Motorcycles for hunting: review, characteristics, selection tips

• October 6, 2018
• Cars
• Svetlana Lingovskaya

Motorcycles for hunting belong to the category of tourist and off-road vehicles. They are distinguished by high maneuverability and ease of use. How to choose a non-classic motorcycle? Which brand should you pay attention to: domestic or foreign? What about well-known brands for the Russian consumer: Izh and Ural? Let's consider all the features of choosing a vehicle for hunting and fishing.

The main characteristics of motorcycles and what are their advantages over cars

For residents of remote corners of our homeland or those drivers who regularly go out of town to hunt, fish or go on a hike, the question of buying a motorcycle for the forest and hunting is urgent. In this case, such a vehicle has many advantages over a car.

Advantages of a motorcycle compared to a car:

• safety (thanks to its maneuverability on the “iron horse”, most emergency situations can be avoided);
• maneuverability (a motorcycle will pass where a car cannot always pass, this applies primarily to driving outside the city);
• gasoline consumption (a motorcycle consumes significantly less fuel than a car);
• beauty and drive (this is a relative concept and depends on the chosen brand of “iron horse”);
• no need to look for parking or a garage;
• saving time (to start a motorcycle in the cold season, you don’t need to wait until it warms up);
• savings in maintenance (the cost of repairing a motorcycle, even the most expensive one, is several times cheaper than servicing a car).

Despite having advantages, especially when choosing a motorcycle for hunting, there are also disadvantages. You should definitely have special insulated clothing for the cold season. Despite the fact that a garage is not needed, it is worth considering a motorcycle protection system, since it often becomes the subject of theft. Also, the disadvantages include the fact that the ride is not entirely comfortable (especially in winter), noise and the inability to talk on the phone while driving.

Care Tips for Beginners

Owning a dirt bike is just the beginning of your amazing adventures. Riding isn't the only thing you need to worry about. Like most of your equipment, you need to know how to properly care for it to keep it in tip-top condition. So, the next thing you need to do is become familiar with its constituent components. Maintaining any car is a basic skill that men need to add to their core list of skills.

Read the manual

Dirt bike parts vary from model to model. The best way to learn about your starter bike is to start with its owner's manuals. It will help you find parts and how to access or remove them, and will also teach you which mechanisms need to be constantly monitored and how to change them.

However, there are times when your user manual doesn't speak your language at all. This is a common problem for users who, as a beginner, are unable to figure it out. It may be best to refer to video tutorials. There you will find a lot of smart ideas and useful tips. If you are a naturally visual person, videos will help you a lot.

Change of oil

Make sure you are using the correct oil specifically for your engine. The frequency of its replacement depends on the frequency of use of the bike. You can also refer to your manual on this subject if you are a beginner learning the ropes. As a general rule, the oil in a beginner's motorcycle should be changed at least once a year. Always check the quality of the oil so you know for sure when it's time to change it.

One thing to remember about vehicles is that the less you use them, the more susceptible they are to corrosion. To prevent corrosion, your engine must reach the correct temperature. If you only drive short distances or at short intervals, you'll need to change your oil at least three times a year. Experts recommend running the engine at operating temperature twice a month for at least 30 minutes. And if you drive frequently, you should regularly check the color and change to a new one if necessary.

Clean the air filter

The air filter is where all the dirt is collected and prevents engine damage. It protects the engine from corrosive combustion by-products. When debris builds up and clogs the filter, air flow is reduced, affecting engine performance.

You can replace the air filter every time you change the oil or after 10,000 - 15,000 km. In some cases, you may also want to clean it instead of changing it. All you need is warm water and cleaner.

Lubricate all moving parts

The chain is the most important part of a dirt bike and requires frequent lubrication. All pivot joints found in the brake lever, wheels and shifters also require frequent lubrication. Observe the operation of parts and identify moving parts that need lubrication. Lubrication is necessary to prevent corrosion and damage. It also prevents the hinges from freezing during the winter. Before lubricating parts, clean them to remove stubborn contaminants. Always use a suitable lubricant specifically designed for this purpose.

