I would need some convincing to choose an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) as a stand-alone Bug Out Vehicle, but I love the idea of piggybacking an ATV on a larger BOV such as a pickup truck or Bug Out Trailer. Regardless, ATVs certainly have advantages when it comes to getting off the beaten path and away from civilization. ATVs were invented to go places where traditional vehicles can’t. The ATV movement started back in the 1960s.
Developments since then have created a class of vehicles that is mind-boggling in design, function, and capability. From multi-passenger, side-by-side utility vehicles (UTVs) to six-wheeled amphibious machines like the Argo, there is nowhere a disaster evacuee can’t go. For those with the desire (and budget) to Bug Out from nearly any disaster imaginable, an ATV or UTV of some sort is probably in the vehicle mix.
Access to and through unforgiving terrain isn’t the only perk in this versatile class of machines. All have racks for strapping down gear and some even come equipped with mini truck-style beds for hauling bulky loads and stowing gear. Though miles per gallon of fuel depends on terrain, many ATVs can get over 30 mpg on open trails. One extra five-gallon tank can go a long way and is easily strapped on the corner of a spare rack.
One would prepare an ATV much like a traditional vehicle. Spare parts, off-road supplies, and fuel storage all apply. My old three-wheeler burns through the spark plugs like crazy. I never hit the trail without a few extras on hand and a tool kit to swap them out. ATV winches can be found for only a couple hundred dollars. Four-wheel drive ATVs are preferred over the inferior two-wheel drive versions. A spare tire or patch kit is also a necessity. Twelve-volt power ports can be easily installed to run a small air compressor or to charge electronics, such as phones or radios, on the go.
Great little trailers can be found at lawn and garden stores. I use a molded plastic John Deere model designed for a lawn mower around the property at Willow Haven and it is unbelievable what a beating that thing has taken over the years. I have loaded it down with hundreds of pounds (kilograms) of rocks, wood, and tools with no ill effects. Gear storage is a major drawback of most ATVs and a small trailer is an easy way to drastically extend storage capacity.
ATV operators are traditionally “in open air” and exposed to the elements. Enclosed cabs are available for some ATVs but certainly not all of them. Appropriate clothing, head wear, gloves, and shoes are critical when considering an ATV Bug Out, especially in four-season environments. Clothing to protect from underbrush and debris should also be considered. Whenever trail riding I always travel with a few N95 face masks to prevent from breathing in dust. This would certainly apply during a Bug Out with potential toxic ash as well. This list of pros and cons below may help to organize and prepare for Bugging Out on an ATV.
1980s Honda three-wheeler BOV
Snowmobile ATV Bug Out Convoy (Tyler Olson/Shutterstock.com)
Off-Road: The off-road capabilities of most ATVs are staggering. They can go places traditional vehicles cannot. Many excel in rough terrain, mud, snow, sand, water, and steep slopes.
Maneuverability: ATVs are incredibly maneuverable both in congested traffic and in the woods. Many can even be moved or rotated by hand if necessary.
Fuel: Many ATVs get excellent gas mileage on open trails. This is significantly reduced in extreme off-road conditions.
Affordable: You can buy used ATVs for a few hundred dollars. I bought a good running Honda three-wheeler for 250 dollars. New models can cost as much as full-sized vehicles.
Patrol: ATVs make excellent patrol/recon vehicles while at a BOL or ahead of a convoy.
Maintenance: In general, ATVs are easier to work on than traditional vehicles.
Accessories: Many aftermarket accessories are available for ATVs. These range from storage boxes to gun racks. There is an accessory for almost every need.
Storage: ATVs lack storage space. This can be extended with the addition of a trailer.
High Water: Most ATVs don’t excel in fording deep water (except for the amphibious models like the Argo).
Exposure: Most ATV operators are exposed to the elements. Proper clothing and protective coverings for all Bug Out Supplies are imperative.
Noise: ATVs are not the most discreet vehicles available. Many ATV motors are loud and annoying, which can be a bad thing if trying to keep on the down-low.
