I hear you, friend. I bought mine when I was 35, and wished every time I rode it that I'd bought it sooner. I'm not crippled yet, but with lots of moles on my body, I can't ride it too many days in a row. It's a young man's machine, but even old fellers without back trouble will do okay.
Its pretty amazing how long this motoring vehicle has been around. I remember seeing it in Popular Mechanics when I was a kid in high school. Now that I am retired, it has not lost its appeal. This is a very niche bike; and would be ideal for those who encounter extremely difficult terrain, right at the trail head, or right outside one's back door. Here in southern California, with our arid climate and wide open spaces, there are other bikes that might provide better ability to cover a lot of ground more quickly, while carrying a decent load. This bike is good for solo hunter/adventurers, who need to be completely self contained for a prolonged period, or for groups who all have a similar bike. Also, I could see this bike as a sag vehicle or playing a support vehicle role, where it is the designated "pack mule" for the other bikes, especially with its ability to pull a cargo trailer. Potential customers who have considered all the merits of this bike, along with the intended purpose and terrain that they may encounter, should be satisfied with this choice.
Pretty amazing these have been made for so long with zero R&D. These things should be improved. The concept is good but they are not reliable as far as the two wheel drive system. My dad was a dealer in the 90’s and they were nightmares.
@@jamesc6137 James, that's interesting. First hand experience, not favorable but still honest, is definitely a factor to consider. Thank you for this little slice of life.
Unless the belt is soaked with oil, you'll likely have no trouble with it being "wet". I've driven through water that flooded the clutch on my '97 and driven right out.
I weigh in barely over 300 and over 6foot 2 and was wondering if one of those would pull me around would love to do a series of West Virginia where I live we have real tough mountains and those bikes look to be tough I've wore out some bikes I've had in past but just asking someone who seems to actually kno rokon it's before my time but would love to make a rokon club, us big boys in the world don't get a chance to enjoy 2 wheels due to stuff stretching and breaking but we would see if rokon really has that pulling power
Zack Calfee I’m 6’4 and 270. It had no problem getting me up some very step hills while I lived in Tennessee and in Michigan. The low gear is truly a granny gear.
These things can haul up to about 3,000 lbs. I've seen videos with one having 6 to 8 people on one and they're also stable to 1/2 mph. The Rokon has a nick name which is TOTE GOAT. Climbs hillsides like a GOAT & Totes alot of weight for it's size.
thanks, you explaned a lot of the things I wanted to know very well. im sold but only if I can find one used. that is a little to much for something so simple
We've had 2 in our family for years. A 60's Trail Breaker (The Big Yellow One) with the 3 speed suicide shifter on the left of the gas tank & a Ranger model and never had a problem with our cvt/ivt clutches.
Poor vid but I have to disagree with those complaining about the power. These are designed for back country trail riding and multiple hauling and homesteading type chores. Dragging big game out of the backcountry etc. They will go where jeeps ATV's, SxS's simply can't go. If you need speed or want to zoom around trails get an enduro or dirt bike. These new ones will go 35 MPH and that is plenty fast on a narrow backwoods trail or where there is no trail at all. The people who own these don't get rid of them very often. They might be expensive by some standards but they are built like a tractor.
I have to believe that the people complaining about the power don't have Rokons. Mine has the Kohler engine, and although it's not a horsepower monster, it doesn't need any more because it does what it was designed to do very well. It has enough oomph to climb beyond it's vertical capability, and enough pulling power to drag things beyond it's traction limits. As far as top speed, whatever, it goes as fast as it should travel with big fat low pressure tires. I literally gave my ATV to a friend when I received the Rokon and don't regret it a bit because the Rokon can go way beyond anywhere an ATV can go.
Really not that much of a problem. If you have a model with just a steel frame cage on around it, then yea maybe some trouble but putting on that full size shroud helps out alot.
Correction: it's pronounced ROE KON. But folks in different states may pronounced it otherwise. But the correct way as the manufacturer says it is ROE KON.
@@MasterSumai True today everybody says roe con. But the guy that built the first one literally wanted to drive on rocks. That's why he named it rock on.
