Why use offroad motorcycles in the military?

[brgnorway 0]

I recently saw an ad on a motorcycle forum. Someone tried to sell a Ktm 640 lc4 military green motorcycle. Why use motorcycle? It's not stealthy and it's not fast - unless you happen to be enduro world champion. Are they only used to deliver messages etc.?

[ralphwiggum 6]

i'm guessing mobility. although motorcycles are loud as cars, it's also able to go through smaller spots and less gas, AFAIK

[Snoopy 0]

well its smaller than a car, that less gas

its lighter than a car means it can go faster ( well it should, depends on engine/motor)

since its small you can hide it easier and green too!

and i think you can carry it ( a little ) if it gets stuck in mud and all.

[PHY_Hawkeye 0]

Also if your breaking your father out of a Nazi Castle what better way to make your escape that on a motorcycle (conveniently with a side car). god I love Indianna Jones.

Seriousley though. What kind of units would use motorcycles?

[Bart.Jan 0]

I saw military motorcycles at last 6 years ago and it was used for messengers. In Czech Armed Forces.

I think because of mobility. Even if there is trafic jam motorcycle can slip through.

[brgnorway 0]

and i think you can carry it ( a little ) if it gets stuck in mud and all.

I think it would be too heavy. I mean these things weigh in at a minimum of 130 kg. I suppose it's for dispatching messages only?

Anyway, if my military service was to be riding motorcycles all day - it would probably have been a hell of a lot more fun than it actually was

[Bart.Jan 0]

Oops. I saw only road motorcycles. No offroad.  

I don't know why to use offroad. Maybe only for well trained drivers to deliver some very important messages. Maybe some kind of back-up for signals troops.

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Bart.Jan @ Oct. 13 2002,01:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Oops. I saw only road motorcycles. No offroad.  

I don't know why to use offroad. Maybe only for well trained drivers to deliver some very important messages. Maybe some kind of back-up for signals troops.<span id='postcolor'>

Sounds reasonable. One other reason could be that roads (not motorways) are pretty bad in Norway. I guess its makes sense to use offroads instead of ordinary motorcycles.

[Tex -USMC- 0]

Download the OFP addon and see if they're a good idea

@ ofp.info

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Tex [uSMC] @ Oct. 13 2002,01:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Download the OFP addon and see if they're a good idea  

@ ofp.info<span id='postcolor'>

Damn Tex - that looks cool. I'm not sure I would like to be the passenger though

[brgnorway 0]

By the way - here's an old one:

http://dwp.bigplanet.com/amd/ktm1/item.nhtml?profile=ktm1&UID=120

[Nagual 0]

Harleys were used in the gulf war, cause they are fast, durable, use heaps less petrol than other things, there is lots of good reasons.

Bikes can also be inserted fast, they can be inserted via MH-6 littlebirds, they can get spec ops into and outo of AOs very quickly, inculding places larger vehciles just cant go.

And like someone mentioned earlier, if your stuck you can pick up some offroad bikes and put it over fences or obstacles, pretty handy.

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,02:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Harleys were used in the gulf war, cause they are fast, durable, use heaps less petrol than other things, there is lots of good reasons.

Bikes can also be inserted fast, they can be inserted via MH-6 littlebirds, they can get spec ops into and outo of AOs very quickly, inculding places larger vehciles just cant go.

And like someone mentioned earlier, if your stuck you can pick up some offroad bikes and put it over fences or obstacles, pretty handy.<span id='postcolor'>

I dont mean to be rude but Harleys are NOT fast, certainly not durable and they do use a lot petrol.

You would not be able to lift a motorcycle at all! Have you ridden one and got stuck in the mud. Believe me, I've tried to lift enduromotorcycles out of the mud. Its nearly impossible and the endurobikes are made for competition. That means they are lightweight, but we are still talking about 110-130 kg.

A Harley Davidson is a LOT MORE heavy - imagine lifting that!

Besides, Harley Davidsons do not make offroad/enduro/atv motorcycles, so why would anyone use them in the gulf?

[red oct 2]

hmm i tried to find some info on the mility motor cycles but ran into something a little slightly different.

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Red Oct @ Oct. 13 2002,03<!--emo&)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">hmm i tried to find some info on the mility motor cycles but ran into something a little slightly different.<span id='postcolor'>

That is a piece of equipement you would be able to lift and throw over a fence. I know Klein bicycles delivered carbon bikes to US Army! The bike is not dead!

