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