So What Is It About ATVs

The first ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) was actually built with six wheels instead of four. It was developed during a time of 1950 in Japan, when it was desinged to do with the mountainous topography and isolated rugged regions of the country. Particularly during the spring when the thaw of ice and river flow would increase significantly, Japanese mountain roads and paths that were not kept regularly often become impractical with more traditional vehicles. Moreover, these early ATVs became popular in rural areas, where the absence of roads in difficult terrain makes it difficult to move despite the need to cross this terrain efficiently. When Honda ATV * a first exported to the U.S. in 1970, their US90 was sold primarily as a pleasure ride. Although it is still in use, even to this day, the growing number of ATV users quickly discovered that his great performance on rough terrain offers a wide range of uses for the ATV.

Honda, because if the Patent Office took the ATV design and placement of the engine, enjoyed a virtual monopoly on the market early. Its initial release in western markets, the US90 has been specially designed by engineers for joy rides. In the same year, Honda once again used clever tactics for the brand name and ATC prior to rename the model as US90 ATC90. The ATC90 had 7 hp passing through a dual-range 4-speed transmission with automatic clutch and featured large balloon type tires that can eat rough terrain. Honda went ahead and released two more ATC during the 70 who were also revolutionary.

As the ATV is moved during the next decade, models were becoming sharply divided into two main groups of use. One for a sport and utility use. Sport models are usually built for performance: they are lightweight, with a relatively high power, good suspension and have a low center of gravity. These models can accelerate quickly, have manual transmissions and some can carry up to 75 mph. Since permitted to travel in most soils, these models became very popular with hunters and thrill riders.

On the other hand, is the value as a utility vehicle is easy to understand. Given its construction, an ATV generally boasts remarkable strength for its size, body building and costs. With a mechanical structure that can withstand significant loads, and the wheels that allow the most demanding ground, becomes a machine almost perfect for use in agriculture and in the yards. And, of course, an ATV requires only a fraction of the fuel it consumes a typical heavy machinery.

When Suzuki, long dominant in a Japanese vehicle company, released their first high-performance four-wheel ATVs in 1983, the LT250R Suzuki, has quickly become a leader in 4-wheel ATV development. Later, in 1987, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a decree to move production of three-wheeled ATV 4-wheel machines. Naturally, Honda has responded with its TRX250R Fourtrax, which later became the modle most versatile and most popular ATVs in history. There were also other items that make a splash in the ATV market. In particular, Kawasaki Tecate-4 250 and Yamaha Banshee 350, which also became a very popular machine.

Times have changed and now a new era is beginning as triumphs on the market with its Kawasaki KFX700 V force This is the first V-Twin motor, high performance sports ATV. Mind-boggling? Absolutely, the great diversity of new models is amazing. Even SeaDoo sticking in the game with their ATVs Bombardier. Arctic Cat also has a brand new 2007 model 700cc. And you can check the Polaris, Can-Am ATV and Cobra as well as Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. We're talking about big, fast, high-performance machines these days - and the price is increased to match. But it's a wild ride, if you're up for it.

----- * This was formally known as ATC (All Terrain Cycle), since Honda released three wheel ATV design. However, it has been more commonly called ATV.

Richard Keir ......