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Might have been covered elsewhere but just in case. I read a piece in The Times today about standard petrol in the UK getting watered down (obviously not with water…) from September this year. What the article said was that cars over 10 years old might suffer (sorry have binned the paper so ‘suffer’ will have to do for now!!) and you’ll have to use premium petrol. I’ve always used cooking petrol in both my old (seventies) twin shocks and modern bikes. Is it OK just to switch to the higher grade petrol? Any change to twinshock premix required? Thanks for any advice!

Nice!

I would seriously go the electronic ignition option if you can. I’ve got it on my TY175 and it is definitely punchier and - probably more importantly for me - another less thing to worry about. Just seems a lot snappier/more responsive.

Same story for so many folk (me included with various breaks). Welcome back!

I’ve used this for years on plastics - gives a really rich shine and dead cheap...

Berko Trials Club has a Facebook page which might be a good port of call. Enjoy the new bike!

Yep. Absolutely terrible. Alas, they were on the bike when I bought it three years ago. I rode one twin shock trial in the dry which was fine. And then a muddy trial in the twinshock class and it was a nightmare - spinning out on everything. I had a TY175 back in 1981 which I used as my road bike to get around locally on and even that gripped better with a few hundred miles on same tyres.

I can’t wait to change mine - grip is so bad!!

Great - thanks for your help.

Good shout - and assume the Xlight is good tubed? Thanks

Thanks feetupfun - I came to the same conclusion have scooted around a few reviews. Sounds like IRC should do the trick.

Thanks both - I’ll take a look.

Probably well covered elsewhere but any quick recommendations for what tyres (tubed) I should put on my 1976 TY175 without breaking the bank? It’s got MT43s which are in good condition but quite hard (so I guess a bit old - on before I bought it) and have zero grip in anything slippery. I don’t want to spend too much as only ride it once a month up/down the drive and then maybe two or three times a year in easy comps. Thanks for any advice.

Probably both - know Catalunya pretty well but have never done the bike museum. Alas, looks like one for next year the way things are going. Really want to buy the Montesa book though - anyone know somewhere in the UK that has them in stock?

Sounds an amazing place - was hoping to go this year but looks more like 2022 now. No mad rush!

Always loved the minimalist design of the early Sherco bikes. Less is definitely more!

Welcome to the world of 4RTs! You’ll love the build quality. Not sure where you bought the bike but definitely ignore the service note but keep to an obvious trials bike maintenance schedule yourself. The oil filter change is a pain but doesn’t actually need doing that often. And I wouldn’t jump to change sprockets - ride it first and see how you get on. Good luck - loads of answers on the Montesa section.

You’ll love the 4RT - so well built and forgiving. Best of luck!

We were in a bit of a lockdown clear out at home today and I came across a load of old trials results. This is a Berko one from February 1983. A really good nostalgic read if you’re from this centre. And some well known riders. I got a darts score

Hi Reg - do you usually get a decent trade-in price? I know the whole thing is relative versus new bike discount but at the same time selling privately can be ball ache. I’ve never done a trade-in so good to hear any positive feedback.

I remember the days when Appleyards would have a job lot of the previous model and sell them at a knock-down price (my first 315 was just that - great service too). I’ve been trying to see what might be coming up for Montesa as a 2021 model. I think with everything going on then suspect it’ll be 2022 which (to answer your question) would mean there won’t be a glut of 2020 models sitting on the shelf. That said, I would def shop around. When I bought my 4RT new I got both a discount and registration although I was buying cash. Worth shopping around on finance too (or versus what you can get from the bank). Good luck with the new bike.

That was a good tenner’s worth and thanks for extra views. I think I’m likely to stay Montesa. They are definitely different (not all trials bikes are the same) and so well built/reliable (mine has never jumped out of gear - whack it in bottom for nearly everything!). It’s obviously a different (& perhaps acquired taste) ride than a 2T but from the feedback so far is much better built. I’ll still try Beta & Vertigo when I can. Thanks again all for feedback to the original q - really appreciated.

Thanks mcman56 - really good feedback. My gut feel is that I’d love the wee Beta. Maybe I just ride my TY175 for a while before a Beta and it’ll be like being beamed from the late ‘70s into the 21st century! And then think about my first Montesa which was a 172 Cota in 1978 and sweet to look at but was a proper nightmare on the reliability and maintenance front. nb. One massive fault on the 4RT is the stand - terrible!!

Thanks all for such comprehensive feedback - much appreciated. My 4RT hasn’t missed a beat since new (Jan 2016) and the quality is awesome. Also, once you get used to a different way of riding it is great up steep hills/banks etc in the south. Some of those niggles on the Beta sound a pain - I will try one once we’re allowed and also the 250. And will also look at Vertigo. Cheers.

Given it’s so new I’m sure Honda/Montesa dealer should sort things out for you. Best of luck.