Trail bike for elk/deer hunting

[tbrady]

I'm interested in getting a trail bike after watching a guy haul out a 250lb mule deer that laid was across the back of his bike.  I just happened to have hiked almost 39 miles up hill with a 120lb backpack (IIRC) when I ran into him. So...  I figured some of the guys on this forum have probably put quite a bit of thought into the perfect bike setup and I would love to hear about it (and see some pics). 

tim

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I'm interested in getting a trail bike after watching a guy haul out a 250lb mule deer that laid was across the back of his bike.  I just happened to have hiked almost 39 miles up hill with a 120lb backpack (IIRC) when I ran into him. So...  I figured some of the guys on this forum have probably put quite a bit of thought into the perfect bike setup and I would love to hear about it (and see some pics). 

tim

Rokon's are the best for this type of duty. www.rokon.com

[Missing]

Yamaha TW200 haul a lot of weight and street legal for the forest roads

[Cougeyes]

Yamaha TW200 haul a lot of weight and street legal for the forest roads

Second that.  I have a Yamaha XT 225 and love it, but for being able to pack a lot of meat and still maintain your balance you can't go wrong with the TW200.

[wall of wood camp]

The Yamaha TW200 is an excellent choice for the dual purpose of being street legal and the trail capabilities lower geared and wider than usual tires.  If your not concerned with the street legal part and want a load hauler the older 1980's Honda fat cat is what i would go with I have hauled out my last two bull elk whole with a fat cat two miles with out a hesitation idling along in first gear.  I used to use a 70's Honda trail 90 but those are rough on your butt and only good for a quarter at a time. 

[tbrady]

Cool, I'll check those out.  Thanks for the feedback y'all!  I like those rokon's but um they cost a bit much.

[Wa hunter]

I have a tw200 and like it a lot.  It has a low center of gravity and can be geared way down.  I air down my tires and they grip really well.

[spin05]

no question the tw200....

[Miles]

  I just happened to have hiked almost 39 miles up hill with a 120lb backpack (IIRC) when I ran into him.
tim

Where did you hike "39 miles up hill"?

[Skyvalhunter]

It was up hill both ways and actually it was a 160 lb pack and his deer was 265 lbs dressed out. 

[tbrady]

Oh, I was out in the woods.  And actually it was closer to 47 miles after further reflection.  What's weird is that it was twice as far back to the truck and up hill also.   

[TheHunt]

If the Rokon's were street legal they would be killer. 

[Armadillo]

if its for behind DNR gates then any mtn bike really. I use a cheap one with puncture proof inner tubes. If you want one with a motor...tw200

[HuntandFish]

If the Rokon's were street legal they would be killer. 

Something about no suspension, that would hurt to hit a pot hole at 25mph. Oh wait there top speed is about 8mph. 

Rokon's are a salesman's dream, oh yea they are two wheel drive and will take you anywhere. As long as its not to steep or to big of obstacles. These things way a ton, and hardly go fast enough for you to balance on.

  Just had to say something about these bikes I know a few guys that hunt with these things and they are just funny to watch. You hear them coming down the trail at what seems about 30mph based on engine noise and about ten minutes later they finally pass you going about 4mph. It is a riot.

I wouldn't buy one

[golfguy0912]

I had an xt225, sold it a few years ago. That is the only vehicle I ever regret getting rid of. The thing weighed 265lbs wet, and could get me anywhere I wanted to go. Plus the 70 mpg was nice. I never really would consider getting a tw200, till I heard you guys talking about the stability of it with the fat tire. Makes sense.

Personally (and as recommended) I dont think you could go wrong with a TW or the XT. Both have a low seat hieght too.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

If anybody wants a super clean Honda Trail 90 with signals, rack, canteen- the whole deal, PM me. A guy I get Chevy parts from has one he wants to sell. I've never seen one this clean and original!

[DBHAWTHORNE]

If the Rokon's were street legal they would be killer. 

Something about no suspension, that would hurt to hit a pot hole at 25mph. Oh wait there top speed is about 8mph. 

Rokon's are a salesman's dream, oh yea they are two wheel drive and will take you anywhere. As long as its not to steep or to big of obstacles. These things way a ton, and hardly go fast enough for you to balance on.

  Just had to say something about these bikes I know a few guys that hunt with these things and they are just funny to watch. You hear them coming down the trail at what seems about 30mph based on engine noise and about ten minutes later they finally pass you going about 4mph. It is a riot.

