Lando 
Posted on 07/19/2005 1:37:59 PM PDT by Lando Lincoln
As many of you know, I have twin boys - they just turned 13 last week. They are good boys with good judgment. They know the ways of the outdoors, shoot and hunt safely, they have snowmobiling experience and they understand the meaning of family and God, etc. But, and I'm sure every parent knows what I mean, they are boys.
Well, between my father and me, we own about 225 acres of timber in northern Wisconsin and the "Lando" boys love to visit the rustic cabin that we have on our property. Now they want an ATV - a 4x4.
I am considering it but I'd like FReeper comments about safety, experiences, recommended make/models, etc. As a practical father, I am considering a John Deere Gator - but the Gator does not have the "cool" factor for the boys.
One last thing.....I will consider any make, but I have a good line on John Deere, so any specific comments about that make are appreciated.
Thanks FReepers.
I work in a trauma center, and say don't get one at all. I've seen far too many life altering head injuries, spinal injuries, amputations, and death from ATV accidents, especially ATV's versus trees, fences, guidewires, rollovers, and ejections. There isn't a week that goes by that an ATV injury doesn't pull into the ER. Yes, I know, I'm the proverbial party pooper. If you decide to get one anyway, be sure they have top of the line helmets, protective gear, and ride in a cleared area. Sorry I'm so gloom and doom on the subject, because I do understand the fun and attraction of them.
I won't gainsay the posters who have been pushing a 16-yr age limit. Let me just say that I started riding on a "boonie bike" with a 5-horse Tecumseh engine at age 9. My father kept me in the yard of his country house tooling around the driveway loop probably for a year, then let me out on local trails, but only within a certain area for another year. After that, I was freed up to ride pretty much where I wanted, and that was on 2 wheels. If you get the right-sized machine, and make sure they know what they are doing, you can probably feel ok about letting them out on your property at 13. That means no Yamaha Banshee or Raptor/Polaris Predator or other massive racing machine; it means they both take a riding course (if you happen to buy from a dealer, even a used machine, this course is generally free), and you spend some time watching them ride somewhere where you can keep track of them so you can judge their abilities. Granted, thirteen-year-old boys have an almost infinite capacity for becoming total idiots when outside parental control, but if you drum the fundamentals in enough, at least some of it might stick.
Bombardier makes all of John Deere's 4 wheel ATV's. My wife's machine is a Bombardier Quest - the same as the JD "Buck". It is a fine machine - it has a very low, wide profile with a low center of gravity that gives it excellent stability.
Two problems: weight and cost. It weighs over 600lbs. dry and isn't cheap. On the other hand, the build quality is superb (which is where the weight comes from) and properly cared for it will last a long time.
The 500cc model has plenty of power so don't waste $$ on the 650cc. There is only a couple of mph difference in the top speeds between the two. I believe it has a 6.4 gallon fuel capacity so it will go a long time between fill-ups - especially with that fantastic Rotax 500cc motor. The belt drive tranny engages quickly and is very quiet. It starts easily, even when cold.
Two-up machines are somewhat controversial. They may actually be "semi-illegal" in some states which prohibit double riders. Don't know about WI.
MAKE SURE YOUR BOYS WEAR WRAP-AROUND HELMETS!!! NO OPEN-FACE STYLES! I work in the medical profession. You don't want to see what happens to unprotected heads and faces in a crash. I dumped a 6-wheeler loaded with rocks last summer and of course I landed on the rocks which spilled out of the cargo bed. Those Idaho rocks are HARD! My back and legs were bruised and scraped. My helmet had two deep gouges on the back. That could have been my head but it wasn't. Needless to say, I haul rocks in a trailer now...
If you would like to hear more about my experiences with this ATV, contact me off-line.
And machines are much more tolerant to kinetic energy in the magnitudes we're talking about here than bone, flesh and sinew.
With only 225 acres, unless they need it to carry fencing repair stuff or firewood, there isn't anywhere they can't WALK on the property in under 30 minutes. That leaves the 'thrill factor', which totally destroys any 'stealth factor' of being in the woods...and can prematurely grey a couple of parental heads. The walking is much more conducive to their continued good health in more ways than one.
So...where ELSE are they going to use it, with or without (I was 13 once, and 'well behaved' too) your knowledge? If not next week, then by the end of next summer?
At 13, I was still happily pumping the single speed, ballon tired Schwinn down deer trails, and through the manzanita, either with a fishing rod & creel, and my holstered pistol; or, with an unloaded double 12ga & a pocket full of #6 or 7 shot shells. That was good for up to five miles, though more usually 2 got me to my favorite spots.
My advice would be not to get one.
Briefly put, I had reason to speak with a neurologist about risks and children a few weeks ago. He said that as a parent, he would never even consider letting his children trampoline (even with an enclosure) or 4-wheel. He said that he has seen way too many deaths and paralysis due to both of these in children.
It is not even the fact that they would be 'crazy' on them but the nature of the ATV is to tip over. Not worth the risk, IMO!
Would you be one of those people who have a bad willys habit?
It came down to risk. ATV's are kid-killers.
I bought them each a motorbike, instead.
See, I have cracked up bikes doing stupid things - And I got somewhat bruised.
On an ATV, you wind up dead, when it lands on you, and busts your spine.
BTW, if you walk into an ATV-store in VA with a kid in tow, buy law, they cannot sell you one.
Wonder why?
Lando
Many other activities for young children to enjoy. ATVs are just plain dangerous for the unskilled giving the weight. On extreme TV the other day a guy was going up a steep hill and the machine flipped backwards on top the driver. Ouch!
I'm searching for my next Jeeper. I love the MJs, flatfenders, and CJs. The TJs/Rubicons are very cool, technically.
And, I'd like to thank the mods for leaving my advice vanity on the News board. I received a lot of valuable info.
Lando
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.