Injuries

[netra709]

I want to throw this out there because there seem to be quite a few of you picking up your first dirtbikes this year. I sold my 200 about a month and a half ago. The guy said he had plenty of experiance, that he had just been out of the sport for awhile. His first ride after buying it, he goes down and tears his acl in his right knee.
I talked him after that, he was going to hold off on surgery because he thought it could cost him his job. He bought a knee brace to support the knee, and he has continued riding this summer. Apparently he was riding again yesterday, clipped a tree at 25 to 30mph, and he suffered another knee injury, but his left knee now. It sounds like his left is atleast going to be an acl and cartilidge. The usual, knee caving in sideways when he puts pressure on it.
I know the risks of being killed on 2 wheels are greater on the street, but the risks of getting hurt are far greater offroad. Most spend a complete ride offroad missing trees by inches, and we have alot of close calls just getting sideways and out of shape. Not to mention people coming the other way down blind trails and the near head on crashes we have with them.
I just wanted to throw this out there for you first time offroaders to stay within your abilities, so hopefully you don't get hurt.
Its funny that I'm posting this now, last night I was thinking I might have to pick up a wrist brace for my surgically repaired left wrist, and I realized that I am wearing more braces as I get older. CTI knee brace for right knee( acl reconstruction 1998, crashed at hare scramble), CTI knee brace left knee(acl reconstruction 2000, crashed at practice track in Derry), Leatt neck brace( broke neck in 3 spots 2008 at enduro), and now the wrist I broke at work 2 weeks ago. Thats alot of carbon fiber.

[mycirus]

Thats also why you wear knee guards, elbow guards, chest protecter, helmet, gloves, goggles, and dirt boots. I have been thrown off a few times and luckily have not been injured but without the gear I am sure it would have hurt more.

[seth399]

ya gear is obvious but it doesn't stop real injuries...definitely good to minimize though. As noted, be careful. Or just skip the woods and stay on safe mx tracks

[Sheppo]

ya gear is obvious but it doesn't stop real injuries...definitely good to minimize though. As noted, be careful. Or just skip the woods and stay on safe mx tracks

LOL i am the opposite.. I'm staying off the MX tracks and riding the woods

[seth399]

LOL i am the opposite.. I'm staying off the MX tracks and riding the woods

damn, I was trying to trick everyone man

[Sheppo]

damn, I was trying to trick everyone man

Sorry I meant... yea Seths' right

[danny86]

I never get better unless I push myself beyond my capabilities.

Id rather risk getting hurt missing 2-3 weeks but getting (skill wise) 100x better than taking it slow and within my skill level. Then again, I push the limit in places I know where the crash will only cause minimal damage. ( except for a jump I missed at crowhill)

its my bike that has trouble healing when my wallet is already broken

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

LOL i am the opposite.. I'm staying off the MX tracks and riding the woods

I had A Root grab my Boot and TWIST my Knee in Franklin. Hurt like hell But nothing major cant Ride my Bicycle (but can still rock the Motard)

[Sheppo]

I had A Root grab my Boot and TWIST my Knee in Franklin. Hurt like hell But nothing major cant Ride my Bicycle (but can still rock the Motard)

I hate when that happens! Sometimes it's the injuries that force the purchase of new gear. Like my new sixsixone pressure suit instead of a plastic roost guard.

[R7]

I had A Root grab my Boot and TWIST my Knee in Franklin. Hurt like hell But nothing major cant Ride my Bicycle (but can still rock the Motard)

I had something similar happen at the Thrill & Chill ride 2 weeks ago. Only this was a large stick sticking out in the trail, at almost the same angle as the trail. The end of it hit me square in the boot and took my leg off the peg. The pain was unreal and it still hurts today. I can't imagine what would have happened with no boot on.
I tend to ride within my limits and don't push...which is why I ride kinda slow

[typeone]

eh, hem, Tomato and deeto wear those knee guards!

[breakdirt916]

.
I know the risks of being killed on 2 wheels are greater on the street, but the risks of getting hurt are far greater offroad. Most spend a complete ride offroad missing trees by inches, and we have alot of close calls just getting sideways and out of shape. Not to mention people coming the other way down blind trails and the near head on crashes we have with them.

this is something that I've been thinking about more and more after getting a dirt bike, and I was starting to assume, since everyone said "don't worry, you're going to crash" that it's not a big deal.

but thanks for the heads up

how is the roller coaster called citigroup doing today? I need some gear!

edit: ok...I just made a quick ~$200 trading citigroup...time to start looking for deals