OT: Is this the ultimate Off-roader?

For pleasure riding, I've found not much beats a Honda XR250.

I've heard the Rokons can be a bit of a beast (weight and handling), but having never actually seen one, my opinion is pretty limited.
 
Clearblue

I have a Rokon Trailbreaker with the Kohler engine. It will climb ANYTHING! Go through mud, over logs, up steep hills, anywhere you can walk it will go plus it floats! I use mine in the woods where a four wheeler can't go. It weighs about 200 pounds (not 600 pounds like a 4wheeler) and is easy to lift or spin around on its kick stand (it has no reverse gear).

They are used in South America, out West for hunting, by the Forest Service and even by the Jordanian Special Forces. A Rokon is just about bullet proof. There are no fancy electronics to fail.

It will haul 1,000 pounds and pull 3,000 pounds. The downside to a Rokon is that the rack space is small, it will only run about 25 mph on top end, and the ride is rather bumby since it does not have shocks. On the other hand, they are a lot of fun! They have been around for about 40 years and have changed little except for the 4 stroke motor. It will probably out live me by long shot.

Hope this helps some.

Semp
 
clearblue said:
Would like to hear some opinions on this bad boy or alternatives if you're into trail riding.
http://www.rokon.com/
Click to expand...

You do bring back some memories! I have a dissasembled 1976 yellow Rokon that I used for trail riding. It has a 360cc Sachs snowmobile engine that has a rope pull start. Automatic trans.

Inovative for it's day in that it had front and rear aluminum wheels and front and rear disk brakes. A bit beastie and didn't handle really well. Also there were drive belt problems when it got wet.

The bike I really liked in the 1960s for trails was a Bultaco Matador 250cc. Also had a Pursang for 'cross, and a Bultaco flat tracker.

But now I agree with Jue Shen Bu in that nothing beats a Honda XR250. Light, powerful good ground clearance. A powerful and reliable package for trail riding.
 
Much appreciation to everyone for their anecdotes especially Semper Fi.

Looks like a green rokon scout may be in order for Christmas.HO Boy!
 
Clearblue

I would suggest you ride one first if you have not yet done so. Just to be sure you will like it. A Rokon is not for everyone. If you decide to get one, I would opt for the 12" atv tires and drum wheels. You give up very little on ground clearance but get a softer ride and it is much better on side slopes. (better traction).

Cliff355

I have hauled me and my buddy plus gear on mine. I know we were close to 600 pounds total (I'm a big guy and so is he). The Rokon climbed a 50 degree slope with zero problems. The big problem is just hanging on. The bike will not stop. It is geared so low that the 6 horsepower motor just keeps pulling. The two wheel drive feature is awesome.

Semp
 
Cliff355

That's exactly why I got one. The Rokon goes where a 4wheeler can't. You can snake between trees, though creeks (you will get wet!), narrow trails, the steepest hills you can imagine, etc. The maintenance is simple. You have two chains to keep adjusted, oil the gear boxes, keep about 3 pounds in the tires and keep oil in the motor. That's about it. It is designed for the owner to maintain it. I have had mine for over a year now. If you have a dealer close by, try a test ride and see what you think. At first it takes a little getting used to especially if one is used to riding big street bikes. But after you learn the bike it gets easy.

Also, in the woods, the bike leaves practically no trail. A 4wheeler tears up the ground but with the Rokon you can hardly see the track it makes.

Semp
 
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