Is It a Quad Bike Or What?

First, there was one, then there were two, then came three. Not long after, came four, thus the reference to quad, meaning four. It’s a bike with four wheels.

Quad bikes often referred to as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or All Terrain Cycles (ATCs) are four wheeled motorcycles with handle bars for control and generally travels on low pressured tires. Most are designed with single seats for the operator; however some designs include seats for an extra passenger. Though they are known as quad, there are also three wheeled quads and even six wheeled quads (we might see it as an irony, quad with three or six wheels? but over time, people have already accepted this fact).

Quad bikes were first introduced in Japan. This type of vehicle is popular among farming communities. Because of its design, it allows the rider to navigate in rough and mountainous terrains especially during the rainy seasons. Three wheeled motors were also used during this time.

As time passes, these practical vehicles became motorized transport, thus the Japanese sees it as a marketing opportunity. They started using it for recreational purposes. In 1970, Honda produced and marketed the ATV as a recreational vehicle that would provide the rider extreme excitement and undeniable thrills. Marketing strategies were made to showcase this new invention. In fact, it was even featured in the James Bond movie, “Diamonds Are Forever” as well as in a number of TV shows around the world. Because of its popularity, several models made by large motor companies such as Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki were also introduced in the market.

Quad bikes have become so popular that manufacturers even built sport models where performance rather than utility was the main consideration. They were also used for racing purposes and sports competition, thus several racing events were organized such as the GNCC Racing which began in 1980 and the ATV National Motocross Championship which started in 1985.

Over the years, people again started to see the quad bikes in its original purpose, a vehicle that can be used to reach remote areas where they can spend quite time or just enjoy the scenery of places which are not reachable using conventional vehicles. They are even used in wetlands and sand dunes! Because of their versatility and ability to travel in rough terrains, quad bikes are also widely used again in agriculture, ranching and even police works!

Although it was originally designed for off-road use, quad bikes in some countries are considered street-legal vehicles depending on the models. These countries include Australia, United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

After it was first introduced in 1970, research showed that ATVs were as dangerous as motorcycles when safety precautions are not done by the rider. As they say, prevention is better than cure. Riders should at least use proper headgear such as helmets, protective eyewear, gloves and proper riding boots. Because of the alarming number of incidents that were associated with the quad bikes, the All-terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (ASI) was formed in 1988. Their main goal is to provide education and correct information to quad bike riders.

Many years after the Japanese farmers first used the quad bikes, it still has not lost its sparkle. It is still as useful as it was then, and don’t also forget the high and thrill that it brings to its rider. Go Quad!

To find out more about quad bikes and find the best deals on new and second hand quads, visit ==> Quad Bikes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Gent

http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-It-a-Quad-Bike-Or-What?&id=5224089