I wouldn't buy one

Heavy??? They are as light or lighter than most the bikes mentioned on this thread (the trail 90's are lighter). The are slow and the older ones are louder than the new ones...they sound about like a lawnmower. They definitely aren't fast enough for the highway. The newer ones have a front suspension and than definitely makes a difference compared to the older ones.

The too steep/too big of an obstacle argument is wrong... you can take these things up almost anything you can take another bike up and sometimes more...just slower (which if your bringing game out you probably prefer.....(of course its not a trial bike...but most people aren't skilled enough to do the things people do with trial bikes and certainly not with deer on the bike)

These are great hunting bikes because they will take you nearly anywhere you need to go in hunting situations. The fact that it is slow won't matter when it comes time to do the work....and often you may need to go slow and put your feet on the ground no matter what bike you are using..getting to and from areas you will likely travel between 25-35 mph depending on the bike.

Online you can find videos of people "dragging" or "carrying" out deer, bear, logs etc with these things.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I feel I need to add my 2 pennies.  I have or have had all of the bikes mentioned so far.  There is no perfect bike....  I'm always looking though for the perfect bike.  What is in my sights right now is called a Christini...  I'm sure you could get one that is street legal too, it would give the Rokon a HUGE run for the money....  I have a Rokon and a spare rokon frame, had a honda powered one that we got rid of as well.  Like I said, nothing is perfect.  The rokons are good for short distances (10 mile days/less).  Otherwise you are beat up.  Trail 90's, maybe 20 mile days, but a little harder to get through snow/mud, steep hills.  Big bikes, like KTM 450's, etc, are comfy, but hard to handle in tight, nasty stuff, where you dab a bunch, or if you need to handle it over a downfall.  I use a trials bike typically for most of my trail travel, to locations where I can then hike from.  The trials bike is PAINFUL to ride, but light enough to throw over a log, and low enough I don't get into too much trouble.  I've modified the seat on mine to be more of a seat than a bandaid...  That being said, I think trail 90's are probably the best production bike ever made to fit the largest amount of riders for hunting purposes.

[DRDANTDC]

I'm interested in getting a trail bike after watching a guy haul out a 250lb mule deer that laid was across the back of his bike.  I just happened to have hiked almost 39 miles up hill with a 120lb backpack (IIRC) when I ran into him. So...  I figured some of the guys on this forum have probably put quite a bit of thought into the perfect bike setup and I would love to hear about it (and see some pics). 

tim

This is what you should be looking for!

[HuntandFish]

I suppose I was hasty in ribbing the rokon's but there is little doubt that they are not good trail bikes. The impression I was trying to imply is that they are to slow to deal with any large obstacle that you may frame out on in the back country because they have no suspension. And the number one reason for not riding one is the no suspension thing, if they added front suspension that may help but not enough for me to ride any distance on. Which totally disqualifies it for me. I understand the more inexperienced riders wanting something low to the ground and slow, so go with a xt 225, tw200 is a gutless pig, I could not even ride my father in-laws(for him I had my WR) up a steep hill after a rain storm the thing didn't make enough power to gain speed in the short distance I had, and the large tire just spun instead of digging down to get a grip. TW are a nice bike in theory but have some major flaws. 

I personally would go with the "new" still in testing and believe out in Europe WR 450 2 wheel drive, talk about an easy ride with some weight on the back. Possibly ideal except for the high seat height that some would not like. I like high seat height it means more ground clearance

[HuntandFish]

I just read my last post and realized I am coming off like I am judging, I really do think all these bikes have a purpose and would like to own each one if I could to perform that task. But the question was which bike you could ride 36 miles (long ways on a bike without a deer) on and still carry out a deer easily.

My vote for the inexperienced is an xt 225 they are great bikes. You will be happy with it, its an enduro as well. Maybe put some stiffer springs in it to help with the weight issue. 

[lonedave]

TW200 and a Cycleracks rear rack.  Nothing is perfect, but this comes as close as I can find.

[elkfuler]

The Honda 90 weighs about 140 to 150 pounds.  Sits low.  Mine is licensed so can ride any FS road or pavement (though little or no pavement for me thanks). Easy to foot the ground even on the downhill side in most places.  The step through "postie" frame can be pretty handy.  Not exactly comfy to ride but is okay.  Can horse it over stuff pretty easy.  Auto trans and hi/lo can be very useful (if VERY steep you can actually put it in gear and walk it up along side the bike).  The handle bars can be moved 90 degrees so a bumper mount rack on the truck can easily be used or for that matter I could even drive/walk it into my Roman Chariot camper.  I'd like to get a tw200 as well, although you double the weight.

