A Q&A With Honda

Honda was one of the first manufacturers of ATVs.  It offered its first ATV, the U.S. 90, in 1970.  Later that model would be re-named the ATC90.  Today, the manufacturer offers 21 models.  The best selling model is the TRX350 4x4 Rancher.  American Honda's Motorcycle Division handles the distribution of ATVs in the United States.

We wanted to find out more about what Honda was doing to promote the sale of ATVs and to see about its involvement in racing the vehicles.  These questions were fielded by Ray Conway, director of media relations for Honda's Motorcycle Division.  Conway goes back a long time with Honda.  He first started working for a Honda dealer after school in 1973.  One of his first duties was to assemble the new units for the sales department." I remember building a lot of ATC 90s and later FL250s or the Odyssey.  Later, when I was a service manager at a Honda dealer we would build 10 to 15 ATC200x's for the weekend and when we returned the following Monday, the dealer would be all sold out." He joined Honda Motors of America in 1986.

Conway doesn't just talk about ATVs.  He rides them.  His favorite ATV is the new TRX680 Rincon.  "With the increased power and the improved suspension it is so smooth it has to be my current favorite," he said.  "However, if I am just going exploring in the local desert I really enjoy the smaller, lighter package of the TRX250 Recon."

ATVSource: When did Honda first offer an ATV?
RC: 1970.  It was originally called the U.S. 90 later changed to ATC90

ATVSource: How many ATV models do you offer today?
RC: 21.

ATVSource: What is the best selling ATV for Honda?
RC: The TRX350 4x4 rancher was Honda's #1 model in 2005

ATVSource: How many employees does Honda have in the ATV division?
RC: American Honda's Motorcycle division handles the distribution of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters and Personal Watercraft in the US.  We have approximately 230 associates.  This does not include the Honda associates that work at Honda of South Carolina (HSC) manufacturing, wear most of our ATV's are built.

ATVSource: What do you consider to be the major issues confronting the ATV business and Sport today?
RC: Land access issues and the safe operation of ATV's.

ATVSource: How should the industry and ATV owners respond to these issues?
RC: For the land issues ATV riders need to work in their local areas to promote more land access, by joining clubs, volunteering for trail maintenance and always riding where it is legal and appropriate.  On the safety issues, as more manufacturers enter the North American ATV market, these new companies need to support and join the SVIA and market their products by established SVIA protocols.

ATVSource: Is there any attempt by any state to limit or restrict the use of ATV's?
RC: Yes.  Check the SVIA web site at SVIA.ORG.  Please refer to the ATV Model Legislation chart on that site.

ATVSource: What should the industry and ATV owners do about these attempts or future attempts?
RC: Honda and the ATV industry look at these situations individually on a case by case bases and take action if needed to keep the ATV business healthy.

ATVSource: Should ATV drivers be required to get a license or permit to operate an ATV?
RC: We believe that all operators of off-road vehicles both 2 and 4 wheeled should take MSF or SVIA training courses.  Many states will issue a completion card after completing the training.

ATVSource: What is Honda doing to promote the sport of ATV?
RC: Through our role and contributions to both the MIC and SVIA Honda ensures that NOHVCC, BRC, 4H programs etc are supported and promoted.  We also support our ATV owners with an annual membership in the Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA).  Honda operates four Rider Education Centers in the US.  (Colton CA, Irving TX, Atlanta GA, Troy OH).  We also support professional ATV racing around the country and offer racing contingency programs for the amateur ATV racers.  The HRCA also attends many local rallies and events.

ATVSource: What is the worst thing about the ATV sport?
RC: Unsupervised use by youngsters and irresponsible operation by a small minority of ATV riders.  These actions hurt the whole industry.

ATVSource: How is the ATV manufacturers' lack of involvement in ATV racing effecting the sport?
RC: Most of the major ATV manufacturers have various levels of involvement in ATV racing.  Honda has sponsored riders in most of the national series and teams racing the major Baja races.  In addition, Honda offers a substantial racing contingency program.  See our web site Powersports.Honda.com for more details.

