Keep the quad or sell it?

[Time2Surrender]

As some of you may already know, I was injured pretty badly last Sunday riding my new quad. I flipped it and it rolled over and landed on my back. 350lbs. I have had it less than 3 weeks. I was very lucky I wasnt parylized for life. The last couple days I have been trying to decide whether or not to keep it. I love to ride, and I love to ride hard. Riding this thing gives me a sense of freedom like I have never known. I love it. I can ride for hours non stop. Fact is, these quad's can be very dangerous if not riden properly. They have a high center of gravity and rollovers are every common. Most of the injuries and death's come from people being crushed by their own ATV during a rollover. In a little over two weeks I have rolled this thing 5 times. Finally getting hurt on the 5th time. Not good. The quad was a gift to myself for 18 months clean and all my hard work this summer. Im afraid next time I wont be so lucky. But on the other hand, I really enjoy riding. Im having a hard time trying to decide. I am almost at the point where I can walk without my crutches and already wondering when I can take it out again? Am I nuts? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[BigSis]

Keep it and learn to ride better.

(grin)

[Time2Surrender]

[Time2Surrender]

[GoldenGutters]

Keep it. Besides, where would you rather die.....getting squashed under your ATV after a really killer day out with your buds, or having a stroke watching on the sidelines?

Our differences aside, I cant imagine you being satisfied just observing.

[hope213]

keep it, just slow down & ride resposnsibly...... live life!!!

[Mongo]

Keep it.

But, umm, maybe practice with it a wee bit before getting radical.

Ron

[Ann]

Sell it and live longer. I know you hate that answer, and from your pics I'd say you've already decided.

But my answer is still "sell it" because I hate it when you get hurt. I'm a codie, that's what codies do.

[Smyle]

Keep it and just be careful....My mom has 2 and I agree they are tons of fun but you cannot ride like a pro....In time....yep.... but for now take it easy...

[Cindi R]

The question really is...can you keep it and ride responsibly?
Flipping it 5 times in 3 weeks is asking for a broken neck, from which you may not be killed...only injured. How would you like to spend the rest of your life in a four wheeler...a wheelchair that is...
If you're a quad...you're going to have to depend on someone to do everything for you.
How much do you enjoy your independance?
Keep it and slow down...Evil Kneivil or sell it now...

[Wolfstarr]

Keep it!
If you know in your gut that you cannot ride without risk, then sell it.
Take 'er for a test run and let your gut feeling tell you what to do.
(When you are feeling better of course)
The body never lies...

[cmc]

Sell it... there are so many other safe ways to have some fun and enjoy life.... there is only one you. (how about a kayak???)
The main thing is that you were not hurt worse. I'm glad to hear that.

[Blake]

Keep it dude....I'm a firm believer that when it's my time to go, I'm gonna go weather I'm sitting on my couch or jumping out an airplane.....so that's why I jump out of airplanes as much as possible......

"Just for today, I will live and ENJOY life without the use of drugs"

[margo]

Sell it, and buy that beautiful car you were looking at instead.

[o2bserene]

I know that I cannot do anything half way ... I'm either all in, or all out! If I could do things part way then I probably wouldn't need a seat in an AA meeting!!!

Here is the thing ... Are you doing this to get away from you, or are you doing this to find you? Whatever the reason only YOU can make your decision ... and guess what, your the only one that has to live with whatever the outcome is.

My favorite quote is, "Solve the problem yourself, or accept a fate you may not like ... from this perspective the ethic of personal responsibility gains appeal!" Noel Tichey

Good luck,
Di

P.S. I'd keep riding it and kick some serious butt!!!

[Done_With_It]

My .2 cents, Keep It.

But, If your going to ride, You've got to ride with respect just like anything else.
I was born and raised on horses. Started at 3 years old. When I fell off, I had to get back on tears and all. But I had to learn to respect the horse.

Of course we had the Quads to go along with them the Yamaha's, the dune buggies, the race cars, etc... we (me and my cousins) started all that stuff
when we were 3, by 5 we were tempting fate. All of us were in the ER more times than you could count. But our parents eventually got really hard on us,
if we didn't respect the stuff we couldn't ride, cause your right that stuff can kill you.

You said it yourself in a little over 2 weeks you've rolled it 5 times?

That's a lot. It sounds weird to say, but you've got to have a lot of self restraint with those.
You are lucky you didn't break your pelvis.
Stay in the moment your in, and enjoy the high your getting instead of looking for more, more, more.

