Whoever said that the Rhinos are being made to be attractive to kids is ignorant. Have you not seen the plethora of stickers all over UTV’s and ATV’s stating if you are under 16, you are NOT to operate these vehicles?? I have two kids – under the age of 16 – and there is NO WAY I would let either of them drive my Rhino or anyone else’s, for that matter. Nor would they EVER ride in someone else’s without my permission. They know better…..I attribute that to responsible parenting and COMMON SENSE.

The Rhino (and ALL UTV’s) is at the mercy of the OPERATOR – the operator is the one giving the input at all times. When I hear “I was on flat ground and it just rolled over!” I call B.S! As an experienced UTV/ATV rider, I know that these are safe machines when operated in the manner they were meant to be used….but the only person who can control whether or not they are being driven safely or NOT, is the driver. Where is our COMMON SENSE, people?? Our excessively letigious society makes me sick……

And Mr. Sand, you are lucky I don’t post the links I found when I researched YOU!

2) They originally consider safety doors OR net. but did not put them on:http://web.me.com/yamaha.rhino/Site/Welcome__files/%233%20PROOF.pdf

3) IN this picture it is suggested that leg protection is needed. They DID put a little wing on, but in my opinion not enough: http://web.me.com/yamaha.rhino/Site/Welcome__files/%2313%20PROOF.pdf

4) Here are notes from a early meeting where a Yamaha person is questioning the stability of the Rhino: http://web.me.com/yamaha.rhino/Site/Welcome__files/%2314%20mtg%20notes.pdf

There are THOUSANDS of pages of documents of Yamaha’s showing, in my opinion, their lack of complete testing during the development stage.

This is another case of some parents allowing children to handle more bang than they physically can.

Although there were some stories of adults having accidents as well. Like the guy who turned the corner too fast and got his leg pinned. But at 44 yrs of age, he ought to know better than that. Especially if he’s a mechanic.

I would like to know how many of the adults may have been drinking a bit too much and wanted to try out something new with the Rhino.

Here’s some info from a 2006 Washington Post Artilce about the hazards:

“ATVs have been linked to nearly 6,500 deaths since 1982, seriously injured more than 135,000 in 2004 alone. They were responsible for 740 deaths in 2003. About a third of those incidents involved children under 16. Consumers Union and other groups have been pushing for a ban on ATVs for kids and on three-wheeled models, as well as for mandatory safety standards.”

The three wheelers are gone thanks to the Plaintiff’s bar and the CPSC. I had one of those cases and the consensus among the engineers who examined it was that it was unstable at any speed or exepcted use. The invidious thing about these vehicles (4 wheelers too)is that they are marketed directly to parents as “fun” rides for their kids. Even the product design and paint scheme is pointed towards a more youthful market.

I disagree with the lawsuits. Parents are negligent because they allow children to operate a vehicle meant for adults. I have a very similar Yamaha quad. Such vehicles must be driven carefully and operated by people who are physically and mentally able to control them. No person under 17 should operate a large “Mule”, Rhino, or a quad.