Design: Most ATVs in this class are designed to be flashy, often including bright colored and/or metallic designs. Consider toning this down with a DIY spray-paint job or removable graphics.
Unstable: Some ATVs can be very unstable. I’ve flipped my three-wheeler more than once. Safety equipment, such as helmets, are a necessity.
Legality: Except a few geographic exceptions, ATVs aren’t street legal. Driving ATVs on roads will elicit unwanted attention from authorities.
People: ATVs aren’t ideal people haulers. Most only accommodate two comfortably. These are not an ideal solution for large families unless multiple units are in the budget.
EMP: All vehicles with electronic components are susceptible to Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP).
Four-wheeler with cargo box mounted on back (R.S. Jegg/Shutterstock.com)
Polaris UTV fitted with a Camoplast Tatou ATV/UTV T4S track system from www.atvtracks.net (Photo courtesy of ATVTracks.net)
Vehicle Model: Argo 8×8 750 HDi
Manufacturer: Ontario Drive & Gear, www.argoatv.com
Price: Base Six-Wheel Model starts at $9,995
The Argo is a unique BOV option in a class all its own. Able to drive through dense brush, deep mud and snow, over rocks and logs and flooded areas, the Argo vehicles can go where no other off-road vehicle can go. Perhaps one of its most unique features is its amphibious capabilities. When the water gets too deep to drive through, the Argo floats like a boat and is able to continue through until solid ground is reached. Various accessories such as track kits, soft top, outboard motor mount, plus many more, all add to the versatility of these vehicles. When traveling through the harsh conditions disasters create, this vehicle gives a traveling survivor the option of going it on land or water!
Argo 8×8 750 HDi (Photo courtesy of Ontario Drive & Gear)
A dual purpose/dual sport motorcycle like the classic Kawasaki KLR650 or the Ural Gear-Up is the ideal Bug Out Motorcycle. I’m also a big fan of the Yamaha TW200 Dual Sport bike. Road bike cruisers and choppers are worthless off the pavement and have the lowest ground clearance of all motorbikes. Dual purpose bikes handle just fine on pavement and perform equally as well on rugged dirt trails. Because they are designed for off-road travel, most have an impressive list of Bug Out-esque features, including higher ground clearance, knobby tires, larger fuel tanks, and rear fender racks. People adventure in remote places all over the globe using dual purpose bikes like the KLR650. Motorbikes aren’t ideal for families (or even couples) but may be a perfect solution for a bachelor (or bachelorette) prepper who’s hoping to get out of the city fast with just a Bug Out Bag and a few extra supply items. Those in congested, high-traffic cities will benefit from a motorbike’s undeniable advantage navigating around and through mass exodus traffic jams. Have you ever noticed that first responders on motorcycles are always the first on the scene in dense traffic accidents? Motorcycles will be the first out of a crowded disaster evacuation as well.
There’s a reason why motorbikes are so popular in developing countries. They are affordable, reliable, easy to maintain, easy to troubleshoot, get great gas mileage, and are much more effective than four-wheeled vehicles on underdeveloped roads. It’s also surprising how much a small motorbike can haul with a little creativity.
Purchased or homemade saddle bags can drastically extend a motorbike’s storage capacity for luggage or extra fuel. For popular bikes like the KLR650 there are literally hundreds of aftermarket accessories to choose from. Customized bags are also made to fit over the gas tank and both wheels to further increase storage for long expedition-style trips. These make great storage areas for Bug Out Supplies as well.
Many may scoff at the mention of a scooter or moped as a potential BOV, but I’d sure love to have one as a backup if ever caught in traffic during a Bug Out when getting out of town was the difference between life and death. Thirty-five miles an hour on the road shoulder is a heck of a lot better than three miles an hour humping it with my 35-pound (16kg) BOB. I have an old Yamaha 50cc scooter and you wouldn’t believe the places I’ve taken that bike. I’ve crossed creeks and fields, woven in and out of jammed traffic at rush hour, lifted it over fences, slid it under gates, and driven it through six inches of snow—all without a need for a license, title, or insurance. Is it my ideal BOV? No, but for a few hundred bucks used it sure makes a good backup. The gas mileage is second to none and for people who live in densely populated cities, storing a scooter is almost as easy as storing a bicycle. Some mopeds are pedal bikes and scooters rolled into one compact package.
