| The term "all-terrain vehicle" is used in a general | | | | featuring the same parallel-twin, 350cc, two-stroke |
| sense to describe any of a number of small open | | | | engine that made the machine famous. |
| motorised buggies and tricycles designed for off-road | | | | The ATV is commonly called a four wheeler in |
| use. However, the American National Standards | | | | Australia. They are used extensively in agricultureAt |
| Institute (ANSI) defines an ATV as a vehicle that | | | | the same time, development of utility ATVs was |
| travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is | | | | rapidly escalating. The 1986 Honda FourTrax TRX350 |
| straddled by the operator, and with handlebars for | | | | 4x4 ushered in the era of four-wheel-drive ATVs. |
| steering control. By the ANSI definition, it is intended | | | | Other manufacturers quickly followed suit, and 4x4s |
| for use by a single operator. The 4-wheeled versions | | | | have remained the most popular type of ATV. These |
| are most commonly called "quads," "four-wheelers" or | | | | machines are popular with hunters, farmers, ranchers |
| "ATVs" in the United States and Canada, and "quad | | | | and workers at construction sites. |
| bikes" or "quad cycles" in other English-speaking | | | | Safety issues with 3-wheel ATVs caused all |
| countries. Models with 3 wheels are typically known | | | | manufacturers to switch to 4-wheeled models in the |
| as ATCs (though this is a Honda trademark) and | | | | late '80s, and 3-wheel models ended production in |
| "three-wheelers," and less commonly "all-terrain | | | | 1987, due to consent decrees between the major |
| cycles" and "trikes." 6- and 8-wheel models exist for | | | | manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety |
| specialized applications. The rider sits on these models | | | | Commission -- the result of legal battles over safety |
| just like on a motorcycle, but the extra wheels make | | | | issues among consumer groups, the manufacturers |
| them more stable at slow speeds. ATVs can also be | | | | and CPSC. The lighter weight of the 3-wheel models |
| considered Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) or Off Road | | | | made them popular with some expert riders. |
| Vehicles (ORV), along with motorcycles, Jeeps and | | | | Cornering is more challenging than with a 4-wheeled |
| other off-road capable machines. | | | | machine because leaning into the turn is even more |
| Engine sizes of ATVs currently for sale in the United | | | | important. Operators may roll over if caution isn't |
| States (as of 2004) range from 50cc to 800cc. They | | | | used. The front end of 3-wheelers obviously has a |
| range in price from about $499 to nearly $8000. | | | | single wheel making it lighter, and flipping backwards |
| Development of ATVs | | | | is a potential hazard, especially when climbing hills. |
| The first ATVs were made during the 1950s. These | | | | Rollovers may also occur when traveling down a |
| early models had six wheels instead of four. Honda | | | | steep incline. The consent decrees expired in 1997, |
| made the first three-wheeled ATV in 1970, and were | | | | allowing manufacturers to once again make and |
| famously portrayed in the James Bond movie, | | | | market 3-wheel models, though there are very few |
| "Diamonds Are Forever". Dubbed the US90 and, later, | | | | marketed today. |
| the ATC90, it was designed purely for recreational | | | | Models continue today to be divided into the sport |
| use. It featured large balloon tires instead of a | | | | and utility markets. Sport models are generally small, |
| mechanical suspension. By the early 1980s, suspension | | | | light, two wheel drive vehicles which accelerate |
| and lower-profile tires were introduced. The 1982 | | | | quickly, have a manual transmission, and run at |
| Honda ATC200E Big Red was a landmark model. It | | | | speeds up to 75 miles per hour (120 km/h). Utility |
| featured both suspension and racks, making it the | | | | models are generally bigger four wheel drive vehicles |
| first utility three-wheeled ATV. The ability to go | | | | with a maximum speed of up to 65 miles per hour |
| anywhere on terrain that most other vehicles could | | | | (104 km/h). They have the ability to haul small loads |
| not cross soon made them popular with US and | | | | on attached racks or small dump beds. They may |
| Canadian hunters, and those just looking for a good | | | | also tow small trailers. Due to the different weights, |
