ROKON Series Intro

[@kalesalad7402]

I have owned a TrailBreaker since 06 , goes almost everywhere, goes where motorcycles, side by sides, or quads wont dare to go.. Had fun watching Dave ride his Trail Breaker, reminded me when I was a new-be rider. These machines are truly amazing with a experienced rider. Sacramento CA.

[@chuckchristensen9725]

Great video. I remembered seeing these in the back of popular mechanics and hunting magazines when I was a kid. A couple of years ago I got serious about looking into them, did a ton of research and checked them out at a dealer. I liked the look and the setup but was still not convinced. Then I actually test drove one through the woods, trails, hills, water etc. and couldn't believe it. Unstoppable and extremely stable at low speeds. That night I purchased it on the spot. I have roughly 100 hours on it in all terrain including snow. If you are thinking of purchasing one you really need to test drive it in the environments in which it is designed to operate and you will be impressed.

[@grantglenndale152]

Dave, we have had our two Rokon's for 12 years now, got ours before they became all fancy. To date, aside from normal maintenance, we have only had to replace the tires as we wore em out. We added a vertical rifle rack, chainsaw and woods tools rack and a set of saddle bags we got from Sportsmans Guide. Change the oil, use good gas and gas line antifreeze in the winter and this thing will just keep going. Good video.

[@carloszimmer5750]

Hello Dave Canterbury, very pleased, my name is Carlos, and I would say that I am a fan and I watch all your videos, learned a lot from their advice, most of buchcraft and survival techniques I know, I learned from you, admire their work and thank you for the initiative to want to pass that knowledge so simple but yet so important to people, knowledge that were used in the daily lives of our ancestors, that even avendo modern means those techniques can still be used once again thank and I hope to continue doing this important work.

[@monteprovolt2253]

I been riding Rokons since 1978. It takes a little practice when you first start riding one. Since the front tire pulls, you steer in stead of kicking the rear around like a regular bike. Another thing, try to keep your feet on the pegs as much as possible, Keeping them on the pegs directs more ground pressure to the tires so you don't loose traction. Welcome to RokonWorld.

[@Texicles]

I'm VERY excited about this series of videos. I've been infatuated with the Rokon bikes since I learned about them a few years back. I don't have enough money or enough need for one, but I've promised myself that if I ever find that I have way too much of either, I'll get one.

[@oldgravely]

Dave I like the older two stroke bikes. they are lighter and I can lay it down in the bushes for days, then pick it up and she starts right up with no smoke from oil in the cylinder. my bike is a 83 Brush buster.

[@SPQR-Z]

No idea they still made these. My uncle had one back in the late 60's early 70's for hunting. Thing went anywhere.

[@peterchaconas7695]

Hi Dave, I bought the Trail Breaker 10 years ago, for deer hunting in W VA. A major deficiency was the lack of a parking brake which made it very tough to park it on a hill, the kick stand was worthless on a hill, which meant I had to lean it on a tree. The foot peg position is too far forward for climbing hills so your legs will be hanging off most of the time which is hard on the jewels! You can't transfer your weight to the rear wheel when you really need it. Hope you don't mind revving the piss out of the engine to get the torque converter to speed up for traveling. Shifting the transmission is a joke. My opinions are 10 years old and hope Rokon has made improvements since then. Good luck, but that money was poorly spent !

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

So a slow go anywhere machine! Very cool! I wonder how modern electric bike stuff is doing as a comparison?

[@jsmcguireIII]

In my opinion - as a forester...My Kodiak quad can get through some pretty tight spots and with a snatch block and winch, I can move some pretty large logs out of the way. Plus I can carry saws, tools, gear in milk crate racks, etc. I just can't see using anything different, although this bike is pretty damn unique. Plus I paid less than half than this Rokon costs (used). If things get too crazy for the quad, I should be walking anyway!

[@skannal]

True the Rokon is 2 Wheel Drive but NOT full time. When you crank the wheel all the way left or right the front wheel drive disengages so the bike won't pull you over. Rokon is badass.