[blacktailer]

Another vote for the TW200.  I have one and love it.  Strret legal so you are legal on the FS roads.  I use mine for buzzing around town a lot too .  Get the rack for the back.  I think they make one for the front too.   

[belkaholic]

i have the newer XT 250, and already have 11,000 miles on it. gun rack, bow rack and am trying to rig a trailer. i love it!

[CastleRocker]

I'm kind of a Trailbreaker guy I guess.  The one I have was purchased originally from a guy I know who had the dealership right here in Castle Rock.  It has packed out way more game since '69 than I've ever shot.  It's packed moose and caribou in Alaska, and a LOT of elk, and deer in Washinton, Idaho, Montana.  As far as the lad who thought they were heavy....he is mistaken unless the rims are full of gas/water.  That adds about 75lbs to the total weight of the bike.

They are FAR from the perfect all around bike, but I've packed out two large Idaho mule deer whole in one trip, all up steep hills, on my old Trailbreaker.  One across the front rack and one across the stern.  As far as a bike for packing, they can't be beat.  When it comes to riding them for any significant distance...they suck.  They are a blast just to putt-putt straight off a landing, and down across a cutting though.  I've got studs in the tires so they grip those buckskin logs almost like my corks do.

My ideal all around "Trail bike" would have to be an old Trail 90 or 110.  Looking for one now as a matter of fact.

I will always keep the Trailbreaker though. 

[Wa hunter]

Trail bikes seem to be like boats, one bike does not do it all.  Castle Rocker I do have a ct110 86 I think I could part with it only has about 1,200 miles PM me.

[rm_hm]

From The TW Site

[mazama]

I have owned 2 rokons,honda fatcat,honda 90,-i would go with the Honda fatcat-5spd automatic with unbelievable torque-with those fat tires will go up hills you will not want to back down.The next bike i wanted to try was honda trials bike.

[KFhunter]

I'd like to see a good rokon rider get their rokon somewhere I cannot get really close too with my atv - I think folks under estimate how many places one can really go on one. 

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Sidehilling is where the Rokon is going to make it's money vs the quad.

[Labs07]

My trail bike can go anywhere!  It has two legs and a strong back.....lol just kidding, I would go with a Rokon!

[stryker]

If your able to get it past the gate, what about a used Ural?

http://ural.com/

[tbrady]

For what it's worth I ended up getting a TW200.  Since it's street legal I can easily go from NF roads to trails etc...

[KFhunter]

For what it's worth I ended up getting a TW200.  Since it's street legal I can easily go from NF roads to trails etc...

good choice - I kinda want one too

[Bookworm007]

Quick question related to this topic. I have an old Tote Goat that used to be my dads. I have thought about getting it running again but didn't think I could use it anywhere I go hunting. Obviously you can't used motorized transportation on weyco land even though I have been tempted to stick one of those little 50 cc engines on my mountain bike. What lands can you take them off the roads and still be legal? It would be oh so nice for hauling out animals. I included a pic of what it looks like.

[washelkhunter]

If your able to get it past the gate, what about a used Ural?

http://ural.com/

Are you serious?

[Blacktail Sniper]

If your able to get it past the gate, what about a used Ural?

http://ural.com/

Are you serious?

I can see it now....

Got your dead yogi sitting-up in the side car, german motorcycle helmet on, driving/riding goggles and a white aviator scarf....on BOTH of you!!

[stryker]

If your able to get it past the gate, what about a used Ural?

http://ural.com/

Are you serious?

Well, yea. Unless your talking about confined trails. Both of the urals rear wheels are powered and you can haul a LOT of meat in the sidecar. I wouldnt want to try packing an elk out on a 2 wheeler myself. A quad or Ural if I cant take the truck. AND, you can still do the speed limit on the interstate with your harvest on the way home.

These things are no joke!

Death Valley - Ural Cycles of St. Pete

[dreamunelk]

For what it's worth I ended up getting a TW200.  Since it's street legal I can easily go from NF roads to trails etc...

good choice - I kinda want one too

Hunted all early archery season on my TW.  Towed to camp.  Never road where I was not suppose to.  4.5 gallons of gas!  When one of our group got one down someone would go for pack boards and bringem back in a truck.

[coachcw]

wr250F , fuel injected , street leagal and chicks dig them !