| The first ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) had six | | | | The ATC90 had 7 hp through dual-range 4-speed |
| wheels instead of four. It was developed | | | | gearbox with automatic clutch and features |
| sometime during 1950s in Japan primarily to | | | | large balloon tires that can soak rough |
| combat its mountainous topography and | | | | terrain. Honda had released two more ATCs |
| isolated rugged regions. Particularly during | | | | through the decade and all of them were |
| spring when the ice thaws and rivers would | | | | revolutionary. |
| gain intensity, mountain roads and | | | | |
| non-maintained paths are often impassable | | | | When ATVs moved onto the next decade, models |
| with contemporary vehicles. In addition, | | | | were then distinctly divided into two usages, |
| these early ATVs became popular in rural | | | | for sports and for utility. Sport models are |
| areas where the means to go over rough | | | | built for performance; lightweight, high |
| terrain in the absence of roads is quite | | | | power, good suspension and low center of |
| frequent and considered necessary. | | | | gravity became vital factors for ATV |
| | | | construction. These models accelerate |
| When Honda exported the first ATV to the | | | | quickly, have manual transmission and can run |
| United States in 1970, the US90 was by large | | | | up to 120 km/hr. Since they allow travel in |
| sold purely as a recreational ride. Though it | | | | most kind of terrain; these models became |
| is still a very popular use even to this day, | | | | popular with game hunter and thrill riders. |
| the growing number of ATV users quickly found | | | | |
| out that the supreme efficiency it has over | | | | On the other hand, its usage as a utility |
| rough terrain gave ATV a wide variety of | | | | vehicle is very understandable. Because of |
| uses. | | | | its construction, ATV generally boasts |
| | | | remarkable strength with regards to its body. |
| Honda had a virtual monopoly on the market | | | | With its structure able to withstand an |
| during ATVs early days, owing it to the smart | | | | amount of load and wheels, which allows |
| patents on the ATVs design and engine | | | | passage over demanding terrain, it is |
| placements. Its maiden release in the western | | | | virtually perfect for farm use and |
| market, the US90 was designed by engineers | | | | construction sites. All the more since ATVs |
| specifically for joy rides. Later that year, | | | | requires only a fraction of fuel what typical |
| Honda employed smart tactics to trademark the | | | | heavy machine would consume. |
| name ATC and renamed the US90 model to ATC90. | | | | |