ATVs (all-terrain
vehicles) were first developed during the 1950s. The earliest models
had six wheels instead of the four that riders are now familiar with.
Honda was the first company to make the 3-wheel ATV in 1970. These
were famously displayed in the James Bond film, 'Diamonds Are
Forever.' Originally called the US90, the ATV was purely for fun,
made with very large balloon tires instead of the mechanical
suspension and smaller tires eventually introduced in the early
1980s.
One of the most
important versions of the ATV was the 1982 Honda ATC200E Big Red. It
was a landmark model in that it featured suspension and racks. This
made it the first utility three-wheeled ATV available on the market.
It was popular due to its ability to go anywhere on any type of
terrain. The fact that it could go over types of terrain that most
other vehicles could not eventually made it very popular with hunters
in both the US and Canadian. It was also very appealing to those who
were looking for nothing more than an exciting ride on the trails.
Soon Honda broke new
ground by developing sport models. Honda seemed to have a virtual
monopoly on the market, due to its patents on design and engine
placement. The 1981 ATC250R was important because it was the first
high-performance three-wheeler, featuring full suspension, a
248-cubic-centimetre two-stroke motor, a five-speed transmission with
a manual clutch and a front disc brake. For those who enjoyed the
sporting trail, the 1983 ATC200X was another in a series of landmark
machines. It was developed with an easy-to-handle
192-cubic-centimetre four-stroke. This simple design was seemingly
perfect for new participants in the sport.
Honda soon found
itself competing with Suzuki. Suzuki led the industry in the
development of 4-wheeled ATVs. It sold the first 4-wheeled ATV, the
1983 QuadRunner LT125, used primarily as a recreational machine for
those who were just beginning to ride ATVs. In 1985, Suzuki stepped
up their game when they introduced the first high-performance 4-wheel
ATV, the Suzuki LT250R QuadRacer. This ATV was in production from
1985-1992, during which time it underwent three major engineering
makeovers. This vehicle became the ATV known as designed primarily
for racing by highly skilled riders.
Honda then responded
a year later with the FourTrax TRX250R. This ATV has never been
replicated.
Kawasaki joined the
battle to develop better ATVs when they introduced their Tecate-4
250. In 1987, Yamaha introduced a different type of high-performance
machine - the Banshee 350. The Banshee 350 featured a twin-cylinder
two-stroke motor from the RD350LC street motorcycle. This ATV was
heavier and more difficult to ride in the dirt than the 250s .It soon
became a favorite with riders who preferred the sand dunes. The
Banshee is still a hugely popular machine, but 2006 was the last year
it was available in the U.S. Riders will be able to pick up a 2007
model in Canada, however.
ATVs were first
introduced to the buying public in the 1970s. They immediately caught
on with those who were interested in doing something different
outdoors. Original versions featured much larger tires and
were offered in both 3-wheeled and 4-wheeled models. Soon,
though, the 3-wheeled models of the ATV were prohibited, as they
gained a reputation for being too dangerous. ATVs have since
undergone a number of cosmetic and mechanical changes. Companies such
as Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha have developed a number of models that
serve ATV riders of all tastes and interests.
No comments:
Post a Comment