Thread: Farm bike vs quad

Originally Posted by 6x47

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

And mobility scooters

Those tracked ~wheelchairs look like they could def go places

Hook the gun bag sling on the colostomy bag mount and Bob's yer uncle.

In a perfect world you have both, I do... �� The bike has the advantage for spots that have really tight access and it’s probably a bit faster than the quad. The quad can carry bigger loads and a mate and a dog too.

I’d say I do more hunting on my quad than my bike and I sold my last bike after I carried a pig out of the bush on it; I wobbled all over the show.

If you can afford a quad and have access where you can use it, I’d go for a quad.

2 wheels v/s 4? How about 3..

Originally Posted by craigc

In a perfect world you have both, I do... �� The bike has the advantage for spots that have really tight access and it’s probably a bit faster than the quad. The quad can carry bigger loads and a mate and a dog too.

I’d say I do more hunting on my quad than my bike and I sold my last bike after I carried a pig out of the bush on it; I wobbled all over the show.

If you can afford a quad and have access where you can use it, I’d go for a quad.

yep, 2 wheelers are pretty shit for carrying out whole animals. Boned out and strapped on be the go.

I have a quad and also a CT110 with the hi/low ratio. It is a minter and in certain situations like CraigC says they are gold. For most work I prefer the quad. Safer for me and more stable and can carry gear and dog etc. I am a shite bike rider but on the CT I can put my feet down easily. Bottom line with a quad is use good tyres and get off and walk if it looks dicey. Treat em like a tractor. ie dont sidle on them. Up or down hill.

I rode a farm bike exclusively as a kid. Quads didn't exist. Sure we didn't have the gradients we have here but we sure as hell had the mud. Muddy hills. It had huge canvas rear panniers on a staunch frame and I'd fill them up with rabbits, birds, foxes, all sorts. Thing is, I remember feeling entirely comfortable on the bike, but its a long time ago. Can't say I feel entirely comfortable on the quad all the time.

Obviously not thinking of being able to carry out whole animals. But backsteaks and rump boned out? That's not a big ask.

But yeah obviously a quad has massive advantages. I wonder if they will bring in the mandatory roll over protection like they are in Aus.

I don't particularly like having passengers. And I hate being the passenger. I make my kids wear proper bike helmets. Already had one come off the quad and smack his nut on the trailer drawbar (he was being a twerp). He knew in that instant I was right to make him wear a helmet. Both boys can ride a bike. Both boys want farm bikes! Hardly a surprise.

I've been using a Yamaha Viking 700 side by side. Noisy bloody thing. But bloody good. Just that much bigger. What I really don't like is having to use vehicles with a different track and wheels - the s-x-s digs wider, deeper ruts and its a farkin' pain in the arse to pit a quad up those tracks as it drags the diff and you're constantly having to balance the thing on a narrow strip of middle "hump". No fun. I'd just cruise on through on a bike.

Bottom line is that where I go, the tracks need a dose of D21.

Quads are safe as provided you understand the limitations, basically just off camber turns or riding steep sideways terrain.
Provided you don't over load the thing it's seldom an issue.

I'd prefer a quad for two reasons;
1, better load carrying ability and can attach rifle mounts and the like easily
2, less physical effort involved
In my opinion if a track is getting gnarly enough to be worried about a quad, a 2 wheeler is going to be a nightmare if it gets muddy and slippery.

I wouldn't even consider a side by side, they're expensive to buy, expensive to get serviced, heavier and bigger to transport around, and you can't man handle them at all, I'd personally prefer a small Suzuki or similar little 4x4.
I can see there are some benefits for them of farms and such, but not so much for a hunting/bush bike.

If you go for a 2 wheeler then you don't really need anything over 250cc. The old XR200 and the likes were great hunting bikes and I'd put my money on the CRF230 as the better bike of that size, esp with the electric leg to start.

Having ridden both I much prefer a Quad. More stable, much larger payload.

A heavily loaded 2 wheeler on a greasy track is a nightmare.

I have messaged flyblown with my thoughts around this subject already but I thought this info may be of more use to others too.
I have had the pleasure of hunting this block with flyblown on a quad and know its challenges well. He knows quads are not something I personally like.
I have a life time of experience on dirt bikes on many continents and in all conditions and considder myself an experienced rider. I know what I could do on those rutted tracks he speaks of.
We have had a few hairy moments together that clench my butt tighter than a new inmate in the showers.
With the situational hazards I have very little experience or confidence to pilot this possessed demon which means he rides and I sit on one side at the rear depending on the track camber.
The TRX500 is often loaded up with packs and 2 or 3 slung and strapped on rifles and the tracks get tight in places. Add a deer or two to that load and things get interesting. Lets not forget Flyblown clearly adds to the over all payload with his obviously enormous balls.
I feel a lot safer on a 2 wheeler knowing I could step off or lay one down in a hairy situation. As for carrying out animals it would have to be backpacked for me as pannier bags would add to a shitty hairy ballanced ride out.
A passenger and gear adds further challenges if inexperienced so I think a quad in our circumstance is unfortunatly the best bet.
Ideally two low geared two wheelers would dominate.

I would set up a good 400cc + torquey trail/enduro bike not a farm bike. They are lighter with often alloy frames instead of steel and more nimble with better suspension travel and brakes. Id gear it very low with new sprockets and fit a good led head light and bush bars etc. If I cant carry it on my back then it would be multiple trips.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Having ridden both I much prefer a Quad. More stable, much larger payload.

A heavily loaded 2 wheeler on a greasy track is a nightmare.

I have this argument with my wife routinely. She says the quad is more stable and she feels safer. I say it isnt, and she isnt. It just seems like she is. I have been upside down on the side of a horrendously steep hill, head down, feet up, with my DRZ400 on top of me. If it was my 750 Kingquad, I would not be typing this.

Originally Posted by berg243

have to admit love the quad but dont want to roll it have crashed a 2 wheeler more than i can count and walked away. am looking at getting one of those soft roll bars for the quad but would still prefer a small grunty 2 wheeler for exploring rough steep stuff much easier to hop off and pick it up at the bottom of the steep stuff than a heavy quad.

Avoid the soft roll bars I am told. They are very heavy and encourage you to need to use them.

Originally Posted by Tussock

I have this argument with my wife routinely. She says the quad is more stable and she feels safer. I say it isnt, and she isnt. It just seems like she is. I have been upside down on the side of a horrendously steep hill, head down, feet up, with my DRZ400 on top of me. If it was my 750 Kingquad, I would not be typing this.

I'd argue that you have to be doing a lot wrong to end up with a quad on top of you, whereas a heavy bike like a DRZ400 can be a real struggle in slippery terrain.