New Rider + YZ426F

[NVR FNSH]

Regarding dealerships bearing responsibility:
In the case of the injured girl did the dealership ever see/talk to her? Sounds like the dad/brother bought the bikes.....

I wonder if a salesman could get caught up by 'fit for a particular purpose' if the buyer asked his/her recommendation for a bike/atv? The buyer is relying on the salemans expertise. LT, lawman - have any comments on this one?

Brian

 

[bratt]

Natalie,
I believe that Calstar, the medic chopper that flies out of Auburn, routes most major trauma cases to UC Davis. You might try calling there for information on the girl. I used to work for the state as a fire fighter and as someone previously stated there are a couple of situation in which Life Flight is automatically dispatched. Motorcycle accidents is one of them.
~Gina

 

[SirThumper]

The family in question made bad choices all the way around this one. Pure lack of experience on all accounts too. I agee with Patman on this one as well, There is no way as a salesman (if I were) I could sell a beginner a race bike without first trying my hardest to talk him/her out of it.

GETMETOCA, don't let this burden you too much, there is nothing you could have done. I've been in the same situation and even was PO'ed at the guy for letting his wife try a steep hill on a quad with no helmet, no gear, and no experiece. It ruined my whole day, I care about the well being of people and to see someone choppered out due to ignorance tears me up. I think a helmet, at the least, should come standard with a purchase of a new bike of any kind.

 

[Jaybird]

Woodsy,
I agree that many folks will take what they read in a crappola mag and run with it. And I also agree that a responsible sales person will do all they can to guide a potential buyer towards the product that would best suit thier needs.
But at the end of the day, it is the consumer who is resposible for thier own purchases and actions.
I feel the daughter proably wasn't even around for this purchase, but if she were...first thing I'd do is ask her to start the bike. She'd be looking at other models real quick in about 60 seconds (or less) of kicking.
First thing I did with my kids when teaching them to ride is have them start the bike. If they no start, they no ride...it's that simple.
Who in thier right mnd would take off on ANY woods trail with a 4 banger and not know how, or be able to start it? That tells me the whole group had no idea what planet they were on.

The latest argument that I've heard from folks who back the guy who is suing the fast food restaraunts for his fatarseness, contend that we are persuaded to do things by television and radio commercials, and that with such exposure we are not responsible for our stupid actions. I say BUNK. If a person is so hollow that they need a mag or a TV spot to tell them what to do, then they should be inspecting chads in S. Fl.
Stupidity usually does point fingers, when it should look into mirrors.

 

[mx547]

Originally posted by marcusgunby
Ive known a fair few experienced riders get into trouble on the 426

let's leave bswift and big lou out of this. :p

 

[BSWIFT]

Hey, I resemble that remark.:think:

 

[jmics19067]

If a person is so hollow that they need a mag or a TV spot to tell them what to do, then they should be inspecting chads in S. Fl.

Stupidity usually does point fingers, when it should look into mirrors.

Amen brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hogwylde]

Originally posted by Jaybird


I sure hope the young lady is ok, but folks this is a classic stupid human trick.

Dad is a butthole. An ignorant butthole.

Never underestimate the human capacity for stupidity. Dad's not the only butthole Jaybird. The brother and boyfriend were there too. They ALL knew her skills and abilities on a bike. If she wasn't experienced enough, they shouldn't have let her ride.....let alone go without "traditional" protective gear.

 

[slo' mo]

it's real easy to focus on the past and try to blame somebody. Not flaming anyone, but if the dad could get a "do-over" I'm sure things would be different. We can't do anything about the past, but we can keep the girl and her family in our thoughts and prayers and maybe, just maybe, help prevent something like this in the future by watching over those less experienced (like me) and offering advice when applicable. On the otherhand, some people view advice as you being nosey or a know-it-all. Most of the time I appreciate people offering advice when it can help me in some way. Unless it comes to something I know about already, which is everything :think:

 

[dklink2000]

I was at the yamaha dealer the other day picking up the yz after getting some work done. While I was loading it onto my truck I over hear one of the sales reps talking to a guy picking up his brand new raptor(a VERY powerful sport quad) To my shock I hear the guy ask"witch one is the cluch?" I pray this guy did not kill himself that day! The dealer really should know better than to let someone with 0 knowlege of how to ride buy one of those.

 

[mx547]

Originally posted by dklink2000
The dealer really should know better than to let someone with 0 knowlege of how to ride buy one of those.

do you really want someone else to tell you what you can and can't buy?
perhaps he should have recommended (but not required) a riding course.

 

[LoriKTM]

Do you think a car dealer would let you buy a car if you didn't know how to drive??!! :think:

Why should we expect any less for motorcycles, ATVs, boats, etc?

