Motorcycles

The best foldable fat-wheel 2WD Russian motorcycle you’ll see all day

The best foldable fat-wheel 2WD Russian motorcycle you’ll see all day
Taurus 2x2: 12-inch wide, 25-inch diameter fat wheels provide traction and suspension
Taurus 2x2: 12-inch wide, 25-inch diameter fat wheels provide traction and suspension
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Taurus 2x2: uniquely Russian approach to off-road motorcycling
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Taurus 2x2: uniquely Russian approach to off-road motorcycling
Taurus 2x2: 12-inch wide, 25-inch diameter fat wheels provide traction and suspension
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Taurus 2x2: 12-inch wide, 25-inch diameter fat wheels provide traction and suspension
Taurus 2x2: disassembles quickly to fit in the back of the car
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Taurus 2x2: disassembles quickly to fit in the back of the car
Taurus 2x2: decent off-road capability
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Taurus 2x2: decent off-road capability
Taurus 2x2: two wheel drive system makes it very capable in boggy mud
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Taurus 2x2: two wheel drive system makes it very capable in boggy mud
Taurus 2x2: no helmet, but that's a safety hairdo
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Taurus 2x2: no helmet, but that's a safety hairdo
Taurus 2x2: rigid suspension, but ultra fat tires run at low pressures
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Taurus 2x2: rigid suspension, but ultra fat tires run at low pressures
Taurus 2x2: 210cc motor and two-speed gearbox
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Taurus 2x2: 210cc motor and two-speed gearbox
Taurus 2x2: two wheel drive means you generally won't stay bogged for long - and a light weight under 90 kg means you can pull it free even if you do
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Taurus 2x2: two wheel drive means you generally won't stay bogged for long - and a light weight under 90 kg means you can pull it free even if you do
Taurus 2x2: all-terrain capability makes this a practical ag bike
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Taurus 2x2: all-terrain capability makes this a practical ag bike
Taurus 2x2: disassembles in minutes with its hinged front end
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Taurus 2x2: disassembles in minutes with its hinged front end
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With 12-inch wide, 25-inch diameter fat wheels and a simple two-wheel drive system, this unique and "distinctive" Russian agricultural bike can crawl its way through all kinds of mud and slush. The Taurus 2x2 is a lightweight, simple, two-wheel drive motorbike that pulls apart in minutes to fit in the trunk of a car – as long as you have enough room for those tires.

It's not glamorous. It's… really not glamorous. But as a kind of weird ag motorcycle, this just might have a few things going for it. Engine-wise, the company seems happy to put whatever you want in there, from the recommended Honda GX210 to an ultra-lightweight chainsaw motor, depending on what mix of performance vs weight you want to go for.

Taurus 2x2: no helmet, but that's a safety hairdo
Taurus 2x2: no helmet, but that's a safety hairdo

And that's a relevant thing to think about with this one, because even with that 210cc engine in it, it weighs in at just 82 kg (181 lb). With a smaller motor you can get it under 60 kg (132 lb), making it reasonably easy to haul the bike up and over any obstacles you can't ride over with those giant 25x12-inch fat tires.

Tire pressures need to be kept low, not much higher than 3 psi, since the bike's designed for extremely rough and muddy terrain and there's no suspension at either end.

The rigid front end geometry makes it easy to implement two-wheel drive, with a second chain drive running down to the front wheel, but the Taurus website gives no details on how that system chooses to proportion power to the front and rear wheels. The gearbox appears to be a two-speed, which should be adequate given the top speed of just 35 km/h (22 mph).

Utility racks on the front and rear are handy for carrying things about, including other Taurus bikes at a pinch. And since the bike is so light and the tires have so much air in them, you can wash it off by floating it in a river and giving it a bit of throttle.

Taurus 2x2: disassembles in minutes with its hinged front end
Taurus 2x2: disassembles in minutes with its hinged front end

When it's time to head home, the bike comes apart in about five minutes into a series of bits that fit easily in the back of a four wheel drive or station wagon. The wheels pop out, the front end hinges off with the release of a single bolt, and you're ready to throw it in the car. Mind you, it's gonna be absolutely filthy by that point, because it's a mud demon.

The cost, as far as we can tell, is around 75,000 Russian roubles, or a little over US$1,100 per bike, and it seems the Taurus is already in production with at least several dozen already made. The company isn't shipping internationally yet but says it's on the cards.

Check out the bike in the video below.

More information: Taurus 2x2

Мотовездеход "Тарусь 2х2"

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14 comments
14 comments
RodCarter
I have seen a very similar bike to this one, the Rokon Scout! (2008?) Both, or either, would be very welcome at my house
RodCarter
This is very similar to the Rokon Scout and Trail Breaker
RobinRhyne
Look, they have invented the Rokon!
History Nut
Yep, they just reinvented the Rokon! Smaller and cheaper maybe and the Rokon is not easily disassembled but still the same bike. I had an '86 Ranger for years. It was a lot of fun. Now they have four-cycle engines and horror of horrors: suspension! I sold mine years ago due to financial troubles but hope to get another in a few years and get back to having fun. Still, I will check out the Russian one when they get them imported.
grtbluyonder
Looks like a motorcycle on steroids, just like the Russian athletes. I wonder, does it run on steroids?
Windsor Wilder
This is brilliant! I want one! For some reason the Rokon website isn't loading. Maybe they've moved production from Vermont to Russia?
Mous
bless Russia. no bull designs.
Imran Sheikh
Great design with great proportions after a long time. A good example that design doesn't have to be ugly to solve a purpose.
Jay Finke
It's going to be a handy tool on the farm, and a 2 stroke will be nice for those colder climates. and it needs reverse for moving hay waggons. Ha
Fairly Reasoner
Well now, that's not exactly "foldable", is it?
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