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Roxon is a New-Hampshire-based company that's been around since 1958. They manufacture an unusual sort of vehicle: An all-wheel-drive motorcycle with fat tires, a 14" ground clearance and a 35 mph top speed. It's got a tiny four-stroke single-cylinder engine—just 208cc—that puts out a whopping 7 hp, yet the thing can tow 2,000 pounds. Interestingly, the wheels are hollow drums, which can be left as-is to provide flotation (so you don't lose it in a watery accident) or filled with 2.5 gallons of extra fuel or water.
Roxon makes six different versions, all targeting different use cases:
Rokon's basic, no-frills model. This one doesn't have the hollow wheels and is the cheapest in the line-up.
This is essentially their fleet model, designed to get one or two people across challenging terrain. Trail-Breakers have been used by the U.S. Armed Forces, the Forest Service, Fish & Game Officers, et cetera.
This one's got a 12" x 32" rear cargo rack, long enough to carry a chainsaw or similar-sized tools. Ideal for farm, forestry or utility work in places where you can't fit a truck.
The Ranger's a street-legal version of the Trail-Breaker, kitted out with the necessary gauges, lights, tires, mirrors and horn.
Essentially the Trail-Breaker in camo.
This one's got an LED headlight, a "power point" for charging devices, an onboard maintenance kit, an onboard survival kit and a rear storage rack. The Rokon for Preppers model highlights a feature that all of them actually have—or lack, depending on how you look at it: All Rokons are "EMP proof. The bike is carbureted and is not controlled with any computer technology." If the electric start is out, you can pull-start it like a lawnmower.
Here's a group of enthusiasts putting their Rokons through their paces:
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I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
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A Sort of Two-Wheeled Truck: The Roxon 2x2
That is a good looking machine and pretty awesome capabilities, but I just wonder how difficult it will be to maintain and service? It also looks a hell of a lot like the very iconic Honda Motra CT50 bike which had just 50cc engine and was more aimed at the tradesman or light courier market. A few have been exported to Europe and I first saw one in real life in Portugal many years ago. Here's a picture from Google: