2024 Farm bike buyer’s guide

As we welcome in a new year, many of you are no doubt looking at what gear you’ve got on hand, with plans to upgrade or streamline your fleet of farm equipment. Here, we break down the top farm bikes on offer in Australia.

There are plenty of instances where a bike beats its four-wheeled alternatives out on the farm - especially when access is tight. In our opinion they’re also loads of fun, which helps pass the time!

Manoeuvrability when herding livestock, checking fences or taking a goat track between paddocks is better on a dirt bike, and you’ll get around quicker too. If you do need to lay it over, god forbid, it sure beats tipping an ATV or UTV.

Let’s be honest, though, most farmers will already have a UTV or ATV in their shed - hard to beat for their load-carrying potential - but for ducking back to the house for lunch and a cuppa, nothing beats two wheels.

A good farm bike remains the A-to-B king and you won’t get more thrills per dollar with anything else, which is why we think they’re still a must.

While the options are thinning, with each of the big four manufacturers - Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki - now only offering one or two models at best, the plus is they are all proven runners.

Farm bikes are also more refined than ever, while still remaining simple and easy to work on. Take the electric start fitted to them all, for example, which across a day of use keeps a bit more energy in the tank. It sure beats fighting the kickstarter of an old XT500, as it tries to buck you into space.

All of the bikes discussed in this article have air-cooled four-stroke engines, electric start, and they all come in at under 250cc - all the hallmarks of a good farm bike.

Here are our top four new farm bike picks for 2024, in no particular order!

When you think about farm bikes, the mighty Honda XR has always been a solid option and, with its enduro roots, it’ll take a beating.

Compared to the venerable XR250s of the 80’s and 90’s, the latest XR150L is less an enduro do-it-all machine and more a dedicated workhorse, but it’s still tough-as-nails and will get up and over just about anything.

The XR150L is powered by a low-maintenance 149cc single-cylinder engine, with a five-speed gearbox and both electric and backup kick start.

While only producing around 12hp, the 130kg kerb weight makes the XR a nimble bike, and with a 12-litre tank some overseas tests have achieved a range of up to 500km - making this an astonishingly economical machine.

Getting through rocky trails won’t be an issue either, with 180mm of suspension travel at the front and 150mm up back, while ground clearance of 245mm should prevent bottoming. But don’t worry, unlike older XRs it still has a low seat height of 825mm.

Letting the XR150L down slightly is a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel, down on competitors that offer a full-size 21-inch front wheel - limiting how easily it’ll roll over rocks or logs.

Disc brakes up front and drums at the rear take care of stopping duties, edging the XR ahead of other options that use drums up front.

A new XR150L can be had for around $4898, with a 12-month warranty offered, making this a well-priced farm hand guaranteed to get the job done.

Interested in this model? Buy a Honda XR150L for yourself on farmmachinerysales.com.au

Yamaha has been producing the AG100 and AG200, in their various forms, for around 50 years - first launching the AG100 in 1972.

Not a lot has changed over the years, which makes sense given the bike’s cult status around the world. Despite remaining the same for so long, it’s remained one of the best-selling farm bikes in Australia.

The proven 196cc aircooled single-cylinder engine produces 14hp, with both electric and kick start, and is mated to a five-speed gearbox.

The AG200 is a surprisingly capable enduro bike by ag standards, with a full-size 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel, and 200mm of suspension travel up front.

Braking comes courtesy of drums front and rear, putting the AG200 behind the others on this list - all of which have modern disc brakes up front.

Ground clearance is competitive at 255mm, while a seat height of 830mm and kerb weight of around 120kg make the AG200 a manageable little steed.

A ten-litre fuel tank offers all-day range, but Yamaha doesn’t offer official fuel use figures. This bike is not going to drink much petrol, though, no matter how you ride it!

Built for practicality, the AG200 comes standard with dual front and rear racks, which can fit a surprising amount on them if you get creative.

Having been in production for so long, not only does the AG200 offer classic styling but it also comes with old school farm bike quirks like a clutch lever lock - meaning you can leave the bike in gear when jumping off to open or close gates.

Priced from $6549, the AG200 isn’t the cheapest option on the list, but it’s a no-nonsense bike that’s well and truly earnt its stripes across a long production life.

Did this check all your boxes? Get your own Yamaha AG200F on farmmachinerysales.com.au

The Suzuki Trojan - or DR200 for the diehards - is a dependable option that’s built to last - much like its wildly popular DRZ400 and DR650 stablemates.

Powered by a 199cc single-cylinder engine producing a class-leading 20hp, mated to a five-speed gearbox and complete with an oil cooler for added reliability, the Trojan is a stout performer.

With both electric and kick start, the Trojan ticks all of the farm bike boxes. And at 132kg wet - with a generous 13-litre fuel tank - it’s a fairly light workhorse too.

A 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel, coupled with ground clearance of 260mm, will get the Trojan through tough terrain and the seat height of 850mm makes throwing a leg over an effortless affair.

Disc front and drum rear brakes, which is the combination of choice in this segment, pull the Trojan up while remaining simple.

Front and rear racks offer plenty of storage, although the front isn’t quite as sizable as that offered on the Yamaha AG200. A handy but quirky feature on the Trojan is twin side stands, making stopping on uneven ground easier than ever.

Another lesser discussed benefit of the Trojan is its lack of plastic fairings, which means you’re not left with handfuls of dried mud and manure lodged within the panels.

Available for $5790 with a 12 month/unlimited kilometre warranty, the Trojan offers compelling value and remains the top-selling farm bike in Australia - a title it has held onto for some 27 years.

Think this is the bike for you? Get your own Suzuki Trojan on farmmachinerysales.com.au

The Kawasaki Stockman is the big-bore of the group, with performance to match and all of the features you’d expect in a solid farm bike.

Powered by a 233cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, producing 19hp, with a six-speed transmission, the Stockman is the performer of the bunch.

It scores a 21-inch front wheel, 18-inch rear-wheel and disc brakes all round, while 158mm of front travel and 168mm of rear travel soak up bumps.

Clearance of 220mm should clear the majority of obstacles, and a seat height of 845mm should accommodate the majority of riders too, but its kerb weight of 137kg makes this a slightly less chuckable bike than the others presented.

Despite its 233cc engine, the Stockman has a fuel capacity of just 7.5 litres compared to the larger tanks offered on smaller farm bikes.

Priced from around $6990, the Stockman isn’t the cheapest option either, but it offers grunt and modern suspension that edges it ahead of the competition in terms of refinement.

This is a bike suited to larger riders or those wanting a little more torque, with modern technology and styling, also suitable for supply runs into town with its six-speed ‘box.

Like what you see? Buy a Kawasaki Stockman for yourself on farmmachinerysales.com.au

Any of the ag bikes presented here will perform day-to-day farm duties with ease, making them all worthy contenders.

Whichever option you land on, you’re going to have a blast each and every time you throw the helmet on and swing a leg over your new farm bike.

Happy riding!

Buy your very own farm bike on farmmachinerysales.com.au