Small trailers can easily be pulled by all motorbikes and even scooters. However, the addition of a trailer does nothing to protect the very exposed operator. Though a motorcycle makes a fast and small target for potential threats, exposure to the elements (weather and debris) is always a top survival priority and should be given the respect it warrants with weather-appropriate clothing and protective gear. Exposure is the number-one outdoor killer in the United States.
All of the same rules apply for motorbikes as they do for traditional vehicles when it comes to packing spare parts and a tool kit. Spare items, such as spark plugs, belts, chains, and tire patch kits along with the accompanying tools need to be figured into the available storage space. One may wish to purchase a common make/model of motorbike to ensure easier access to replacement parts. Parts for rare motorbikes will be nearly impossible to find during and after a crippling disaster.
KLR650 Dual Purpose Motorcycle from www.kawasaki.com (Photo courtesy of Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA)
Ural Gear-Up from www.imz-ural.com (Photo courtesy of Ural Motorcycles)
Off-Road: There are few places on earth that motorcycles (excluding road bikes) can’t go.
Maneuverability: Motorcycles, dirt bikes, and scooters are incredibly maneuverable both in congested traffic and in the woods. They can fit through extremely tight jams.
Size: Motorbikes are easy to store and conceal.
Fuel: Most motorbikes get excellent gas mileage. Many range in excess of 40 mpg. My scooter gets over 90 mpg.
Affordable: Used motorbikes are very affordable.
Patrol: Motorbikes make excellent patrol/recon vehicles while at a BOL or ahead of a convoy.
Maintenance: Motorcycles and scooters are easier to work on than traditional vehicles.
Escape and Evade: The speed and maneuverability of motorbikes make them ideal candidates for escape and evasion from potential threats.
Safety: Motorcycles require a certain level of proficiency, especially in aggressive off-road terrain. Safety equipment, such as helmets, is a necessity. Accidents are typically much more severe on motorbikes than in vehicles.
Exposure: All motorcycle operators are exposed to the elements. Proper clothing and protective coverings for any Bug Out Supplies is imperative.
Storage: Motorcycles lack storage space, though this can be extended with the addition of a trailer and strategically placed storage bags and boxes.
People: Motorcycles are not ideal for families.
Theft: Because of their size, motorbikes are more susceptible to theft.
EMP: All vehicles with electronic components are susceptible to EMP.
Overloaded Motorbike (istock.com/© Holger Mette)
Creek’s Yamaha 50cc scooter with homemade egg crate storage boxes
Very unique Mountain Horse snow bike system from www.timbersled.com (Photo courtesy of Allen Mangum)
Vehicle Model: TIM RALSTON SURVIVAL SERIES ROKON
Manufacturer: ROKON, www.GEARUPCENTER.com
Price: $7,935
ROKON® is the world’s original and longest producing manufacturer of all-wheel drive American-made motorcycles. GearUp and ROKON have come together to produce a Tim Ralston Survival Signature Series Trail Breaker, specifically geared for the survival-minded set. It comes complete with camo package, front and rear game carriers and storage racks, rifle mount, .50 caliber ammo canister storage rigs, and hollow wheels for the transportation of extra fuel and water. For anyone seeking a motorcycle or ATV specifically designed as a BOV, the Ralston ROKON should get a hard look.
Tim Ralston Survival Series ROKON (Photo courtesy of Tim Ralston)
Most ATVs and many motorcycles are designed specifically for getting through and to the places that normal vehicles can’t. Consequently, they are a natural BOV choice when considering the potential harsh driving environments one may face. Further research will prove there are also important limitations such as protection from the environment and ability to carry gear. ATVs and motorbikes may be an ideal solution for a single person with a Bug Out Bag, but beyond that they may be better suited as an alternative piggyback BOV that rides in or on a larger vehicle. I do, however, love the idea of buzzing out of town on a dirt bike. The simplicity of that setup is very hard to deny.