Hunting/ATV accident

[John Y Cannuck]

A friend of mine scored a small buck opening day. He's about 75, and has some health issues, so he got help loading it on the front of his atv. He then headed back to camp 5-10 miles IIRC. On the way, riding on good forest access road, he lost it, flipped his atv, broke his arm, and damaged his spleen. He was taken to local hospital, and then air lifted to Kingston, and he's still there.

His ATV is a 450 IIRC Suzuki, only 5 yrs old or so. He's a very experienced rider, both on his farm, and on trails. I am wondering if his atv shares the same issue my older machine does. When there's a weight on the front, it can get unstable in corners, if you are riding a bit fast, and it will try to crank the wheel around on you if you are not ready. I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around.

Anyway, regardless of what happened, be careful. I put my heavy loads on the back, and on my machine, it seems more stable.

 

[Neo]

A friend of mine scored a small buck opening day. He's about 75, and has some health issues, so he got help loading it on the front of his atv. He then headed back to camp 5-10 miles IIRC. On the way, riding on good forest access road, he lost it, flipped his atv, broke his arm, and damaged his spleen. He was taken to local hospital, and then air lifted to Kingston, and he's still there.

His ATV is a 450 IIRC Suzuki, only 5 yrs old or so. He's a very experienced rider, both on his farm, and on trails. I am wondering if his atv shares the same issue my older machine does. When there's a weight on the front, it can get unstable in corners, if you are riding a bit fast, and it will try to crank the wheel around on you if you are not ready. I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around.

Anyway, regardless of what happened, be careful. I put my heavy loads on the back, and on my machine, it seems more stable.

Thanks for that public reminder. One of our ATVs is the family workhorse -- a 2003 500cc Suzuki Vinson. I quite agree that a heavy front load on that thing is not a great idea -- although, I'd really say that about any ATV. Back rack is where it's at. These days, I actually use a Marlon 4 tire ATV trailer whenever possible, as it makes absolutely everything about pulling a load safer and easier.

 

[cory allen]

A friend of mine scored a small buck opening day. He's about 75, and has some health issues, so he got help loading it on the front of his atv. He then headed back to camp 5-10 miles IIRC. On the way, riding on good forest access road, he lost it, flipped his atv, broke his arm, and damaged his spleen. He was taken to local hospital, and then air lifted to Kingston, and he's still there.

His ATV is a 450 IIRC Suzuki, only 5 yrs old or so. He's a very experienced rider, both on his farm, and on trails. I am wondering if his atv shares the same issue my older machine does. When there's a weight on the front, it can get unstable in corners, if you are riding a bit fast, and it will try to crank the wheel around on you if you are not ready. I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around.

Anyway, regardless of what happened, be careful. I put my heavy loads on the back, and on my machine, it seems more stable.

Thanks for that public reminder. One of our ATVs is the family workhorse -- a 2003 500cc Suzuki Vinson. I quite agree that a heavy front load on that thing is not a great idea -- although, I'd really say that about any ATV. Back rack is where it's at. These days, I actually use a Marlon 4 tire ATV trailer whenever possible, as it makes absolutely everything about pulling a load safer and easier.

Thanks

 

[Suther]

That sucks I hope your friend is able to make a full recovery. At least it wasn't a leg, injuries that #### up your mobility are often death sentences for seniors.

 

[remington jim]

A friend of mine scored a small buck opening day. He's about 75, and has some health issues, so he got help loading it on the front of his atv. He then headed back to camp 5-10 miles IIRC. On the way, riding on good forest access road, he lost it, flipped his atv, broke his arm, and damaged his spleen. He was taken to local hospital, and then air lifted to Kingston, and he's still there.

His ATV is a 450 IIRC Suzuki, only 5 yrs old or so. He's a very experienced rider, both on his farm, and on trails. I am wondering if his atv shares the same issue my older machine does. When there's a weight on the front, it can get unstable in corners, if you are riding a bit fast, and it will try to crank the wheel around on you if you are not ready. I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around.

Anyway, regardless of what happened, be careful. I put my heavy loads on the back, and on my machine, it seems more stable.

