Definition

• The term ATV stands for all-terrain vehicle. Officially, the term refers to a single-seat, four-wheel motor vehicle with motorcycle-style handlebars and low pressure tires. In the past, however, the term has been used to refer to three-wheel vehicles and multi-rider ATVs. Nowadays, specialty six and eight-wheel outdoor vehicles are also called ATVs.
  
  

Basic Design

• The ATV is designed for off-road and trail riding. It is designed to go places that cars can't. An ATV is smaller than cars, allowing them to negotiate narrow trails. Its large, knobby low pressure tires are less vulnerable to trail debris that might pop a conventional car tire. The tires also allow an ATV to climb up hills that are difficult for other vehicles, because they are compact and have a high power-to-weight ratio.
  
  

Specializations

• The ATV comes in many different designs and sizes. There are small ATVs which are sometimes used by children, and large off-road ATVs which can fit two or more riders. Because of the popularity of ATVs among hunters, there are some larger varieties that come with built-in gun and luggage racks to carry gear. Some of these models also have higher ground clearance to make it possible to wade through water without flooding the engine. At the far end of the spectrum are amphibious ATVS which have six or eight wheels, and a body which is half-way between car and boat. These vehicles can go through deep water which would swamp other off-roaders.