notanotherfive

I don't fancy going back to an old twin shock. After riding my dad's old Fantic 301 mono, I did not want to give it back! It was on another level compared to my 240 and Yamaha TY 250 and that was a long time ago. I would have thought today's bikes were that much better again. I want a light, modern, reliable bike that has nice, light controls. My main problem is that I have been living near Newquay in Cornwall for the last 14 years and I don't think there is a trials scene at all in Cornwall. I don't even think you can buy a trials bike in Cornwall

Hello everybody. I am nearly 39 years old and really have the urge to start riding trials again. As a young teenage rider I first rode a clapped out Suzuki Beamish 250 with a hole in the cylinder head! I then owned a new Yamaha TY250 twin shock and later a Fantic 240. I rode most weekends and some weekdays in West Yorkshire, England. The 'Flappits' and 'Hawkstone Quarry' were my home practice grounds. I competed in several observed trilas, but did not do too well! My dad also rode and he bought a works Fantic 301 from John Lampkin (which he rode in a world round or SSDT) who lived in Silsden, near to our home. My dad was friends with close contacts of the Lampkin family. I actually remember once riding in a trial with a very young Dougie Lampkin and David Jefferies (my brothers old best friend and Isle Of Man TT road race winner). As you can imagine, I was around lots of bike crazy people in my teens and I have always had a bug for bikes. I have recently sold my road bike (Suzuki GSXR 1000) as I have seen and nearly been part of too many fatalities on the road. I still want to ride, but safe, so I thought of trials. A lot has changed since I last rode, probably 1989, but I have had a look at the current crop of bikes and really fancy the Montesa Cota 4RT. I always fancied a 4 stroke after watching Steve Saunders in Sheffield in the late 80's on his RTL! I think the smooth power delivery may suit me better than a quick revving stroker.