[@timschutte6924]

You are living a dream Dave. You are very fortunate to live the way you do. Enjoy, I would love to be able to live the life style that you do. The American dream and frankly, the way we all should live. Like we used to, clean, honest, simple, hard working and God, family. That's it. !!!!! Enjoy, God bless

[@russvtguy]

Good investment Dave. I have a 1973 and it is still pulling deer out of the woods.

[@Machi74005]

This is the 1st 4 cycle engine powered ROKON I have seen and I did not know they were being made anymore.

[@MySqueakyfoot]

My having only 18 acres is a mere pinky nail to the likenesses of what you and Cody own and need to manage. If I cant make it in my Jeep then I go home and get my horse. I tell my kids that the nicest gift they could ever give me is a Batman suit. Not because I'm a super hero, it's for that day when I wake up, see the suit hanging in my closet and say to myself " Wow, did I really do all that ?" With 1 in college and one in high school 7200.00 is like 72000.00 right now. Common man dreams of being Captain Kirk and blazing new trails where nobody else has been before, but settle's into the fact that there was a time we could do a back flip with a double can can on our pedal dirt bikes. Let's not forget why we hunt, fish, or fix our broken tools.

[@CrazyBearCat67]

Cool series idea Dave. I always wanted to see one of these in action. I actually make the gas tanks for these at work.

[@marlinmoore2670]

I got a 86 Honda 2x2 fourtrax 300cc and I go through trails like what u did with the logs all the time

[@SpectrumSurvivalist]

David, actually the front wheel drive disengages under sharp turning, or else you would drop the bike. Rims hold 2.5 gallons each, and don't forget to get the fuel transfer pump. Get the single track trailer, then you can haul up to 800 pounds of gear on that thing. I suggest welding on ammo boxes on front and side rack's for storage, as they also aid in floatation. You can float that thing across a river carb side up and on it's side. Watch the video on KZbin called "Rokon Single Track Trailer". You have around 7 horsepower, but you can triple that in reliable power by switching that Koehler out for a Yamaha go cart racing engine. You can get those engines up to 25 H.P, but they won't be as reliable, and you don't need that much power anyway. I would not go over 18 H.P. A sprocket switch and the 18 horse motor should allow you to do around 55 and still be able to climb anything in the woods.. The bearings and stuff are interchangeable, and a good part of the parts can be had at the local hardware store, but do get a few extra bearings and store them on bike. If you stick with the factory engine, spare parts can be found on a Koehler pressure washer or gen set engine, as it should be the same engine. You can do more than move gear with that Rokon, you can get attachments to pull logs, even a harbinger plow, too many accessories to list.

[@drewuth1015]

The yellow "Tygon" line that was on the fuel tank vent was there due to its ability to resist fuel/fuel vapors. Your tubing might very well have an adverse reaction following contact with raw fuel.

[@dougc5990]

The Rokon factory is a few miles from my house. Not far from the Thompson Center Arms factory site (the original location).

[@jake28061]

Just this morning I was telling my wife how I always wanted one of those and that one thing that looks like a six wheeled bathtub, they used to advertise them in the back of outdoor magazines when I was a kid and I thought they were so cool.

[@creativemetalworker]

One special feature folks might not notice, is the leading link front forks. Unlike the usual motorcycle forks, the leading link forks make the handlebars RISE when going over a bump, instead of making the front end tend to dive. Now days, a good bike can have anti dive fork system to counteract the effect, but BMWs and old Japanese bikes,etc., had versions of the leading link technology. The forks feel heavy,but in the woods, having the front end go up instead of dive when you hit an obstacle is worth it. I think they are heavier and more sturdy than modern motorcycle forks, but appropriate for hauling most of an elk back from the woods...,

[@thomasmannix7563]

You should check out the Honda trail 90 or 110. They are cheap reliable and can go anywhere. Also they get about 100 miles to the gallon. The bike also has eight gears with high/low selection.

