The bike is no different than a gun, guns dont kill, poeple do.
Best point on here...
While I like big jumps.. Its simple as this.. To make it safer, you add more turns and make smaller jumps.. but who wants that..
With you there, but as I age, it seems to take longer and longer to get the jump down...
My opinion: 4Ts are easy to ride. This allows the rider (regardless of skill level) to go fast with little effort. When you get an inexperienced rider going fast and they get out of shape, they do not have the skill set to get back into shape. They crash and get hurt. When you get an experienced rider going fast, getting out of shape doesn't happen as often, but it has serious consequences when it does happen.
I do not have a solution as to how to make the sport "safe". I think track design may help a bit, but ultimately it is the person operating the bike (or quad) that needs to be aware of their speed and abilities.
I agree with the thumper note. I pummeled myself much more on my first 450 than I ever did on my smoker. It's like going from a 1974 Nova to a 2015 Caddy. You don't even know you’re going 40 over the speed limit until the po-po pulls you over and tells you...
In the end, what can you do? I feel is so the riders duty. Peeps been getting hurt in our sport forever. Now with social media, we now know of every crash practically. Riders need educated. Do we require them to take a course to ride? Sure, good idea, but they'll find some other sport to rack their balls in for free. Not that our sport is free, but you know what I mean. I haven't seen a track that has you jumping over the golden gate bridge or has a 100ft cliff between jumps... If you can't do it, don't. Not just 'cause you think you can.
I mean who do we think we are? The democrats? Are we really going to try and fix stupid (not saying everyone that gets injured in our sport is stupid, just that they may do something of the like. I have plenty of times. I've just been lucky I guess. Well, protected I like to think more so...) in some respects by telling someone what they can and cannot do? No. Best we could do is try and educate them with some sponsored free riding courses or something. Will that fix it? No. Reduce the injuries? Maybe.
As much as some folks HATE hearing this, some of it has to do with fate. I mean, if it's your time, you really do not have to be doing anything in my belief. Just sitting on the couch will do it. Can't say I "like" it per say, but I'm definitely not going to fight it and try to change something I cannot control or change. If you do not believe that, it's all good, but quit trying to stress us out that do with your lack of belief if you catch my drift... Just get out there and ride, try riding within yourself (again, a piece I have failed at at times), and let those that do not do so, do as they will and stay away from them...or try helping them or educate them before they do hurt themselves and/or someone else.
I have nothing else for ya if I even have anything at all...
BTW- I hate the injuries and what not also. Sickens my stomach, but in the end, I feel I am to the greater extent helpless unlike all those that feel they can save the world. Believe me, I hope they succeed some day...