Unlike a modern SUV, this 1969 Rokon Trail-Breaker 2×2 doesn’t have a heated seat and skinny caramel latte holder, but I’d put money on it going offroad to more places than almost any four-wheel 4×4. The seller has it listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Edgerton, Minnesota and they’re asking $2,100. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mathew for sending in this tip!
The listing says that this Rokon was posted for sale 23 weeks ago?! That’s crazy, half-a-year almost! It’s certainly not overpriced, at least if it works as good as it looks in the photos. It isn’t perfect, but it isn’t priced for perfection either. You can see that most of it has been repainted other than the gas tank. I’m not sure why they didn’t go the extra mile there, it would have really given it the pop that it needs to bring it over the top. They still make Rokons today, after six decades.
Speaking of the gas tank, there are a couple of dents in it, and 1969 was sort of a transition period for Rokon so this example can have features found on earlier models, and on the updated 1970+ models. Missing is the “butt bar”, a looped tube steel backrest sort of thing which would have been behind the seat, which leads me to believe that this may be later than a 1969 model. Also the gas tank looks smaller than usual, as in having an older-style “peanut” tank. You may have already noticed that these are new tires, not an inexpensive endeavor and a nice selling point.
My 1971 Rokon has very similar grips and I assumed that they were changed when it was restored, but maybe those are original? The kill switch can be seen on the left side of the handlebars, the red button, but you knew that already. Rokons in this era didn’t have keys, so you have to trust that nobody will ride off with it if you take it somewhere and leave it outside. The front rack is handy for carrying things as you head down the trail, but I would put some caps on the ends of the footpegs, if this thing tips over and one of those pokes into your leg, you may have to rely on cell service to make it out of the woods.
The engine is a Chrysler Power-Bee (West Bend) 134-cc two-stroke single-cylinder and the seller says that this one needs work on the recoil as seen in the photo above. The great part of these engines is that they also have a kick start and I’ve never used the pull-starter to start my Rokon. They have a three-speed transmission and we all know that both wheels provide traction so you can climb almost anything, albeit very slowly. Are there any Rokon owners or fans out there?
Whenever I see these postings, I think, oh no, Scotty is downsizing and am relieved to see it’s not his. 1st things 1st, these are a handful to operate. The big tires, while designed to go over trees and stadiums, and such, are kind of a pain on regular surfaces. Again, design. Meant for barely more than walking over rough terrain, not I-70 at any given time. These have a complicated front drive assist, durable, yet many disconnected the front drive, making it more rideable. Filling the wheels with liquid, makes it even more tippy. Intended for extra gas, IDK about that. Recoil? Piece of cake, I’ve done that in the woods,,at night,,,when it was 10 below,,okay, too far.
THOSE GRIPS? OWW, makes my hands sore again. Those were the absolute worst grips. Designed as an anti-vibration thing, the ribs dug into your hands, even with gloves. It’s a great find, I’m sure someone hates to see it go. I’ve toyed of the idea, of getting some sort of trail/off road type of something. The trails are just too rough for the Jeep, but this would be a great way to get WAY back. We’ll see, Colorado has some funky rules on ORVs,( off road vehicles) permit this, decal that, then you need a trailer to schlep it back there, THAT has to be registered,,,ugh, hoops, you’d think they get less as you age. Anyway, if you are even remotely thinking of this, by all means, go for it. That motor was used in a slew of products, and the bike itself is clearly overbuilt. A refreshing change in this throw away era. This without a doubt has Scottys “seal of approval”.
Ha! No way, big guy, I’m keeping mine forever. My wife will push this out into the yard along with the Honda Motocompo, and will probably put a “$100 or offer” sign on them at my estate sale. It’s a beast to ride for sure, it pulls to the left because of the chain on the left side of the front wheel, and you can’t really shift on the go, not that the 1-2-3-speed gears are really that much different from each other, MPH-wise. It’s just a weird and fun thing to own for some reason that I can’t really explain. The seat is literally rock hard and even with hardly any air in the tires, there isn’t much comfort over bumps.
I had a Willier minibike way-back-then with that type of grips and you’re right. They’re not comfortable even for a kid’s hands!
you fill the rims half full or less, like the tires on my kubota tractor, more traction and lower center of gravity, thus less tippy…
Where is it located
Howard,
Buy this thing -& of course you’ll then have to buy a brand new
heavy duty Ford F350 crew cab 4WD diesel (EASY PAYMENTS!) to haul
it with.
Ha! You’re a funny person, what are you doing here? F350, my neighbors son bought a new F350 4 door,,after 3 months, developed death wobble, on a $50,000 truck mind you. The dealer gave him some BS and replaced the steering dampener, but I read, there’s a class action lawsuit just for that reason,,,on a $50,000 truck,,,and you wonder why I’m upset?
Sorry,I just couldn’t resist.
You do realize that my comment was strictly tongue-in-cheek?
It’s just my warped sense of humor.
A four door F350 for $50,000? Perhaps twice that! You either haven’t shopped lately or you’re speaking of a well used example! LOL! We must be getting old!
It’s cool, anglia, I recognize the humor well. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
David: Not sure where you shop, but the F350 is a 2021 gas job, diesels a bit higher, but looking up that truck, it had a MSRP of like $43,854. I’m sure options could put it way north of $50g’s, but I don’t think pickups are $100grand,,,not yet anyway.
Diesel and options definitely add a lot. I know several guys with diesel 4×4 crew cab F350s that were between $87k-$92k.
You’d be wrong. I have a new 2023 F350 Diesel on order, to replace my 2015. I’m now waiting for a VIN assignment and a build date. It has pretty much everything, and the MSRP is just a wee tad over 100K.
I was thinking the same thing, a 50K F350 is over 10 years old.
Yeah, but when the Ford gets stuck, you can use the Rokon to pull it out!
I used one back in the 1980s in northern Minnesota to access areas with heavy vegetation, bogs, swamps, and whatnot, for work while performing geophysical surveys. It was company owned, and I drove it for a year while on the job. If you accidentally even touched a tree with the front tire the thing would actually start climbing the tree . Flipped over many times using it until I got good at using it. It would beat you and wear you out by the days end. I think it took two years of life out of my back.
My brother had one in mid 70s think it had a Rotax motor
, Absolutely remember riding double, person on rear got a pillow.
You’re right, Rw! Mine has the rear luggage rack “pad” with a strap that goes around it to hold it on when carrying a passenger. I didn’t put the strap on it for the attached pic, though.
I think you’re right about Rotax. Rokon used them in the early-70s, I believe, on their RT-series rear-wheel-drive dirt bikes. This one has a Sachs, but some sources say that Rokon used Rotax engines in that time period, too.
https://barnfinds.com/really-rare-rokon-1976-rokon-rt340-ii/
Here is one restored. Pretty cool story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUjN8Z2Jdvs
Definitely a handful to ride and yes, pulls to the left something fierce. Not good for trails or anything remotely resembling a bend in the trail at all, but point it up a steep, loose, unmapped hill, lean forward and crawl right over it to a land not seen by human eyes before. My brother in law has one and I am still pining over it to this day. Not in the budget though. Darn!
This brings back memories. My husband had one in the 90s (he likes unusual toys). He once rode it with me and our 5 and 7-year-old sons offroad to visit friends. When we got there he rode it up the steps to their deck, still with his passengers, lol.
Listed 23 weeks ago.
I have a 1969 and it’s never for sale. Wanted one of the old ones since I was 16. I’m 64 now and got it last year.Over paid for it 4.500. But I wanted it and mint condition not. same dented tank.