[@johnlord8337]

You say it has a breather pipe? How deep in/across water can this go?

[@RCCrawlerWorkbench]

Cool machine. I'm also from the Appalachian mountains, and I can see where a rig like this could be more beneficial in a lot of cases than a four wheeler. Keep up the good work Dave. Thumbsup

[@scottmcintosh2988]

The first Rocon was a 1969 two wheel drive Sax two stroke engine we use to jump off the trap house it too could go anywhere this one was very fast great power band the guys got a real kick out of it at the Skeet shoot .

[@livingsurvival]

How well do they work in snow?

[@Kingsoupturbo]

They are fascinating bikes, I ride Woods in the rockies here a lot on a full 2 stroke dirt bike, it was really neat to see you crawling over deadfall like that no problem, wet wood I"d just spin and spin, the motor makes 12.5 ft lbs of Tq at only 2800rpm, perfect for crawling with a torque converter, also 8" wide tires is fantastic! what a cool machine, I sure agree with you that 35mph is plenty fast for even fire roads, I rarley go over 5mph when doing woods work on my 50hp bike, great video!

[@Dezerado]

i looked into those things about 4 or 5 years ago... but its a lot of money to find out if it really fit what i needed ... so last year decided to buy one of those cheap Baja bikes... just to get a feel for if i really want to be on 2 wheels with a hunting vehicle... guess we'll find out this year

[@NorthernContrarian]

Honestly I don't really get bikes in the woods. I've ridden bikes all my life and I've been in the woods with many of them and I just don't see the value. You're much faster on foot in almost 90 % of the cases. At least in the type of wood areas I'm close to. It also brings noise and takes away from the experience. So out of curiosity what do you people do with bike in the woods? Am I missing something? I mean there has to be something too it that I'm not seeing as it's such a popular hobby.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

That thing is badass.

[@wildbill23c]

Great video, can't wait for the rest of the series. These are often overlooked, and truly not very expensive given the overall capabilities of these machines.

[@mrbakerskatz]

William Todd Winter might be fun,I would say it is more of a 3 season thing but would work for the 4th

[@bebopredux]

I've wanted a Rokon since they came out. Glad to see you giving them a little publicity. They are 2 wheeled tractors. Plus they're made here in New England. Dave, when you coming up to the western mountains of Maine?

[@toddlfrank]

While on the trail how do you get the gas from the sealed wheels to the tank so it can be used?

[@Nutinwrkz]

That thing is a beast. Go anywhere / do anything. Small, light and low enough to be controlled.

[@swampfox1235]

I've always liked these things, looking forward to the series Dave!

[@johnruckman2320]

I have been thinking about whether to buy a Rokon because it is low to the ground allowing me to touch the ground without having to stand up or dismount making it easier to control. It can go on trails atv's can't. I dislike the noise though and I do not like to wear ear plug or headphones. That can be said about other outdoor equipment too. Why can't they make silencer mufflers for these devices?

[@brianmccann666]

Neat bike Dave. Practical. Durable. Winner.

[@stevenmorris3181]

Been looking at these for quite a while. Everything is quality and the dang thing floats on the side w/o the carb

[@dustinnop]

rokons are SWEEET! happy about this series

[@wyattoneable]

This should be fun, looking forward to it.

[@wranglerstar]

This is great Dave. Funny I started looking for one of these on CL last month. Looking foreword to this series,

[@Nananah86]

***** lol Roach-kon!! Nice bike! Where did you get it? Not sure id let funky on it thou hmm!

[@armouredcockroach]

Never (HaHa!!) It came out of MOD trials Atb . Roach

[@SouthWestIron]

wranglerstar I've wanted one of these for years! Really a workhorse.

[@dannyhatfield7259]

That thing is pretty awesome but I think I'll stick to my boots when it comes to getting around the backwoods

[@TheGrayman1234]

Been wanting one of those for several years. They are awesome.

