[BigAir]

I am looking to upgrade from my '99 GG TXT 270 to a newer bike. From what I have read on here I like what I hear about Shercos. Trials bikes are very hard to find around here, but I have located a couple that are about 8 hours away that I am considering buying.

The first is a 2006 Sherco 2.9. Ad says, "I Bought this bike last year, rode it 2 times its just not for me. Runs perfect plastic in great shape tires have plenty of use left. This is a clean bike with little use and no abuse." An email from him says, "The previous owner has been riding trials bikes for many years, and gets 2 or 3 new bikes every year or so however, he doesn’t use them like traditional trials riders do, he hunts with them in the mountains. This is a clean bike I looked for a long time and at a ton of beat up bikes, this is not one of them. As far as hours go the owner before me told me it was a spare bike that he had and kept longer than some of his other ones. He told me it was used very little, you can tell by looking at the condition he was telling the truth or replaced everything on the bike." Asking price $4500, but has said he will sell for $4000.

Second is 2005 SHERCO 2.9. Ad says, "Excellent condition... Low Hours..." An email from him says, "I am the second owner the first owner had five trials bikes this is the one he let his Friends ride. When I got it last year it had maybe 2 hours on it and I have put about 5 hours on it. Its not like an enduro where you ride it everywhere. These are the back yard bikes. I am selling to get a WR 450." Asking price is $3800, but he said to make him an offer.

There very few, if any, competitions in my area as far as I know. I plan to use the bike for steep mountain trail riding, play/trick riding, and cross training for XC racing. Which bike is going to be more reliable and durable? I have read the new '06 frames can crack. I only weigh 150 lbs., so maybe I wouldn't have to worry about that as much. I am not worried about ultimate performance as much long term durability. I plan to keep this bike for a long time.

Thanks for any opinions or suggestions.

[copemech]

Although there are differences, there is really nothing wrong with the earlier bike, specially if you like a chromed frame, which is nice in some ways.

The '06 motors were tuned a bit gentler it seems, but that bike does get a bad rap for rear shock problems and leaks. The steering is a bit less rakish, yet less radius.


Overall, I would rate them fairly equally, price and condition balancing the rest. Still typacally reliable as the high points of maintenance are the same. First point being to never wash the bike without pulling the air filter and blocking the hole, or visa vie.

[HAM2]

Presuming that the condition is the same :-
Offer the 05 guy $3000 ans see what happens, the 06 may crack it's frame and the rear shock might collapse...not what you want when you're out on those big American trails.
For me the only thing I would be missing out on by ignoring the 06 is the 06 has better steering and adjustable(?) forks,not a priority when you're trailing...IMHO

[tony27]

I could be wrong but aren't the fuel tanks on the 06s only 2.7litres or so

I've used my jarvis rep which is a pre production 05 for a lot of riding like you're describing & find that on a typical 6hr ride you can easily get away with carrying 2 extra litres, often I can come home with 1/2 a tank left

I'd suggest fitting a mud kit below the radiator & making a pre-filter as the main precautions, ARC levers are also a good investment