Ask the Editors: Tiger ATVs? They’re Gr-r-reat!
Dear ATVC:
I raced ATCs in the early 1980s and remember the fast guys used to race Tiger 3-wheelers. Were these factory machines or custom builds and if they came from a factory, what ever happened to Tiger?
Tiger was a short-lived American ATV manufacturer who basically blurred the line between a factory and a production model (kind of like what US Highland is doing today).
Even the vast ocean of information that is the internet seems to yield very little information on Tiger and what became of them shortly after a brief stint in the early to mid 1980s.
Apparently the American (MN) firm spec’ed Rotax engines into custom frames.. According to one source, “Tiger ATV was a Minnesota based company that developed 3 wheeling racing ATVs in the 3 wheeling racing GOLDEN years from approx 1983-1986.
The Founder was Peter Wood. The company fabricated their own chassis and plastics and implanted ROTAX power plants 125cc-500cc. Tiger dealers were found in many parts of the country. During the 3 wheeling golden years Tigers were higher priced special order race ready alternatives to the “BIG 3” racing three wheelers.
As three wheelers started to meet their demise from the CPSC and four wheelers started to gain in popularity the financial situation of the company became precarious.”
Though it should be noted they did produce a few race ready four-wheelers as well. Apparently the rarity of these machines has made them highly desirable among collectors and historians.
About the best resource we found on the whole subject of Tiger ATVs can be found here.