[@johnruckman2320]

Well, I certainly can't afford a Rokon. What would, in your opinion, be a good Tote Goat style bike or that size 2 X 2 bike with a market style luggage frame that you could strap, rope, or clip stuff to it plus tow a wagon or trailer?

[@whiterabbit201]

The thing is pretty darn cool. I'm interested in them because they're only a couple hundred pounds they'll fit on a class 3 hitch carrier! Try doing that with a quad! You could probably toss a pair in the bed of a truck even! Cool lil' bikes, been around since the 50's I think.

[@p.fitzgerald540]

I remember these (or a variant thereof) being used by some U.S. Cavalry units in Europe during the late 70's. What was really impressive is how quiet they were.

[@jflandrvr00]

You should have mentioned the fact that its an American made bike too. That's a big plus for me.

[@swaghauler2893]

It's hard to beat one for extreme offroading where size and weight do matter. You should check out a BOB offroad trailer for hauling stuff in it. Due to the low road speed; You could even buy the Mountain bike specific BOB. The BOB is a single wheel suspension equipped trailer that can lean and flex behind your bike.

[@RamblinAround]

I really like the Rokon. Being narrow, it can go through thickly wooded areas, that a four wheeler won't fit through. The thing climbs like a mountain goat too. I think you're going to have a blast with it.

[@SparkArmoury]

For hauling I could understand, but tbh I would prefer to go with a fat bike mid drive bicycle, with auxiliary batteries on a pannier rack, main battery in-frame, mountain bike gear set, runs through the drive chain, full suspension, allround better solution for camping, bushcraft, ect. Plus if you run out of power you just pedal, better for hunting too as its quieter. About £2000 if you want every possible bell and whistle and do I yourself.

[@windhamcabin]

I had something like this when I was a kid. It was called a Goat Tote. That thing was a beast. Unstoppable. Hope you have fun.

[@JWF2278]

I live in Alaska used to see these quite a bit not so much any more .If I remember you could shift up a gear on the fly but had to stop to downshift

[@colonelchimp]

they are very interesting bikes dave, i seen loads of vids on them, but no one went into the detail you did thanks for that, still waiting on you visiting the mtfu channel, would love to see you when you got a moment to pop by n say hi, cheers dave

[@CedricAda]

I didnt know these things existed. Looks great.

[@84greenbear]

NICE!! You got yourself a billy goat. Just be careful when exceeding the 60% grade being that it is a 4 stroke. The 2 stroke version didn't have that limitation because of the oil/gas mix.

[@Tnav02]

Nice Dave ! I have to get me one. Thanks

[@nomansland4811]

These are awesome. I have wanted one for years. I always wondered about fuel in the wheels. How you would be able to transfer it to the fuel tank?

[@drcsep]

this would be another great series. great toy to have.

[@surfdogdude]

Does it have any electronics? Will it still run after an EMP?

[@poping]

What about the horse? Compare to the Rokon?

[@michaelkobrehel3581]

Is the electronic Magneto, EMP safe?

[@luvitloud69]

What is the point in these? Is it more to help carry gear? Would a normal trail bike not give you a better clearance?

[@shadeslanding]

Great video. I have a 2005 Rokon Scout. Yours and mine look very similar except I opted not to get the hollow wheels. Also mine is started t he old fashioned way: With a rope. Love these bikes they do go virtually anywhere.

[@jakecook9881]

Dave would love to see an update on this.

[@michaelgarfieldpathfinderl8802]

ok but does it come with gunrack

[@davidharvey5672]

Never been a motorbike fan but enjoyed watching this. Looks like a lot of fun. I can see a pile of add ons coming out of your workshop Dave. I bet you could come up with a trailer easily.

