On July 28, 2008, Yamaha’s professional drivers demonstrated the new 2009 Yamaha Rhino for the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the public. The 2009 models include a modified door, new seatbelt latch and webbing, a reminder light to wear a helmet and seatbelt, along with several other features. All of these features are good. Unfortunately, no modifications have been made to address the instability of the vehicle.

As the lawyers in our firm who handle product liability cases know, that is the problem with the Rhino. It is an unstable vehicle – prone to rollover – and thereby highly dangerous. At the demonstration, the public was invited to ride as a passenger so long as boots were worn and waivers were signed, but they were not permitted to drive, which is quite interesting and pretty smart on Yamaha’s part.