The Montague bike found in your link is actually a Klein Mantra pro - very expensive bike, allthough not produced by Klein anymore.

http://members.tripod.com/~Yoed/Bike/klein.html

[Assault (CAN) 1]

I know for a fact that Canada has used dirtbikes and quads on the peace keeping missions in Haiti and Cambodia. Dirtbikes are a good method of tansportation. They are cheap, reliable, can go anywhere, and can slip in and out of traffic. They are also good to have when you are patroling from town to town or village to village.

During an actual war, they would most likely be used in the rear areas and as a messenger vehicle should we lose comms.

Tyler

[Nagual 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (brgnorway @ Oct. 13 2002,10:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,02:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Harleys were used in the gulf war, cause they are fast, durable, use heaps less petrol than other things, there is lots of good reasons.

Bikes can also be inserted fast, they can be inserted via MH-6 littlebirds, they can get spec ops into and outo of AOs very quickly, inculding places larger vehciles just cant go.

And like someone mentioned earlier, if your stuck you can pick up some offroad bikes and put it over fences or obstacles, pretty handy.<span id='postcolor'>

I dont mean to be rude but Harleys are NOT fast, certainly not durable and they do use a lot petrol.

You would not be able to lift a motorcycle at all! Have you ridden one and got stuck in the mud. Believe me, I've tried to lift enduromotorcycles out of the mud. Its nearly impossible and the endurobikes are made for competition. That means they are lightweight, but we are still talking about 110-130 kg.

A Harley Davidson is a LOT MORE heavy - imagine lifting that!

Besides, Harley Davidsons do not make offroad/enduro/atv motorcycles, so why would anyone use them in the gulf?<span id='postcolor'>

Well compared to say a kawasaki ninja they are not are fast, but they are bikes, so they are fast, and a hell of a lot faster than foot.

As for lifting, yes ive lifted dirt bikes over high fences, ive lifted large roadbikes off my body after crashes, ive dragged bikes thru mud and dragged and pushed bikes for kilometers with no petrol. They are versatile.

There are all sorts of harleys, i doubt the army are riding around on 1340cc choppers. Sure harley are heavier than dirt bikes, but thats no reason to not use them. They can be reliable (and off course not be), and very sturdy. Have you ever ridden a road bike off road?, ive maintained high speeds for long rides on dirt roads on a road bike, with my wife and a heaps and heaps of gear on the back. Road / larger bikes can carry alot of stuff for their size.

See in afghansitan how spec forces were riding donkeys around, sometimes alternative transport is appropriate.

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,05:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (brgnorway @ Oct. 13 2002,10:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,02:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Harleys were used in the gulf war, cause they are fast, durable, use heaps less petrol than other things, there is lots of good reasons.

Bikes can also be inserted fast, they can be inserted via MH-6 littlebirds, they can get spec ops into and outo of AOs very quickly, inculding places larger vehciles just cant go.

And like someone mentioned earlier, if your stuck you can pick up some offroad bikes and put it over fences or obstacles, pretty handy.<span id='postcolor'>

I dont mean to be rude but Harleys are NOT fast, certainly not durable and they do use a lot petrol.

You would not be able to lift a motorcycle at all! Have you ridden one and got stuck in the mud. Believe me, I've tried to lift enduromotorcycles out of the mud. Its nearly impossible and the endurobikes are made for competition. That means they are lightweight, but we are still talking about 110-130 kg.

A Harley Davidson is a LOT MORE heavy - imagine lifting that!

Besides, Harley Davidsons do not make offroad/enduro/atv motorcycles, so why would anyone use them in the gulf?<span id='postcolor'>

Well compared to say a kawasaki ninja they are not are fast, but they are bikes, so they are fast, and a hell of a lot faster than foot.

As for lifting, yes ive lifted dirt bikes over high fences, ive lifted large roadbikes off my body after crashes, ive dragged bikes thru mud and dragged and pushed bikes for kilometers with no petrol. They are versatile.

There are all sorts of harleys, i doubt the army are riding around on 1340cc choppers. Sure harley are heavier than dirt bikes, but thats no reason to not use them. They can be reliable (and off course not be), and very sturdy. Have you ever ridden a road bike off road?, ive maintained high speeds for long rides on dirt roads on a road bike, with my wife and a heaps and heaps of gear on the back. Road / larger bikes can carry alot of stuff for their size.

See in afghansitan how spec forces were riding donkeys around, sometimes alternative transport is appropriate.<span id='postcolor'>

.....you must be very strong then!? - perhaps I'm not but on the other hand I have been in several situations where it was impossible to get the bike out of the mud without someone helping me. Actually, just dragging my 11 kg mountainbike along in difficult terrain is pretty hard on your muscles.

Do you lift cars over your head every now and then too?