[@Nostrildomus]

A very good move Dave . 4 X 4 / s X s 's are fun with little utility other than around the farm. As you get more familiar with the Rokon you'll save a lot of fatigue for the end of the day covering lots more ground . Large Game can be moved much more easily and with a minimum of rigging , lifted . Keep um comming

[@dannymoss4599]

Is there a exhaust silencer like they have for 4wheelers to cut noise on way to deer stand

[@Jesses001]

Neat little thing. I have been starting to look for a small scout like vehicle. I was thinking about a small single piston dirt bike. This thing looks like it would handle questionable terrain better. Though with a dirt bike I can do some modifications and have some on road abilities as well. Still not sure. The search continues.

[@Max_Marz]

I had to pause and rewind to hear you say $7200 clearly, Hooooolyshit that's a lot of money. Insane!

[@hubolds1946]

Insane compared to what?

[@Max_Marz]

***** Just throwing it out there bro

[@SpectrumSurvivalist]

***** Yea I know that, but I just said that mainly because if you use the single track trailer designed for it, you know it will work good off road, if push comes to shove can use tire from trailer on bike and leave trailer, and finally the single track doesn't increase the width between trees.

[@Max_Marz]

***** Yeah makes sense, dont get me wrong I think rokons are super cool with all the shit you can get for them, the 7k pricetag still makes me really sad though. I think they would be way more successful and sell more units, more profits etc if they lowered it to a more realistic pricepoint. I get it though, it is what it is. Those moto-mules are over a grand, but thats just cottage industry for you, one guy makes them all in his garage and I've watched him build his brand over the years. I respect that a lot.

[@SpectrumSurvivalist]

HannesFury It is, the other thing people don't know is they are not made on an modern assembly line like everything else is, the are each hand crafted with hand tools, and I think that is why they have to charge that much.

[@madogblue]

Looks like fun, but break out the Advil after riding that for any distance withe the almost total lack is suspension

[@uberLejoe]

I was looking at these a few years back. I love the idea of them, it will be interesting to see how it lasts up.

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

Yeah those are cool. They float. But I always wondered how do you get the fuel out of the rim?

[@jake28061]

You can use a hand operated pump like you use to transfer kerosene into the tank on your heater.

[@Nananah86]

MAXCOBRALAZERFACE Siphon =)

[@jake28061]

thanks when it gets late my spelling goes to sleep long before I do.

[@glduncan68]

Great video and review. This thing looks awesome. Made in the USA too, that is worth a lot to me.

[@tomritter493]

Nice Dave iron horse we used to do that with our mini bikes it didn't work so well but it was fun that bike does looks like a tank

[@ka1bbg]

my brother bernie and another man pudgie welded the first of these bikes, my cousin tom worked in the engine shop.. keene,nh many years ago. brian

[@RokonNation]

Great video, Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@MetalHermit83]

whats the range of this thing? how far can it go with a full tank, also how does this fair in winter snowy conditions in mountainous locations

[@MF9000]

***** Dave said it consumes .33 gal per hour of operation. Distance would depend on terrain. Open trails would give you the best mileage. However, I too would like to know mileage per gear setting. You might try Rokon's website for a better overview.

[@HorizonsleatherBlogspot2012]

***** I think he mentioned approximately .33G per hour, so that would be about 3 hours of use per gallon. With a 2.69 US Gallon tank plus the rim storage, your mileage may vary.

[@Nananah86]

***** Rokon say you get 9 hours of operation from one tank fill up.

[@Nananah86]

Ryan Nelson Richard was including the gas you can put in the hubs. They hold a bit over 2gal each

[@rendeath]

Nananah86 ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification.

[@swatnc8051]

Nice bike does it have electronic starter or just manual starting.

[@Nananah86]

swatnc The trail breaker has an Electric starter as well as pull start.

[@rshutterbug47]

Good Video ,& The Kick Stand Is Made To Pivot The Bike 360 Either Way in A Tight Place or Dead End place

[@kynaston1474]

I don't want to go 35 mph off road with my klr out here in the NC mountains. You're lucky to hit 20mph real world and you won't usually even sustain that. Great video Dave.

[@dave09650]

I may have missed it but what kind of amps does it put out? I see it has headlight and taillights. Very cool did not know they were still being made.

