Riding a motorcycle has always been considered the destiny of those who are not afraid to play a dangerous game with gravity on two wheels. Until one ingenious Japanese has not thought to “put” a motorcycle on four wheels. Thus ATV – All Terrain Vehicle, which in translation from English means “a vehicle for off-road driving” appeared. An amazing creation – an ATV, combines the best features of a “jeep”, a motorcycle and … a tractor. The most interesting for this equipment, the most interesting begins where asphalt ends. Its elements are sand, dirt, bog, woods, a place where there is nothing for a motorcycle, let alone SUV. Only on a quad bike you can truly know “the absolute off-road. Do you want to try?
Where does it come from?
Japanese constructors managed to combine seemingly incompatible a little more than two decades ago, when the term “ATV” appeared in common usage. The ancestor of modern all-terrain vehicles is the Japanese company Honda. Back in the 1970s, the company released on the U.S. market three-wheeled model US90, called ATC (All Terrain Cycles – translated from the English “off-road motorcycles”). A distinctive feature of this machine were huge wheels with powerful grousers. The company advertised it as a helper for farmers. But thorough Yankees preferred more serious equipment for work. Sales of US90 were sluggish up to mid 70’s until the model was noticed by “moneybags” from prosperous California. It turned out that such a machine is a fantastically fun way to travel on sandy beaches. The passion quickly turned into fashion, and in 1980, such three-wheeled vehicles were in the production programs of the big Japanese “four”. Later, the American Polaris and Arctic Cat joined it. Only in 1982, the company Sudzuki decided to add one wheel to the tricycle, creating four-wheeled model LT-125.
Anatomy of “beast“
Over the years, a common style and a unified concept of ATV design has been formed. The rear suspension is spring and front suspension is of McPherson type. The suspension includes a stabilizer, reliably keeping the machine from toppling over off-road. All ATVs are distinguished by high ground clearance – 245-285 mm and powerful protection of the crankcase and transmission mechanisms. A distinctive feature of this equipment are low-pressure tires (0.2-0.4 atm, i.e., 5-10 times less than in a regular wheel), which improves ride comfort and does not harm the soil.
The wheel formula of the vast majority of ATVs is 4×4, but simpler models and sport machines designed for relatively good trails may have only one drive axle. Since recently in the world of four-wheeled motorcycles appeared its own Goliath – the model Big Boss-500 with wheel formula “6×6” from the American company Polaris. But this is not the limit! The floating models can be with 8×8 wheel arrangement as well.
The “heart” of the machine is a motorcycle engine, usually a single-cylinder (2- or 4-stroke) with the volume of 200-600 cc. Motor power ranges from 20 hp to 40 hp at 6000-7000 rpm. That is the power capacity reaches 64-66 hp! Such power combined with a powerful suspension provides excellent cross-country ability. By the way, cooling of “quads” is liquid, which is very actual for off-road motorcycle.
The design feature of the vast majority of ATVs – automatic transmission with V-belt drive and reverse. However, each company itself determines the type of transmission used. Thus, Honda gives preference to cardan gears, while Yamaha has machines with chain and V-belt drive. There are also hybrid systems, in which cardan gears are combined with V-belt or chain drives. Fuel consumption on ATVs is not measured by miles, but by the hour. On average, they consume 6-7 liters per hour. A full tank is enough for 4-5 hours of work.