| e getting into its history let's discover what an ATV | | | | or amphibious all-terrain vehicle. |
| actually is. An ATV or all-terrain vehicle or quad bike is | | | | In 1970 Honda brought out its first ATV that had |
| a vehicle which travels using tires with | | | | three wheels. It was at first called the US90 and then |
| low-pressure-style of tires. It also has handlebars to | | | | changed to ATC90 when Honda was granted the |
| steer and a seat for the operator to sit on. This | | | | trademark. This model appeared in TV programs such |
| vehicle is made to be used on many different terrains | | | | as "Hart to Hart" and "Magnum PI", and in the James |
| compared to what other vehicles can do. Even | | | | Bond flick called "Diamonds are Forever". The were |
| thought these are legal on the streets in some | | | | clearly based on the early models for the ATVs, with |
| countries, in Canada, Australia, and the United States | | | | their big balloon tires in place of a mechanized |
| they are legal only off the streets and roads. They | | | | suspension. |
| are only meant for one operator unless they are a | | | | Suzuki lead the way with the 4-wheeled ATVs. They |
| tandem one. | | | | sold their first ATV in 1982 it was the QuadRunner |
| Back in 1893 Royal Enfield put together a quadracycle | | | | LT125. This was a great recreational vehicle for the |
| and sold it. It was much like the modern ATV / quad | | | | beginners. Then Suzuki in 1985 brought out the |
| bike. Then came the automobiles, which | | | | 4-wheel ATV that was high performance in the |
| overshadowed the quadracycle. Then the USA | | | | LT250R QuadRacer. This vehicle was produced from |
| brought out ATVs at least a decade before | | | | 1985 through 1992. |
| Japanese companies like Honda introduced their | | | | Today models are classified as either utility or sport. |
| versions of 3 and 4-wheeled models of ATVs. | | | | The utility ones are usually larger vehicles with |
| In the 1960s several manufacturers made small | | | | four-wheel drive and have top speeds of 72.5 mph. |
| vehicles for off-road use that were similar to the | | | | These can even haul light-weight loads on dump beds |
| Japanese models. But these were even given floating | | | | or racks. They can even pull small trailers. The sport |
| capabilities that made them good for traveling in | | | | quad bike versions are normally light, small vehicles |
| ponds, streams, and even swamps, along with dry | | | | with two-wheel drive and they can accelerate quite |
| land. These constructed usually of fiberglass or hard | | | | rapidly and can reach as fast as 110 mph. Each class |
| plastic, had 6 wheels, low-pressure balloon tires, | | | | of ATV has its own advantages because of their |
| skid-steer type of steering, and no suspension. These | | | | varying weights. |
| would not fit the definition of the ATV today | | | | Make a note here that quad bikes are considered as |
| according to the ANSI. | | | | dangerous as motorcycles and should be ridden with |
| Since the invention of the 3 to 4-wheeled ATVs | | | | care. Take care to protect your body while riding. |
| where the operators sit straddled on the seats, this | | | | There are various state and local laws that need to |
| is now the preferred definition for ATVs. The 6 x 6 | | | | be followed to ride the ATVs lawfully too. |
| or 8 x 8 floating style of these are now called AATV | | | | |