Rhino ATV…UTV…By Any Name, it is Unsafe
Published by John Hopkins in Defective Design, Mass Torts, Product DefectWhat do you get when you combine a narrow wheel base, a narrow turning radius, a high center of gravity, and a powerful engine? Add to this combination a vehicle that was marketed to be operated on rough, uneven terrain.
You get vehicle rollovers and severe injuries. Not too terribly difficult to predict, right?
A Yamaha Rhino.
System Engineering and Laboratories tested the Rhino on a “completely flat area” at approximately 13 mph, with devastating results:
The “back story” on vehicles such as the Yamaha Rhino starts with their designation: “UTV” or utility terrain vehicle, as opposed to an “all” terrain vehicle. At the time the Consumer Products Safety Commission had no regulations for this new “utility terrain vehicle”. These vehicles were the first vehicles with side-by-side seating for occupants and designed for off road use. The Rhino design included a high center of gravity and an engine, which propelled occupants at up to 40 mph.
By examining the measurement used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is clear that the Yamaha Rhino was destined for rollovers. The NHTSA uses “static stability factor” as a way of gauging the likelihood a vehicle will rollover. The Rhino tallies at a whopping 25% lower in its static stability factor than many 2003 pickup trucks. That means the Rhino is not as stable as a pickup truck.
The glaring differences, in addition to stability factor, are:
The Rhino was intended and marketed for off road use –so they were meant to be driven on uneven ground.
The Rhino was originally manufactured with an open passenger compartment – so arms, legs and heads were not protected from the rollover impact.
The Rhino was manufactured with short wheels – so the center of gravity was further worsened.
Yamaha and other manufacturers “worked around” federal guidelines applying to ATV’s by manufacturing UTV’s. That meant they could get vehicles like the Rhino on the market more rapidly, without complying with ATV safety requirements.
Now, Yamaha comes into lawsuits and claims that their product was misused by consumers. What they do not like to talk about is:
The President of Yamaha – France injured his leg when it went flopping outside the passenger compartment. Yamaha blamed it on the president’s misuse of the vehicle. In addition, it has been reported that injuries were also suffered from operating the Rhino, by Jean Claude Olivier, Engineering Vice President; Mr. Ike Miyachi, President Casey Yoshida; test engineer Caleb Chesser; product tester Phillip McRae; and test rider Patrick Biolsi.
Engineers have evaluated the Rhino disapprovingly; Yamaha employees experienced many of the same problems that injured consumers; and, well let’s face it, all you have to do is look at the original Rhino and it immediately occurs to you that it is just too tall and the wheel base is just too small.
Tags: center of gravity, national highway traffic safety administration, NHTSA, rhino, rollovers, stability factor, utility terrain vehicle, yamaha, yamaha rhino
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
November 8th, 2011 at 12:51 am
helpful post
November 9th, 2011 at 6:00 am
helpful post
November 17th, 2011 at 2:20 am
an interesting viewpoint!
November 18th, 2011 at 3:50 am
Cześć. To było ciekawe. Pozdrawiam
November 19th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
good put up many thanks!
November 20th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Gooday – many thanks for updating this Rhino ATV…UTV…By Any Name, it is Unsafe | Florida Injury Lawyer Blog website. again and I’ve bookmarked it in order that I can remember to visit this website online extra frequently.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
It’s exhausting to seek out knowledgeable individuals on this matter, but you sound like you already know what you’re speaking about! Thanks
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:36 am
I like your site. Keep it going,i have added you to my bookmarks will be back regular.Good work,cheers.
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 am
Compared with a price quite a lot of saving money.
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:07 pm
strongzz Hi there, I found your site via Google while looking for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
November 30th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
strongzz Thank you for another fantastic article. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
December 19th, 2011 at 4:49 am
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site
December 27th, 2011 at 3:50 am
This digital grand piano is definitely my preferred, additionally I understand if creating blog entries I always like music as well as entertainment.
December 27th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
This digital grand piano is my preferred, also I know when blogging I always like music and entertainment.
December 30th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Could it be illegal selling a auto left in a autoshop? my pal’s daddy owns/works in a autoshop, and she or he informed me that she sells cars which are left in that room a long time simply because they cost him money and occupy space, will it be legal should acquire one of those automobiles, or must i avoid the purchase of a auto like this?
January 31st, 2012 at 7:04 am
After examine a number of of the weblog posts in your website now, and I actually like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will likely be checking back soon. Pls try my web page as well and let me know what you think.
February 3rd, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Great post. I try to work out at least 4times a week when my schedule allows it. Working the same muscles groups every week with the same reps can get old quick. Its fun to throw in newsets or more reps like your posts suggested. Thanks for posting!