First American made atv

[amphibious drew]

While looking up some info today, I read on a Polaris dealer brochure that Polaris was the first American made atv. They also claim to be the first trail capable sidebyside. Both statements made me scratch my head. I know Polaris wasn't the first American made atv as they put their fist unit out in 1984. Call me crazy, but Attex, Hustler, RI, and Action Age were all in production in the USA 15 years earlier. Anyone know who really was the 1st atv manufacturer in the USA. Sid's book would come in handy here. As for the first trail capable sidebyside claim, are they saying that our machines never existed? I know all my 6x6's are sidebysides. Maybe they mean they made the first trail required sidebyside, as I really don't feel a trail is required when I'm driving a machine from my fleet. Anyway, I thought they were interesting claims that some of you would find amusing.

[Nick O.]

Honda claims have produced the first 3 wheeler.

[LarryW]

Seems like the results varied by production date vs actual first machine but I think amphicat and jiger are real close to the first. And Sids book has errors I know and not sure what to believe in there.

[Dozerlarry]

I remember the Coot back in the 60's but I don't remember if it was marketed as an ATV. It was pretty impressive back then though.

[jpswift1]

While looking up some info today, I read on a Polaris dealer brochure that Polaris was the first American made atv. They also claim to be the first trail capable sidebyside. Both statements made me scratch my head. I know Polaris wasn't the first American made atv as they put their fist unit out in 1984. Call me crazy, but Attex, Hustler, RI, and Action Age were all in production in the USA 15 years earlier. Anyone know who really was the 1st atv manufacturer in the USA. Sid's book would come in handy here. As for the first trail capable sidebyside claim, are they saying that our machines never existed? I know all my 6x6's are sidebysides. Maybe they mean they made the first trail required sidebyside, as I really don't feel a trail is required when I'm driving a machine from my fleet. Anyway, I thought they were interesting claims that some of you would find amusing.

Polaris' ignorance certainly is amusing. Wouldn't you think that a big manufacturer would do some additional research before making such a blatantly incorrect claim? I found an amphbious 6x6 ATV that was made in the 1950's. I'll see if I can find the pic in the next few days.

[ARGOJIM]

While we all enjoy knowing many ATV's were made before 1984 and that there were 3 wheelers before Honda's , the currently used ATV name became popular terminology for quads as the 3 wheelers were known as ATC's from Honda's line (even though a 3 wheeler isn't necessarily a all terrain cycle) . Current AATV manufacturers are leaning marketing toward the UTV thing now for insurance reasons.

[LarryW]

Here is an old thread I remembered with some facts on the first 6 wheeler.

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/general-6x6-atv-discussion/10844-oldest-6x6.html

All terrain vehicle should be just that. The first all terrain vehicle was skid steered! If they wanted to say first quad then that's what they should have said. Started searching and found first non amphibous 4 wheeled non american atv , Suzuki had a 1982 Suzuki Quadrunner lt125.
All-terrain vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[MaxRules]

"Trail Capable" side by side means it has a 50" width for the many trails in the US today that have that limit. It's been a huge hit for those who live near a restricted trail system.

[famvburg]

I have a late model Honda 250ES Big Red ATC and was told that Honda's first 4-wheeler was a Big Red with a two-wheeled front end under it and that back then you could buy a kit to convert the Big Red 3-wheeler to a 4-wheeler. Where does that rate?

[Nubs]

first 'American' made, yes

[LarryW]

I have a late model Honda 250ES Big Red ATC and was told that Honda's first 4-wheeler was a Big Red with a two-wheeled front end under it and that back then you could buy a kit to convert the Big Red 3-wheeler to a 4-wheeler. Where does that rate?

Rated with the still missing 2 more wheels category. Lol

[JoeMeg]

I have a 1986 Honda TRX200SX and was told this was the second year Honda produced 4 wheelers. I happened across a fellow at the ledges a few years back that had a 1985 TRX200SX. We put the two machines side to side. The front suspensions were completely different on the two model years.

Joe.

[rodp]

I have a late model Honda 250ES Big Red ATC and was told that Honda's first 4-wheeler was a Big Red with a two-wheeled front end under it and that back then you could buy a kit to convert the Big Red 3-wheeler to a 4-wheeler. Where does that rate?

That is correct, the importer just down the road from me used to sell the Honda front end kits back in the seventies maybe ??? Certainly a long time ago.
They banned the three wheelers over here, too many fatalities and serious injuries.

I think if you want to find the first ATV's worldwide you need to look at the likes of Germany / Europe, they had them pre first world war, everything else is a copy.

[amphibious drew]

We seem to be way off topic with Japanese and German machines. Considering the claim made by Polaris to be the first AMERICAN ATV and knowing it to be absolutely incorrect, I am looking for the machine that actually owns that claim to fame. It seems kind of silly they would even have that claim as they are not even the oldest USA made atv in production today. I am certain that the Max is the oldest USA built ATV/sidebyside currently in production. There were so many that popped up at one time though, I have unsure who was actually the first.

[LarryW]

Good point Drew it did go off topic.

John Deere been around longer. I don't know if they count because the gator wasnt around back then. Only thing I can think of.