Key Takeaways

• Honda popularized the three-wheeled ATV concept with the ATC90 in the 1970s, initially marketed towards children and teens.
• ATCs gained popularity among farmers and outdoor enthusiasts in the late '70s with models like the ATC110 and ATC250R.
• However, due to safety concerns and the instability of three wheels, a ban was imposed in 1988, leading to improved modern three-wheeler options.

Turn the clocks back a few decades, and it wasn't out of the ordinary to find a bare-bones, three-wheeled, all-terrain cycle whizzing about on a farm and carrying out menial jobs. It's also more than likely that what you were looking at had a Honda badge, considering the popularity of Honda ATCs.

UPDATE: 2024/03/01 16:44 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

The ATC (or the more modern ATV) has always been a popular tool for getting off the beaten path. It's seen many evolutions over the years, and given that, we have updated this list to include some more relevant information regarding its early iterations, dips in popularity, notable bans, and current forms.

That, however, was then. The modern landscape features plenty of off-road-friendly vehicles, except now they feature four (or more) wheels. A variety of manufacturers produce them, too, and for the most part, they're safe, efficient, reliable, and get the job done. What, then, brought about the demise of the popular three-wheeled ATV? This piece focuses on just that.

All the information in this article has been gathered from reliable sources across the internet.

Honda Helped Popularize ATCs With The ATC90

When the Sperry-Rand Tricart ATV was first released in 1967, it became the first three-wheeled ATV Americans could buy. However, it was not until three years later that Honda popularized the concept with its 1970 US90 (or ATC90). Soon after this model was released to consumers, the three-wheeled ATV became known as the ATC.

The original design included overinflated "balloon tires" that were used in lieu of suspension, as well as a single seat. The concept was simple enough, which made them relatively affordable. Weird by today's standards is that these motorized vehicles were initially marketed specifically toward children and teens.

1972 Honda ATC90 Specs

(Specs sourced from National Motorcycle Museum)

ATCs Became Popular Among Farmers And Outdoor Enthusiasts

By the late '70s, Honda realized that people other than just children were beginning to take notice of their designs. Specifically, farmers realized how useful these vehicles could be when trying to get around vast fields. Honda unveiled the more powerful ATC110 in 1979 in response to this shift. Soon after the model's release, other companies were inspired to do the same thing. Eventually, these things began to pop up on farms nationwide.

From the late '70s to the early '80s, another demographic began to see value in three-wheelers: Outdoor enthusiasts. As it turned out, not only did the three-wheeler traverse farmland quite well, but it could also be a ton of fun when driven down trails extremely fast. Once again, Honda was the first to the party, unveiling the world's first performance three-wheeled ATC: the ATC250R. As usual, this production model triggered a frenzy of companies all vying to make the best-performance ATVs.

1986 Honda ATC250R Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

ATCs Had One Major Drawback

Unfortunately for Honda and other manufacturers (and, you know, the consumers), there was the issue of people getting hurt quite often on these machines. As you can probably figure out on your own, three wheels are less stable than four. Because of this instability (and, more than likely, improper rider behavior), many people (particularly children) were constantly getting into accidents. The result was a record number of deaths, injuries, and lawsuits being reported.

Eventually, the US government decided that the risk of injury was too great. A nationwide ban in 1988 halted the production and sale of these vehicles within US borders. After this order was initiated, various ATV manufacturers pledged to spend a total of $100,000,000 to offer and expand ATV safety courses throughout the country. Today, many of the ATV safety standards we have learned can be linked back to these agreements.

Modern Three-Wheeled Motorcycle Options Available Today

Thanks to the above-mentioned safety standards, three-wheeler options haven't ceased today. Thanks to their demand not waning and manufacturers learning from the ban and implementing improved practices and processes, we have a fair few options to choose from when it comes to modern three-wheelers fresh off the showroom floor.

Of the lot, the most prominent are Harley-Davidson's Trikes: the Freewheeler, Road Glide 3, and Tri Glide Ultra. They're all powered by the familiar Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin and are thoroughly modern interpretations of three-wheeled ATCs, not to mention much bigger and vastly more powerful.

There are also the likes of the Can-Am Ryker and Spyder, the Piaggio MP3 530 Exclusive, the Polaris Slingshot, and even the unconventional Ural Gear Up. Strictly speaking, no one should compare the likes of the Honda ATC90 with these modern options. However, they are capable of modern interpretations of those humble beginnings back in the '70s and deserve all the credit for taking the game forward (and safely, at that).

Prominent Three-Wheeled Vehicles On Sale Today

• Harley-Davidson: Freewheeler, Road Glide 3, Tri Glide Ultra
• Can-Am: Ryker, Spyder
• Piaggio: MP3 530 Exclusive
• Polaris: Slingshot
• Ural: Gear Up

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• Source for features: Respective manufacturers' websites
• Source for technical specifications: National Motorcycle Museum, Motorcycle Specs