the dabster

Yeah I agree and that is my reason behind the questions. One thing that would satisfy me would be a fault reader / diagnostic cable that could interrogate the ECU or show a component fault within the system. Outside that a layperson would struggle to identify problems an EFI system would be predisposed to that a conventionally fuelled bike would not. I would be happy to purchase something like this and see both Ossa and Honda owners had and have far greater access to the necessary equipment while Vertigo don't as yet. Other than that the next best thing I can ask is, can it be reasonably anticipated via others experience that Vertigo bikes are fit (by virtue of design and quality) to run a full year without incurring predictable problems aligned to the systems we are discussing? I buy a new bike every year anyway so if most peoples experience is no problems first year it makes my decision easier. Thanks for your input. Regards

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply but notice all the Vertigo owners that have done so are all based in the USA. For UK owners that will be running the same map settings as I will; how have your bikes performed and has there been any problems and again, how were they overcome and what level of technical expertise do you have and what type of equipment are you using? Appreciate your feedback, Thanks.

Hi Guys, Just wondering what the consensus is on long term ownership of a Vertigo now that quite a few have been running them for a while? Is it possible that they will run reliably over a sustained period without the need for complex equipment / knowledge to ensure they do? I'm thinking about the average joe with no specific expertise in EFI that would use the bike regularly. I've read on the Ossa forum of people feeling the need to recalibrate components like the TPS etc every so many hours on a laptop with a diagnostic cable and also that Montesa owners have access to similar hardware but there is nothing out there to the best of my knowledge for Vertigo owners. Would those that have run a combat competitively this year be kind enough to share how they have found the reliability and collectively comment on what kind of problems they have encountered and how they have been overcome. Many thanks.

The box will take a while to loosen off properly but is very positive. Second is a good gear in most things, I thought the ratios were too close initially but as I got more time on the bike I started to appreciate the gearing, it's a great bike! Did your 9v battery stay charged all that time or did you need to recharge it before you used it?

I have owned a factory Gas Gas, Factory Sherco, Factory Beta and latterly a combat and I would say the Vertigo in direct contrast is reasonably priced for what you get without a doubt. They have changed things as time has gone on and better options were found, the bigger water pump and transparent tank being good example's of amendments that improve the original package. I would say the design is very, very good indeed. Personal opinion. I don't like not getting my monies worth!

I take it you came from a sherco, how do you like the feel of the Vertigo?

As above, they can depending on how they are used foul a plug quite easily. Also a spare 9v battery in the airbox is handy and again as previous advice check the thin wires going into the battery cap, I had to solder mine eventually. I take when you tried to start it post wash you still had the pilot light to show the ecu was awake and the pump was energised?

I watched dougie lampkin at close quarters this year and I have to say he is a better rider than I thought he was, ridiculous as that sounds given his credentials. As has been said there is more than riding technique involved and I believe he showed a mental strength and extraordinary capacity to deal with a significant burden - as much as any top tennis star or similar sporting icon from the whole spectrum of high level competition. Not only was he trying to prove the brand but the pressure to win for the sake of his fathers memory must have been crushing. He won that trial the hard way and not by inheriting a host of favourable circumstances as sometimes can be the case. Because of his start position and severity of the terrain, both Monday and Saturday lead him to sections that were not scrubbed or established in anyway by his forerunners and he definitely had it all to do. I also think think it is appropriate to mention James Dabill's radio interview on the Saturday morning when he was asked about his respect for dougie. I thought his response was a credit to him and the sport. On the subject of respect I also think we should not be so quick to dismiss other great champions like Toni Bou, he is a formidable sportsman. I saw him dominate a world round based in identical terrain in 2010 at Nevis Range and do not agree with some of the previous comments that he would struggle to make it into the top five in the ssdt. If Bou had a personal agenda to succeed in this event I believe he would because just like Lampkin he would find what he needed in order to meet his objective. When I look at Bou I see the same qualities as I see in Lampkin. Final point related to dougies all round abilities, bike design. I watched Vertogo's coming into sections all week sounding and performing as good as the day they left the parc ferme. Maintenance appeared easy and the bikes took all the ssdt could throw at them. So well done dougie, fully deserving of the plaudits, and when history looks at this great event in years to come truly they will recognise a motorcycling "Monarch of the Glen"!

