Thread: Farm bike vs quad

Fellas

Who here is running a farm bike instead of a quad? I'm looking at a 2 wheeler for getting in and out of hunting areas, instead of the normal quad.

Looking for reasons why / why not, and specifics about how you're mounting your rifle and kit.

Thanks

No help with mounting gear etc but I much prefer getting about on the farm on my bike rather than a quad. Quad still has its place for certain jobs but can go way more places, safer, than on a quad. I run the new crf250f and it's been brilliant

What’s your level of skills/experience on each? I’m not a two-wheeler fan, with little experience on them, but certainly found it easy to familiarise myself, and ride safely on our four-wheelers.
You’ll certainly be more comfortable on the way out with an animal, on a four-wheeler

Yup, its the safety aspect I'm interested in.

I use a crf230 as well as honda sxs.
the sxs is great putting whole animals on taking my young fella and putting the dog on.
The 230 i find is a lot quieter and goes where a two wheeler goes. At the moment i just shoulder my pack and keep my gun in its case over the shoulder.
down side is what ever meat you can put in your pack and shoulder is your limit. I would like to put a scabbard on the front folks to carry rifle but haven't found one yet
Also at the moment my insurance shit and until i change over my bike isn't covered for thief other then my shed so haven't taken it many places yet.
Also found mid winter traction was a problem in places with the two wheeler

Bikes are good until you have a deer to lug out, it's raining and you're on papa or clay based tracks up and down hills. It can be done but a 4x4 quad is more versatile imo. Both however have points where you have to dismount and beat the feet depends on terrain. When I was using an XR400 I judt slung the rifle across my back, that way you could bail and less risk of damaging your rifle. When I shot something I completely boned out the animal.

Experienced on both, though many many years since I've used a farm bike. Use a TRX500 now but not mine and the tracks are that shit its a concern. The two possum trappers we use are on 200cc bikes.

I'm over hauling deer. Too much scar tissue & mesh. I'll rather bone them out in the bush now.

In shitty greasy areas a 2 wheeler requires more physical effort to use, you need to consider that if you have a pack & rifle on your back. Did years when younger on XR200 etc, great to get around, now I prefer a quad, but I'm hunting flatter country than you probably are. Horses for courses as they say.

Those little step thru 90's where great hunting bikes. Are they still around these days?

I would go for a farm bike and bungy gear on the front and rear racks and rig up a scabard or shoulder rifle with a day pack. A tf suzuki or something similar.
Two wheelers are a bit shit in river beds though.

Originally Posted by Allizdog

Those little step thru 90's where great hunting bikes. Are they still around these days?

Still around, more 110's but the real tidy ones go for good money.

Originally Posted by Mathias

In shitty greasy areas a 2 wheeler requires more physical effort to use, you need to consider that if you have a pack & rifle on your back. Did years when younger on XR200 etc, great to get around, now I prefer a quad, but I'm hunting flatter country than you probably are. Horses for courses as they say.

Nailed it in one!
Grew up doing most of my hunting on horseback.

I take it you want to use it for hunting @Flyblown

Originally Posted by Sideshow

I take it you want to use it for hunting @Flyblown

Yes. A mix of meat recovery hunting and pest control.

While we're at it, let's throw side x sides and choppers into the mix