 

[XRpredator]

Supposedly a riding course is required before you can go out the door with your ATV. I think the CPSC got that passed. Maybe they should do that with bikes too . . . :think:

 

[dklink2000]

You would just figure they would be woried about getting sued by some moron that bought something so over there head. I'm sure it has happened.

 

[Jaybird]

slo'mo...
I tend to agree with you that spilt milk is spilt. BUT, I happen to be a believer that if we do everything in our power to prevent adverse things from happening, that we ARE in effect changing the past. That could spark some discussion on quantum physics, lol...but I do feel it is our best chance of changing what can be, or could have been.

Heck, I bet if Hitler had a do-over he would have done things different edited by SRKXRIDER :)

 

[EM rider]

Tragic story, with possible spillover effects (lawsuits) that threaten everyone's ability/freedom to ride. Wishing that lawyers will just go away is naive. They won't.

IMHO dealers need to step-up and be more pro-active about giving prospective riders a LOT more information on bikes/ATVs they are considering buying. It is in their long-term interest to ensure that new riders have a good experience with the sport and don't get busted up. That said, once the buyer has been fully informed of all their options, let them buy and ride whatever they want.

 

[MikeT]

Originally posted by Jaybird
And I also agree that a responsible sales person will do all they can to guide a potential buyer towards the product that would best suit thier needs.

Let's see, that would be me when I was 16. I went down to the Suzuki dealer with most of my lawn mowing money and wanted to buy a Suzuki GS1150ES because it looked cool. The salesman quickly assessed my age and asked about my experience level. I proudly told him that I rode an RM125 (WoooHoo!!) and this bike shouldn't be a problem for me. (Yeah right). That was when he said I would be more suited to a GS550E without a fairing because I'd probably crash it. He even told me he would not sell me the 1150 or the 750 at all. I ended up buying the GS550ES and lightly dropping it in a parking lot no more than 2 minutes after I got it due to slick pavement and lack of experience

 

[jmics19067]

edited by SRKXRIDER

:o :o A little ahem slip of the tongue there Jaybird? :confused: :moon:

 

[Jaybird]

Damn that ole Sigmund Freud anywho! :)

(very nice one yourself there! LOL)

 

[NVR FNSH]

Originally posted by LoriKTM
Do you think a car dealer would let you buy a car if you didn't know how to drive??!! :think:

Why should we expect any less for motorcycles, ATVs, boats, etc?

My 85 year old grandmother bought 3 new cars - cash transactions. Dealer never asked for a license. Good thing 'cause she didn't have one......

Brian

 

[Jaybird]

Dealers didn't take us to raise.

 

[Treejumper]

Originally posted by XRpredator
Supposedly a riding course is required before you can go out the door with your ATV. I think the CPSC got that passed. Maybe they should do that with bikes too . . . :think:

Around here they allow you to take a free ATV riding class. Only problem is its 2 hours away so no one actually takes the free class. There's nothing like that for bikes around here.

 

[KDX'r in IN]

Sad to say injuries will happen. I used to think that the better your ability the less likely a crach would be. I have revised that a little, The more experienced you are the fewer smaller crashes you have

 

[MikeT]

Originally posted by KDX'r in IN
The more experienced you are the fewer smaller crashes you have

Wow! Is that ever true!

 

[94KX250]

Another thing that I have noticed. When I am toting my bike around in the back of my truck either to the track or the wash people always ask "hey can you do those tricks that I see on tv.?" I simply tell them no I can't and for starters I don't have the kohonies (sp) and that those guys have way many more years of experience than me. Then they say "well I can do it and I am not scared". I ask if they have ever even ridden a bike and they say "well um, um no but I see it on tv and in magazines so it can't be that hard". So kids like this go out and buy the biggest and baddest thing they can get and try some of this FMX.

Here is my point. I was watching the latest Mountain Dew commercial the other day where the guy forgets his dew and turns his car around to go get it and does a barrel roll and lands it. But at the bottom of the screen flashes "Professional driver on closed course do not attempt etc.....". Why don't they have that same disclaimer in these magazines or on these commercials for motox bikes? I may be wrong and have just missed it but I don't recall seeing anything.

What's really funny is they even have a disclaimer on MTV's Jacka**. I think motocross is alot more dangerous than some guy getting his butt cheeks pierced together.

It just seems that if there was more emphasis from dealers, magazines, commercials etc. on safety and the fact that as appealing and spectacular a one handed superman grab is, that it's just not possible for the first timers and that it takes YEARS of practice. Kids go into these dealers without ever having so much whacked the throttle on anything other than themselves and expect to walk out the next RC of MX. Yes it's ultimately the buyers responsibility to know their limitations but these dealers only see a commission check and not the casts or even the casket this kid may be in.

We just seem to get criticized and ridiculed for our dangerous sport. Well so does drinking and driving but people are making a concious effort to make everyone aware. Can't some these people in our sport do the same??

Just my .03....