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