Almost a year ago. My brother-in-law (1998 Grizzly) and I (1999 Wolverine) were coming back to his place from riding in the Saline River bottoms. My sister and her friend were walking down the road(for exercise so they would not feel so guilty about eating all the ho-ho's). As we passed by them, I looked back at my brother-in-law and it appeared that he was going to pull over and talk to his wife. Unfortunately, he was only going to swerve over a scare them a little bit. I thought he was stopping so I stopped. He was turning around backwards to see their reactions and when he turned around forwards, I was there(lucky me). He struck the rear-end of my bike doing about 45 mph. My bike turned end over end a few times. As I landed in the ditch, I got see him make his last flip over on the other side of the rode (This happened in front of a cemetary, how ironic). As I was laying in the ditch, I saw a little head peep over my overturned bike. It was my sister's friend asking if I was O.K. I checked to see if my head was still attached and other members and meekly answered yes. I then thought of my brother-in-law, so I looked around for my brother-in-law. I see my sister helping him up across the road. His jeans were ripped from the crotch to the bottom, the top layer of his Fruit of the Looms were ripped off(I know I sent a lot of you in pain right then), and looking a little uglier than normal. We turned the bikes over and proceeded to limp them to the house. When we arrived we showered off and head to the hospital. I ended up with a few cuts and bad bruises. My brother-in law had a seperated shoulder and some cuts and bruises. We had parked the bikes by his back porch. The next morning, he had somehow forgotten that they were there. So he ran over the bikes with his truck. Time frame for repair: 2 weeks Damage cost: 1999 Wolverine $1950 1998 Grizzly $2050 1993 Chevy Z71 $1200. We are still on speaking terms and close friends. So it did not damage the relationship too much. Moral of story: Pay attention.

 

Ironically, most of the ATV accidents and tip overs I have seen were related to people backing up or looking back. No mirrors and a firmly seated forward position are a bad combo for the careless.

 

Interesting story! Fortunately, injuries weren't as serious as they might have been, and quads can be fixed. Everyone (self included) has done foolish things, with various consequences.

There may be other lessons besides, as you say, "pay attention."

Your story suggests horseplay (swerving at pedestrians to scare them). Was alcohol involved? Were helmets worn?

Thanks for sharing the experience, I hope others (self included) can learn from it.

Tree Farmer

P.S. Who paid for fixing your quad?

T.F.

 

wow,

well thank god i've havent gone through this!
i was close one day tho. my buddy and i have 2 99 warriors and i was full speed down a set of R.R. trax. when i slammed on my brakes and skided to the left i looked back and he was only inches from hitting me right in the a$$! i looked behind me just before i stoped and i didn't see him. the next thing i new i saw my life pass infront of my eyes.

please, make sure you all pay close attention when your riding and be carefull out there!!!

 

There wasn't exactly horseplay involved, more like perceived horseplay. No alcohol involved. No helmets.

 

I forgot to answer paid question. Our insurance paid for it. We each paid our own deductibles.

 

Me and the sons started off with a honda 90 three wheeler and then progressively went up in size we got comfortable NOT wearing helmets--we ride primarily on river sand. Now that i see how accidents are so frequent i bought a head protector. What i am trying to say is no matter what your level of experience safety equipment is a smart purchase.











b

 

One time me and my friend were drag racing up a dirt road. We both had Suzuki 230 Quadsports (85 & 88). I was behind him. We were going around a turn and he saw some mud puddles and lifted off the throttle. I had no front brakes. I hit the rears and just slid right into him. I pushed him sideways for about 30 feet while both of us are braking. The only thing hurt on the quads or us was his rear tail light.

 

Thanks for the clarification, Hudgin (and in the "Grizzly Lemon" post, too).

Be careful, and keep ridin'!

Tree Farmer