rr62

I’m about to get a new bike. I love my 260 4RT. I will most likely get a new 4RT or Repsol. But as a 50-odd year old just wanting an easy blast and pretty much zero maintenance (latter is really important) the 2021 200 Evo sounds a great option. I’ve had loads of bikes over the years but only get out about 20 times a year as so stacked with other commitments. I know I’d find the Beta an easy ride, but (and please be honest) will it require a load more looking after than my Montesa? Is the build quality anywhere near Honda? What are the annoying niggles? And is it OK to road register? Should I go for a 250? So many questions! Nb. Riding easy class these days - just an average potter! Thanks for any feedback - much appreciated.

This place seems to have a lot of Montesa graphics but couldn’t see anything UKR on there but maybe they can make up? https://www.adhesivosmotosclasicas.com/en/1_montesa?page=2

Welcome back! For so many of us trials is something in the blood that you can dip in/out of at different life stages - just I never get any better!

Nice little bike that - is it a standard Scorpa 125?

That cold beer post trial - got to be the best!

The absolute irony is opening this page and there’s an ad for Rapha (totally overpriced Lycra for road cyclists). Maybe they do a trials range too...

Couldn’t agree more. The whole Lycra and over-branded look is truly terrible. Why does trials gear design/graphics need to look like the side of an ice cream van? Hands up who actually thinks trials gear looks any good....??

Looks like a grey import...?

If you want something to look at then Montesa...but to not go wrong Honda. it’s possibly why I now have a 4RT

I had a 172 as a kid. Which was maybe better than the 123 in having 21”/18” wheels. The looks of both the 123 and 172 are gorgeous. The less good things I vaguely recall (it was about 1978...)... - Brakes were pretty awful - had to take both wheels out and clean the drums after each wet ride. - The kickstart sucked - weak and the slip out top kick bit was always slippery. - Timing always seemed to slip. - Condensation on the magneto side after every trial. - Used to get coked up pretty quickly. But I was only 15-16 with no mechanical knowledge and I’m guessing Spanish bikes (then) def didn’t have the engineering of the TYs. Also suspect most of the above apply to any Spanish bike of the era. And if a nice 172 came up now then I’d def be in the market!!

Nb. Not posting as some kind of sales pitch either!!

It would be amazing to get more exposure to Trials. And then this would put more money back into the sport and for the riders who put so much time and effort to become top riders. For my sins, I work in media/marketing and you’re so right about exposure. Unless there’s a particular reason to get associated with grass roots advocates (happens quite a lot in board sports, for example - get associated with ‘cool’ etc) then the large companies and/or their agencies simply won’t blink unless there is a big and quantified audience. There’s zero sentiment out there. Such a tough nut to crack. nb. If anyone is properly serious in this space then do ping me a pm - happy to kick around.

Hats off to TMX (and JPI Media) for getting back on the presses after such a tough period. Well done and very best of luck in the coming months (and years).

As ever, if you don’t ask you won’t get. Good luck!

Totally agree - most often is a stroll back round here. Longer trials (if you’re on a modern bike) I would take a small backpack with everything mentioned above. And the big one for me is if it’s a trial with a shedload of muddy in between section going then well worth putting some spacers to raise your front mudguard. Nb. If you’re riding a 4RT you might need less spares

I bought a Hebo Zone 5 lid last year. I didn’t even know it had the visor thingy until I was fiddling whilst in a queue and it came down - it was like “what the hell is this?”!!! Good innovation though and really like the fit of the helmet. Recommended.

Did you then lacquer it? Only asking as about to paint a tank (to save the £250 I’ve just been quoted...).

Colour and bike look terrific - great work!

If you’ve both never ridden motorbikes before then definitely go for something smaller - eg. 200 Beta as suggested above - or maybe even something electric (does Electric Motion exist in the US?). I guess also to consider is what dealers and service facilities you have locally if you’ve not done any bike spannering. Good luck and enjoy it!

But then I clicked for more info and it went back to 2020 model. Can’t massively expect huge updates in 2021 given the hit on sales every trials bike manufacturer must have had this year.

Just had a scoot around and saw the Honda/Montesa Spanish site:- https://www.honda.es/motorcycles/range/off-road/Montesa.html Looks to be a bit of a tweak to the 260 RT (assuming that’s what will make it across to the UK) - superficially at least - black rims (which I prefer to gold) and a red colour scheme (with a lot of silver going on by the looks of things). Less keen on black forks but can sticker them up Need to see some better images to make a call. Anyone have any more info on the base 260 for 2021?

Thanks - yep I’ve seen quite a few folk use the Citroen Berlingo. The local dump point is one I’d not thought about as I think vans are either not allowed or have to pay a surcharge locally.

Thanks for your feedback - much appreciated. We’re luckily in a place where theft is pretty rare - although I always keep driving if ever I suspect anyone’s tailgating on the way back home with the bike on a trailer. My ideal is actually a VW Caddy Pickup but they are escalating in cost by the day!

Will a modern trials bike fit in a Suzuki Carry van? I don’t need a van for work or anything so don’t want anything huge on the drive but just something to ferry a bike around - max 35 miles away from home (but will also be MTBs and other sports stuff). My other option is a VW Caddy but don’t need to spend a huge amount for a bike carrier.

Just had a look at the HUX website. All bets are off for practice I’m afraid:- http://www.hux.org.uk But once things are rolling again it’s a fun Sunday morning.