mags

We have both the bikes you are looking at getting. We both rode the Beta for 2 months or so and if I'm honest I was disappointed at the quality of some of the ally casting, as in, some core shift in the oil filter housing. Love the bike and the way it handles. The quality of fasteners is not near the Honda either IMHO. Just as an example the Beta plastics are held on by frilling and tapping the frame and it may wear over time. The Monty uses brackets and if wear just replace bracket. They also use nutcerts in places where Beta just taps the ally. No biggie really just a fraction better in the execution. When I decided on the Montesa it was because of the Honda motor. That and good reports in here. I'm used to the Monty now as its different to ride... I dont think any better or worse at my skill level, just different. Even the different tyres Dunnys verses Micheys.... the mickeys bag more in the wall but the Dunnys has a softer tread area so they both grip really well for my type of riding... mostly dry with the odd wet creek bed. If I had to buy another and it was between those two... we'd have two Montys and the Beta would go if I had my way. I've offered my wife a repsol or standard Monty and she says no thanks. She is used to the Beta and it does more than she can... so why move it. So we will have one of each for the foreseeable future... Mags

I shouted myself a titanium header for the Cota. The rest of the purchases was for spares... filters "oil and air" for both bikes, oils, sprocket change on both bikes and the current gearing as a result is fine on both. Chains are still in great condition so nothing to spend there. Tyres are good... so all ok for next few months hopefully. Mags

I had no idea trials motorcycles were that good in snow! Cant say I want to try it as I love my warm, all year round ride climate, here in my area of Australia. Would make for the softest landing though I suppose. BillyT .... I showed the kids your 2ft of snow pic and it cracked them up!!! Hehehehehehe And Guys... I showed my wife your snow drenched pic of your bike and she gave a very decided reply.... "No thanks! Not for this girl!" Kids are back at school/university today and the temps are easing..... so back into some trials away from the house. Most clubs are releasing the 2015 season "calendar of events" now as well. Mags

I initially wanted the trailer bigger but I can man handle the thing without hooking up to vehicle. This makes it much easier to shift around at home. A Mk2 model may be bigger but it still has to be a single axle so it can spin 180 virtually in its own length. In the pics the tie-down shackles are not fitted in the floor and thats what holds the rear wheels down. The front wheel in the cradle with two tie-downs and the rear held with one. I'm looking into fitting a removable channel for rear wheels that has a heavy dog collar type strap to hold rear wheel. Also looking into a rear wheel cradle tie-down with tensioner. It was a little on the expensive side I suppose but it is 1.4 tonnes legal and disc braked. The lockable ally box on the front was $1000 alone, they are $1600 retail. Painting is done with two pack marine (Jotun) and it is painted and sealed underneath as well, that cost fair bit extra. Spent a week at ally boat refinisher. The rear door is sprung like a horse float so the door can be raised without a hernia. Its axle centre length from tow point has been properly designed and set for correct ball weight when loaded... it tows beautifully at 120kph loaded or empty. Axle, springs, wheels and chassis are heavy duty and should see years of service. The maker has a similar trailer at the factory that has been sitting outside for 8 years. It looks the same still but just has medium faded paint. Mine is under cover at home. Mags

It must be cold or snowy or just plain freezing for most of you in Europe and the USA for that matter? So are you trialling much or just getting some static practice in the shed with a doona wrapped around ya? We stop here in the dead middle of summer, maybe the hottest 4 weeks or so in the middle of summer, both trials and enduro as it hits 35-40 deg C and the UV rating hits mega skin cancer zone! Stopping for the month gives a chance to celebrate xmas have some hols et cetera but we ride the trials bikes the other 11 months. We ride the road bikes through the summer though... hottest day this year out on the bike was 41 deg C at 6pm... riding down the highway! I pulled my visor up and eyes started watering from hot wind hitting face... so it was riding with visor shut!! Stop every hour or so to hydrate. Silly question... having never been near any snow in my life... do you trial in the less snowy areas??? Or if not snowing but mega cold you still ride trials? Mags

I wish I had a dollar for every dollar I've spent on motorsickles! I could get more motorsickle stuff! We have the disease bad!!! I thought I was done for a bit as we dont break stuff too much on the trials bikes now but then a trailer needed to be built! Hehehehehe Getting a bit long in the tooth for the Jackpot at 120kph plus (no screen, no ABS, minimal brakes when wet) so a tourer will arrive this year. Sooner rather than later I hope. But hey! I dont go to pubs or smoke, gamble or the like... so the finance minister is very generous with motorcycle stuff! Especially when it comes to her bikes! Mags

Spent some time with a trailer manufacturer to design a trailer for our trials, enduro and road bikes. Criteria was... Single axle with disc brakes, 1400kg capacity, tare weight around 500kg, longish drawbar with big gear box and lockable, wide ramp to ride bikes into trailer, fully enclosed. 2 bike capacity normal with 4 in when needed, recessed tie-down pionts as we want to sleep inside at trials events and not stub toes, fully painted outside and underneath, new wheels and tyres not second hand, led lights and full registration for road. We have achieved our goal and it came in just over $10,000 aussie or about $7000 eurodollars. We will mainly use the trailer for trials and enduro overnight stays so will attach an awning and sleep on camp stretchers inside the trailer with bikes under awning. The box for riding gear on the front is huge and takes the helmets, boots and gear easily. Mods for the near future are a solar panel, battery... to run my waeco fridge for food and drink for a few days. Some internal led lights can then be installed and one outside for cooking after dark. The awning will great for rain and place to sit in the shade in summer. We also intend to take two road bikes about 3000 kilometres to the great ocean road and set up a base and then ride the 500 k or so round trip across the great ocean road. Towing the bikes down will allow the kids to come on the trip and just pillion the 500 once there. Big trip at Easter in it to a working cattle station of about 15,000 acres... taking the enduros and maybe one trial bike for around campsite. It has 20, 30 and 60 kilometre loops and we will ride the 4 days and travel home. Round trip is about 1000 kilometres. About 10 bikes going so far from 4 families. Mags

