What Happened to the Honda® ATC?

The four-wheel ATV/Quad we know and love has been one of the most popular off-road vehicles for decades but this was not always the case. Before the ATV we had the three-wheel ATC (all-terrain cycle). Honda® was the first manufacturer to make a three-wheel off-road vehicle that quickly rose in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s but their success was short lived due to concerns about their safety. Although the ATC is no longer being manufactured by Honda® it has become a collection item and can still be found today in the dirt and dunes. Let's take a look at the history of the Honda® ATC and how it made 3-wheelers a household name and laid the path for today's ATV.

1970's – The Beginning of the 3-Wheel Era

1970- The ATC90

In 1970, Honda® introduced its first ever three-wheel all-terrain cycle with the US90 (later changed to the ATC90). The ATC90 was a very basic three-wheeler with a four-speed automatic transmission and incorporated large balloon tires instead of a suspension. It became extremely popular after seeing Sean Connery riding one in the James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever.” Honda® began addressing the popularity of 3-wheelers by cranking out new models.

1973-The ATC70

When Honda® noticed the popularity of the ATC90, they immediately continued to make mode models. In 1973, Honda® released the second 3-wheel model with the ATC70 which was intended for younger riders. The ATC70 featured foot guards, easy-to-operate brakes, and a U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arrester. This ATC70 provided ultimate fun and adventure for kids.

1979- The ATC110

Honda decided to go bigger for their next release of the ATC110. With a larger, 105cc four-stroke engine, a dual-range four-speed transmission, a parking brake, and an enclosed drive chain, the more powerful ATC110 proves to be a great upgrade to the ATC90.

1980's - The Popularity Continues

Honda® was enjoying the popularity of the 3-wheelers that continued to make them consecutively.

1980 – ATC185

In 1980, they released the most powerful three-wheeler yet, the ATC 185. This ATC had a 180cc engine 180cc engine that cranked out twice the muscle of an ATC110. Equipped with a five-speed semiautomatic transmission with an ultra-low First gear, the ATC185 could be equipped with optional Honda® line front and rear racks and a trailer hitch to convert it into a workhorse.

1981- The ATC 250R

Honda® did not stop there because one year later they released the ATC250R. This ATC is considered the first high-performance three-wheeler with full suspension and a five-speed transmission.

1982 - Honda® Introduces the "Big Red"

1982 - The ATC 200E "Big Red"

In 1982, Honda® released the ATC 200E “Big Red,” a landscape changing model featuring suspension and racks giving it the distinction as the first utility three-wheeled ATC.
In 1983, sales began to skyrocket when Honda® introduced the XR-type high-performance single-cylinder four-stroke with full suspension and lightweight aluminum wheels. Honda®'s reputation for performance and durability made the ATC200X one of the industry's most successful sports ATVs ever.

1984 - ATC 200ES "Big Red"

Big Red matures in 1984 with the addition of reverse gear, a virtually maintenance-free shaft drive, and a 700-pound towing capacity.

The End of the 3-Wheeler:

With the massive popularity of the three-wheel ATC’s also caused an increase in accidents and injuries mostly among adolescents and children. According to an article written in 1988, nearly 7,000 people were being injured in ATV accidents each month and an estimated nine hundred people had been killed over the past five years. In 1987, the production of three-wheel vehicles came to an end due to “safety concerns.” Due to the high number of accidents, the U.S. Justice Department banned future sales of three-wheeled ATVs and ATV distributors made an agreement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to finance a $100 million safety campaign and to purchase all unsold three-wheeled ATVs from dealers' inventories. The ban was only a 10-year agreement, but by the time the ban was over the four-wheel ATV were rising in popularity so manufactures never looked back. Despite the controversy the three-wheel vehicle caused in the 1980s, it was the Honda® ATC that made 3-wheelers a household name and opened the door for today's ATV.

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