All-terrain vehicle (ATV) is a motorized off-road vehicle typically designed to be ridden by one person. ATV’s can climb steep hills and handle rough terrain. An ATV is typically equipped with four fat, low-pressure tires. ATV’s are also called quads.
Many people race ATV’s or use them for recreation. Farmers, rescue workers, and law enforcement and military personnel use ATV’s in their work.
Loading the player...All-terrain vehicle (ATV)
The basic parts of an ATV are the engine, the transmission, the wheels, the suspension system, the brakes, and a metal frame. An ATV has either a one- or two- cylinder gasoline engine. The engine operates on either a two- or four-stroke cycle. The transmission may be automatic or manual. An ATV may have either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The rider steers using handlebars. Levers on the handlebars control the throttle and brakes. On some ATV’s, foot controls are used for selecting gears and braking.
ATV’s range in weight from about 150 pounds (70 kilograms) for some of the smaller youth models to 850 pounds (385 kilograms) for the heaviest utility models. The fastest unmodified ATV’s have a top speed of about 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour. The fastest ATV’s modified for racing may approach 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour.
The 1970 Honda ATC90, a vehicle with three wheels, is generally considered the first ATV. Nearly all ATV’s sold today have four wheels.
ATV’s can be hazardous. Manufacturers include warnings that riders should wear helmets, avoid paved roads, and not carry passengers unless the ATV is designed to do so. They also warn that younger people should ride only smaller, less powerful ATV’s under adult supervision.
