An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) refers to a vehicle that can traverse any type of terrain. It combines practical, recreational, and sports functions into one.

Due to its structural similarity to motorcycles, with many components being interchangeable, some people also refer to it as a "four-wheel motorcycle."

This type of vehicle serves multiple purposes and is not limited by road conditions, with widespread use in North America and Western Europe, showing an increasing trend year by year.

The origin of all-terrain vehicles can be traced back to North America in the 1960s. When Americans found themselves bruised and battered while riding their primitive motorcycles in snowstorms and muddy, slippery roads, they began fantasizing about having a machine that was lightweight, compact, and capable of traversing adverse weather and road conditions with ease.

Thus, a small, single-engine, off-road motorcycle capable of traveling on snow was born, marking the embryonic stage of the all-terrain vehicle.

In 1970, Honda, a leading motorcycle manufacturer worldwide, introduced the first three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle named US90, later renamed ATC90. It was powered by a 7-horsepower 89cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine, officially heralding the era of all-terrain vehicles.

For about a decade after the emergence of all-terrain vehicles, the culture primarily revolved around three-wheelers, with mass-produced models mostly coming from Japan's leading motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki). It wasn't until 1982 when Suzuki introduced the QuadRunner LT125, a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, that the culture expanded beyond three-wheelers.

With the advent of the four-wheel era, Americans, known for their innovative spirit, began experimenting with four-wheel drive technology on all-terrain vehicles. This initially seemed like a crazy idea, but Americans were surprised to find that four-wheel drive didn't compromise handling and made the cars more robust and capable of easily traversing various terrains.

Thus, the all-terrain vehicle truly lived up to its name, and four-wheel drive technology became widely adopted in this field.

One of the most famous derivatives of all-terrain vehicles is perhaps the "UTV" or Utility Terrain Vehicle. Compared to ATVs, UTVs have a more practical design. In addition to being steered with a steering wheel, UTVs are equipped with roll cages, seat belts, and other safety measures, possibly due to structural reasons.

As for their usage, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact purpose of all-terrain vehicles. Some say they are compact and convenient utility vehicles, while others argue they are born for racing. Both statements hold because all-terrain vehicles are indeed versatile. Whether for off-road races or accessing remote areas inaccessible to regular vehicles, ATVs and UTVs excel. Moreover, besides racing, they are irreplaceable in various tasks such as patrols and farm use.

In the vast forests of the United States, where regular vehicles cannot venture, all-terrain vehicles have no trouble traversing. Similarly, for Americans who enjoy hunting in the mountains or working on farms, the relatively high payload capacity of UTVs is invaluable.

Due to the demand for practicality, the all-terrain vehicle market has expanded significantly, spreading from North America, Europe, and Oceania to the rest of the world. From the US government's safety concerns in 1988 to ATV manufacturers agreeing to stop selling three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles and the emergence of safety regulations for the all-terrain vehicle industry, many changes have occurred in this field.

However, regardless of these changes, we are delighted to see the increasing adaptability of all-terrain vehicles. From off-road races to private and government needs, the role of all-terrain vehicles is becoming increasingly diverse.