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Monday, 16 November 2009

Origins of the All Terrain Vehicle

By Kent Redford

Like all things that has caught the general public's fancy, the All Terrain Vehicle, or ATV or the quad bike as it is popularly called, has a very interesting past. The first ATVs were a tad different when set side by side with their modern counterparts. Basically designed to be a valuable farming machinery, the ATV is now the hub of an tremedously competitive sporting and racing industry.

Way before Japanese motoring giant Honda Motors launched the first modern ATV back in'70, several American motoring corporations have been toiling in the works, sketching and tilling a concept vehicle that can go off the road and traverse unconventional driving surfaces with ease. The first real ATVs rolled in the United States, though the date could not be confirmed. These ATVs sported six wheels, all driven, and could be driven on swamps, ponds, and streams as well as dry land.

Generally, the old American ATVs was different in terms of engineering design. More than just the six wheels, these ATVs were built to seat multiple passengers and were rigged with steering wheels or control sticks rather than the more familiar handlebar of a modern ATV. The main body of the early ATVs was made of hard plastic or fiberglass.

Akin to the United States' early versions of the ATV, its Japanese counterpart was also built to be a farming machine. The early Japanese ATVs were widespread in farming towns that are located in the mountains of Japan. When Honda launched the first modern ATV, the US90, in'70, it wasn't long before its popularity and demands rocketed. The US90 owd its stake to fame through the James Bond movie "Diamonds Are Forever", which featured the ATVs in some of its scenes.

With the worldwide reach of the James Bond movie, ATVs soon became the rave of the motoring world. The capability to cruise different terrains and trails was good news already. Such concept hit hard the Outdoors enthusiasts, specifically hunters from Canada and the United States.

It was in the'80s, however, when the ATV entered the mainstream and grabbed a large following. It was during this time when the sporting version of the ATV was launched. Soon, high profile motoring companies like Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Polaris joined the ATV fray and began manufacturing their own ATV lines.

When motoring companies began to create three-wheeled models, issues over its safety and stability followed. Soon, the increasing concerns of the public caused the production of three-wheeled ATVs to be halted in'87. Though the production ban ended in'97, no major three-wheeled ATV was made and sold.

Today's ATVs are now divided into two types " sporting and utility. The sporting ATVs are made of lighter materials and are designed for rapid acceleration. Utility ATVs, on the other hand, are heavier, bigger and slower but are equipped with engines that allow them to haul small loads.

Undeniably, the ATV is enjoying its status as a premier vehicle for racing enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. With many motoring companies joining the ATV race, it only indicates the steadily rising popularity if the said vehicle. The All Terrain Vehicle is definitely here to stay.

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