A History of ATVs

The all-terrain vehicle or ATV, also known as a quad or four-wheeler, may seem like a vehicle that should have been around forever. But powersports vehicles are actually quite a recent invention! Four-wheelers just happened to become very popular very quickly after they were developed. This brief history of the ATV will fill you in on all the details.

Early Development

The terms “all-terrain vehicle” and “ATV” initially referred to some very strange six-wheeled vehicles that could travel over land and in the water. These models became amphibious all-terrain vehicles later (AATVs).

The first ATV that we would recognize was developed by a college student named John Plessinger. He developed a tricycle with a motor that was capable of handling rough terrain as a graduate project and got an A on it. Plessinger approached some vehicle companies to produce his model, and Sperry-Rand created the first commercial model, the Sperry-Rand Tricart in 1968.

1980s Changes

The three-wheeled ATVs of the past gained a fourth wheel during the early 1980s, making them a great deal safer and giving them their nicknames of “quad” and “four-wheeler.” Manufacturers like Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha became involved in the development of these new four-wheeled ATVs and each released several models by the close of the decade. 

Today, we have hundreds of great quad options to choose from, and they’re used for everything from recreational mudding to farm work to heavy industry tasks. Looking to own your own model? Stop by our Lake City, FL, dealership location today to view our stock of new and used ATVs for sale. Interstate Cycles serves the cities of Jacksonville and Gainesville, FL.