Rear Bumper pictures by olivecrossbones - Photobucket
I had previously described in this thread the trials and tribulations of installing the rear bumper on my Hippo made by Bison Bumpers/ATVentures and Accessories. Attached is not a picture of that bumper but rather a picture of an installed
second identical bumper. The first bumper is hanging in the workshop as a memorial to it's toughness. While trail riding in the Copper Country of Michigan's Upper Penninsula, I pulled over to the side of the trail, shut off the engine and began to ponder my map. After some time had past we were bumped forward by another 4wheeler who hit the corner of the bumper, careened further off into the woods, ran head on over the top of a large (bigger than a breadbox) boulder and came to rest in front of a tree snag large enough to stop a truck. Apparent trouble with this machines' brakes was the claim. I respectfully requested this machine and our friend travel in front of me for the remainder of the trip.
I am happy and grateful to report that the bumper carried out it's assigned duty in that nothing else was damaged including tail lights, box etc.
The bumper tube was bent in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch on the outer end but nothing else could be seen. As a matter of fact, no one knew but me that the bumper was bent until I informed my wife when we arrived home.
It should also be noted that this second bumper, while much easier to install, was once again sent with bolts that were larger than the holes predrilled into the bumper and required additional drilling to make the holes large enough.
Morale of the story: park behind large standing trees and huge boulders before checking your map when riding with friends with no brakes!
