- Rokon motorcycle
Rokon is a New Hampshire, USA based motorcycle manufacturer who builds unusual 2-wheel-drive off-road
motorcycle s which are sometimes referred to as a Moto-tractor.
Company Beginnings
Rokon was founded in
Vermont by Orla Larsen in 1963 to sell the Nethercutt Trail-Breaker, a 2-wheel-drive motorcycle invented c.1958 by Charlie Fehn and built in Sylmar, California. In 1964 Rokon Inc. bought the manufacturing rights to the Trail-Breaker and marketed the bikes from their Vermont office before moving the business to New Hampshire where they continue in business today.Design
These motorcycles use a combination of belt, chain, and shaft drives coupled to gear boxes to drive both the front and rear wheel. Older machines were powered by a West Bend (US Motor/Chrysler Marine) 820 2-stroke engine (134cc), while newer machines have either a Honda or Kohler engine of about 6hp. Collector interest in these very unusual motorcycles has risen considerably following the 1998 creation of the web site [http://www.rokonworld.com Rokon World] by Bob Gallagher.
These are a slow-speed off-road motorcycle designed for use in the most rugged terrain. Some are capable of 35mph or more, but typical top speed is about 20 mph. Current models are the Trail-Breaker, Ranger and Scout.
ee also
Tote gote External links
* [http://www.rokonworld.com/ Rokon World]
* [http://www.rokon.com/ Rokon homepage]
* [http://www.rokon-europe.co.uk/ Rokon Europe]
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