Dirt Bike Winch

[quicksparks]

I was watching a video on The Dirtbike Rider channel on Youtube and noticed a device attached to the fork legs above his front fender. It looks like it's a retractable cable that could be used for getting his bike out of ditches. I couldn't find anything like it online. Does anybody know what it is?

 

[Tharkûn]

I've seen it before but now I can't remember where, will look around a bit

 

[quicksparks]

Thanks! It looks like a valuable accessory.

 

[APpy]

http://www.thetugger.com/

 

[quicksparks]

Thanks but I'm really looking for the product in the pictures for those all-alone whoopsies. Tuggers are for times when you're stuck and your buddies are there to help you.

 

[Tharkûn]

http://www.stuckmate.com/en/

 

[planegray]

http://www.stuckmate.com/en/

damn, your google-fu is :hail


pretty cool device, I certainly could have used one at times

 

[OldFatGuy]

Interesting, but it doesn't look like it actually pulls. More like it just keeps the bike from rolling back. In my case, that would just mean that I have to hike back up the hill to get the bike after I tumble down. :laughing

 

[quicksparks]

AWESOME. Thanks, Tharkun!

Re: not actually pulling, but preventing rolling back. I imagined that might be the case, and it's still super useful.

Looks like it's about $100 and weighs 1.1 lbs. I'm going to look into ordering it.

 

[berth]

Well that's interesting. Is the idea that you would tie this thing to a tree (or whatever), and then start working the bike up the hill, and since it auto retracts, you fix the "3 steps forward, 4 steps back" problems?

I guess the big question is whether the thing can survive the 400-500 lb load on mechanism (bike and rider).

 

[quicksparks]

Solving the 3 steps forward, 4 steps back; yes. I don't think it's meant to help you climb a hill.*

I envision using it when the bike is laying on its side and it's all I can do to move it 3 or 4 inches at a time. I've been in that situation in loose soil when riding downhill wasn't an option, and every time I tried to re-grip or get better footing, the bike slid further downhill.

*Edit: In the demo video they show it being used to pull a bike out of a mud pit while the rider is on the bike. Rated for 300 kg (661 lbs).


youtu.be/1sCUy4Fckb0

 

[quicksparks]

I bought one.

Ordering on the French website was very straightforward -- just as easy as a domestic one. I used Paypal.

82.50 Euro for the Stuckmate plus 31.73 Euro for shipping. The total came out to $130.49.

I'll post up when it arrives.

 

[Tharkûn]

Let us know I'm interested also

 

[SM610]

First thing that came to mind was tying a rope to the rear hub and an uphill tree, then throttle up the hill!!

What? It might work...:teeth

 

[APpy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY4cKc4FKSM

Something like this might work if the dirt bike has a single sided swing arm

Might be able to build something similar by drilling and tapping holes in the front sprocket?

 

[Saltwater]

This looks like a handy device if you ride solo. Although it doesnt look like it the pick it says it has 32' of cable.

http://m.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-hand-winch-65688.html

 

[thedub]

Yeah, could be handy if you ride alone.

OR, if you ride with lazy friends like me who just sit there and watch you try and get your bike unstuck.

Solving the 3 steps forward, 4 steps back; yes. I don't think it's meant to help you climb a hill.*

*Edit: In the demo video they show it being used to pull a bike out of a mud pit while the rider is on the bike. Rated for 300 kg (661 lbs).

I don't think it's meant to depict a winch type pulling action. I think his buddy is pulling while the rider is spinning the tire/pedaling.

 

[quicksparks]

Yeah, could be handy if you ride alone.

OR, if you ride with lazy friends like me who just sit there and watch you try and get your bike unstuck.



I don't think it's meant to depict a winch type pulling action. I think his buddy is pulling while the rider is spinning the tire/pedaling.

You're right. When I said, "they show it being used to pull a bike out," I just meant that his buddy was holding one end of the line and pulling on it.

I'll let everyone know how it is when I get it. You all might want to do a group buy because they have a buy 4, get 1 free deal. Assuming shipping costs stay about the same, five people would each pay about $83 for their Stuckmate, instead of $130.49.

 

[rwcfrank]

Andrew, the next time we go riding I will do my best to not make any retractable dog leash jokes.

 

[quicksparks]

Frank, I'd love to hear 'em!

You're right: it sounds like it's just about the same mechanism as a retractable dog leash. But to me it's one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas. In fact, the day before I saw it on Youtube, I thought about making the same thing. Then, BAM, there it was. Thanks to Tharkun, I can buy it instead of building it myself.

I already received a shipping notice that says it's supposed to arrive this Wednesday. 3 business days from France. Damn that's fast! I elected the cheap, default shipping option.

Also, great customer service so far. They personally emailed me installation and user instructions and replied to my question within minutes.