“Just twist the throttle hard…” — Former Honda ATC riders reveal the feeling that gave everyone goosebumps
“Just twist the throttle hard…” — Former Honda ATC riders reveal the feeling that gave everyone goosebumps
For many off-road enthusiasts, the Honda ATC was never just an ordinary three-wheeler.
It was a machine that created a feeling people still remember many years later.
Especially the moment when the front wheel lifted off the ground…
and the bike kept moving forward balanced only on its two rear wheels.
Jason Reed said the first time he tried a wheelie on a Honda ATC, he was only 17 years old.
“I just pulled the throttle a little harder… and suddenly the front end lifted up. Everything happened so fast that I didn’t even have time to think.”
According to Jason, the feeling was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.
“You feel like you’re controlling a powerful beast underneath you. But at the same time, you know that one small mistake… and the bike could flip backward instantly.”
He explained that the Honda ATC had extremely strong low-end torque, which made many riders love lifting the front wheel and balancing on the rear tires across long dirt roads.
“The engine roaring, the front wheel floating in the air, dust exploding behind you… that feeling was seriously addictive.”
Back then, many young riders saw doing wheelies on a Honda ATC as a symbol of courage and riding skill.
Tyler Morgan said he spent months practicing how to keep the bike balanced on two wheels for as long as possible.
“When I first started, I crashed many times. Some days I flipped the bike right in the middle of the dirt field because I hit the throttle too hard,” Tyler laughed.
According to him, the hardest part wasn’t lifting the bike up — it was keeping balance.
“You have to feel the weight of the machine, the grip of the rear tires, and the response of the throttle. The Honda ATC doesn’t forgive mistakes.”
That raw excitement and wild character were exactly why so many young riders became obsessed with the Honda ATC.
But along with the thrill came serious danger.
Its three-wheel design made the bike unstable if the rider made a mistake or landed at the wrong angle.
Many riders were injured simply because they became too confident.
Today, the Honda ATC is almost gone from the roads.
But for those who once rode one, the feeling of twisting the throttle, lifting the front wheel, and flying forward on two rear tires remains an unforgettable memory.
Because some feelings from youth…
the older you get,