Keep an eye on your tires

Tire pressure is a common problem in any vehicle. Riding on two wheels means you have to trust them both. You may put other things off until later, but never ignore your tires. Before you go, make sure they are in excellent condition for your safety. Check their pressure before each trip. Checking will not only make your trip more efficient, but also prevent danger on the road.

Kinds

Before answering the question of which motorcycle to choose for hunting, it is worth finding out what types of “iron horses” exist. Perhaps someone will like not the sporty version, but the classic one.

Types of motorcycles:

• Sports models - beautiful and bright design, high speed (up to 300 km/h) and aerodynamics, high seat, you can drive around the city or on roads without asphalt, large wheels. But sitting constantly in a forward position is not very comfortable and there is not enough space for a second passenger.
• Classic options. Seating comfortable for two people. It can also be a motorcycle with a sidecar, a spacious tank, soft seats and high power. But there are no handles for passengers and is not intended for long distance travel.
• Tourist models have a spacious luggage compartment, high speed and power, durable windshields, but fuel consumption and vehicle weight are high.
• Off-road options - large wheels (you can drive on both dirt and sand), power and fast acceleration, good cross-country ability, there are models with six speeds, shock absorbers provide softness when driving over bumps, but a small fuel reserve and the engine is very loud.

Features of off-road motorcycles

Most often, off-road options are chosen as a vehicle for driving outside the city, which also includes Soviet heavy motorcycles. They have good cross-country ability, and thanks to the high power and soft seat, driving over bumps and holes is not felt at all. In this category, vehicles can also be divided into several groups.

Types of off-road motorcycle models:

• Cross – transport for sporting events on unpaved terrain. Most of them have two-stroke engines, they are light, the frame is durable, there are no lighting devices and there is no need to register such motorcycles with the traffic police.
• A pit bike is similar to a cross-country motorcycle, but much smaller in size. Designed for riding in mud or on special tracks.
• Enduro is a cross-country motorcycle that can be ridden not only on the ground, but also on the road, it must be registered with the traffic police, it is distinguished by the presence of light optics, a powerful engine, high cross-country ability and is easy to maintain.
• Motard - the only difference from enduro is that it has road tires.
• ATVs are a mix of a car and a motorcycle, which are often chosen by residents far from the city; they are convenient, roomy and comfortable for off-road driving.

There are several types of enduro:

• sports (raises dust and goes fast),
• soft enduro (universal),
• off-road (for traveling on difficult trails in remote villages or remote areas),
• heavy (for long journeys, there is space for luggage and a passenger,
• parquet models.

Tour-enduro

These motorbikes are distinguished by increased comfort, heavy weight (from 200 kg) and large fuel tanks. They are designed for long, multi-hour trips. They can travel 300 kilometers or more on one gas station. The touring-enduro has a straight seat, ground clearance of 25 cm and soft suspension travel. All this allows you to cover kilometers of roads without paying much attention to the quality of the road surface.

Tourist wheels are usually spoked, the front wheels are 21 or 19 inches. This ensures a smooth ride and ease of control on poor surfaces. Tour-enduro engines range from 600 to 1200 cubic centimeters, most often two-cylinder. They are reliable, simple and unpretentious. After all, “tourists” were created for long trips and must withstand the road with or without any surface.

KTM 1190 ADVENTURE Conquers offroad like a real “combat” enduro. It is powerful, heavy and has confident maneuverability.

BMW R1200GS Fans of motorcycle trips go on long trips and even circumnavigate the world on this beauty. Equipped with an opposed two-cylinder engine, the manufacturer puts a lot of electronics on it. The presence of a cardan eliminates the hassle of tightening and lubricating the chain. This horse is heavy, high-torque, powerful and fast. Therefore, a lot of people around the world choose it for travel.

A properly selected off-road motorcycle will bring you a lot of excitement and invaluable experience from conquering impassable trails.

How to choose a motorcycle for hunting?

