| In the early beginnings of ATV's they proved | | | | performed and what new modifications could be used |
| themselves to have several advantages for the | | | | to improve the design. |
| working man. The ATV was much cheaper to | | | | Once the 1980's arrived ATV's were traveling the |
| operate than tractors or even a pickup truck especially | | | | same path that motorcycles and dirt bikes had. ATV's |
| during the gas crunches in the 1970's. ATV's were also | | | | branched off from the utility vehicle direction to the |
| easier to maneuver in tight situations, and just were | | | | racing circuit. More and more people were purchasing |
| more convenient in general. In the early times of ATV's | | | | ATV's for the purpose of recreational riding and racing |
| the tires proved to be a problem. With low pressure | | | | just as much as they were purchasing them for work |
| they worked like a charm in muddy or sandy | | | | related uses. In just a short 15 years ATV's went from |
| conditions, but in a rocky field they became punctured | | | | a 30% usage to a whopping 80%. In 1998 Honda |
| easily. Apart from the early tire problems the ATV's | | | | introduced another groundbreaking design change with |
| proved themselves to be an invaluable piece of | | | | the Four Trax 300 and the Four Trax 300 4X4. |
| equipment. | | | | ATV's had always had 3 wheels, but with the |
| In 1975 the tire problem was fixed by replacing the | | | | introduction of the Four Trax the game changed. The |
| hubless design with steel hubs that was lined with a | | | | newly designed four wheel ATV's provided greater |
| tough fabric on the inside. Also with the redesign of the | | | | stability and power. The new Four Trax was also |
| wheels, more durable plastic fenders were introduced | | | | fitted with a four stroke single cylinder engine which |
| with bright colors for better visibility. As the popularity | | | | was air cooled. A five speed transmission, automatic |
| of the vehicles continued the Japanese manufacturers | | | | clutch, extra low gears and a maintenance free drive |
| continued to tweak and improve the design by going | | | | shaft made the Four Trax a powerhouse like none |
| into the field and gathering data on how the ATV's | | | | before it. |