Rokon Trailbreaker?

[Netpackrat]

Just wondering if anybody has experience with these? I know they aren't for everyone, but I've been lusting after one for a while. I'm definitely going to need to throw a leg over one to make sure I don't hate the way they ride before committing, but I can see certain advantages for getting to and riding around my remote property, plus I won't necessarily need to use a trailer, since I can put a hitch carrier on the back of my truck/jeep. I think I'd even be able to use it year round unlike a 4 wheeler, since there are normally packed down snow machine trails (made by my neighbors) going to where I need to go. I'll eventually want to get a snowmachine, but I doubt I'll be able to afford both a wheeler for summer, and a snowgo for winter for a few years.

Of course, the big disadvantages are slow speed and rudimentary/no suspension. I'm past the age where I find a lot of value in hauling ass down the trail, and I'm still riding a totally unsuspended 1981 Honda 3 wheeler. It definitely reminds me that I'm not 20 years old anymore, but a 2 wheeler is better able to pick a less jarring trail, and Rokon recently started making front suspension available, and offers a suspended seat, so I'm not so worried about that as I once was.

Another reason I'm looking at them is because I'm totally non-plussed with the direction the ATV market in general has gone... Pretty much all the available 4 wheel quads are huge and heavy... We used to have a 300 honda that was a good balance of capability and lightness, though I thought it was a bit on the heavy side, and you've got to have a winch. My 3 wheeler is light enough that I can usually lift it out, or failing that use one of the small folding come-alongs to unstick it. Been kicking myself for years that I didn't buy a pair of Yamaha Timberwolves while they were still making them; that was a light, agile 230cc 4x4. Wish Honda would make a 4x4 version of their Recon 230cc quad.

Just wanting to hear from people who have direct experience using the Rokons, if possible.

[DaveJames]

The Ole man had one of the first to hit the area when they came out, even had the sealed wheels you cold fill with gas and float the whole thing across the river, for the ruff county think of it as riding a billy goat, the damn things will flat climb and go over stuff, never saw use for the side car, but have packed out several pigs and small deer on the rear luggage rack

[Dave Sauer]

Had one and loved it. Wish I still had it. Got it used and refurbed it. Mine had the tractor tread tires. If you could hold on it would climb it...with a load. I took it deer hunting a lot. I had surplus canvas bags I used for saddle bags and rack up front I strapped stuff to. I played with it in the snow too. Drug my kids behind it on a saucer. With the big tires you just run low pressure for the "suspension". A friend had one and had a set of shorter, wider knobby tires that were even better as far as the ride went.

[Czechsix]

I've got a '73, with the Chrysler 2 smoker. Works pretty well for what it is. It's not something that you'd want to spend hours on, or do long distances with. Pretty simple system, not economical on gas though, but the newer 4 strokes (factory uses Kohler), are much quieter and better on the pocketbook. Even better is either buy or build a Hondakon - Rokon frame and drive system powered by a Honda CT or Chicom clone. Good thing about the 2 stroke is that they're light, so you can drag or lift them out of tough spots. Pretty minimalistic too, no safety guards, open chain and sprocket and lots of it hehe. These bikes are for those guys that can keep their boogerpickers to themselves, otherwise they'll get ripped off pretty fast.

As far as how they ride, like you mentioned, they came out with leading link suspension a while back as an accessory.

If you want lots more info, the place I hang out for Rokon info is over at Bob Gallagher's forum.

I like mine. For longer trips or faster ones I have a Honda XR.

[Netpackrat]

Thanks for the replies. My brother is a high speed quad guy and has been trying to talk me out of it. Probably be at least a year or two before I can swing a new machine anyway.

[Donna]

Hello! Please tell me how to find Bob Gallagher's forum. Considering buying a Rokon Trail Breaker and would like info/thoughts/opinions about the auto grab, and anything else anyone can share. Thanks for the help.
Donna

[Czechsix]

If you do a google search on Bob Gallagher's Rokon Forum, this'll pop up: http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mai...Frokon%2Fstart

Google's amazing, eh? (yeah, sorry, smart comment...I know. Hehehe...welcome to the forum in any case!)

If it were me, I wouldn't bother with the autograb, just more weight, cost, and complexity. If you want a smoother ride, air down and that'll work fine. But then again, I'm a neanderthal with a two stroke rokon made about forty years ago, hehe. You might not want to listen to me LOL. The Kohler and Hondakon versions are much quieter, but also more expensive, heavier, and higher maintenance. The Power Bee is basically a chainsaw motor, not much you can do to quiet it down. Even if you get a better muffler/exhaust on it there's still tons of engine noise...but if I want stealth I'll use electric. Animals don't really care about the noise when you're going hunting, but shut that engine down and watch them haul off....

That being said, if you're looking for quiet, I'd go with a Honda CT engine. Possibly a Lifan, but I haven't had FNV with that, other than hearing folks like them. If I ever fry this power bee, I might go for a Honda CT transplant, but I'll keep it a 70cc or 90cc. Still plenty of capability with the two speed tranny on them. Probably have to ditch the albion though, don't think it could handle the additional torque unless it's modded.

[YARP]

Where's Jack-O? He was the one that turned my attention to the ROKON when I first joined here and has some good info. I too have lost all desire to go a gazillion miles per hour and would much rather go slow, steady and down the untraveled trail. It seems like one of the best solutions for having your off-road vehicle with you all the time as opposed to hauling a trailer.

[Matthew Sweeney]

From what I have heard of them they are pretty awesome...not real fast...but they can get into the rugged terrain.

[Kenpoconsult]

Never heard of them, so I went looking. OOOOh I want one...