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Way before Japanese motoring giant Honda Motors launched the first modern ATV back in 1970, several American motoring corporations have been toiling in the works, sketching and tilling a concept vehicle that can go off the road and traverse unconventional driving surfaces with ease. The first real ATVs rolled in the United States, though the date could not be confirmed. These ATVs sported six wheels, all driven, and could be driven on swamps, ponds, and streams as well as dry land.

The general design of the old American ATVs was also a pole apart from the modern quad bike. Apart from six wheels, they were built for multiple passengers and were fitted with steering wheels or control sticks instead of the more familiar handlebar of a modern ATV. As for the materials, the main bulk of the ATV was made of hard plastic or fiberglass.

Like in the United States, Japans version of ATV was also designed to be a farming utility and was widely used in farming towns located in the mountains. When Honda released the US90, the popularity of the ATV soared and the demands grew exponentially. A lot of the US90’s fame came when the James Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever” hit the big screen; the movie featured ATVs in some of its scenes.

With the global reach of Diamonds Are Forever movie, it was only a matter of time when the demand of the Japanese ATV broke the ceiling. Being able to navigate trails where no other vehicles could was good news already. The concept of driving through any terrain became a rave especially among Canadian and American hunters.

But it was in the 1980s that the ATV really kicked into the cultural mainstream. It was during this time when the sporting version of the ATV was introduced. Big motor companies such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Polaris joined the ATV bandwagon and began manufacturing their own lines of the said vehicle.

When motoring companies began to create three-wheeled models, issues over its safety and stability followed. Soon, the increasing concerns of the public caused the production of three-wheeled ATVs to be halted in 1987. Though the production ban ended in 1997, no major three-wheeled ATV was made and sold.

Today, ATVs are now categorized into two types - the sporting type and the utility type. As the name suggest, sporting ATVs are designed for high speeds and are made of lighter materials with an engine for rapid acceleration. Utility ATVs, on the contrary are heavier, bigger and slower but are equipped with engines that enable them to carry heavy loads.

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.