ATVÂ Facts and History About ATVFact The History term All Terrain Vehicle or ATV is used in a general sense to describe any of a number of small open motorized buggies and tricycles designed for off road use. However, the American National Standards Institute ANSI defines an ATV as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, and with handlebars for steering control. By the current ANSI definition, it is intended for use by a single operator, although a change to include 2 seaters in tandem is under consideration. Photo Honda 1. 97. ATCThe rider sits on and operates these vehicles like a motorcycle, but the extra wheels give more stability at slow speeds. Although typically equipped with three or four wheels, six wheel models exist for specialized applications. Engine sizes of ATVs currently for sale in the United States as of 2. Subscribe and SAVE, give a gift subscription or get help with an existing subscription by clicking the links below each cover image. ATVs. ATV Terminology. Four wheeled versions are most commonly called quads, four wheelers or ATVs in the United States and Canada, and quad bikes or quad cycles in other English speaking countries. In Australia, ATVs are also known as forbys, and in Israel can be called Polarises After the company. Models with three wheels are typically known as three wheelers, and ATCs or less commonly All Terrain Cycles and trikes. ATVs can also be considered Off Highway Vehicles OHV or Off Road Vehicles ORV, along with motorcycles. Early days. ATVs were made in the United States a decade before 3 and 4 wheeled vehicles were introduced by Honda and other Japanese companies. During the 1. 96. Typically constructed from a hard plastic or fiberglass tub, they usually had six wheels all driven with low pressure around 3 PSI balloon tires, no suspension other than what the tires offered and used a skid steer steering setup. These early amphibious models were the original all terrain vehicles or ATVs. Contrary to todays ANSI definition of an ATV, they were intended for multiple riders, sitting inside, and would usually have steering wheels or control sticks rather than motorcycle type handle bars as stipulated in the current definition. Since the advent of three and four wheeled, straddled ATVs, these have more or less taken over the term, leaving the 6x. AATVs Amphibious All Terrain Vehicles. Current brands of these machines include Argo and MAX. Though not as fast as other ATVs, they can be operated with precision at slow speeds, and of course, have the ability to float. The spinning action of the tires is enough to propel the vehicle through the water, albeit slowly. Outboard motors can be added for extended water use. Three wheelers. Honda made the first three wheeled ATVs in 1. James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever. Dubbed the US9. 0 and later when Honda acquired the trademark on the term the ATC9. Clearly influenced by earlier ATVs, it featured large balloon tires instead of a mechanical suspension. By the early 1. 98. The 1. 98. 2 Honda ATC2. E Big Red was a landmark model. It featured both suspension and racks, making it the first utility three wheeled ATV. The ability to go anywhere on terrain that most other vehicles could not cross soon made them popular with US and Canadian hunters, and those just looking for a good trail ride. Soon other manufacturers introduced their own models. Sport models were also developed by Honda, which had a virtual monopoly on the market, due to effective patents on design and engine placement. The 1. 98. 1 ATC2. R was the first high performance three wheeler, featuring full suspension, a 2. For the sporting trail rider, the 1. ATC2. 00. X was another landmark machine. It has an easy to handle 1. Over the next few years, All manufacturers except Suzuki developed high performance two stroke engined machines to compete against Hondas monopoly on the market, but did not sell as many due to the reputation already secured by Honda in the market. These models were the Yamaha Tri Z YTZ2. All Country Flag Vector Free Download more. Kawasaki Tecate KXT2. Four wheelers. Suzuki was a leader in the development of 4 wheeled ATVs. It sold the first ATV, the 1. Quad. Runner LT1. In 1. 98. 5, Suzuki introduced to the industry the first high performance 4 wheel ATV, the Suzuki LT2. R Quad. Racer. This machine was in production for the 1. During its run, it underwent three major engineering makeovers. However, the major core features were retained. These were a sophisticated long travel suspension, a liquid cooled two stroke motor and a fully manual 5 speed transmission for 8. It was a machine exclusively designed for racing by highly skilled riders. Honda responded a year later with the Four. Trax TRX2. 50. R a machine that has not been replicated. Kawasaki responded with its Tecate 4 2. In 1. 98. 7, Yamaha introduced a different type of high performance machine, the Banshee 3. RD3. 50. LC street motorcycle. Heavier and more difficult to ride in the dirt than the 2. Banshee became a popular machine with sand dune riders thanks to its unique power delivery. The Banshee remains hugely popular, but 2. U. S. due to EPA emissions regulations. In Canada, however, the Banshee will be back for the 2. At the same time, development of utility ATVs was rapidly escalating. The 1. 98. 6 Honda Four. Trax TRX3. 50 4x. ATVs. Other manufacturers quickly followed suit, and 4x. ATV ever since. These machines are popular with hunters, farmers, ranchers and workers at construction sites. Safety issues with 3 wheel ATVs caused all manufacturers to switch to 4 wheeled models in the late 8. Consumer Product Safety Commission the result of legal battles over safety issues among consumer groups, the manufacturers and CPSC. The lighter weight of the 3 wheel models made them popular with some expert riders. Cornering is more challenging than with a 4 wheeled machine because leaning into the turn is even more important. Operators may roll over if caution isnt used. The front end of 3 wheelers obviously has a single wheel making it lighter, and flipping backwards is a potential hazard, especially when climbing hills. Rollovers may also occur when traveling down a steep incline. The consent decrees expired in 1. Models continue today to be divided into the sport and utility markets. Sport models are generally small, light, two wheel drive vehicles which accelerate quickly, have a manual transmission, and run at speeds up to 9. Utility models are generally bigger four wheel drive vehicles with a maximum speed of up to 7. They have the ability to haul small loads on attached racks or small dump beds. They may also tow small trailers. Due to the different weights, each has advantages on different types of terrain. Six wheel models often have a small dump bed, with an extra set of wheels at the back to increase the payload capacity. They can be either 4 wheel drive back wheels driving only, or 6 wheel drive. Racing models. Sport models are built with performance, rather than utility, in mind. To be successful at fast trail riding, an ATV must have light weight, high power, good suspension and a low center of gravity. These machines can be modified for such racing disciplines as motocross, woods racing also known as hare scrambles, cross country, desert racing, hill climbing, ice racing, speedway, TT Tourist Trophy, flat track, drag racing and others. Examples of high performance models include the Yamaha YFZ4. Honda TRX4. 50. R,Suzuki Quad. Racer R4. 50, Kawasaki KFX4. R, and Can Am DS4. Latest Topics ZDNet. By registering you become a member of the CBS Interactive family of sites and you have read and agree to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Video Services Policy. You agree to receive updates, alerts and promotions from CBS and that CBS may share information about you with our marketing partners so that they may contact you by email or otherwise about their products or services. You will also receive a complimentary subscription to the ZDNets Tech Update Today and ZDNet Announcement newsletters. You may unsubscribe from these newsletters at any time.