ATVs versus Jeeps

[goldfinder]

I see lots of off roaders doing THing are using ATV instead of regular 4 wheel drive vehicles like Jeeps. The ATVs can go a lot more places that you'd never consider taking a Jeep.

Anyone out there in TH land got opinions/experience in these areas.

Last year I went out nugget hunting and one of the guys had an old 3 wheeler ATV - It was unbelievable the places he was going.

Any responses would be appreciated. I am thinking of trading in my Jeep and getting an ATV that I can load in the back of my Chevy PU for TH trip in the boonies of AZ.

GoldFinder

 

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[Orygun]

ATVs are the best way to TH in the world, talk about getting into good places. If you have a truck already I would recommend getting that ATV.

 

[djduk00]

In New Mexico I know any ATV must still use the roads on all BLM land {Bureau of Land Management} which most land here is. No off road allowed there. I don"t know how some other states are.

 

[cptbil]

The "Ultimate" in Off Road Machines, is a "ROKON" !
Absolutely! The Ultimate! machine!

 

[TOWcritter]

Look into getting a "Pinzgauer" (about $12,000) and tow an atv behind it. Nothing will stop that combo.

 

[dogbeak]

You are right cptbil!!
My father has a rokon and a nifty rack to haul it on his receiver hitch.
That bike will go ANYWHERE!
It has taken me places I could not walk up.

I have an ATV and would recomend one highly.
I have a jeep, but most areas off-road are off-limits for it so I now use the ATV .
My 2
B

 

[Azkid]

It has been my "in the out back"? ?? experience, that the farther back in that you want to go,? The smaller the vehicle has to be!? :P
I have been an owner of a "Rokon" for many years.
I can testify? ? that it will go places no other vechile, ATV or trail bike, would ever consider going!
But!
The point is, the farther in, the smaller vehicle, you'll need...
Down to!
AND! Including...? WALKING IN! ? ?

 

[ColoradoMike]

I have or have had them all. An good Atv is just so valuable on a hunt or site. The uses & the places you can get to are just to numerous to mention.
? I just sold a 2001 Rokon. Rokon's are great too. They can carry up to 2,000lbs & pull 5,000lbs. They are 2x2 front & rear wheel drive. They come with hollow wheel drums so you can carry extra fuel or water or if leave empty they can be used as floats to float the bike across water.
? ?Now for the bad... the quality of the new ones is questionable. The new owner of the company doesn't give a care about the customer or the quality of the bike & with a new price of over $5k you'd like something that was better than Chinese made crap. They are slow, top end is 30mph despite what they say but 30 is feels pretty fast on a bike with no suspention on a trail. The older ones are the most sought after but they come with a 2 stroke engine & it is so loud you may go deaf or at least you won't be able to sneak in anywhere. But beware these things have no suspension, they are ruffer that a 2 dollar haircut to ride very long.? Your hands go numb & your guts just ache after an hour or so. None the less they come in handy in the right situation. Here is a good resource forum for post on used ones & general info. Ebay always has a few too. They hold their value well. http://forums.delphiforums.com/rokon/start

? I have picked up a Honda 200cc Fatcat.They stopped making them in the 87 but these can be found in perfect condition all over. They run about $1500 on up in good shape. They are automatic clutch 4 speeds. They have ATV tires & can go at least 80% of the places a Rokon can just a lot faster, 6(0-70 MPH) quieter, & a lot smoother. You can get racks front & back. 2 guys can lift them over a fence.? Also they are just so much fun to drive too. They have a lot of bounce so cautious until you get used to it. MY first time out I was going pretty fast hit a series of bumps & lost control. Long story short I separated my shoulder & have been out of it for a few months. But that said I still like this machine a lot. Electric start is handy + you can charge stuff up like cell phones & other stuff you need a 12v for.
? Yamaha made one for all or the 80's but only the one that has the eclectic start is the 350cc. They are a standard clutch system though.
You will be amazed where these things will go, the hills they will fly up with no effort.

Well that is my 2 cent worth hope it helps.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Here is a pic of my 2001. It is pretty nuch the same as the new ones they are selling as 05's. With the Kohler engine it sounds like a gocart.

 

[cptbil]

CO.Mike:
Are you saying that the new owner is having them built over in China?
I haven't seen a new one!
When did the Company change hands ?

 

[ColoradoMike]

Hey Bill,
No they assemble them here but a lot of the parts are made over there & then put together here. There is alot of problems with the China parts. They changed owners ooooohhhhhh 5-8 years ago I think. The new owner doesn't care much for the company.
There are plenty of good aftermarket makers for most parts. Bob's Rokon World is a good resource.
The new ones are all 4 stroke, quieter, more reliable but quite a bit heavier too.
I tried to get the owner to sell me the company but he was not interested. It seems someone with a passion for it should be running it. They used to sell like 5,000 of them a year back in the day. Now it is under 500 a year.

 

[tallpaul]

wow thats just what i need for quick exits,, when iam on land i shouldent be on lol

 

[ColoradoMike]

You'd be better off with the fatcat. It is quieter & a lot faster on the get away. 50-70 easy. Rokon 30 is about the top end on average but 30 on a bike with no suspension is a hell of a ride. On the upside your chiropractor will love ya.

Mike

 

[CWnut]

I've owned two jeeps and three atv's and by all means an atv is the way to go. You can get an atv places you wouldn't even start with a jeep. Be sure to get four wheel drive and a winch and also a snatch block............

 

[FredMaxwell]

You all should see some things I use to make my Cadillacs do..
They would drive over curbs, take corners at high rates of speed and go off road too.
The trick to not needing 4WD was simple, don't drive over long patches of mud and when driving over a little mud always go fast enough before you hit it, see,
But I was younger and richer back then too

 

[FredMaxwell]

PS: My ex wife had a little Chinese car and told me how well it handled and all of this,
Well,
One time I told her to prove it and not only could she not lose me (I chased her down kept right with her) when it was my turn I lost her almost right away

 

[Hangingfor8]

I have had jeeps, and big jacked up 4x4's of all types. save yourself the trouble and get a good 4x4 atv with a winch. I've gone places with my Kawasaki Brute Force ATV that I doubt I could walk through. Plus you'll find all kinds of great uses for the atv after you have it a while. Plus chicks dig them

 

[aarthrj3811]

May be us Dowsers are crazy..I use a Yamaha 500 CZ to get there in a hurry…Art

 

[bbqcook]

I use this. It has worked out well. You can even cross water with it.
You can see one in action here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTIevCO02-Q

Earl

 

[Monty]

I have a 4X4 Dodge Durango to get close to those really remote sites. And then I have a 4X4 ATV that I can trailer and get to the real boonies. I have a 400cc Arctic Cat now but did have a Yamaha that was stolen. I liked the Yamaha better. The Arctic Cat is top heavy and I did a back flip on mine on a steep incline and nearly killed myself! Yes they will go just about anywhere but you have to know your limitations. I have got into spots that I wasn't sure I could get back out! I am thinking about checking out the new Yamaha 700 with fuel injection. The AC is kinda hard to start and altitude bothers it with standard carburation. Monty