Rokon Offroad Cycles

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Koddo

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Off-topic from T4R's (or maybe not). Anyone else seen these Rokon cycles?

Rokon | 2-wheel-drive off-road motorcycles that can go anywhere.

Made here in the US (2nd oldest cycle manufacturer) and used by forest service, military, hunters, etc to get into tight rough places. Expensive little puppies...version with front suspension costs as much as a 4wd atv. But they sure look rugged and some very cool aspects to them.

weigh about 200 lbs. They are low profile but have 14" of ground clearance. Might fit into the back of T4R with the seats down.... Where the path for the T4R gets too small the Rokon takes over. :eyebrows:
 
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I have ridden the Scout model several times over the past 30 years. My friend has a couple of them. They are fun but slow and require maintenance. Best way to carry them is hitch mounted carrier as they are heavy to lift in and out and big too. The two wheel drive version is coolest. They have been around a long time. Similar to the old Honda trail 70 but a lot slower.
 
I redid one with parts from 3 basket cases I bought from a rattlesnake hunter in Penn. back in the 90's This was my 1970.

Sold it for funds to buy and build my first trailer...another passion



It was a lot of fun back then
 
Spare fuel storage tanks in the wheels - I'd like to see someone replicate that feature on a 4Runner.

They're cool little bikes. I've never seen one in person, but I'd probably buy one if I ever ran across one. A little more in the novelty/conversation piece category, but cool nonetheless.
 
Interesting, but very odd.

Since we are off topic.... If you want a trail bike bike that can go almost anywhere.. (except deep mud... or snow...).

Get one of these.
Evo 300 4 Stroke SPORT | Beta USA

It's a trials bike with a gas tank and a seat. So much easier to handle than a typical enduro bike. Very compact and light.

The pure trials version is actually more capable, but the range is very limited since the tank is built into the frame, plus no seat gets old on a long trail ride. In the proper hands these things can do absolutely amazing things. They only weigh about 150lbs. I carry mine on a hitch carrier on the back of my t4r. Its the funnest toy I have ever owned, but requires a lot of skill building to really enjoy it. Sort of a rock crawler motorcycle. Still very approachable for a novice rider since they have a lower center of gravity and very tractor like engines.

I have never understood why they are not more popular in the US. Trials was a big thing in the 70s here, but then motocross took over. I still like fast bikes, but I'm too old to fly around a track these days.
 
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Heavy, expensive for what they are, slow as hell, underpowered, mostly unstoppable but at times you're walking them like a mule.

I've seen a few farting their way over the hills in CO.
 
I found the one I've ridden very top heavy. Hard to ride. I don't think it would go anywhere an xr250 wouldn't and there's lots of places I would ride a regular dirt bike the rekon wouldn't go- like up steep climbs that require momentum. Cool idea. Not very useful after the atv was created.
 
They are fun but slow and require maintenance.
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I was a little aprehensive to get it to dirty once I got it finished. The place I did have lots of fun with was towing my ice fishing sled. I could load and unload both by myself in the truck. Cleaning snow and ice off of it was much easier than mud.....IH8MUD.

The 136cc Chrysler 2 stroke engine was just not enough poop for my big ass.

If you ever want to read something cool, the original Nerhercutt design and bike was a really cool concept at the time. The basically designed them for safaris.

Nice little scooter there @wfo9....reminds me of the Montessa's and Husky Trials bikes.... ( for you kids out there it's "Tri-als" not "Trail")...before they came out with real he-man sports, like skate boarding and those toy stunt bikes...lol:hippie:
 
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// continue thread drift mode

Trials was lots of fun. Steep rake front fork, super low CG, almost twitchy steering control. If you put your foot down, keep it down to make it count.

If you can find it, you need to watch "On Any Sunday", 1971, 1h 36m with Steve McQueen and Malcolm Smith. All about motorcycles, but it has a cool trials section. Must see movie for anyone liking this thread.

On Any Sunday (1971) - IMDb
 
Rokon

My hunting buddy has been building Rokons at the factory in Rochester, NH for years. He has the Scout model with the old style front suspension which he believes is better for off-roading. He can literally ride the Scout up and over a picnic table. If you get one make sure you have the brush guards for the handlebars - otherwise a branch or tree may hit the brake lever when you least expect it. Below are photos of his Rokon (sans fuel tank) during construction- check out those tires!
 

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