When choosing an “iron horse,” you need to approach it thoroughly and not only check the availability of transport documents in case of a second-hand purchase, but also become familiar with the important characteristics. It is definitely worth inspecting the appearance; there should be no traces of falls on it if it has been ridden. It is also worth checking the gas tank, it should not be rusty. It will also be important to take a test drive to test the engine in operation.

Parameters of a motorcycle for hunting that you need to pay attention to when choosing:

• Power, on which the speed of the vehicle directly depends - if short and irregular trips are planned, then an engine of up to 10-12 liters will be sufficient. s., for long trips up to 60-80 hp. With..
• Engine volume (affects acceleration and traction) - for hunting or fishing trips, the volume of all cylinders of the unit is suitable with an indicator of 150-250 cm3 (all modern Russian-made motorcycles have such parameters).
• Engine type - for trips outside the city, hunting or fishing, simple two-stroke engines are used, which are easier to repair and use.
• Speed ​​– these can be economical options with speeds up to 100 km/h or faster models up to 180 km/h (this depends on personal preferences).
• Type of cooling – for hunting trips it is better to choose air cooling of the power unit.
• It is better to choose fuel supply through a carburetor (the model is easy to clean if necessary, produces good power, the supply should be periodically adjusted).
• The transmission is better automatic (the driver will only need to watch the road, and not the slopes and holes).
• Brakes – for hunting or fishing, you should choose drum brakes (their operation is not affected by wet tall grass, rain or snow).
• Windshield. It should be tall, transparent and fairly reliable.
• Motorcycle weight – for fishing or hunting, you should choose non-bulky models weighing up to 80 kg.
• Fuel tank volume is optimally up to 14 liters.
• The size of the luggage compartment – ​​it should be roomy.

Honda PC800 1994

Very comfortable, soft, 800 cc tourer with a powerful, durable 2-cylinder V-twin. The engine (a relative of the power unit for the Africa Twin) produces only 57 hp. s., but at 6.5 thousand revolutions. His pull from the “bottom” is simply “locomotive”! At the same time, the gear ratios in the 5-speed gearbox are selected so that in both the third and fourth, the bike accelerates above “hundreds” equally easily. The main “weapon” of a motorcycle is comfort. Excellent wind protection, complete shelter from rain and splashes, soft “sofas”, an informative, rich dashboard, options for heating the steering wheel and seats. There are large integrated luggage cases, as well as the ability to install a central one, with a backrest for the passenger. All this “goodness” in no way interferes with steering – thanks to the low center of gravity, the motorcycle is very stable at low speeds. Even despite the significant weight of the device, when operating it in the city, the driver will not get tired, and, thanks to the passive safety of the design and the abundance of body kit, he will be better protected from possible accidents. As a motorcycle for a novice driver - for the same reasons - the PC800 (Pacific Coast) will fully justify itself, especially since it “eats” regular 92 gasoline (5-6 liters per hundred) and is equipped with an almost “eternal” cardan drive , which does not require special service. One “minus” - only 14 thousand “Pacifics” were produced and it is very difficult to find one like it.

If you add literally another 15 thousand to the estimated 150, you will get an awesome vintage tourer, no less popular in its age than the legendary Golda.

Which brand of motorcycle should I choose?

Traditionally, the Russian market is represented mainly by Asian companies, whose vehicles are very popular. The leaders are Japanese companies (Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda) and Chinese (Viper). But if Japanese motorcycles are already considered classics, since they have been on the market for more than 100 years, then Chinese models have recently become more competitive with them.

A review of Chinese motorcycles will be presented below. Vehicles from the Middle Kingdom are chosen for the following reasons:

• wide range in price (models are in the middle and low price categories);
• an excellent choice for a beginner or for infrequent use (for example, hunting or fishing);
• wide range of products (from choppers to sports models).

Such classic and well-known models of domestic production as “Ural”, “Izh” and “Java” are no less popular among Russian consumers. They can be easily purchased secondhand and in terms of price they outperform all foreign models, but we will consider below whether their quality meets the required parameters.