[Assault (CAN) 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">11 kg mountainbike <span id='postcolor'>

Holy crap, what the hell is your moutainbike made of? Depleted Uranium?

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Assault (CAN) @ Oct. 13 2002,06:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">11 kg mountainbike <span id='postcolor'>

Holy crap, what the hell is your moutainbike made of? Depleted Uranium?<span id='postcolor'>

Hehe, no - it's made of Colombus nivachrome steel. It's an old Kona. I know, the latest full sussers weigh as little as 10 kg. But they are a bit on the expensive side right now. When I get a propper job after uni maybe.

[brgnorway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,05:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (brgnorway @ Oct. 13 2002,10:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nagual @ Oct. 13 2002,02:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Harleys were used in the gulf war, cause they are fast, durable, use heaps less petrol than other things, there is lots of good reasons.

Bikes can also be inserted fast, they can be inserted via MH-6 littlebirds, they can get spec ops into and outo of AOs very quickly, inculding places larger vehciles just cant go.

And like someone mentioned earlier, if your stuck you can pick up some offroad bikes and put it over fences or obstacles, pretty handy.<span id='postcolor'>

I dont mean to be rude but Harleys are NOT fast, certainly not durable and they do use a lot petrol.

You would not be able to lift a motorcycle at all! Have you ridden one and got stuck in the mud. Believe me, I've tried to lift enduromotorcycles out of the mud. Its nearly impossible and the endurobikes are made for competition. That means they are lightweight, but we are still talking about 110-130 kg.

A Harley Davidson is a LOT MORE heavy - imagine lifting that!

Besides, Harley Davidsons do not make offroad/enduro/atv motorcycles, so why would anyone use them in the gulf?<span id='postcolor'>

Well compared to say a kawasaki ninja they are not are fast, but they are bikes, so they are fast, and a hell of a lot faster than foot.

As for lifting, yes ive lifted dirt bikes over high fences, ive lifted large roadbikes off my body after crashes, ive dragged bikes thru mud and dragged and pushed bikes for kilometers with no petrol. They are versatile.

There are all sorts of harleys, i doubt the army are riding around on 1340cc choppers. Sure harley are heavier than dirt bikes, but thats no reason to not use them. They can be reliable (and off course not be), and very sturdy. Have you ever ridden a road bike off road?, ive maintained high speeds for long rides on dirt roads on a road bike, with my wife and a heaps and heaps of gear on the back. Road / larger bikes can carry alot of stuff for their size.

See in afghansitan how spec forces were riding donkeys around, sometimes alternative transport is appropriate.<span id='postcolor'>

Nagual - see what I mean:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/2429/mb-15-28.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/2429/mb-15-23.jpg

[lonesoldier 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">its lighter than a car means it can go faster<span id='postcolor'>

Tell me exactly what road/trail bike can go faster than a car.

I honestly cant imagine a 250cc engine going faster than a cars engine.

[Nagual 0]

hmmm, i didnt say i lifted road bikes over my head. Dirt bikes are another thing. It is a common rule to not ride a bike that you cant lift, as other wise you can be pinned in the middle of nowhere. And lol, a decent road bike weighs around 230kg with a full tank. Not to be lifted over the head, but i can be lifted off ones body, or pushed, dragged ect. Weight is only a small part of the total picture of why bikes would be used.

And what makes you think the military would always be riding on the type of tracks dirt bike / enduro riders ride on, i mean they would travel on all sorts of terrrain, so dragging bikes out of mud is only a concern in, well, muddy terrain.

And yes manually moving a bike is hard on the body, but so what, lots of things are lol. You asked why they would be used in the militiary, and the simple answer is : because they are useful, they can do things that feet or cars can't. That shouldn't be so hard to see.

Also, i cant view the pages your link goes to, maybe later.

[Nagual 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (LoneSoldier @ Oct. 13 2002,15:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">its lighter than a car means it can go faster<span id='postcolor'>

Tell me exactly what road/trail bike can go faster than a car.

I honestly cant imagine a 250cc engine going faster than a cars engine.<span id='postcolor'>

Lone soldier, he said straight after that:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">

( well it should, depends on engine/motor)

<span id='postcolor'>

, its all relative to which bike is being compared to which car.

A crappy car will lose to a medium range quality 250cc, a decent car will beat the medium 250 but be challenged buy a decent 250. And a really good car will beat the 250, but loose to larger sports bikes.

Two stroke 250cc road bikes like a suzuki rgv have heaps of power, like 100km+ an hour in the second gear (out of 6 gears), but those bikes are also death traps when folks dont know how to handle them.

[Nagual 0]

brgnorway you might find this page interesting,

Mt500.