Hard Rockin' Rokon

This Two-wheeled Bike Does What Some Four-Wheelers Can't

Reprinted from ATV Magazine, September 1998
by Jerrod Kelley

Having problems with rough terrain? Is you ATV too wide for the land you want to explore? If a two-wheeled off-road manually-clutched motorcycle isn't right for you, then isn't time you finally try that strange-looking two-wheeled all-terrain vehicle you see in the back pages of the off-road magazines. It's time you take to the terrain with the Rokon Ranger utility vehicle.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Honestly, the first time we saw the Rokon...let's just say it didn't overwhelm us. One thing it did do was put a strange look on our faces and had us wondering just how this thing worked. The hollow wheel housings can be used for storing gas or water - yeah right! This thing is just one big gimmick. Or is it?

We wondered how something so deprived in the speed department could be so versatile agile, and rugged in both handling and maneuverability without sacrificing power. How in the heck were we going to keep our feet on the two little foot pegs and still keep our balance over the wicked stuff? Boy, were we surprised once we set off on the Rokon and went terrain conquering.

FIRING IT UP

To put it simply, this thing works - it really works! We pulled the rope to fire up the Rokon and it started right up. With a twist of the wrist, we headed off into some secluded sections of the woods to put the Rokon to the test.

On the way to the woods, we noticed the engine was bogging. Then we realized we needed to shift the three-range transmission into third gear. With the sluggish low-end grunt gone, we were zipping down the trail at around 25MPH. Once we located a spot for the test, we put the Rokon back in the lower gears.

The automatic torque converter is the key to this ride. The ATC supplies the Rokon with smooth automatic neutral clutching and ratio changing in response to the throttle and terrain. Essentially, the Rokon's transmission shifts automatically and properly in conjunction with the type of terrain you are on and how you're using the throttle.

We witnessed this first hand as we traversed tall and tight whoops covered by overgrowth and fallen trees and stumps. Despite the tough terrain, the Rokon powered us through the entire section without skipping a beat. Sure we had to take our feet off the foot pegs to help guide us over the deeper, more cumbersome sections. But the Rokon's 160cc Honda power plant kept the wheels churning. We just worked the front wheel over the obstacles and then powered our way over the rest of the stuff.

THE MORE YOU RIDE...

After a couple of runs we started to get used to the Rokon's adaptable handling and were actually able to keep our feet on the pegs while we moored over the terrain. With almost no suspension - other than the seat spring - the ride was smooth enough for the slow speeds. The two-wheel-drive bike was able to get us over and through some of the roughest terrain - fallen trees and stumps - without scarring the ground or tearing apart the land.

After spending part of our day on the Rokon, we discovered that the secret to conquering any terrain is proper throttle control, gear selection, and balance.

ABOUT - FACE

Turning around in a tight area can be difficult with an ATV, especially if the terrain is rough and rutted. It's even more difficult when your ATV doesn't have reverse. The Rokon can get away without having a reverse gear because of its maneuverability and weight. With a 205-pound dry weight and half the width of a four-wheeled ATV, the Rokon is more adept a rearranging itself in tighter areas.

We found cornering to be quite nimble. Turning around in the woods was quick and painless, too. The Rokon even has enough juice to roost on a foot-plant turn once you've stopped. We're very interested to see how the Rokon would turn and corner with a passenger on it - that's right, we said passenger. There is added cushion over the rear tire for another rider, complete with foot pegs. Although there's nothing to hang on to other than the person in front of you. It is too dangerous to hang on the wheel guard due to its proximity with the wheel and chain.

SHOULD-HAVES

The ride on the mighty Rokon Ranger impressed us beyond belief, though it could use some new, more stylish features - such as suspension, better foot pegs, better lighting, instruments, seat, and rear handles for the passenger - to attract even more off-road enthusiasts.

The Rokon Ranger retails for $4,675. There are two other model as well, the Rokon Trail-breaker ($4,875) and the Rokon Scout ($4,495)

Stay tuned to ATV Magazine for future, more in-depth tests of the Rokon Ranger for more information on the Rokon Utility Vehicle contact: Rokon International Inc. 75 Rochester Ave., Suite 22 Portsmouth, NH 03801; or call (603) 431-5100.

For a reprint of this article, please email info@rokon.com

 
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