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Author Topic: Rokon  (Read 16943 times)

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Offline touringman

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Rokon
« on: May 13, 2016, 10:30:34 am »
 New Model Rokon    http://gokartsusa.com/trailbreakerminibike.aspx
 
I remember seeing these things back in the day, but had no idea they were still being made. Seems like a go anywhere vehicle. The 15" ground clearance might pose a problem in water. As long as you are willing to wade, the thing does float. Two hundred and seven pounds is light enough. I don't know much about off roading, but is 35 mph top speed way too slow? Very interesting mechanics, and the Yamaha built Kohler engine should be bullet proof. Anybody ever owned or ridden one?  Syd :D

 c   http://www.reachoo.com/ads/60199621
 
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Touringman

Offline PYG RYDR

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2016, 10:52:28 am »
No experience with the Rokon, but I guess it would be great for hunters accessing remote areas.  It definitely would be too slow for our dual sptort rides!
 
Sid, please buy one so I can demo it!
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Offline dpippin

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2016, 12:42:11 pm »
Quote from: touringman on May 13, 2016, 10:30:34 am
New Model Rokon    http://gokartsusa.com/trailbreakerminibike.aspx
 
I remember seeing these things back in the day, but had no idea they were still being made. Seems like a go anywhere vehicle. The 15" ground clearance might pose a problem in water. As long as you are willing to wade, the thing does float. Two hundred and seven pounds is light enough. I don't know much about off roading, but is 35 mph top speed way too slow? Very interesting mechanics, and the Yamaha built Kohler engine should be bullet proof. Anybody ever owned or ridden one?  Syd :D

 c   http://www.reachoo.com/ads/60199621
 

Had a friend that had one back in the day (late 60's early 70"s)
I did ride it once.
They had a snowmobile type drive so they were automatic. No gears to shift.
They were all wheel drive (2) and very heavy compared to the two stroke off-road bikes of the day.
Also did not handle that well. They were good for going through swampy areas.
I don't remember what engine they used back then.
More of a novelty than a real dirt bike.

Doug
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Offline stevegrab

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2016, 03:27:30 pm »
Looks like a 2-wheel version of WWII jeep.
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Offline RichGrab

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2016, 05:09:03 pm »
Quote from: stevegrab on May 13, 2016, 03:27:30 pm
Looks like a 2-wheel version of WWII jeep.

Too funny. I knew a guy in CA (Dan Brown) who had a couple he got from his dad, back in the 70's. He told me they were used by the US Forest Service, and you could practically ride it up a tree. Two wheel drive - insane. And the hubs for the tires were hollow, and you could store extra gas in them. Very, very cool.
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Offline normkern

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2016, 08:59:17 am »
Two words: No Suspension. This is a utility vehicle for very slow riding. Rokon did make an enduro/mx bike in the early 70s. 340cc sachs snowmobile engine, salisbury variable snowmobile type transmission. Very innovative at the time- had cast magnesium wheels and disc brakes among other things.

Achilles heels: Pull starter made it tricky to start safely, as there was no neutral in the driveline. When it revved up, it took off. If the pull starter got any dirt or mud in it, it would not engage. The variable pulley belt system could not be sealed due to heat buildup, so when it got wet, it slipped- badly. That also let dirt and mud into the variable pulley mechanism, which wore out components very quickly.

Norm Kern
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Offline DirtFlier

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2016, 03:13:29 pm »
I seem to recall the MX bike had the rear disc on the countershaft....or am I mistaken? 
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Offline normkern

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2016, 08:56:35 am »
Quote from: DirtFlier on May 16, 2016, 03:13:29 pm
I seem to recall the MX bike had the rear disc on the countershaft....or am I mistaken? 

Yep!
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Offline stk0308

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2016, 11:55:48 am »
Not all Rokons were 2wd.  That model was called the Trailbreaker.  They made a full line.  MX, enduro, and even a flat tracker, in the 70's.  Many using the same 340cc SACHs 2 stroke motor, pull start, and snowmobile transmission.  They even used magnesium mag wheels.  The counter shaft mounted rear disk was another oddity.  My father was a Rokon dealer for a short time, and enjoyed enduro riding them.  My first memories of being ON a bike, was a tank ride on his enduro bike.  Across the shop parking lot to the gas station.  And back.

Here's dad on his enduro model.
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Steven

Motorcycling is not, of itself, inherently dangerous.  It is, however, extremely unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence, or stupidity.

Offline brider

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2016, 12:03:22 am »
I broken down in the middle of PA on my way back.  Ran across a guy playing in his man cave. (a old gas station) He had about 10 vintage dirt bike include a two wheel drive Rokon sitting out front while he cleaned up the shop.  He used it as his pit bike at his kids off road races.  Said it was slow but a blast to ride.  He was a savior for me.  Got me to a U-haul store before they closed up so i could get my bike and me home.
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Offline stevegrab

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Re: Rokon
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2016, 07:22:47 pm »
Bill sorry to hear you had trouble on the way home. The tiny dealer near Rutland that picked up Richard's VFR were very great folks, Pro Cycle near Rutland, the owner Pete, Mike who came to get the bike, and Matt at the counter were great to deal with. They were our savior Thursday morning.

http://www.procyclevt.com/
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Steve Grabowski
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