Many sources list the Honda US90, the predecessor to the ATC90, as “the first ATV.” It’s always dangerous to list something as the first, last, biggest, smallest, oldest, whatever. It almost forces people to research it and prove us wrong, so I won’t say that Honda came up with the first ATV, maybe one of the first. In any case, this 1974 Honda ATC90 is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Green Bay, Wisconsin with an asking price of $3,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for sending in this tip!
One argument for Honda having the first ATC is that they actually trademarked the term in 1973, as “All Terrain Cycle”, or ATC. So on that basis alone, I guess a person could say that yes, Honda had the first ATC. Does that make sense? I’m thinking of older three-wheelers that may have come out before Honda’s models. Can you think of an earlier all-terrain cycle than Honda’s US90 that came out in 1970?
Honda’s ATC came out for the 1974 model year through 1978 and they’re the company’s second-generation three-wheeler. The US90 came out for the 1970 through 1973 model years at which point, Honda successfully trademarked the ATC name and the rest is history. The seller says that all of the tires hold air and that’s a good thing, they’re almost impossible to find.
There is no suspension on the early models, those gigantic and almost impossible-to-find-or-afford balloon tires provided the suspension. These have almost cartoon-like patches on them, like Porky Pig with the crossed-band-aid repairs on his tires in old cartoons. Sometimes, the bounce was too much, and rather than ATC, they were known as ToD: Triangle of Death. Sadly, quite a few folks went to the great sand dune in the sky after having some sort of accident on a three-wheeler.
There isn’t a full engine photo so I put these two together. The engine should be Honda’s 89-cc OHV single, which would have had 7hp from the factory. This one starts and drives, according to the seller, but the kill switch doesn’t work, and sounding like a top-ten country song: this one is stuck in low gear. But, the gas tank has been sealed. How much would you pay for this example?
I believe the engine and transmission are closely related to the Super Cub, so parts for the drivetrain are available and YouTube will be full of videos on repairing the stuck gear.
OTOH, there’s the tire issue, which means that these trikes really can’t be ridden much, and there’s the safety issue, FWIW, so they really have no practical use. I guess if you’re a collector, you might enjoy staring at it in your garage.
You said it for me, thanks Evan. These Honda 3 wheelers are great gems mechanically, but if you aren’t well versed in 3 wheel geometry and really, it’s similar to analog bicycle riding skills: Unless you’re a really good MTB Bicycle rider, these 3 wheelers are gonna break some bones if you imagine you’re just hopping on like any other motorcycle. Friend had land and his dad bought 2 for guests and his kids to play around on. Same exact model. I’d guess in one summer, at least 5 people were injured, one seriously (complete compound fracture of shin bone, broken ribs). Needless to say, the one still running was sold, and the other became a shooting target (Texas, late 70’s). Interestingly, have seen some of these get modified with 4 wheels. One guy said that rare and expensive front balloon tire cost more than the wrecked ATV he robbed to convert to 4 wheels, 2wd. And it looked great.
Death on 3 wheels.
A friend had one back in the day around this vintage with these “balloon” tires. It was very bouncy. I always feared that a good bump with a lot of speed could send you bouncing a– over teakettle onto your head with this contraption on top of you, which you surely wouldn’t want to do! These were banned for good reason.
Yes, the ban was a good call by the authorities. These things loved to throw the front end up and over on top of a rider. The engineers who designed them must have been tipsy.
That bouncing would get you putting one leg on the ground to try to stabilize it. Then it wouldn’t lean like 2 wheels, and if your leg / foot was planted well, the rear tire is coming to slam your leg, or roll over. I rode one one summer, got used to it somewhat, but after almost breaking my leg (badly bruised) and others also were injured, I just drove them on smooth dirt roads and never took my feet off the pegs again, leaning the rear caboose as necessary. You better have some weight in legs and caboose and not sit if you’re off road with some speed. They always feel like they are about to roll or throw you off. Single tire in front trike is terrible geometry with rwd.
Next up on the list is a 1of 285 1978 push mower. Current bid of $3,500 has not reached the seller’s reserve. Buy now $11,500.
