?
I don't see how, maybe someone can explain it.
I thought these were installed to reduce fatigue from arm pump, not to help when one of the wheels stops abruptly, and jerks the bars back towards you.

 

twinshot,

it does exactly what you thought it didn't [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

A steering stabilizer is an hydraulic dampener that works exactly like a shock (except for the spring). The movement of the steering stem is "converted" into a straight (or so) movement via a link, so just as a shock will avoid the spring to jump back to its highest position, a steering dampener will forbid the steering stem to turn too fast (the "too fast" part is chosen by the "hard/soft" settings). What I don't know though is if it helps the steering go back to central position or not...

 

Hey thanks Zorro.
I was just curious, and you answered my question.
Later.

 

My logic behind the stabilizer is it would reduce rider fatigue, which would give you more strength to hold onto and control the handlebars. Depending on how it’s valved it would help slow down the speed/force of sudden jerks in the handlebars. I don’t expect the stabilizer to be the one and only cure, I think that the stabilizer, tires, and maybe new bars together would help considerable. And then some AT Steelers from Works to round it all out. As mentioned earlier I think that fatigue played a big part. When I hit the rock I was in "along for the ride" mode instead of ontop of the quad in control. My arms were "hanging" in the relaxed position, and with the stock bars and bend that put my forearm below the grips. The stock bars seem to tall and to far back, and if I move them forward anymore they will be pointing up at the sky.

 

2001ATV nailed it "When I hit the rock I was in "along for the ride" mode". That's the way I crashed on that downhill too.
And that's why I'm closer than ever to getting back to dirtbikes, where you have to be concentrated, you can't just sit and look around, watch the trees and ponds...It has good sides too though...such as comfort

 

The denton steering dampner really does help with the sudden impact of one wheel. It doesn't center the steering, though. The downside: you must exert more steering force to turn quickly in sharp cornering situations.

Wide handlebars help too (mine are renthal jimmy buffet's). But wide bars put your knuckles in harm's way, too-- so brush guards are a wise option.