| The first ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) actually | | | | with hunters and thrill riders. |
| was built with six wheels instead of four. It | | | | |
| was developed sometime during the 1950s in | | | | On the other hand, it's value as a utility |
| Japan and was primarily desinged to deal with | | | | vehicle is easy to understand. Given its |
| the mountainous topography and isolated | | | | construction, an ATV generally boasts |
| rugged regions of that country. Particularly | | | | remarkable strength for its size, body |
| during spring when the ice thaws and river | | | | construction and cost. With a mechanical |
| flow would increase substantially, Japanese | | | | structure able to withstand significant |
| mountain roads and paths that weren't | | | | loads, and wheels which allow passage over |
| maintained regularly often become impassable | | | | demanding terrain, it becomes a nearly |
| with more typical vehicles. In addition, | | | | perfect machine for farm use and on |
| these early ATVs became popular in rural | | | | construction sites. And, of course, an ATV |
| areas where the absence of roads in rough | | | | requires only a fraction of the fuel that |
| terrain makes passage difficult despite the | | | | typical heavy machinery consumes. |
| need to traverse this kind of terrain | | | | |
| efficiently. When Honda first exported an | | | | When Suzuki, long a dominant Japanese vehicle |
| ATV* to the United States in 1970, their US90 | | | | company, released their first high |
| was sold primarily as a recreational ride. | | | | performance 4-wheel ATV in 1983, the Suzuki |
| Though it is still in use, even to this day, | | | | LT250R, it quickly become the leader in |
| the growing number of ATV users quickly | | | | 4-wheel ATV development. Later in 1987, the |
| discovered that its excellent efficiency over | | | | Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a |
| rough ground offers a wide variety of uses | | | | decree to shift 3-wheel ATV production to |
| for the ATV. | | | | 4-wheel machines. Quite naturally, Honda |
| | | | responded with its FourTrax TRX250R, which |
| Honda, due to the patents it took out on ATV | | | | then became the most versatile and most |
| design and engine placement, enjoyed a | | | | popular modle in ATV history. There were |
| virtual monopoly on the market at the | | | | other entries as well making a splash in the |
| beginning. Its initial release in the | | | | ATV market. In particular Kawasaki's Tecate-4 |
| western market, the US90 was designed by | | | | 250 and Yamaha's Banshee 350 which also |
| engineers specifically for joy rides. Later | | | | became quite a popular machine. |
| that year, Honda once again used clever | | | | |
| tactics to trademark the name ATC and | | | | Times have changed and today a new era is |
| proceded to rename the US90 model as the | | | | beginning as Kawasaki trumps the market with |
| ATC90. The ATC90 had 7 hp passing through a | | | | its KFX700 V FORCE. This is the first V-Twin |
| dual-range 4-speed gearbox with automatic | | | | powered, ultrahigh performance sport ATV. |
| clutch and featured large balloon-type tires | | | | Mind-boggling? Absolutely, the sheer |
| that can eat up rough terrain. Honda | | | | diversity of new models is astonishing. Even |
| continued forward and released two more ATCs | | | | SeaDoo is sticking in the game with their |
| during the '70s which were also | | | | Bombardier ATVs. Artic Cat also has a brand |
| revolutionary. | | | | new 2007 700cc model. And you can check out |
| | | | the Polaris, Can-Am and Cobra ATVs as well as |
| As the ATV moved into the next decade, models | | | | the Hondas, Suzukis and Yamahas. We're |
| were beginning to become clearly divided into | | | | talking big, fast, high performance machines |
| two major usage groups. One for sports and | | | | these days - and the price has escalated to |
| one for utility use. Sport models are usually | | | | match. But it's a wild ride if you're up for |
| built for performance: they are lightweight | | | | it. |
| with relatively high power, have good | | | | |
| suspensions and a low center of gravity. | | | | ----- *this was formally referred to as an |
| These models can accelerate quickly, have | | | | ATC (All Terrain Cycle) since Honda released |
| manual transmissions and some can run up to | | | | 3-wheel design ATVs. However, it was more |
| 75 mph. Since they permit traveling in most | | | | commonly called an ATV. |
| terrains, these models became highly popular | | | | |