[@bearcat1964]

Enjoyed the video Dave. Thanks!

[@MikeJones-vb1me]

I was looking into something like this recently, made by a Russian company. I don't think they're available yet but they're going to be more like $1000, and weigh much less. 2 or 4 stroke options, completely collapsible, and with the optional balloon tires they actually float.

[@BushcraftJunkee]

Hi Dave, Good looking bike, looking forward to seeing more. I do have one concern about your replacement tube. I'd keep your eye on that, the gas fumes and any gasoline exposure to that tube may accelerate the deterioration. The yellow tube I'm betting has a resistance rating similar to that of a plastic jerry can, while your rubber tube may absorb the petrol and it could dissolve it like gasoline in a regular milk jug... That would end up defeating the dual purpose of your tube. Thanks for reading and keep being great...

[@TraderJack641]

Dave, thanks for posting this. My Dad just bought a pristine used Rokon and I look forward to trying it out and to your future vids on yours.

[@bugoutbubba3912]

Not many places left to ride in Jackson and Vinton counties. Just twenty years ago you could ride all day and never hit the same trail twice.

[@DannoCrutch]

Sweet! I always wonder about how easy to replace the tire to the wheel. Some of these vehicles are almost impossible. Also, is the spark plug out and easy to snap on brush or is it pretty well covered? Is there an extra spark plug on the single cylinder? I had a Husqvarna that had that extra spark plug feature and it was sweet. If you snapped the drive one and did not have time to change it, you could just switch over to the other plug.

[@Hustler_state]

Dude, that thing is extremely well sealed up. It's a rokon, it's built like a shit Brickhouse. It's like a tractor dirtbike

[@johnmer3000]

***** nit-picking nitwit !

[@TheProtocol48]

jcoopdo Funny Spoonerism:)

[@willynthepoorboys2]

That is a solid bike,and American made...what more could a guy ask for.

[@snowman1278mw]

Is it a thumb throttle or twist?

[@packetcreeper]

i watched this on a whim and enjoyed it dave. very informative and i must say that the rokon is a beast!

[@Allofthemonkeys]

The downside I see is if it breaks at the top of the 60% grade, do you have another to get it?

[@unicron24]

Would be nice to have an attachable side car for rescue or camp kit.

[@goose2die4]

I drove one of these back in the late 70's that had no suspension but would climb anything you would through in front of it !

[@darknesslight378]

does it have a place where you can put your feet?

[@SmokeyBeard]

Peter Sun There is foot pegs.

[@Nananah86]

Peter Sun There is but I believe you need to stabilise with your feet time to time while going slow. Seems sometimes you can look and think that you may as well walk. but they are made to carry all your gear too! Lots of videos out there about these machines! there worth a watch =)

[@Ist_Geheim]

I don't really get the difference between the ROKON trail breaker, the ranger and the scout. Could you explain this in a video?

[@dalemyers9265]

how does it transmit the power to the front wheel from the engine / main frame?

[@dalemyers9265]

that makes little to no sense. unless more details are explained. by just running a chain from the engine to the front wheel it wouldn't be able to turn or it would throw the chain from the sprockets when it did turn. it has to have some sort of way to transmit the power from the engine to the front wheel and still be able to steer.

[@lerch400block]

It goes to an interrupting sprocket or kind of such device. But a chain drives it

[@dalemyers9265]

i understand a chain drives a sprocket attached to the wheel. but how does the power get from the engine around the the head tube and triple tree. the area of concern. the reason u ask is if it's built one way. torque steer would be an issue. i understand it's not. so how does it work. this hasn't been explained yet.

[@ryangale4657]

Look up the christini dirt bike on KZbin, it's fairly the same

[@dalemyers9265]

thank you but a supreme answer was given not long ago. i factory video showing the trouble shooting of the system did the trick. i'm now muting the post.

[@rjedoaks]

7200.00/ depends how you look at it. Some folks pay that for a mountain bike. Are those tires tubeless?