Recommend a small .44?

Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun is about the lightest, most compact 6-shot .44 that's still a "shooter", IMHO.

I like mine.

The 329 is light, but it's not something you actually want to shoot.

Try a 629 Carry Comp Performance Center. Check it out. It appears to be what you are looking for.

How does the compensated gun handle lead bullets?

Taurus Tracker would work, with a proper holster.

Taurus makes a super light .44M don't they? Not sure I'd want to fire it though...

Stainless model is the newer 629 Trail Boss 3" shown next to the 29 Classic 6.5"... making it look small, which it really isn't. Smaller perhaps. Since you'll be on a bike, weight shouldn't be an issue, cause it ain't a lightweight. Weighs in around 40 oz. Fast, accurate follow up shots tho' using full house loads... I'm still working on getting that down.

Sorry about the photo size. Next time I'll pare it down a mite.

I agree with ArmedBear and suggest the S&W 329. A compact (2.5-3" barrel), 6 shot .44 mag. It weighs in at 29 oz. (unloaded), so it won't be a lot of weight bouncing around riding the trail.

Since you'll be on a bike, weight shouldn't be an issue,

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I have to disagree. Riding a motorcycle off road there will be a lot of movement, up and down. And bouncing around. Freefalling for a few feet, then the sudden stop and rebound, that extra 11 oz. will get heavy after a while, if it doesn't bruise you. I would consider 11 oz. less critical to a hiker, where all those G-forces are not pulling on that holstered pistol.

Wyman

Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun is about the lightest, most compact 6-shot .44 that's still a "shooter", IMHO.

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I quibble a bit; the 3" trail boss above or an older Lew Horton 3" .44 I find easier to carry, especially when riding either motorcycles or horses (I do both a lot with this gun). A snug shoulder rig or a nice pancake holster with a thum-snap make it ride tight and securely. Like Wyman said, banging around ain't pleasant, so it does need to be secured.

This would be the lightest one in steel that is still a "shooter" that you would plink with an have an extended shooting range. The flyweight guns tend to pound you quite a bit. The problem with "small" and ".44 magnum" is that you still need some weight to help counter the recoil of full-power loads for good control and pleasant shooting.