Ridiculous. Hondas were crude and slow. I never understood the infatuation with them. Was it because they were first? So many others had a much better design with better suspension and more clearance. My uncle had an ATC 110 on his cattle farm and driving through mud clay lots was a nightmare. 2 inches of clearance between the tires and fenders and it was balled up and stuck. I would go home and get my Yamaha 125 and pull it out. I had two of them and unfortunately sold them both for $250 about 20 years ago. Those were fast, had suspensions and good clearance. We used these things for WORK not recreation. That’s where things really showed up.
Compared to other mini cycles like this at the time Hondas were hands down the highest quality, best built, and they run forever.
The 50 version of this engine is the most widely produced engine ever built.
Ride red 250R from Honda was and is the very best three Wheeler ever produced!!
Love the Porky Pig reference,,that,that,thats all folks. Many of those cartoons are now considered racist, you know and certainly someone that studders didn’t find Porky funny.
So much has been said about the horrors of the Honda 3 wheeler, most unfounded and many mishaps were due to “operator error”, but few would admit that. A shame with all the great products Honda offered. And yes, the 3 wheeler was one of them. Initially, a step saver for farmers, mending lower 40 fences, and such, it wasn’t until the grandkids got a hold of it, found out it did great jumps and drifted around corners, and the mayhem began. I don’t think there were many fatalities, they didn’t go fast enough but crybaby parents wanted to blame someone for juniors idiocy, and voila, the 4 wheeler was born. The tires, that run over your ankles, can easily be changed to knobbies, newer ATCs had foot guards that usually went missing and moms sewing machine was more complicated. It sounds like a broken internal return spring for the shifting, a common repair.
And lastly,,Green Bay, Green Bay, seems to ring a bell,,,LIKE THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD,,,,GO PACK!! ( why do all our retired quarterbacks go to NY?)
Still use my 84 ATC 200 Honda, never knew how bad it untill I read all the bad comments!
As I mentioned: Rode one all summer and had it not been for years of experience pedaling a mountain bike (which were heavy back then, and I was built and very athletic), it’s not a natural geometry to ride a balloon 3 wheeler. You must be a good rider and be able to toggle between 2 wheels riding techniques and unnatural 3 wheeler geometry. We come from an era most Americans could ride a bicycle a mile without any challenge. Today they even want their bicycles to do the work for them. This 3 wheeler with balloon tires probably good for population reduction if it was the norm. For me, it was having balance from bicycling that I could ride one, but it was not like I craved having one for myself. A street Honda CB125 was like a Ferrari compared to riding my friend’s 3 wheeler. I still have my CB125. Sitting waiting for overhaul. Let tank rust inside. Motor good. Original rubber. $4 gas in Texas probably when it’s getting some attention. These Honda engines are fantastic.
Agree with Larry on the 250R those this were just plain FAST and had a real good suspension under them!
These machines were bouncy, no suspension and very slow by design but as always people couldn’t understand it’s limitations and some paid for not being able to comprehend this!
I remember when these first came out.
I told my mom I wanted one. She said NO. We argued back and forth. Ultimately she won. I never did get one.
Good thing tho…..I’d probably be dead.
I read an article that at one point one in three atc resulted in a serious injury. Thats pretty scary!
The fact that ATCs were no longer sold in the United States after 1989 is what makes them get the money that they do.$3k is like used car money…
These were best ridden after a 12 pack of cheap beer. Shirtless, with cut offs and a mesh ball cap. At least that’s how I remember…
Haha! Awesome.
Death trap. No purpose, unless you’re a Shriner.
It’s a $3000 boat anchor….
friend close by from me had one, and he and I would sometimes switch. He’d ride my XL 100 and I rode his 3 wheeler. Just like any vehicle. There’s a way to roll or wreck it if you ride it that way. And just like any vehicle, if you ride it normally it can be safe.
You can probably fix the transmission woes in this by slipping in a Lifan engine copy.
pull the cover off the right hand side of the engine drain the oil first then replace the spring on the shifter selector and you should be back in business . i still have my 1970 atc 90 bought it new 429.00 out the door and i am still alive 62 years old and it still fires up on the first or second pull ride it all the time . there are more people dying on side by sides and 4 wheelers than on a 3 wheeler all in who is driving .