Like all things popular with the general public, the All Terrain Vehicle, better known as the ATV or the quad bike, has a very fascinating past. The first ATVs were a far cry to their modern counterparts. Initially engineered to be a valuable farming equipment, the machine became the core of an extremely competitive sporting and racing industry.

Though Japanese motoring giant Honda Motors released the first modern ATV back in 1970, the first real ATVs rolled in the United States, though the exact date could not be confirmed. Various American motoring corporations have been working, sketching and tilling a concept vehicle that can go off the road and navigate unconventional driving surfaces with ease. These ATVs are fitted with six wheels, all driven, and could drive through 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.

Like in the United States, Japans version of ATV was also invented to be a farming machine and was a commonly sight in farming towns situated in the mountains. When Honda first released the first modern ATV, the US90, its popularity and demand for the vehicle grew. When the James Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever” hit the big screen, its popularity grew even more, as the film featured the ATVs in some of its scenes.

With the international reach of the James Bond movie, soon the whole world was raving about this new type of vehicle. A vehicle that can traverse different type of terrains became a very wanted commodity. The thought of being able to drive through any terrain was very exciting, especially for hunters from Canada and United States.

It was in the 1980s, however, when the ATV truly started enjoying mainstream popularity and took a large consumer base. It was during this time when the sporting version of the ATV was launched. Soon enough, big name motoring companies like Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Polaris joined the ATV race and began manufacturing their own ATV models.

There was also an issue of safety when companies began to manufacture and market three-wheeled ATVs. With concerns from the consumers growing, the production of three-wheeled ATVs were banned I 1987. Though the decree ended in 1997, no significant three-wheeled ATV was marketed.

Modern ATVs are now categorized into two – the sporting type and the utility type. As the name implies, the sporting ATV is designed fro racing and high speed competitions. Sporting ATVs are made of lighter materials and are equipped with engines that can accelerate rapidly. Utility ATVs are much heavier and slower, but they are also rigged with power they for hauling purposes.

There is no doubt that ATV has captured millions of racing enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. The ever increasing popularity of the ATV is undeniable. With many people getting hooked to the vehicle and many companies entering the ATV fray, the All Terrain Vehicle is certainly not going anywhere.

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