As similar vehicles, the creation of both the ATV and UTV run parallel. The All Terrain Vehicle was the first to be integrated into consumer culture in the 1960s, followed by the Utility Task Vehicle in the 80s. 

All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)

The first creation of an ATV-like contraption was a response to wartime gas prices. Soichiro Honda, who established the Honda automotive company, thought about attaching a small motor to his bicycle to get around more economically. Over 18,000 bike shops participated in a study which eventually culminated in the advent of the Honda Dream Motorcycle in 1949.

In Canada, a 6 wheel drive amphibious vehicle was made public by John Gower of JGR Gunsport called the “Jiger.” Built to order from 1961-68 before small engine technology was fully developed, the Jiger utilized two chainsaw-style engines. The tires themselves were called “balloon tires” which operated on super low air pressure. These wide tires left little to no footprint while providing a comfortable ride for its occupants. This is the first recognizable prototype of an All Terrain Vehicle.

A three-wheeled ATV, the all terrain cycle Honda US90, hit the U.S. in 1970. With seven horsepower at $595 – The company marketed and sold it as a recreational vehicle. It was featured in the James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever” as well as “Magnum P.I.” These Hollywood cameos contributed to ATVs’ popularity boom in the 80s. 

The 1980s saw the rise of powersports with the likes of BMX, personal water crafts and even scooters. 

Utility Task Vehicle (UTV)

Modern Utility Task Vehicles differ from ATvs primarily in their seating configuration. ATVs are built to comfortably host a single rider, but have enough space for two. Depending on the ATV make and model of today, its backend may have enough a small section to haul equipment. 

Utility Task Vehicles are also a product of war.  Jeep can be credited with making the first UTV. In 1940, the United States Military solicited prototypes for a four wheel drive “light reconnaissance vehicle” from over one hundred companies. Jeep completed the design for the Willy Quad, a 4WD side-by-side, in 75 days with only two prototypes.

While this Jeep was never made commercially available – this was the beginning of UTVs. A multi-passenger all terrain vehicle with extra towing and hauling capacity and metal cage or roll bars for accident protection. 

Again in the United States, engineer and artist Meyers Manx had unleashed the Dune Buggy onto the California deserts from 1964-71. They were sold as car kits to be installed on a shortened chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle. Dune buggies were designed with a lighter frame and extra engine power.

A decade later in 1988, the Kawasaki Mule was introduced. While Honda especially began cranking out ATV models – Kawasaki saw that there was a gap in marketing and production for a reliable utility vehicle for agriculture and commercial use. A year later, Honda released the Pilot – a single rider UTV. The $6,000 price point was a bit high to only carry one person. The name was eventually recycled for the Honda SUV we know today.

Aftermarket Upgrades

40 years later, ATV and UTV have become a multi-billion dollar business. It’s projected to reach roughly $12 billion by 2027.

It’s success could partially be attributed to a 1984 investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission who were concerned with the number of accidents associated with these vehicles. When the results were released it was deduced that most accidents were caused by irresponsible driving practices rather than the vehicle. In 1988, an agreement was reached between CPSC and ATV distributors to commit $100 million to safety courses and expansion for riders and vehicle production.

In the new millennium, there is no limit to aftermarket products that can be added to an ATV or UTV. Sonic Electronix offers a wide range of audio and lighting gear for your powersports hobby. The Belva BPS6RGB is an amplified sound bar with 6.5″ excursion woofers and built-in 1″ tweeters. Bluetooth enabled with controllable RGB LED lighting, this sound system was developed for easy plug-n-play installation. A Bluetooth enabled speaker system is great for hobbyists who don’t want to fuss with a stereo interface and would rather stream from their phone.

A more traditional audio set up would be the NVX NMPS20 stereo + MVPA4 Amplifier. The IP66 marine rated stereo comes with a Class D amp and necessary installation equipment to get you on the trail faster.

Consider adding a spotlight or lightbar to your vehicle for trail safety or to create the right mood for your ride.