Motorcycle "Izh": technical characteristics

The Izh motorcycle is one of the most popular vehicles of the last century. It held a leading position for a long time due to its affordable price and relative lightness and maneuverability. Its features include a slightly narrowed fuel tank, which makes landing easier, an improved suspension, and a four-stroke engine of reduced volume, but maintaining high power.

Advantages of the new generation Izh motorcycle “Planet 7”:

• there is a starting electric starter;
• modernized instrument panel and optics;
• contactless ignition system;
• separate lubrication system;
• five-speed gearbox.

The Izh motorcycle with sidecar has a power of 20 horsepower, its parameters 220/80/130 cm allow it to maneuver off-road, fuel consumption is only 5.5 liters per 100 km, and the maximum speed is 120 km/h. The vehicle is an excellent solution for buying a motorcycle for fishing or hunting, since for an affordable price you can get a fairly high-quality, reliable and durable product. In addition, it can be easily repaired in case of breakdown.

The disadvantages include rather weak traction parameters when riding with a stroller. The Izha’s direct competitor is the Java-350 motorcycle, whose power reaches 26 hp. s., and “Minsk-125”, which is practical and unpretentious in maintenance and operation.

Honda CB400

Now they will call me a snob and ask: why is “SiBiha” not in first place?! My answer is this: this bike from the last century eats a lot. Ideally suited for the city, the classic is equipped with a very durable water engine, which is capable of “walking and walking.” Thanks to the Hyper Vtec system, it can hit “hundreds” in 4.5 seconds, provoking a pleasant reckless “annealing” in a straight line, but at speeds over 120 km/h its 4 carburetors eat up almost twice as much fuel! Instead of a modest 4.5 liters, it starts to consume 7–8! Otherwise, it’s a great street car with a comfortable seating position and grippy (double-disc front) brakes that can adequately slow it down from estimated speeds of under 200 km/h. The frame is rigid, duplex, the seat is straight, the seat height is only 78 cm, comfortable for most drivers of average height, especially girls. In terms of reliability, it’s almost a standard (this is Honda!), requiring a minimum of inexpensive consumables.

Here, for example, is an option with a mileage of less than 50 thousand for almost 20 years. It can be seen that it was used carefully, most likely by one owner. The motorcycle is well-maintained, without signs of falls, no frankly unnecessary tuning, there is a bonus in the form of a navigator mount.

Features of the Soviet motorcycle "Ural"

The best motorcycle of the USSR can rightfully be called the “Ural”, which belongs to heavy equipment. Its distinctive feature is reliability, which was so important in wartime. It is also called an all-terrain vehicle and a tractor. Now its production has stopped, and such a curiosity can only be found in the distant Russian outback.

After the Ural plant closed in 1992, the Ural brand exists, the vehicles of which are distinguished by the same powerful characteristics. Now there is practically no demand for this equipment on the Russian market, although there is a constant demand in Europe and the USA, but in small volumes.

If you consider the Ural motorcycle for hunting or tourism, it is better to abandon this idea. Due to its heavy weight, it is not very maneuverable, and the motor is very loud.

Additional equipment for motorcycle

Don't know how to equip a motorcycle for hunting? When purchasing a standard model, you should pay attention to the accessories. Most manufacturers do not include them in the basic package so as not to increase the cost, but almost all brands offer additional equipment for their products. It can be selected depending on your preferences.

Necessary items when purchasing a vehicle for hunting, fishing or traveling are a luggage box, a winch and a metal underbody protection. You can also replace the wheels and base tires, and additionally install LED lighting on the front and rear bumpers. To transport large loads, you might consider purchasing a trailer if you don't have a sidecar on your motorcycle.

Among the additional equipment, heated grips, increasing and adding strength to the windshield, as well as gun jackets are popular.

Components

Chassis (crew) part

Engine

Generates energy for movement. Typically used:

Main components and parts of the internal combustion engine:

Motors differ in the number of pistons, cylinders, and their location.

