|
By: Jason Giacchino
Email:
offthepegs@atvsource.com
Springtime Q&A
It’s that time again where you the readers have
infiltrated my Inbox, providing me with a well needed
break from all of the Viagra and investment opportunity
SPAM emails that I spend a majority of my mornings
deleting.
Is it true that KTM is coming out with a race
ready Quad to take on the new 450s?
-Dale M.
Dale:
 In case you haven’t been following along on my monthly
ramblings of late, I’ve been spending a good deal
of time talking up the fact that race facilities
all over the country are suddenly littered with
performance models of the red, blue, and yellow
variety. Much in the way legend suggests a pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow, these colorful streaks
represent another form of treasure; namely industry
growth and a massive increase in manufacturer attention.
Continuing this theme of increased industry-wide
attention to the performance ATV market segment,
perhaps you’ve heard the news that powersports staple
Polaris is going to drop a cool $80 million to purchase
a 24% interest in Austrian motorcycle manufacturer
KTM. While each company will remain independently
run, this is very promising news in terms of KTM’s
desire to expand into the market place of competition
ATV’s in North America. Polaris’ expertise and distribution
network create a ready-made channel for the new
orange monsters to follow.
Likewise Italian powersport manufacturer Piaggio
(owner of brands Vespa, Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi)
has announced plans of entering the North American
ATV market through their Derbi brand and a partnership
with Artic Cat.
As was covered right here at ATV Source, Bombardier
or BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) has announced
its plans of re-branding its world renowned ATV
line to the Can-Am name (which dates back in racing
heritage to 1970).
Such news is very encouraging in terms of witnessing
the physical results of an ever-growing, ever-expanding
industry. In less than a decade, the performance
segment of the ATV world has rebounded from near-death
to attracting the attention of the entire globe.
------------------------------------------------
 Hi I was wondering if you could tell me anything
about the first ATV for a project I’m doing on ATV’s
for school.
Thank you,
Kyle
Kyle:
According to my intense research (that you will
get the credit for), the first All Terrain Vehicle
introduced to the United States was an import from
the Japanese Manufacturer Honda only it was labeled
an ATC (or All Terrain Cycle) and sported three
fat tired wheels as opposed to the four that would
follow and evolve into the sweet rides of today.
The year was 1970 and its 90cc mill put out an impressive
7 horsepower! It also featured a dual range four
speed transmission with an automatic clutch. It
retailed for $595 and in case you’re going for some
extra credit: The tires doubled up as both a means
to transfer the 7 horse to the ground, but also
as giant balloons that acted as primitive suspension.
|