@@DefaultSettings9 Agreed. Back in 1958. Ora, (forgot his last name) bought the bike/design from Newcutt in California in 1958 and made Rokon in 1969? I vaguely remember the story though.
just think if they made one with a big engine & 4 wheels to be more stable, oh yeah like a ATV! See the price on this it's ATV price with lawnmower engine.
miller is a rip off. i built something better with a usa briggs engine. how dare you son. i was born in 66 it dont matter. usa ,son ,that is what matters.
Ok we have listened and will be doing an updated video with out the banner. I hope that the new one will clarify any confusion.
@Rokon of The Smokies It's taken more than 5 years to do an updated video? I'd fire your media consultant.
@@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies lol
I hear you, friend. I bought mine when I was 35, and wished every time I rode it that I'd bought it sooner. I'm not crippled yet, but with lots of moles on my body, I can't ride it too many days in a row. It's a young man's machine, but even old fellers without back trouble will do okay.
Very thorough, instructions well delivered. Brought up all kinds of ideas. Now I want one.
Its pretty amazing how long this motoring vehicle has been around. I remember seeing it in Popular Mechanics when I was a kid in high school. Now that I am retired, it has not lost its appeal. This is a very niche bike; and would be ideal for those who encounter extremely difficult terrain, right at the trail head, or right outside one's back door. Here in southern California, with our arid climate and wide open spaces, there are other bikes that might provide better ability to cover a lot of ground more quickly, while carrying a decent load. This bike is good for solo hunter/adventurers, who need to be completely self contained for a prolonged period, or for groups who all have a similar bike. Also, I could see this bike as a sag vehicle or playing a support vehicle role, where it is the designated "pack mule" for the other bikes, especially with its ability to pull a cargo trailer. Potential customers who have considered all the merits of this bike, along with the intended purpose and terrain that they may encounter, should be satisfied with this choice.
Pretty amazing these have been made for so long with zero R&D. These things should be improved. The concept is good but they are not reliable as far as the two wheel drive system. My dad was a dealer in the 90’s and they were nightmares.
@@jamesc6137 James, that's interesting. First hand experience, not favorable but still honest, is definitely a factor to consider. Thank you for this little slice of life.
Get rid of the graphic and improve the sound. I had to turn the sound all the way up and could still barely hear you...
Agreed on both
I liked this video very much you did a good job of going over the whole bike well
these were always neat but very under powered
I think more brain-power has gone into this unlikely thing than into any flashy superbike!
nice walk around, thanks!
you outfitted your how i would, pretty sensible.
I had to stop watching. Couldn't see what I wanted to see because of the annoying graphic. Do another video without graphic. Please.
That and the sound is very poor.
And four years later...................the banner remains.
I have wanted one of these for a while. They are awesome!
A correction-the universal joint is made by Belden, not at the Rokon plant in N.H.
Unless the belt is soaked with oil, you'll likely have no trouble with it being "wet". I've driven through water that flooded the clutch on my '97 and driven right out.
I wonder who provided the information for this video. I also wonder what the bottom half of the bike looks like.
Why would you put that graphic over and covering the subject of the video?
Why would you export a video with such poor audio?
And the 70's, 80's, 90's and present.
You have to turn the volume up on your end,we can't hear anything!
Great engineering !!!
Along with getting rid of the graphic please turn up the volume.
no audio
PLEASE DO A VIDEO WITHOUT THE GRAPHIC AT THE BOTTOM !! YOU CANT SEE ANY LOWER PARTS/AREAS OF THE BIKE BECAUSE OF IT.
these things are awesome!!!
do you need a motorcycle license to drive one of these? or are they classified as an ATV?
No license needed that I'm aware of. But they do make a model for the road legal side of it. Then you have to register it like a normal motor bike.
Is there particular ones that were problematic?
I weigh in barely over 300 and over 6foot 2 and was wondering if one of those would pull me around would love to do a series of West Virginia where I live we have real tough mountains and those bikes look to be tough I've wore out some bikes I've had in past but just asking someone who seems to actually kno rokon it's before my time but would love to make a rokon club, us big boys in the world don't get a chance to enjoy 2 wheels due to stuff stretching and breaking but we would see if rokon really has that pulling power
Zack Calfee I’m 6’4 and 270. It had no problem getting me up some very step hills while I lived in Tennessee and in Michigan. The low gear is truly a granny gear.
