This is coolbert: I recall that the 9th ID is the experimental base for trying out all sorts of concepts. One of them was the moto-cross type motorcycle. Another was the dune buggy type vehicle. These were to be used for a recon type unit organic to the ID. Scouts and so forth. And in Afghan the SF have been using the 4 wheel ATV with what seems to be success. Since recon type units by their very nature are supposed to work in a surreptitious manner, I would think that noise would be a factor with the cross country vehicles. Especially in the counter-insurgency environment. Hard to find the correct trade-off for the vehicle of choice.

coolbert.