In the early beginnings of ATV’s they proved themselves to have several advantages for the working man. The ATV was much cheaper to operate than tractors or even a pickup truck especially during the gas crunches in the 1970′s. ATV’s were also easier to maneuver in tight situations, and just were more convenient in general. In the early times of ATV’s the tires proved to be a problem. With low pressure they worked like a charm in muddy or sandy conditions, but in a rocky field they became punctured easily. Apart from the early tire problems the ATV’s proved themselves to be an invaluable piece of equipment.
In 1975 the tire problem was fixed by replacing the hubless design with steel hubs that was lined with a tough fabric on the inside. Also with the redesign of the wheels, more durable plastic fenders were introduced with bright colors for better visibility. As the popularity of the vehicles continued the Japanese manufacturers continued to tweak and improve the design by going into the field and gathering data on how the ATV’s performed and what new modifications could be used to improve the design. Continue reading ‘ATV's Then and Now’ »