On Saturday and friend and I were playing on a very large and single track hill. We were taking pictures of each other coming up the hill. For some stupid reason I stopped before the top.

Then all of a sudden I began to roll backwards. So I applied front brakes only of course and decided to roll back down the hill on my Raptor.

I knew that I was slightly going off course and I just kept thinking I hope I don't hit a tree. Then wammo! I hit a tree and all of a sudden I was thrown backwards off my Raptor and onto my head and shoulder!

Somehow the Raptor did not hit me. Thank God!

Now for everyone reading this, please wear your helmet, boot, gloves and chest protector! I won't ride without them and will definitely wear all this stuff in the future.

I'm going on Monday to see Orthopedic Dr for my knee. Somehow I twisted it bad. Luckly I was wearing a helmet! I remember hitting my head hard and was very thankful I was had my Shoei helmet on! There were rocks on the ground beside me.

Everyone be careful! I had climbed this hill hundred times before with no problems. It only takes a split second for something to happen!

 

I sescond FLyingDoc's opinion. I'm recovering from a broken bone in my back, suffered when my DS650 landed bumper first on top of me a couple of weeks ago. I'm now in the market for a FULL COVERAGE chest protector.

 

Just one big accident proved the value of safety equipment to me. It was years ago I was racing my LT500 on a MX track that had two steep table top jump. I had mad it many time before just this time my throttle stuck on the approach. The result was my rear tires hit the face of the second steep. I went over the handle bars my 500 landed on top of me. It cracked my helmet and knocks the wind of me. I was able to get back up and finish the race at a much slower pace. After the race I was changing back to my street cloths and noticed that both of my hard plastic knee guards where split down the middle. I paid an extra $30.00 for them and it was the best money spent. So both the knee guards and helmet save the day.

 

I always wear helmet, elbow and knees pads, riding boots, chest protector, and in harescrambles hip and tail bone pads. I am often laughted at for wearing all this but who cares it has saved me from injury. One final note to all util riders. It seems, a lot not all, people who ride util atvs think all they need is a helmet and some boots. Not at all! you never know when you might roll down a hill or roll during a high speed turn. The size and weight these things are now you should wear all the protective gear.

 

Very good information and suggestions all.

Doc..hope everything turns out ok for you.

M14Brian~

You're right...I am an ute rider, and we just last fall got our act together and decided we're not riding w/o helmets. Honestly, we the few in our bunch who doe ride w/helments. But, my family will never be without them now.

SilverBear

 

Chest protectors are designed to stop small projectiels when being roosted. NOT to protect you in a hard crash. If you think it will save you think again. Not trying to be a downer. A chest protector may help but it is not the design purpose .

 

<< Chest protectors are designed to stop small projectiels when being roosted. NOT to protect you in a hard crash. If you think it will save you think again. Not trying to be a downer. A chest protector may help but it is not the design purpose . >>



It's still alot better than just a jersey.

 

Yes but some people /kids /adults get the illusion of invincability(sry about spelling) with gear. The chest protector is better than a jersy but it wont stop a bullet or 400lbs of machine. Thats all I was trying to say.

 

does anyone use a kidney belt? I am comtimplating on getting one/ last time i went to the track i noticed that my sides were sore. are they a big help?

 

I can definatly relate, 4 weeks ago I hit the trails solo opting to use my lineman boots (easier to shift) rather than my alpinestar mx boots. I missed a turn at the top of a hill and flew off a small cliff, raptor nosedived threw me off, bounced up and landed midway between my ankle and knee with the wheels spinning, x-rays showed at least 5 bone fragments in my ankle and foot(mostly from tendons pulling away from bone), a hairline fracture of the fibula. all of which could have been avoided if I had worn my boots, just another lesson learned. it was an interesting 5 mile ride back to my truck.