Well As a long time ATV operator he should have being driving more slowly on his Quad especially with the extra weight on it - I have being riding quads for a LOT of years and yes the extra front end weight makes a big difference to the handling and especially when going FAST as he was obviously doing ! He brought it ALL On himself ! BUT I SINCERLY HOPE he recovers Fully and is able to get back out there for another Buck ! We all do dumb things - I have done my far share of stupidity too on a Quad - just ask my rotator Cuff ! RJ

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Well As a long time ATV operator he should have being driving more slowly on his Quad especially with the extra weight on it - I have being riding quads for a LOT of years and yes the extra front end weight makes a big difference to the handling and especially when going FAST as he was obviously doing ! He brought it ALL On himself ! BUT I SINCERLY HOPE he recovers Fully and is able to get back out there for another Buck ! We all do dumb things - I have done my far share of stupidity too on a Quad - just ask my rotator Cuff ! RJ

The big issue for us older guys, is that mentally we are still 18, and think we can get away with the same stuff.

 

[boxhitch]

"I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around."
add that to the fact there is no front anti-sway bar on the IFS
tire pressur becomes real important

hope you friend recovers well, a spleen injury can be bad
Almost lost a good friend when he was testing a skidoo repair, in his own yard

 

[Butcherbill]

Front rack loads def change the handling and center of gravity, we tend to load saws and gear on the rear whenever possible if there’s any steep terrain or technical trails. Or I’ll try to evenly distribute gear between the front and rear racks.

 

[remington jim]

"I think the soft atv tire rolls and that's what pulls it around."
add that to the fact there is no front anti-sway bar on the IFS
tire pressur becomes real important

hope you friend recovers well, a spleen injury can be bad
Almost lost a good friend when he was testing a skidoo repair, in his own yard

Too much front weight ! Leads to mushy front tires ! Leads to ####ty handling at any speed and while trying to go fast leads to hitting the Ditch ! RJ

 

[remington jim]

Front rack loads def change the handling and center of gravity, we tend to load saws and gear on the rear whenever possible if there’s any steep terrain or technical trails. Or I’ll try to evenly distribute gear between the front and rear racks.

Steep inclines going up you want some extra weight on the front ! RJ

 

[tiriaq]

News yesterday a 32 year old Haliburton man was killed in an ATV accident on Glamorgan Road. No details.

 

[kamlooky]

Good info.
I’ve been struggling with a wispy washy front end for a while.
Power steering kit to be installed hoping this will cure having to lock my elbows.

I tend to load up the front rack rather than the rear.

Good thread JYC

 

[remington jim]

Good info.
I’ve been struggling with a wispy washy front end for a while.
Power steering kit to be installed hoping this will cure having to lock my elbows.

I tend to load up the front rack rather than the rear.

Good thread JYC

power steering is GREAT ! RJ

 

[Butcherbill]

Steep inclines going up you want some extra weight on the front ! RJ

Until you have to make the return trip out.

 

[keith mokry]

I made a trailer out of a rear hitch carrier. Used receivers and wielded axle stubs on them to mount wheels on and angle iron on each side of 2 inch square tubing. This way it is tilting and hitch/wheels are removable can be put between wheels under quads for traveling

 

[remington jim]

Until you have to make the return trip out.

Then you relocate to the rear

 

[FatCatsDad]

Steep inclines going up you want some extra weight on the front ! RJ

I've seen guys lift the front wheels driving up loading ramps and nearly flip it.

There are lots of poor riders around.

 

[remington jim]

I've seen guys lift the front wheels driving up loading ramps and nearly flip it.

There are lots of poor riders around.

I’ve seen guys flip over backwards loading and backing off too ! RJ

 

[John Y Cannuck]

We have a spot on the trail going in to our moose camp where you want either a balanced bike, or weight on the front. But on that trail, front weight isn't a big issue, because speeds are very slow. Balancing your load is the best way I think, but be aware, if your bike is overloaded you can face the same issue.

 

[hoytcanon]

Good info.
I’ve been struggling with a wispy washy front end for a while...

Cialis for the WIN.