2stroke4stroke

There may be a possibility that the larger diameter forks will not be eligible for some twin shock events?

I will put money on it being Derby.

And I am trying to put the feedback in to perspective for those fortunate enough not to be old farts.

b40rt is right, certainly for trials in Scotland. Re point 2, someone upthread mentioned this though I can't help but think if they had looked at the ACU rules, and they signed to say they had, then their bewilderment might have been substantially lessened. As with any competitive sport, at least have a look at the basics of the rules beforehand. In my experience an obvious beginner is always taken in hand by somebody, such is the friendly nature of the sport. If you don't want to be "competitive" then fine but don't be unhappy when you find out that it is a competition that people wish to be taken reasonably seriously and indeed (another point raised earlier) where riders have been happily negotiating the same between section going for many decades without issue or injury. On which point, I have travelled to ride in the northern part of the NE Centre for near fifty years and the easy route comprises the same sections, or easier, as were in use those decades ago by the heavy bikes, on 4 ply tyres, that b40rt mentions. That being the case I don't feel they represent an undue hazard to a beginner on a modern bike. Part of the modern approach to things I suppose, and you might be surprised how many riders don't seem to have much knowledge of the correct scoring methodology/definition of section boundaries, judging by lines one sees used and the resulting scores at some observe yourself events.

Sounds like Montesa had you in mind when they designed the 4Ride?

That would mean riders planning in advance (which we all seemed to cope with when entries had to be in a week beforehand) but less likely now. Then complaining because they didn't get refunded when they couldn't be bothered going on the day due to weather/hard Saturday night etc. And you wouldn't get the crack in the signing on queue either.

I have ridden a Triumph twin and various Enfields, the best of which was in a Crusader frame. I have no personal experience of what the currently available "modern" Pre 65' s are like to ride (should you wish to remortgage). Within the context of your question - did you ever try riding one of your British road bikes off road? Imagine one of those bikes with slightly softer suspension and lower gearing (but nothing as low as a Yam). Putting an Enfield through a section is much like that. Bouncy, heavy, imperfect geometry, nae brakes, heavy controls. I very much enjoyed riding the Enfield and still have the trophies to show a couple of leaderboard results but realised sometime in my Fifties that I was beyond making a competent go of it, mainly due to the weight, but I suppose that was no surprise to rediscover what young men had discovered in the Sixties. Get things right and it's OK but once in trouble it's hard to get back. Realistically, it wouldn't compare even with your old Mont - there's a reason why everyone went Spanish!

I have ridden a Triumph twin and various Enfields, the best of which was in a Crusader frame. I have no idea what the currently available "modern" Pre 65s are like to ride (should you wish to remortgage), but results would indicate nothing like a "real" Pre 65. Within the context of your question - did you ever try riding one of your British road bikes off road? Imagine one of those bikes with slightly softer suspension and lower gearing (but nothing as low as a Yam). Putting an Enfield through a section is much like that. Bouncy, heavy, imperfect geometry, nae brakes, heavy controls. I very much enjoyed riding the Enfield and still have the trophies to show a couple of leaderboard results but realised sometime in my Fifties that I was beyond making a competent go of it. Engine response means you have to plan ahead as, while they will plonk, they can take off a bit when you open them up in a tight section such as they were never intended to be ridden in. Realistically, it wouldn't even compare with your old Mont - there's a reason why everyone went Spanish!

It's not quite the same thing but there are plenty of monocular trials riders, so full vision would not appear to be an absolute necessity for successful trials riding. Perhaps you could try cycling on rough terrain to see how you feel before investing in a trials bike? Technically, I think ACU rules call for a road licence but I'm sure there must be official ways round this.

Indeed, and they're not afraid to make mistakes - only Honda could produce a pushrod motor with camchain problems☺

The 200 system is much more reliable than that on the larger models. After 12 years the trigger coils on mine needed to be replaced. There are a couple of places in UK that can do this - worth investigating if this is the problem. Post edit - somehow I mistakenly read that yours was a 200 but the above may apply in any case.

If you really feel that the front needs to be lighter for performance reasons (though the results of others would suggest there is not a problem), a wheel is only tinkering round the edges of the issue. Moving the footrests back would surely have a much greater effect on the liftability of the front end, if that is what you seek to address, but would have other effects also of course.

"Getting hard to find at this price level". That's true!

Interesting that Beta consider that previous versions did not, apparently, offer outstanding levels of performance and reliability? This is what happens when marketing BS has to be used to hype up marginal changes.

I'm sure a competitor trying to make up time in the Scottish must have managed 60 once upon a time☺

Is there not a "hot start" button for this situation?

I had an 03 200. After 11 years it needed new trigger coils and a bottom bush in the rear suspension. Apart from that it was just routine wheel bearings, brake pads and chain/sprockets as far as replacements went. One of the deciding factors, when coming from a Yamaha with grease nipples on the suspension, was a dealer review saying the back end could be taken apart in fifteen minutes. It could but didn't need to be taken apart very often.

Try dragging the brake until it is (not too) hot then spray water on to it. This should improve the bite, assuming pads are in good order.

Why bother lowering the gearing if you're not inclined to use the bottom gear you have? Your calcs on the torque may well be correct in theory but that's not how it works in practice. How would it help a beginner? Try a third gear section in bottom and see how "soft" the motor feels. You probably won't get up it but it will demonstrate the beneficial effect of a lower gearing. It goes against theory but is the usual way to calm something down.

I see the ABI have this week said that the necessary arrangements are "unworkable". I suppose that pretty much guarantees that the Government will introduce them as they stand, ignoring any consultation. As they have done historically with other matters.

Don't fix what ain't broke perhaps? Given the problems many seem to encounter with the diaphragm clutches maybe Beta feel that those riders comprising their market don't need the supposed performance improvement for the type of sections they ride? World Champ technology is not necessarily better for all.

The link may not work but if you go to the website then you should be able to get that issue.

But how many of those incidents involved someone taking part in a trial? Anyway, a week after e-mailing the ACU to alert them to this, not even an acknowledgement so I suppose there won't be any action from them on the matter.

Whilst I own a 4RT, I have only had a brief shot on a 4 Ride. It was the dealer's personal machine and had a few modifications (but I can't recall what they were beyond lowering the gearing to get better response for crossing ditches etc ). I have to say that on the section type going, which was all that was available at the small venue, I felt a bit nervous being perched up on what felt like a high seat (my enduro days were a long time ago) with the longer suspension compared to the 4RT. I'm not convinced Senor Bilbao didn't have the trials suspension at the Scottish. For use as a trail bike the biggest weakness is standard top gear being the same as the 4RT meaning that 50 is the comfortable top whack on the road for extended periods, for one of my mechanical sensibilities, (other folk may well disagree) which is not so useful/safe depending how much and what type of roads you have to use. I'd really not want to be a mobile chicane for idiot motorists on the typical 60 limit roads.

I suggest you visit next weekend's Lothian 2 Day near East Saltoun (details on the Lothian club website). As you are obviously not in the first flush of youth, going by your Land Rover experience, I'm intrigued to know why you chose to go for such a small motor.