These things can haul up to about 3,000 lbs. I've seen videos with one having 6 to 8 people on one and they're also stable to 1/2 mph. The Rokon has a nick name which is TOTE GOAT. Climbs hillsides like a GOAT & Totes alot of weight for it's size.
Who else has broken the roll pins on there Rokon miter boxes?
I've never broken any on the one I had. What were you doing and how where you driving it when this happened?
I want one
thanks, you explaned a lot of the things I wanted to know very well. im sold but only if I can find one used. that is a little to much for something so simple
So it has a continuously variable transmission?
More like a 3 Speed CVT/IVT.
Actually the Rokon was 1st made in 1958. 😊
Didn't realize it had a cvt. Not sure how much to trust those. Honda makes hydrostatic for ATVs.
We've had 2 in our family for years. A 60's Trail Breaker (The Big Yellow One) with the 3 speed suicide shifter on the left of the gas tank & a Ranger model and never had a problem with our cvt/ivt clutches.
so where do i buy this?
Who sells these?
i couldn't watch it with that damn banner on it. it always blocked everything i wanted to see.
Good
I have heard the engines tend to overheat, is this true?
I have not noticed this or heard of it happening. The motor runs at a pretty low RPM and was designed to run all day on a generator.
Thanks.
@iBlake funny thing, I wonder that too, how come...
yeah if you lived in the 60s
Poor vid but I have to disagree with those complaining about the power. These are designed for back country trail riding and multiple hauling and homesteading type chores. Dragging big game out of the backcountry etc. They will go where jeeps ATV's, SxS's simply can't go. If you need speed or want to zoom around trails get an enduro or dirt bike. These new ones will go 35 MPH and that is plenty fast on a narrow backwoods trail or where there is no trail at all. The people who own these don't get rid of them very often. They might be expensive by some standards but they are built like a tractor.
I have to believe that the people complaining about the power don't have Rokons. Mine has the Kohler engine, and although it's not a horsepower monster, it doesn't need any more because it does what it was designed to do very well. It has enough oomph to climb beyond it's vertical capability, and enough pulling power to drag things beyond it's traction limits. As far as top speed, whatever, it goes as fast as it should travel with big fat low pressure tires. I literally gave my ATV to a friend when I received the Rokon and don't regret it a bit because the Rokon can go way beyond anywhere an ATV can go.
The name is pronounced "Rock-ON"
218lbs dry weight
have fun when the belt is wet !
Really not that much of a problem. If you have a model with just a steel frame cage on around it, then yea maybe some trouble but putting on that full size shroud helps out alot.
hahah good one
It's pronounced 'rock-on'
Correction: it's pronounced ROE KON. But folks in different states may pronounced it otherwise. But the correct way as the manufacturer says it is ROE KON.
@@MasterSumai True today everybody says roe con. But the guy that built the first one literally wanted to drive on rocks. That's why he named it rock on.
@@DefaultSettings9 Agreed. Back in 1958. Ora, (forgot his last name) bought the bike/design from Newcutt in California in 1958 and made Rokon in 1969? I vaguely remember the story though.
just think if they made one with a big engine & 4 wheels to be more stable, oh yeah like a ATV!
See the price on this it's ATV price with lawnmower engine.
I was wanting a briggs & straton 10 or 12 hp. Just something like twice the power but not loose to much mpg.
so true!
Prices on a Rokon are about 7/8 ish to a little under 10 grand.
Can't hear a damn thing
8 Thousand Dollar's !
This video was poorly thought out !
Your banner covered half of the ROKON from view which made it impossible to see the damn bike.
Try again !
Lousy audio.
Another video with poor sound!
"Rokon Explained"
Over priced for what you get!
Novelty item!
lol, obviously you've never sat on one.
Until you've driven one, you'll change your mind. 😊
I would love to buy a Rokon but that price. Pee U dude. 👎
miller is a rip off. i built something better with a usa briggs engine. how dare you son. i was born in 66 it dont matter. usa ,son ,that is what matters.
where is the engine made in china? china junk i knew it!