What is an ATV? An all-terrain vehicle has many names. Back in the 80s, trikes were popular, but because of legal concerns, they died out and quads became popular. These days, ATVs are called many things, such as 4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, quads and trikes. These are basically one-person machines that look like motorcycles, but have more than two wheels. They ride on low-pressure tires to absorb shocks from the ground, but also come fairly standard with rugged suspension. ATVs are meant to be ridden off road, although, in some towns and municipalities in the United States, it's legal to ride on the street.
In more recent years, UTVs and side-by-sides have become wildly popular here in the U.S. These are types of ATVs that can be sat in, such as one would sit in a car. They have roll cages and roofs to keep the rider safe in case of a roll-over. Mostly, these machines have larger engines than the more traditional one-person ATV because of the additional weight. Multiple people can ride in one of these.
Many manufacturers now make both ATVs and side-by-sides. These makers produce one or the other, or both; Honda, Polaris, CFMoto, Yamaha, Can-Am, Actic Cat, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, AlphaSports, Tracker Off-Road, Loncin, Kymco and Bombardier.