A Guide To Off Road Vehicles

Another type of off road vehicle is the all terrain vehicle which is basically designed with only a single seat which is solely for the operator. These can be quad, quad bikes, three or four wheelers. These types of off road vehicles are characterized by low pressure tires and handle bars instead of the steering wheel. The two wheelers of this type essentially look like the regular bikes. These all terrain vehicles have special adaptability to various kinds of terrains, hence such a name. The all terrain vehicles are not legalized for public paved roads but there are some models that are meant for civilian use, although there are very few of these available in the market.

Most all terrain vehicles can accommodate only a single operator but some companies have also manufactured bigger and more accommodative derivatives. These new models can seat one extra passenger along with the operator. Although the all terrain vehicle commonly are identical in looks with the normal motorbikes, the extra tires in some models provide stability at slower speeds. The highest number of wheels on an all terrain vehicle is commonly four but recently some six wheeled ones have been introduced. These six wheeled ones are referred to as AATV-amphibious all terrain vehicles. They are meant only for certain specialized applications.

The first three wheeled all terrain vehicles were made by Honda in 1970. It was designed only for recreational purposes. These had the capability to adapt to any terrain which most others could not so these became very popular among hunters. Following Honda all other manufacturers developed their own models and released them in circulation. Three wheeled sports models were the next in the market. Suzuki was the principal manufacturer of four wheeled all terrain vehicles. The amphibious all terrain vehicles or the six wheeled ATVs have a little bed for a seat and the supplementary set of wheels for extra payload power.

Racing models are built with high power and high class suspension with low centre of gravity along with being light weight. These can be customized to obtain optimum suitability for various disciplines in racing for e.g. motocross, desert racing, hill climbing, cross country, drag racing and flat track etc. all terrain vehicles are considered more dangerous compared to dirt bikes. They are rated as hazardous as motorbikes due to the mortality and other accidents.

Although governments across countries made helmet-wearing mandatory, accidents still abounded. Hence the implementation of a strategy was considered consisting of national training curricula and supplementation of the bikes with an anti-crush device at the point of sale. This device was meant to offer extra safety measures in case of a roll-over. ATV riding in wetlands and sand dunes was widely criticized by biologists as these areas are biologically sensitive. Off road driving or ATV riding are totally forbidden in some forests. There are various racing clubs in the United Kingdom and the United States. The events are most held at locations in the eastern regions of the United States.

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