I have had mine for a couple of months now and I am very happy overall with the bike. I concur with what heffergm has said about when the engine almost stalls, it's like a fuel cut type feeling and its annoying but like most makes you learn quickly to ride round these circumstances. The design is very effective from what I have experienced so far and apart from the mapping/fueling needing some minor tweaking its very very impressive. The thing is most modern bikes ride and behave well, I was looking for more and while time will tell, the vertigo has many things in its favour thus far.

Very sound reasoning.

The thing I struggle with is why have tubeless technology (which we know works effectively) and compromise the principle by returning to tubes.. Surely the tyre/wheel manufacturers are compelled to ensure compatibility with current brands. To me its unacceptable when riders are out at events on brand new bikes and they suffer component failure in an area that has established technology that proved good enough to supersede the tubed set up. It is a different argument with older machinery and rims from earlier periods.

I had the factory 300 and I must say it is a very, very impressive all round bike - you can't possibly go wrong with one!

My thoughs exactly!

I said this on a previous thread when someone asked about tyre advice. The new Dunlop gp do not stay up! Seen it on four or five new bikes including my own! Take it off and throw it in the bin, it's all they are worth.

That's scary, I was riding mine the other day and it came to my mind what this bike reminded me of, a 315! I was reluctant to say it because it sounds absurd but there must be something when we have both thought it - and not forgetting the fact that lampkin rode the 315. Coincidence or not? A wise man once told me there was no such thing as coincidence and I tend to agree!

There will be an explanation, I only know what I and others have experienced first hand. The riders here have jumped straight to Michelins. The question is why would anyone risk a failed 803GP when X11's are so well proven?

Been thinking why they would hold pressure in Arizona and not here in Scotland and the only possible explanation could be temperature. Could the warmer climate keep the walls supple whereas they are deforming in the cold and not retaining their shape?

It gets more impressive when you actually own it and spend some time on it! £5750 is value for money for a bike this well designed with fuel injection (which is definitely the way forward for trials bikes) Remember Vertigo also deliver to your door as part of that charge! The bike is worth that money when you compare to it's peers!

Had a factory beta 300 for seven months and only suffered two slack bolts. Very, very reliable, well built bikes - easy to ride also with very plush suspension. All modern trials bikes are good and easy to ride, as everyone keeps saying it's personal preference.

Dunlop GP's do not stay up if used in rocks! I know of several people who had them supplied on new bikes and even suffered the same fate myself. One rider apparently tried four different Dunlops on, one after the other and all failed. This is not gossip it's actual fact, I've seen it first hand with my own eyes, on multiple different bikes. Wouldn't normally jump in and say something like this but I was aggrieved myself and wouldn't want others to suffer the same annoyance - everything biking is expensive enough without this! The grip and price might be good but that's irrelevant the minute it dumps it's air - and it will, put your savings on it. Ran an Xlite for five months on a bike till eventually the wall split, brilliant tyres!

I took delivery of mine last week and that's the only thing that troubles me, reliability. I've been asked by a few what I think of it and apart from the fact it's too early to say, I was slightly hesitant after reading someone's post that said "opinions are like butt's - everyone's got one and they all stink" Fair point and true to a certain extent. The fact I stuck my hard earned on one tells it's own story but coming from a bullet proof Beta, reliability is something which does concern me. As far as the riding the Vertigo it's even better than I first thought. The weight displacement is tangible, the motor is the strongest and the sweetest fuelled I have experienced on any current brand and the ability of the motor to harness the power and grip so well is no mean feat. It looks like Lampkin and co have got this bike spectacularly right; if it proves reliable - and I desperately hope it does - it will sell in big numbers. I can't see people not liking it!

Having just sold a fifteen model to make way for a vertigo I find myself agreeing with the comments about the brakes but must add it's probably the only weakness in the bike. Since returning to trials in 2013 I have had two raga reps and a factory sherco and the evo for me is a far better bike than any of them. I realise these comments are subjective and the beauty of the free market is buy what you like but having spent the last seven months on a factory evo and only needing to tighten two bolts by way of remedial maintenance, I can understand why riders settle into one marque. I never even seen the fork seals weep, Beta deserve their reputation - hope the V measures up!

don't think anyone in the UK has one as yet but if you go back into the Vertigo forum there are a couple of threads with first impression feedback.

I was told early January but possibly before(hopefully) Try and get on a demo, everybody's taste and needs differ - I like it.