All terrain vehicles are usually referred to as ATVs. They are also called quads, quad bikes, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. Some are for recreation, others for utility purposes. There are two basic types. Type I is for the operator only. Type II is for the operator and 1 passenger. They are designed for off the road use only. The seat of ATVs are similar to a motorcycle seat. It has to be straddled by the vehicle operator. Another similarity to a motorcycle are the handle bars for steering. They are designed to be driven, or operated, on rugged territory unsuitable for automobiles.
In 1970, the Honda ATC90, a three-wheeler was born. The C was abbreviation for cycle. Honda holds the trademark for the ATC name. It had a single wheel in front, two in the back, and it was fast and fun. The seat had to be straddled like a bicycle seat, and it had handle bars for steering. It had large balloon, low pressure tires. It was unlawful on streets and highways. By 1975, farmers were beginning to use them as farm work tools. Their fuel economy exceeded that of a tractor. They could travel faster over rough territory. All ATV’s are designed for off the road use. They still feature the bicycle type seat, handle bars, and low pressure tires. Type I models have seating for the operator only. Type II models have a passenger seat. The passenger seat is located behind the operator. This gives the operator room to shift his or her weight.
By 1980, popularity was rising. Three-wheelers were being used for utility purposes, as well as recreation. Hunters, farmers, ranchers, and construction site workers saw their value as work tools. Kawasaki’s three-wheeled model of 1981 featured a dual mode differential.
In 1982, Honda’s Big Red, with it’s five speed engine gained quick fame. It was both rugged and more comfortable than previous models. Suzuki’s first three-wheeler, and the first four-wheeler, were introduced in 1983. Also that year, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America was founded by American companies Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. Its function is to promote safety by providing rider education.
Serious accidents were occurring. Many young people were killed or disabled. Legal battles arose. Three-wheelers were felt to be the most dangerous. Suzuki stopped manufacturing them. In 1987, the CPSC and major manufacturers signed the preliminary Consent Decree. No three-wheelers were made from 1987 to 1997. None are manufactured in the United States at the present.
The Yamaha Breeze of 1991 became the first automatic model. In 1995-96 Arctic Cat placed their model on the market. ATV Magazine chose the Japanese Kawasaki full sized belt-drive model as its first ATV of the year.
Artic Cat began manufacturing ATVs for Massey Ferguson Farm Equipment Company in 2001. ATVs sold in the United States in 2003 totaled nearly 900,000. BRP and Arctic Cat placed the first type II model on the market in the U. S. In 2005. In 2006, Yamaha introduced the first model with electronic power steering, the Grizzly 400.
All terrain vehicles are known as ATVs, quad bikes, quads, or four-wheelers. For both recreation and utility purposes, they are an all-time favorite. Adults and children alike enjoy them. Popularity and sales remain high. So does the rate of serious accidents. Many are fatal, or near fatal. Many involve children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that sales be forbidden to persons too young for a drivers license.
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