| trail ride. Soon other manufacturers introduced their | | | | each has advantages on different types of terrain. |
| own models. | | | | Sport models are built with performance, rather than |
| Sport models were also developed by Honda, which | | | | utility, in mind. To be successful at fast trail riding, an |
| had a virtual monopoly on the market, due to | | | | ATV must have light weight, high power, good |
| effective patents on design and engine placement. | | | | suspension and a low center of gravity. These |
| The 1981 ATC250R was the first high-performance | | | | machines can be modified for such racing disciplines |
| three-wheeler, featuring full suspension, a | | | | as motocross, woods racing (also known as hare |
| 248-cubic-centimetre two-stroke motor, a five-speed | | | | scrambles, cross country), desert racing, hill climbing, |
| transmisison with a manual clutch and a front disc | | | | ice racing, speedway, TT (Tourist Trophy), flat track, |
| brake. For the sporting trail rider, the 1983 ATC200X | | | | drag racing and others. Examples of high-performance |
| was another landmark machine. It has an | | | | models include the Yamaha YFZ450, Honda |
| easy-to-handle 192-cubic-centimetre four-stroke that | | | | TRX450R, Suzuki QuadRacer R450, Polaris Outlaw |
| was ideal for new participants in the sport. | | | | 500, Polaris Outlaw 525, and Polaris Predator 500. |
| Suzuki was a leader in the development of | | | | ATVs designed for fast trail riding include the Yamaha |
| 4-wheeled ATVs. It sold the first ATV, the 1983 | | | | Raptor 700R, Suzuki QuadSport Z400, Honda |
| QuadRunner LT125, which was a recreational machine | | | | Sportrax 400EX and Bombardier DS650 . |
| for beginners. | | | | Six wheel models often have a small dump bed, with |
| In 1985, Suzuki introduced to the industry the first | | | | an extra set of wheels at the back to increase the |
| high-performance 4-wheel ATV, the Suzuki LT250R | | | | payload capacity. They can be either 4 wheel drive |
| QuadRacer. This machine was in production for the | | | | (back wheels driving only), or 6 wheel drive. |
| 1985-1992 model years. During its run, it underwent | | | | There are also 6 and 8 wheel models where the rider |
| three major engineering makeovers. However, the | | | | sits inside, known as AATVs (amphibious all terrain |
| major core features were retained. These were: a | | | | vehicles). These vehicles may float and are designed |
| sophisticated long-travel suspension, a liquid-cooled | | | | to go through swamps as well as dry land. These |
| two-stroke motor and a fully manual 5-speed | | | | were around in the United States long before 4 and |
| transmission for 85-86 models and a 6-speed | | | | 3-wheeled vehicles were introduced (by Honda and |
| transmission for the 88-92 models. It was a machine | | | | other Japanese companies). Current brands of these |
| exclusively designed for racing by highly skilled riders. | | | | machines include Argo and MAX. They consist of a |
| Honda responded a year later with the FourTrax | | | | fiberglas or hard plastic "tub" with low pressure |
| TRX250R-a machine that has not been replicated. | | | | (around 3 PSI) tires and use a skid-steer steering |
| Kawasaki responded with its Tecate-4 250. In 1987, | | | | setup. Though not as fast as other ATVs, they can |
| Yamaha introduced a different type of | | | | be operated with precision at slow speeds, and, of |
| high-performance machine, the Banshee 350, which | | | | course, have the ability to float. The spinning action |
| featured a twin-cylinder liquid-cooled two-stroke | | | | of the tires is enough to propel the vehicle through |
| motor from the RD350LC street motorcycle. Heavier | | | | the water, abeit slowly. Outboard motors can be |
| and more difficult to ride in the dirt than the 250s, | | | | added for extended water use. Technically, these |
| the Banshee became a popular machine with sand | | | | AATVs are not true ATVs by the ANSI definition of |
| dune riders thanks to its unique power delivery. The | | | | an all-terrain vehicle. Often they have steering wheels |
| Banshee remains hugely popular, but 2006 is the last | | | | or control sticks rather than motorcycle-type handle |
| year it will be available in the U.S. (due to EPA | | | | bars and are intended for more than a single rider, in |
| emissions regulations). In Canada, however, the | | | | contrast to ATVs that meet the ANSI definition. |
| Banshee will be back for the 2007 model year, still | | | | |