ATVs are operated similar to how one operates a motorcycle only, with ATVs, stability is easier to maintain especially at low speed due to their added wheels. In the US, the available ATVs are equipped with an engine size that falls within 49 to 1,000 cc. Unlike other types of vehicles, ATVs are primarily used by hobbyists especially those who engage in sports like off-road races and riding exhibitions.

Three-wheel ATVs were first introduced by Honda in 1970 and went by the name US90. The said model was used in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever as well as in hit US television shows namely Hart to Hart and Magnum P.I. The major selling point of the US90 recreation ATV was its balloon tires as opposed to the then common mechanical suspension. With the introduction of lower-profile tires and suspension in the 80′s, Honda then came up with the ATC200E Big Red that was enhanced with racks and suspensions which also made model a suitable utility ATV. The ATC200E became popular with Canadian and US hunters who required a reliable off-road ride for their hunting trips.

Honda is also considered as a trailblazer in terms of three-wheeler sport models. With the brand’s high command in terms of engine placement and design patenting, it was able to monopolize three-wheeler ATV production for a considerable duration. Eventually though, after seeing the exhaustible market for ATVs, more manufacturers joined the bandwagon and consequently contributed to the ATV’s further advancement in terms of design and makeup.

Whereas Honda led the three-wheel ATV production, Suzuki on the other hand was the vanguard when it came to four-wheel ATV designs. In 1982, Suzuki came up with the innovative QuadRunner LT125. After its success, the brand then designed the LT50 and LT80. Suzuki then scored its major hit in ATV production with 1985′s Suzuki LT250R QuadRacer which was highly popular with its six-speed transmission, long-travel suspension, and two-stroke liquid-cooled motor.

With Suzuki’s adequately praised LT250R QuadRacer, other manufactures followed suit such as Yamaha Motor Company which introduced the Banshee 350.
Presently, ATVs are still employed mostly in sport events. Aside from Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha, there are now other manufactures who share in the ATV market such as Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, Bombardier, Kymco, KTM, and Polaris. Indeed, ATVs have come a long, long way.

There are many models of ATVs and the top 10 ATVs of the year 2012 are:

2012 Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc

The Can-Am Renegade is a sports model ATV with a Rotax Tec engine. They were manufactured in the year 2007 by the Canada based manufacturer. The 4 stroke, V twin engine has 2 cylinders and a torque of 5500 RPM. They have an electric starter and fuel injected carburetor. Their tires are tubeless and the front and rear tire widths are 8 and 10 inches respectively. Both the front and rear wheel diameter is 12 inches. They are fitted with a dual hydraulic front and rear brake discs. They have a power handlebar steering control. They feature a single vinyl seat for the driver. Their body frame is steel and the body material is plastic. They also have features like a fuel level warning gauge and a temperature warning light. They have a standard halogen headlight.

2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO

The Polaris Sportsman is a utility type ATV. They are fitted with a 4 stroke, single-cylinder engine. They have an electrical starter and a carburetor. Their front and rear tire widths measure 8 and 11 inches respectively. The front and rear wheel diameters are 12 inches. The front and rear brakes are hydraulic disc brakes. They are fitted with a manual handlebar steering control. They feature a vinyl, one- piece seat for the driver. The body frame is made of steel and the body material is composite. They are fitted with standard halogen headlights.

2012 Can-Am Outlander 1000 XT

The Outlander 1000 is a utility type ATV with a Rotax engine. The 4 stroke, V twin, 2 cylinder engine has a fuel injected carburetor. Their front and rear tires are 26 inches in diameter and the front and rear tire widths are 8 and 10 inches respectively. The front brake is an in-board dual disc brake and the rear brake is a hydraulic disc brake. They feature a power handlebar steering control. They are fitted with a single, vinyl seat for the driver. The body has a steel frame and the body material is plastic. They feature a standard halogen headlight.

2012 Can-Am Outlander 800R X mr

These are utility type ATVs with a Rotax, V twin, 4 strokes and 2 cylinder engines. They have a fuel injected carburetor. Their front and rear tires measure 30 inches in diameter and the front and rear tire widths are 9 inches. They feature a front in-board dual disc brake and a rear hydraulic disc brake. They have a power handlebar steering control. They are fitted with a single, vinyl seat for the driver.

2012 Honda FourTrax Rancher 4X4

The Honda FourTrax is a utility type ATV with a single cylinder, 4 stroke engine. The carburetor is a fuel injected type carburetor. The front and rear tires measure 24×8-12 and 24×10-11, respectively. They have a dual hydraulic disc front brake and a sealed drum rear brake.

2012 Polaris Sportsman 550

The Polaris 550 is a utility type ATV with a single-cylinder, 4 stroke engine. The carburetor is fuel injected carburetor. The front and rear brakes are hydraulic disc brakes. The front and rear Maxxis tires measure 26×8-14 and 26×10-14 respectively. They feature a single seat and a standard halogen headlight.

2012 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI

These utility type ATVs are fitted with a single-cylinder, 4 stroke engine with a fuel injected carburetor. Their front and rear tires measure 25×8-12 and 25×11-12 respectively. They have hydraulic disc brakes for both the front and rear. They are fitted with 3 seats.

2012 Honda FourTrax Foreman 4×4 ES

This is a utility type ATV with a single-cylinder, 4 stroke engine with fuel injected carburetor. The front and rear Maxxis tires measure 25×8-12 and 25×10-12 respectively. They have a front dual hydraulic disc brake and a sealed drum rear brake. They have a single seat.

2012 John Deere Gator XUV 4×4 625i

These are utility type ATVs with a 2 cylinder, V twin and 4 stroke engines with a fuel injected carburetor. Their front and rear tires measure 25×9-12 and 25×11-12. They have a hydraulic disc front and rear brakes. They are fitted with two seats.

2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI Auto 4×4 EPS

The Yamaha Grizzly is a utility type ATV with a single-cylinder, 4 stroke engine and a fuel injected carburetor. The front and rear Maxxis AT tires measure 25×8-12 and 25×10-12 respectively. They are fitted with a dual hydraulic front and rear brake discs. They feature a single seat.

Most of the ATVs are designed for utility purposes and a few are built for sports performance. The sports type ATVs are light weight and high powered. A utility ATV can be modified to a sports ATV.