Outrider Electric ATV – Strange Even for a 3-Wheeler

When we use the term “ATV” around the office, it usually elicits images of four knobby tires, rider-forward seating, controls borrowed from motorcycles and so on. “UTV” or “side-by-side” are terms that bring up a different set of mental images. But the Horizon from Outrider USA is a machine that has even us scratching our melons with intrigue. What in the world is this thing?

Well for starters it’s a 3-wheeler, something we ATV-riders are all-too familiar with. And yes it wears knobby tires but they seem to have come from a mountain bike rather than a dune buggy. Beyond the obvious, Outrider says the machine is truly one of a kind, blending an all terrain, full suspension chassis with their industry leading electric drive system.

If you’re unable to shake the feeling that the Horizon bears a striking resemblance to a recumbent bicycle, you’d be right on the money. Outrider is offering up 3 transmission options for the horizon: Pedals, Pedal-Electric hybrid and full Electric motor. If you’re worried an electric trike couldn’t get you down the trail fast enough, we’re hearing reports of 40-mph test runs.

So just how did this machine come to be you wonder? The power of crowd sourcing and the reach of the internet: Kickstarter. The company raised enough to kick off its powerhouse recumbents for a Dec 2014 initial shipment of their road-going model, The Alpha.

The Horizon is on point to bring the innovation into the woods though expect to pay to play- MSRP is a steep $9,995. The full specs break down as follows:

Front Tires: Maxxis Maxx Daddy’s (20″, 20″)

Charger: 900 Watt 110V Charger (220 Available upon request)

More info can be found on Outrider’s official site.