If you are a fan of ATVs, you are not alone.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that nearly 7 million four‐wheel ATVs were in use in 2004, with some 23 million riders.
Starting in the early 1990s, recreational ATV riding boomed worldwide, and it’s only gotten more popular.
Besides recreational riding, ATVs can be used for various work, including plowing snow, hauling firewood, landscaping, hunting, spreading salt, raking, and transportation.
But riders who enjoy taking their quads out on the many available trails, roads, or tracks for sheer exhilaration are a different breed.
This community encompasses an adventurous lifestyle, one that rewards its members with elements of skill building, social experiences, outdoor adventure, as well as competitive sport.
Let’s take a look at how ATV use has evolved over the years, and why this thriving and thrill-seeking activity continues to excite riders.
A Brief History of ATVs
The powerful all-terrain vehicles we know and love today had a humble beginning. Unsurprisingly, there have been quite a few iterations of ATV over the years.
The earliest version of ATV can be tied back to Honda, so let’s start there.
During the gas shortage in WWII, Soichiro Honda (Honda's founder) could not use his car, so he attached a small engine to his bicycle.
His idea gained widespread popularity, and he established the Honda Technical Research Institute in Hamamatsu, Japan, to develop and produce small 2-cycle motorbike engines.
The term "ATV" can refer to different vehicles or products, but one common interpretation is the "All-Terrain Vehicle." The first commercially successful ATV is generally attributed to the Honda ATC90, which was introduced in 1970.
Here is a summary of how ATVs have evolved.
- 1961: Before Honda dominates the ATV market, the very first off-roading vehicle is invented in Toronto, Canada. Known as the Jiger, the six-wheeled Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicle (AATV) was designed to travel on land and water.
- 1967-1968: Honda engineers began working on the concept of a three-wheeled, off-road vehicle.
- 1970: Honda introduced the three-wheeled ATC90 (All-Terrain Cycle 90) in the United States, designed for recreational off-road use. The ATC90 was the first commercially successful ATV.
- 1971: Other manufacturers start developing their own versions of three-wheeled ATVs. The ATC90 continues its success in the U.S. and is featured in a James Bond movie and multiple TV shows.
- 1982: Suzuki introduces the first four-wheeled ATV, the Suzuki LT125.
- Mid-1980s: The popularity of ATVs surges, with various manufacturers entering the market and producing different models.
- 1990s: The ATV market continued to grow, and improvements in design and safety features were introduced.
- 2000s to Present: ATVs evolve with the introduction of advanced technologies, increased safety standards, and a wider range of models for different purposes, including sport, utility, and recreational use.
It's important to note that while three-wheeled ATVs were popular in the early years, they were later largely replaced by four-wheeled models due to safety concerns. Today, four-wheeled ATVs are more common and widely used for recreational and utility purposes.
Quad Passion and Top Reasons for Riding
The appeal of ATV riding can vary from person to person. Let’s look at five reasons quads continue to draw more and more riders, and why recreational ATV riders have developed into the thrill-seeking community it is today.
ATV riders are in it for the:
- Thrill and excitement: The adrenaline rush and a sense of exhilaration, especially when navigating challenging terrains or taking on off-road courses, is a main draw. The speed, power, and maneuverability of ATVs only add to the thrill.
- Outdoor recreation: A connection with nature and avenue to appreciate scenic landscapes, wildlife, and natural beauty, and create a space for stress-relief and relaxation.
- Social activity: ATV riders are hardly ever alone. The activity provides many opportunities for friends, families, or groups to enjoy the shared experience, camaraderie, and bonding.
- Competition: ATVs can be used for racing, riding through dunes, splashing through water and mud, and otherwise push performance boundaries that will compete with the limits of other riders.
- Skill development: Mastering riding and mechanical skills offers a sense of accomplishment and personal growth. Grease-monkeys are drawn to the many customization and upgrade options and the development of skills needed to boost ATV performance.
POWER UP
Since 1998, Vito’s Performance has been supplying the world with top-quality and hard-to-find ATV parts for builders and enthusiasts alike. We specialize in the Yamaha Banshee and the Yamaha Blaster, and carry parts for all Yamaha Raptors, the Yamaha Warrior, Honda 300ex and 400ex, and the Honda TRX450r. For assistance with all performance products, contact Vito’s Performance online or call (248) 969-9168.