Just my 2 cents~

Glad you are getting better.

[Time2Surrender]

I really appreciate all the replies. I have been struggling with this all week. Your replies and opinions mean a lot to me. Some people may consider this an easy decision or not a big deal. This little problem is huge for me. I guess I should be grateful my biggest problem going on in my life is whether or not to keep my quad. The quad does mean a lot to me. I own a successful painting company. Running it can be an almost overwelming amount of stress at times. When I am riding my quad, my mind is 100% focused on the ride. I am not thinking about business, customers, employees, etc. Only the trail and the quad. I feel a sense of freedom like I have never known. Oregon has countless OHV parks with sand dunes and trails thru the woods. There are a lotta places to ride. Places my truck wont go. I have been into the lifted 4x4 trucks for years and done my share of wheeling. With the quad its different. I was hooked the first time out. This is going to be a very hard decision for me. I really do love to ride. Sundays little incident cost me roughly 3 grand in lost income and a trip to the ER. The stakes are high. One serious injury and my business is done.

[o2bserene]

Ah ... there it is there ... when you get clean/sober the quality of your problems gets better! My suggestion -- pray on it. Your HP didn't get you sober so that you'd die having no fun in your life!!!

Di

[nevergivingup]

Quads don't hurt people! People hurt people! LOL! Having an outlet for your stress is incredibly important, and riding with the knowledge of all you stated above, can help you find a balance between being reckless and recreation!

I also know what you mean though, about how your business would not run if something happened. I'm also self-employeed, and would be in the same situation. On the other hand, I also know that if I did not have an outlet for my frustration, aggression, etc. my business would not run! And, in reality, there is no guarantees on life. You could flip it again, you could also get hit by a car. My cousin went on her honeymoon in Paris, took one step out of the cab, fell and shattered her knee cap and tore all the ligaments and tendons. She's had upwards of 25 surgeries and still needs more to repair all the damage. Life is unpredicable, and living it with the fear of all the things that can go wrong, will leave you isolated in a bubble!!!

Just my opinion!

[Time2Surrender]

Today walking hurts more than it did yesterday. I think I walked a little to much yesterday. Im going to take it easy today, watch the race. Do some step work, and catch up on my paper work. Last night I was asked to chair the meeting. I dont speak to much at meetings anymore. I usually just listen. So, I brought up the quad. What it means to me and what riding does for me. (When Im not getting hurt) My biggest problem in life today is whether or not to keep a quad when a lot of people cant even afford to buy one. I shared about this for a moment or so then moved on to share about recovery. It was kinda funny though cause half the other people who shared mentioned quads in one way or another. Overall, it was a great meeting. More than likely Im gonna keep it. I rode dirt bikes for years. I can ride. I was convinced I could handle the quad no problem. After all I am Mr Motocross. LOL. Not so. Its a totally different thing. I need to use good judgement. Ride responibly. I am an inexperienced rider. I am not invinceable. I was riding way beyond my limits that day. I was showing off. I had several close calls that day before I finally ate it good. I will have to learn to ride within my limits instead of "Ride it like you stole it" It can be a great form of recreation or a dangerous and deadly machine. The choice is mine. I am going to take the time to learn how to ride. I will get familiar with a trail before I go ripping through it. Most of all, I will be cautious when I ride. Thanks for all your replies.

[best]

My opinion... Sell the quad before it turns you into a quad. Trade it in for two wheels. broken legs can heal, broken necks don't always heal.

Then again..I guess it would be like someone telling me...sell the bike.

I do feel bikes are safer but I also know the joy you speak of when riding. Two wheels can give you the same feeling or better.

[Time2Surrender]

Too late. I bought another one tonight for my girlfriend. Now I have two of them. I wont be riding the way I was when I got hurt. No way. I will ride within my limits. And she's gonna take a riding course.

[best]

Originally Posted by Time2Surrender

Too late. I bought another one tonight for my girlfriend.

That wasn't an option in the poll *LOL*

After 4 years of being back on a bike, my wife is starting to "think" that "maybe" one day she will get a scooter and ride.

[hope213]

maybe she will slow u down so she can keep up.happy trails to u both...

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by best

That wasn't an option in the poll *LOL*

After 4 years of being back on a bike, my wife is starting to "think" that "maybe" one day she will get a scooter and ride.

LOL. I forgot to add that option in the poll. Kind of ironic considering it was her idea to sell it. Did your wife ever get a bike?