The post The History of All Terrain Vehicles appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

The accessories that used to seem like frivolous bells and whistles become must-have items for your off-road vehicle. 

Take lights – unlike a car or truck, ATVs don’t come with the same degree of lighting. If you’re spending more than daylight hours outside, it’s not frivolous to install LED bars or spot lights to illuminate the path ahead. 

Take a look at features to consider when shopping for ATV, UTV and SxS lighting.

1. Brightness

LED lights are the most efficient bulbs in the industry. They can be as small as a grain of salt and emit a large range of colors.  

LEDs are designed to shine light directly – meaning the fixtures themselves may not need internal reflectors or diffusers to trap and direct light. Due to the size, LEDs create very little heat, compared to an incandescent bulb that releases 90% of its energy as heat. The energy efficiency of LEDs means they last for a significant amount of time. 30 times longer than incandescent.

ATV lights are built to have a long reach and last through any drive. Some manufacturers may use substandard lights that are jazzed up with design features to increase brightness – but they’ll burn out sooner rather than later. 

2. Durable Construction

ATV lights are taken through the harsh conditions. This is why every component of your ATV needs to be constructed with durable materials. If you use your quad in off-road conditions, choose lighting and wiring with a minimum of IP67 rating against dust and moisture. Cast housings are great, but aluminum casings are much tougher than anything out there. The lighting mounts and hardware must also be corrosive proof.

3. Heat Sinks

The typical light’s lifespan can be severed by excessive heat levels, especially in hot and humid areas. Sonic Electronix recommends looking for ATV lights that have hefty heat sinks to manage those high temperatures. In fact, the more ridges and fins you can find, the better. Fins and ridges dissipate heat away from your circuits and the LEDs too. In some state of the art ATV lights, you are more likely to find PCB metal-core that cools down the circuits.

4. Beam Pattern

If the lighting you’re looking at offers Beam Patterns, there are a few types to consider to see if this personalization is worth the purchase.  Spot patterns are famous for their light saturation, but their width is quite dismal. On the other hand, Flood patterns are ideal for providing lighting to the sides, but their penetration or reach is just under half that of spots. A good light bar should be able to offer both options, a setting for both and an SOS flash function. 

5. Mounting Capability

Take note of where you would want your lighting to be located. Ensure that any installation equipment wont be in the way of accessing the ATV engine or wiring. Additionally, look for mounts that wont bungle your steering capacity or unbalance your ride.

6. Warranty

No matter what product, the warranty says a lot about the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Choose ATV lighting that offers you an extended period warranty of at least a year, so you have all season to weather and road test your light equipment. 

The post Features of Powersports Lighting appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Spring boarding off my last article, ATV & UTV Speaker Buying Guide, I talked briefly about options for amps for your ATV/UTV sound system. This article is a more in depth look at amps for your ATV/UTV. One of the most important factors you must consider when buying an amplifier for your ATV or UTV is how durable the amp is. Amplifiers on vehicles like these will be constantly be exposed to the elements. They have to be resistant to the elements so that they can be used in any environment. Another important factor to consider is how compact the amp is. Obviously, the amount of space you have on an ATV or UTV is going to be limited. Therefore, you must get an amp that will be able to supply enough power to your speakers while remaining compact enough so that it won’t take up too much space.

A Few Options Worth Looking Into

In the last article, one of amps that I mentioned was this Kenwood KAC-M1824BT. The reason this amp would be so effective for this usage is because it is a marine amplifier. Therefore, this amp is water resistant and sealed. It also can provide 180W total RMS power. One especially nice thing about this amp, in particular, is that it has a water-resistant remote included. Therefore, you can utilize the Bluetooth connectivity and the remote which eliminates the need for a head-unit. This amp also comes in a small package as you see by the example above.

There are many other compact options similar to this Kenwood amp such as the NVX VAD10004. The NVX amp packs a much bigger punch in a similar size (below). This amp produces 1000W RMS and can be configured in 2 or 4 channel operation. It is water resistant and it has a conformal coated, marine-grade circuit board.