Transmission

Torque is transmitted to the drive wheel through the following components:

Electrical equipment

Optional equipment

The best off-road motorcycle models

The vehicle, which is equipped with large diameter wheels and deep treads, can easily drive on dirt and gravel. This must be taken into account when choosing a vehicle for hunting.

The best models of motorcycles for hunting from the off-road vehicle class are presented below.

KTM 690 Enduro R (Austria). This is an all-terrain vehicle that has excellent shock absorbers, so you won’t feel any discomfort when driving over potholes and uneven dirt roads. The front wheel is slightly smaller than the rear wheel for the classic model.

Model characteristics:

• small fuel tank (12 l);
• narrow wings;
• steel frame;
• 66 l. With.;
• one cylinder that copes well with overloads, six gears;
• lightweight (140 kg);
• maneuverable;
• speed up to 167 km/h;
• high cross-country ability and power.

Among the disadvantages are the high cost of parts in case of breakdown or replacement and lack of sharpness of revolutions. The cost of the model is from 749 thousand rubles.

Lifan LF gy-5 (China). The model belongs to the budget option, therefore it is popular on the Russian market among imported vehicles. The motorcycle has all the necessary minimum for transport of this class. Maximum power – 16.3 liters. With. (for comparison, the domestically produced Java-350 motorcycle can offer 28 hp). The vehicle is not intended for long-term loads, since the engine is cooled only by air currents and can easily overheat.

Model features:

• light weight (122 kg);
• narrow tank for 10 liters of fuel (consumption 2.3 liters per 100 km);
• soft jumps on pits and potholes thanks to the pendulum rear suspension;
• speed up to 100 km/h, which is quite suitable for hunting;
• high cross-country ability and ease of maintenance.

Among the disadvantages are the relatively small tank, so you can’t go far on a motorcycle, the power is not high enough, and it is loud when riding. This option is more suitable for one person.

Kayo CRF801-7L Basic 17/14 (China). The motorcycle has four forward gears, a good hydraulic system, and the frame consists of tubular elements. The weight of the model is only 69 kg.

Motorcycle characteristics:

• lightness and maneuverability;
• ease of repair;
• direct muffler;
• power – 11 l. With.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the low strength of the steering wheel, which bends when dropped, the chain stretches and there is no electric starter.

Buell Blast 2003

Despite the admonition: “nothing but the Japanese!”, I dare to recommend one “guy” from Milwaukee. It’s not without reason that the American “five hundred” stands out from the slender line: it may be a small “half-size”, but still, it’s a Harley! Apart from charisma and signature vibration, nothing in the form of Bull reminds of the legendary “relatives”, but the motorcycle itself is very good. If you neglect the need to periodically screw into place the footrests and muffler that unscrew from the shaking of the single-cylinder half-liter engine, the bike requires no more maintenance than any Japanese “itch.” The wheels are cast, the belt life is about 35 thousand kilometers. Adapted “city dweller”, with soft rear suspension, comfortable seat, compact dimensions. Despite the 163 kg weight, it steers sanely. The carburetor overhead valve engine is high-torque and produces 34 hp. With. at 6.5 rpm min. The Americans are positioning it as a tool for initial training (after all, it’s half a Sportster), which is fully confirmed by good handling and a “natural” maximum speed limiter (in the form of terrible vibration) at 180 km/h.

Spare parts for such a vigorous option as this one can be found at the “officials” or on E-bay.

Conclusion

When choosing a motorcycle for hunting, which the owner will use regularly, you should first of all pay attention not to the cost, but to the technical characteristics. If an avid hunter plans to travel far and needs a powerful device, then you should pay attention to Japanese devices, which are distinguished by their quality, power and durability. But such vehicles cost above average.

Chinese models also have no worse characteristics; they are catching up with their Japanese and European counterparts in popularity, but have the main advantage of low price.

If a hunter does not often go hunting or fishing, you can choose a domestic model in the form of “Izha”, “Java” or “Ural”. The latter can lift a lot of weight, but is not very maneuverable and fast like the previous two types. Russian models, like their foreign counterparts, can always be modified by purchasing additional equipment.