Matrix Games Forums

Since eveyone was so helpful with the Infantry gun question I had, I thought I'd ask about another unit I'm curious about.
The Motorcycle unit
How can I effectively use this one? When I've used them in the past, they don't seem to possess much firepower, so I don't attack with them.
About the only thing I've found them good for is loud recon.

I don't use them much but when I do they scout and do a little long range harassing. Otherwise they just sit around, drink beer, wrench a little, show off their new tats, burn a twisty and ogle each others ol' ladies:D

While Mojo may be correct for an American MC unit, I have found MC's quite useful. In addition to loud recon, they are unmatched in fast reaction to a crucial situation, making them excellent choices for a reserve or reinforcement element. They are also useful for quickly attacking a flank. Anything that you need done real quick, real cheap, they are good for. With the exception of dealing with armor. Then they go for the six pack....

Goblin

Too true Goblin. Speed on defence is imperative. By harassing I meant hit and run tactics against flanks and softish targets like unprotected on board arty which I like to actively hunt.

Other than the Soviets and the Germans does anybody else have mc troops in their OOB? I can't remember in in the US.

Originally posted by Mojo
Too true Goblin. Speed on defence is imperative. By harassing I meant hit and run tactics against flanks and softish targets like unprotected on board arty which I like to actively hunt.

Other than the Soviets and the Germans does anybody else have mc troops in their OOB? I can't remember in in the US.

Japan does, a coupla others might. Bicycle infantry and cavalry are nearly as useful for the stated purposes. Italy and Finland have bicycles for sure.

Can you picture 'Easy Company/ 2nd Batt / Hell's Angels'!?:eek:

Goblin

Originally posted by Goblin


Japan does, a coupla others might. Bicycle infantry and cavalry are nearly as useful for the stated purposes. Italy and Finland have bicycles for sure.

Can you picture 'Easy Company/ 2nd Batt / Hell's Angels'!?:eek:

Goblin

That's kinda where I was going. Maybe a Stugis goes to the Ardennes?

No Finns on their freakin mopeds tho, we know how tough they are.

Originally posted by Mojo
No Finns on their freakin mopeds tho, we know how tough they are.

Finnish Moped Assault Squads? I LOVE it. Can they mount an MG on one of those?:rolleyes: :p

Goblin

Originally posted by WhiteRook
Hey another great use I have found for them is for getting into rear areas and nailing enemy arty!

I love my Jagerscooten:D

Don't let these other guys sell the motorcylce unit short. It can be very effective if you have the right type.
First there are generally two types the Motorcyle and the Heavy Motorcyle. The regular generaly only have a LMG, these units I have found to be good for Recon, bait and dealing with on board artilary.
They do not do much damage, but they do not cost much and they go very fast. Now this allows to to expore parts of the map quickly. Also ani-tank guns and tanks on oppertunity fire has there to hit affected by the speed of the unit. Well run that cycle around at 11 hexes and whatch it get shot at 12 times and not take any damage. This give you the opportunity to swing in with other units and do real damage. Lastly if you can get a platoon of them through the enemy lines they are great for hunting artillary.
Now the German Hvy Motorcycle on the other hand that is a fine peice of equipment sporting a Kar 98k Rifle, a 7.92 mm MG34 LMG, and Stielhoander. This unit can do all of the above and is devistating to all soft targets and can assult tanks!
Using motorcycles is a bit difficult, I tend not to use them in assualts or defend situations, but in the all other engagements I tend to buy 2-5 platoons of them.

I do find them to be superior scouts. I've seen scout cars destroyed by a single arty round or burst of MG. If they even manage to hit the mc squad they are only supressed at worst. I was only half kidding about my Jagerscooten.

If I could just figure how to get an FO or sniper to ride pillion they'd be perfect.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mojo
I was only half kidding about my Jagerscooten.

Aww come on - I love that term! Gotta write that one down!

If I'm advancing and need to hurry, I find attaching a platoon of MCs to armour formations and using them as dedicated recon really helps keep your tanks alive. They spot better than armoured car/halftrack recon and have way better survivability, as mentioned earlier in the thread. They can also keep ahead of the armour due to their high speed.

Punch a hole in the front line then stuff a motorcycle platoon into your enemy's rear to get those rearward victory hexes, hunt down trucks, ammo carriers, artillery. On the defence use the Hvy motocycles as a reaction force. They can also be used to get that MG into the 'proper' position untill the foot sloggers arrive.

Basicly you use them as fast cavalry, or dragoons. Back'em up with a few AC and you have a very dangerous force.

i'm pretty new to the game but won't mc's take huge casualty's from mg fire if caught in the open due to there high speed and low armour

Yeah, you definitely don't want to be caught in the open with a MC squad. They're not subject to that 'one-shot, one-kill' of a vehicle, but they can wither fast under infantry and MG fire.

I haven't used MC much, but after reading some of the suggested tactics in this thread, I'm gonna have to give it a try.

Any votes on 'Best Motorcycle unit of the war"?

sorry but i have yet to try mc's in any major capacity in any game as of yet

i've only taken them in long campaigns as a useful way to increse the size of your starting force and had them as a roving reserve to guard against infiltraters para's,waiting for those resorce points with which to convert them to a much needed additional armour element or infantry squad:D

however i have to admit this thread has kinda got me thinking that i may hav overlooked a valuable resorce:)

Well I vote for the German heavy ones.
Yes MC's can be a great help when used properly, it just takes some time for the learning curve to settle in if ya know what I mean!

Originally posted by ravensclaw
i'm pretty new to the game but won't mc's take huge casualty's from mg fire if caught in the open due to there high speed and low armour

You are correct that MC's will take infantry out in the open damage versus MG's but two things are a factor here. The to-hit % is affected by tehe speed of the unit and MC units can go extreemly fast so they tend not to get hit even out in the open. The second thing is that they carry a lot of smoke and when caught out in the open can disburse a full feild like a tank.

As far as the best MC unit. It either has to be the German Heavy or the Russian Heavy. Both are very good. The Russian is very difficult to destroy, this from personal experience in MC-LV.

I love MC units! (as in Motor cycle, not megacampaign *ahem*)

At least the sidecars - fast as a bat out of h*ll, armed with an MG and difficult to hit. They're useful for anything, short of assaulting tanks and bunkers

Really, I think it's the speed I appreciate the most. Always there to help infantry squads in need, no matter where they are on the map. Always there to scout in advance. Always there to pin those 203 mm Russian SP's...