Was out working on the range this morning and as I was driving back I followed a small pickup with one of those motorcycle hitch carriers and some kind of dirt bike on it. Seemed like a good setup.

That seems like it might be the best way of all to go. Combine a light, easy riding motorcycle like the TW200 with a single bike hitch carrier. That takes the highway driving completely out of the picture since I could drive my CRV anywhere, even a couple of hours away to get to a trail head and go from there. A smaller bike and the hitch still wouldn't exceed a 350 tongue weight which is what my little Honda is rated for.

It also opens the door to full blown off road bikes but those all tend to be pretty high except the smallest models made for kids.

Thanks again for all the replies so far, lots to think about. Half the fun in buying something new is doing the research like this.

Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery.
Hit the target, all else is twaddle!