The final option worth mentioning is the MTX Audio 2-Channel Power Sports Amplifier. This MTX amp also contains Bluetooth connectivity which can be controlled via a Bluetooth controller. This amp can still provide 100W RMS all the while keeping the device protected with IP66 water resistance. Durability with this amp should not be an issue. The biggest bonus with option is its affordability at $149.95.

Conclusion

There are many other options out there when it comes to water resistant amps. You just have to consider what factors are most important to use as a consumer. Are you looking for power? Ease of Use? Or Affordability? As I pointed out in the previous article there are also options that offer a more all-in-one experience. There are speakers and soundbars that come with the amp and Bluetooth included. Whatever choice you end up going with, make sure to visit our website to see all of the options available to you.

The post ATV & UTV Amplifier Buying Guide appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Unlike cars, ATVs come with their own unique set of problems. First off, the average ATV does not offer music loving riders the needed space for more audio options. Secondly, ATVs are utilized outside. This means there is no protection from the weather and elements. Finally, the rider is sitting on top of a monster engine. This is where Sonic Electronix comes in to not only help work out all these issues. Here are a couple of insider tips that will have ATV owners on top of their outdoor entertainment game.

1. Rockford Fosgate PMX-2

Designed for marine and motorsport application, the Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 is packed with an exciting array of features that ATV owners can look forward to enjoying. This compact Bluetooth digital media receiver offers lots of entertainment options that are all cleverly incorporated into one remarkably compact package. The great news is that it all fits into one standard 3-inch gauge opening. Who said your ATV has to settle for less just because you lack the appropriate space for full-sized receivers. The Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 features a crystal clear 2.7 inch TFT full-color display that allows for optimum viewing even in the glaring sun. The unit is IPX6 rated meaning it has been tested to withstand water and the elements. With its innovative Pandora control capabilities and album art support for Apple and Android devices, the Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 is a true command and entertainment center.

Choosing a Sound System for my ATV

When looking to add a sound system on your ATV, there are lots of options available. Sonic Electronix has a wide variety of  handlebar speakers, amp kits, ATV mounts and tons of other accessories for your off road vehicle. Here are a few popular options for ATV sound systems.

ATV Speakers

To ensure total variety and customer satisfaction, Sonic Electronix carries a broad range of speakers and receivers even the most unique installs. From simple, easy to install speakers to more complex sound systems that require a helping hand, ATV owners are spoiled for choice here.

2. Wet Sounds STEALTH-6 ULTRA-HD-B

Need an all in one, plug-&-play audio system for your ATV? Look no further. Introducing the Wet Sounds STEALTH Series sound bars. Thanks to the manufacturer’s patent pending design, a fully extruded aluminum structure houses the internal components from the extremely harsh outdoor elements. This means total protection without losing sound quality. Inside the Stealth-6 HD is a total of 8 3 inch full range marine drivers and double inch titanium tweeters.Wet Sounds incorporated an internal 300-watt class D amplifier to ensure you get top of the line power and quality for your ATV.

Tower and Handlebar Speakers

Whether you own an ATV or a motorbike, this segment is designed entirely for you. Thanks to their purposefully and ingeniously designed quick slip mechanism, all you have to do here is fasten your speakers to the handlebars, connect to a power source and off you go.

3. NVX XUBT4 Universal Bluetooth Remote Control and Receiver

For the ATV enthusiast who absolutely adores a touch of convenience with their entertainment, it doesn’t get any better than the Universal NVX XUBT4 Bluetooth Remote Control and Receiver. This stocked X Series Grade Bluetooth Controller and receiver with a Membrane Switch pad makes things much easier than ever before. Unlike other controllers, this bad boy gives you the ability to play, pause, adjust the volume, forward and reverse your track. As if that wasn’t enough, the manufacturer incorporated all these features in a simple and super easy to use membrane switch pad design.

The post Tips for Upgrading Off-road ATV/UTV Audio Systems appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.