ATVSource: What are the difficulties in fielding an ATV racing team?
RC: Other than the obvious challenge of allocating available resources, there are no particular difficulties in fielding an ATV race team.  Honda has been racing ATC's and ATV's since the beginning of the sport.

ATVSource: How long has Honda been a part of ATV racing?
RC: Our original race team was formed in 1981.

ATVSource: What are Honda's plans for the 2006 race team?
RC: We have eight riders officially sponsored by Honda and they will compete in the ATVA MX series, ATVA TT series, MXi (ATV super Tour) series, AMA GNCC series, SCORE Baja series, and the Best in the Desert Nevada series.

ATVSource: Have you set up any consumer clubs? If so, how does one join such a club?
RC: We offer the Honda Rider's Club of America (HRCA).  When you buy a new Honda ATV you receive a complementary one-year membership in the HRCA.  Membership is open to anyone for a modest annual fee of $29.95 through local Honda dealers or direct on Honda's web site.

ATVSource: Have you or will you sponsor special events for ATV owners?
RC: The HRCA is involved with many ATV events throughout the country.  ATV's are involved at the Honda Hoot held every June in Knoxville TN and HRCA attends the ATV jamboree in Richfield UT every September.  The HRCA has hospitality centers at these events that assist riders with adjustments or minor repairs and usually offer refreshments and rider conveniences such as a goggle wash station etc.

ATVSource: What is being done to develop new vehicles and accessories?
RC: Honda R&D Japan and Honda Research of America are constantly working on new products for the ATV market.

ATVSource: What future plans does Honda have concerning ATVs?
RC: We invented the product category and we intend to stay the leader in both sales and product innovation.   Below is the Model Legislation information from the SVIA web site, As Honda supports the SVIA be sure to check their web site SVIA.ORG.

For information, contact: (949) 727-3727 ext.  3091 Fact Sheet MODEL STATE ATV LEGISLATION The most effective way to further strengthen ATV safety is through state legislation.  As with safety measures for other motorized vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles, state legislation is needed to regulate ATV use.  The ATV industry strongly supports the enactment and enforcement of state legislation that enhances ATV rider safety and has long promoted SVIA's model state legislation that imposes age limits and other restrictions on ATV operation.  Highlights of SVIA's Model State ATV Legislation include: Protective gear required: All ATV riders are required to wear eye protection and an approved safety helmet.

Prohibits passengers: The carrying of passengers is not allowed in any circumstance.  No one under age 16 may operate an adult-sized ATV: Adult-size ATVs (engine capacity greater than 90 cc) are to be operated on public land only by those age 16 and older.  Youth age limits: Youth-size ATVs (engine capacity 70 cc up to and including 90 cc) are only allowed to be operated on public land by those age 12 and older.  Adult supervision: Persons under age 16 must be under continuous adult supervision while operating an ATV on public land.  Education: States must implement a comprehensive ATV safety education and training program, which provides for the hands-on training of ATV operators.  Safety certification: All persons operating an ATV on public land must have a safety certificate.  -more- 2 JENNER STREET, SUITE 150 ..  IRVINE, CA 92618-3806 ..  (949) 727-3727 ..  FAX (949) 727-4216

Model Legislation – 2 Call to Action: The ATV industry invites rider organizations, consumer groups and others to join SVIA in a renewed campaign to advocate reasonable state legislation that supports and promotes safe and responsible ATV use.  The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® (SVIA) is an information source about the all-terrain vehicle industry.  SVIA provides information on ATV standards as well as promoting model state legislation on ATV riding.  It also serves as a liaison with state and federal agencies on ATV training and their influence upon the environment.  Membership is open to all corporations regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing or wholesale distribution of ATVs in the United States.  SVIA was formed in 1983 as a national not-for-profit trade association and is based in Irvine, California.  Its members include AlphaSports, Arctic Cat, Bombardier, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.