Ask the Editors: What the heck is a Jiger?
Dear ATVC:
I have a 2008 Rhino and, when showing it to my uncle, he told me that it reminded him of when he was young he had a Jiger that he used to ride all over the Toronto region. He said they were so popular the term “Jiger” was used instead of “ATV” back then. What the heck is a Jiger?
As much as you’d probably like to hear that your uncle should be locked away, his faculties are indeed intact: The Jiger is credited by many to be one of the first dedicated ATVs on the globe (though there is some dissension about this considering there were custom jobs since the advent of the wheel).
Developed in 1961 in Toronto, Canada, the Jiger was a 5.5 horsepower, twin engine, 200+ pound, amphibious 6-wheeler.
They steered like a bulldozer, sounded like a riding lawnmower and looked like a moon buggy. The first Jigers were built to order only but a few years later began the type of mass production we typically associate with ATV lines today (1965). Sadly, the phenomenon was quite short lived and due to financial troubles production of the Jiger ended a mere three years later (1968).
