Quad bikes: opinions

[ChrisCurvyS]

Fair enough. I did keep trying to get my knee down on my stag do quad off-roading day...

Had a severe case of Elvis leg that night from being up on the pegs all day shifting my considerable weight from one side to another.

Originally Posted by Fordward

sorry? how would you counter-steer a car?

with lots of power and sliding.

Lend me your car and I'll show you


Also I THINK it's only quads with seatbelts that don't require a helmet, like trikes.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Originally Posted by Spank86

with lots of power and sliding.

Lend me your car and I'll show you


Also I THINK it's only quads with seatbelts that don't require a helmet, like trikes.

Hmm no mention of that here - https://www.gov.uk/quad-bikes-the-rules

Obviously riding without helmets is not reccomended and the chap who builds these quads said he'd always advise customers to wear one, even just for short journeys.

The law in this area is a delightfully rare oasis of personal choice though.

perhaps its just trikes that fall into the grey area then.

My opinion: Because they can't lean like a bike and lack the wide wheelbase and low COG of a car, they're prone to rolling when cornering at high speeds, which makes them both more dangerous and less capable (both on and off) the road than a motorcycle. The performance in general is usually a bit underwhelming (due to the weight) compared to an equivalent motorbike. They (particularly the autos) take considerably less skill than bikes, so whilst I find them "fun", it's not something I'd ever enjoy doing seriously as there's not much scope for the challenge of bettering yourself at it. First time out on a Quad, I kept up with an instructor going flat out. See if you can do the same on a motorbike.

I also, based on my personal experience, tend to find that the people draw to quads as a group behave quite poorly and inconsiderately compared to riders. Let's be clear; I have no problem with triple figure speeds, nor wheelies or general messing about, but when it's not done reasonably discretely or in a manner that freaks Joe Public out, we all suffer. What is particularly galling is that "Quad/Motorcycle Nuisance" is usually lumped together as one offence in the crimes statistics, so those kids tearing up the turf in your local park, make it look to the powers that be like you're the problem.

That all said, if I was "win the lottery" rich, there'd be a space in my garage for a dirt-oriented one for getting around my estate and a drag-racing oriented 'Busa-engined one on slicks. As it is, I don' think it'd make my 'toy list' till I already had a superlight car, a Jetski and a sailboat.