Through thick and thin, through Goo and Mud
It's fearless and mighty, “My lifelong Bud”
So here we come, We're on the prowl
Like wolves in the desert, hear us howl
My ATV and Me go together so perfectly
By Mudtramp, May 2006
There is a revered quad (generic name for ATV or All Terrain Vehicles) cult following in countries where this mean machine is commonly used. A love bond exists between most owners of ATVs as this poem, one of many, proves. The American company, Polaris, launched the quad in India seven months ago.
At the recent launch of the product in the city, fascination, wonder, thrill, excitement were in top gear among the flock of motor enthusiasts and adventurists who had lined up for a test drive at the Synthite Ground, Panangad.
The muddy track had these machines riding the dips and the highs, the slush and the muck, rolling up and down, like buggies negotiating the craters on the moon.
Among the wonder-eyed were little children, the youngest being seven-year-old Armaan Essa and his cousin Adnaan Harris.
“We want to go for another round,” they pleaded with the organisers, who were thrilled at their response.
The ATVs, as the name suggests, are clearly meant for all kinds of terrain but they are not “street legal” in most countries. In India too they cannot be ridden on the road and hence they are off-roaders. EVM is the local dealer of the product.
Thomas Kadicheeni, group sales head of EVM, explains, “These are off -road vehicles and there is no license required to drive them. They are ideal for heavy duty work like towing, spraying, negotiating uneven terrain like that of plantations, and hill sides. Their other applications range from recreational activities to applications in quarries for mining, in the forest departments, on golf courses, in resorts etc. Hence they come in different ranges and can be custom made for the job.”
Mathews Lan, a car enthusiast and one who set up the trial track, says, “We did not create a very harsh terrain, as we are introducing this machine. This is to initiate new comers.”
At the trial there were vehicles for kids between the age group of 6 -12 years. These were the less powered engines ranging from 50 cc to 120 cc. For the seniors (over 16 years old) the machines power ranged from 400 cc to 900 cc.
Safety gear
Thomas adds that wearing of safety gear is a must as the vehicle traverses rugged terrain. Hence a driver pads up with elbow and knee guards, chest pad, helmets and gloves. The price of the vehicles ranges from Rs. 2.5 lakh to 22 lakh, depending on the type of requirement.
Jacob Elias, president, Motor Sports Association of Kerala, present at the event said, “It is about time that ATVs came here. These have both serious and recreational applications.” Pointing to a 800cc machine he said that it was a high performance vehicle fit for rallying. Kids too could use the machines and it would make them more responsible and improve hand-leg coordination. “Anyway they are better than video games!” he said. His daughter Sejal Jacob, a second year student of Amrita School of Biotechnology who had just finished her test drive said breathlessly, “it was really exciting. It's pretty simple. Just the brakes and the accelerator.”
Thomas disclosed that from the number of enquiries that he received there were surprise enquiries from a couple of physically challenged people (present at the grounds) whose lowers limbs are affected. “As the control of the vehicle is totally in the hands it is perfect for persons whose legs are affected with disability,” he said.
A rubber plantation owner said that it would be an ideal vehicle for him to traverse the uneven, long terrain of his farm. Lan explains that the machine is for extreme performance, has high ground clearance and comes in a range of models, like a diesel fuel option, a side-by-side seater option besides others. A keen onlooker says, “this is for both work and play and that's what makes it really interesting.”
So there, it is the rugged work horse or the macho sporty off-roader catching the fancy of many. Here we go…. dhak, dhak, dhak ….