Has anyone ever thought of taking a novice with them to see if a novice can get through the section... is that too embarrassing??? As for taking a beginner with you.... better chance of flapping ya arms and leaving the ground! Its about inconsistency IMHO... I clean 6-7 sections in Novice and 1-2 I would not even attempt, a few I did not do twice... I deemed them too dangerous for my current skill level after trying once. And I aint afraid to go over a stick...! There was one section in the last trial where my wife had to dismount and hard brake the bike down to a gully and then two of us spotted her walking the bike across rocks and then spotted she rode up the steep bank. I thought long and hard before riding through it myself and watched a quite a few go through before I went through. The section start gate was 20 metres or so from the gully, she zeroed the section once there.... the other novice with us took the 5 and avoided it because he didn't want to attempt the gully.... no gully, no getting to section. As I've said.... its a dilemma... 60-70 clubmans enter and 6-7 beginner/novices, you really have to cater for the greater mass. Mags

I think they complement each other as any "clutch/seat" time gives more experience. If we take my wife's motorcycle journey... She started a year ago on her Beta 250 4T. It was a quest to get her motorcycle licence so I insisted she had to start on trials bike. This gave her the balance needed to ride a bike well but didn't really prep her for the dangers of the road... high speed corners, wet slippery roundabouts, light speed direction changes (cagers coming over on you or pulling out on you). To that end I purchased a Yamaha WR250 but it was too intimidating with its high seat position and 27hp! So I then purchased a Yamaha XT250 4T for her and she loves it. Came off a few times but in general she gained much experience for the road riding tight trails in wooded areas. Of course I had to keep the WR for myself and get a Montesa Cota for trials! There is about a dozen of us with trail bikes heading to a working cattle station at Easter. The station allows motorcycles and we are taking the trail bikes as there are 20k, 30k and 60k loops. I may chuck in the Beta for a bit of trials near the camp.... and the camp competition everyone in with $10, longest static balance gets the pot? None of them can static very well!!! They are all high speed motocross riders. The only female rider is my wife all other partners sit in camp while we ride the loops. She will gain great experience riding these trials every day for 6 hrs a day for 4 days. My wife is now a confirmed road rider but she still does her static on the Beta to improve her balance even more. Her bike of choice is the trials bike and the comps are so hard she nearly gave up trials but she is determined to do her first "clean" 40 in novice. The trials bike is going nowhere... she loves the thing. We alternated on practice days with one day using the trials bikes and the next the enduro but these days (a year later) we take the trials bikes 3 times to one enduro day. So I'd say mostly trials but chuck in some enduro if you can do it. My wife has at a 3 year plan to be able to clean novice... it may take 4, everyone goes at their own speed. FUN is the name of the game and you learn some trials along the way! Trials IS NOT EASY... it takes time and good skills grounding. Ask anyone... it doesn't happen in a year, two, three???? Some that seriously start later in life like me and only playing with social trials a couple of years when a young lad, will never develop the skills of you younger riders. Go at your own pace and dont hesitate to drop back to basic skills practice, its the grounding of all techniques. This will give you an idea of just static training let alone" motor on" skills.... I was talking to a national trials champion about static balance time and how often... he told me a story... When he started trials as a youngster the Simpsons TV show had started. He would line his bike up in front of the TV and when the shows music started he climbed up on the bike... when the credits rolled he stepped down off the bike. Thats 30 mins of static none stop. I asked how often he did it... he replied "Every night the Simpsons was on". The simpsons ran here 5 nights a week. I'm not saying do that much static but you can see the dedication needed in all areas of riding trials. If he was doing that much motor off imagine how much motor on! We all dont want (or cant) to be champions but you can see it may take differing times for individuals to learn skills to a certain level. I get frustrated with not getting ahead and think (for example)... Geez! This double blip will be the death of me and I'll burn the bloody thing... while it is lying there just open the tank cap and chuck a match on... get in car and drive home to cold beer... but I keep coming back..Hehehehehee. Confidence comes from time and good skills grounding. If you want to step out on the edge and try something you are not fully confident at... dont forget to be safe! Just as an example...Have a minder each side of you as you go up a non-comfort zone steep bank for example... they can grab you if you get outta shape. The club practice days are invaluable for this. I think you are way ahead of the game considering you have been on two wheels for just over year!!! For your short time on the bike I dont think you realise how good you are... I cant static with my hands off the bars for a start.... smarty pants youngsters!!!! Wink Mags

I'm not sure about speaking up as it may not be well received with the inner circle of the club and you may be ostracised. Thats supposing trials clubs are like any other club and it takes some time to be accepted enough to have an input. Let me just say I have NOT seen or experienced this but I assume it may be the case as plenty leave the sport if they dont get over the beginner hurdle. I know three people that own trials bikes (two male and one female) that went to a comp last year and will never go back... when I see them I still try to persuade them. They have a private property set up for trials so still ride them. Beginners should be treated like gold if the sport wants to reach its potential. Maybe there is just not enough beginner numbers coming in to justify taking effort away from other classes? I suppose you have to cater to your core rider class as to not lose them as well??? I get that it can be fine balancing act especially as clubman class might be 35 riders on a day verses 8 or so for beginners. To me its all about encouragement.... it still sits in my memory the day I read in here that one trials club gives a small medal to club's beginners the first time they complete 40 sections. That medal may only be $8 to the club but for us (and all beginners) its a year of learning, training, tears and blood (falls), sweat! 3 weekends a month travelling 300 kilometres to the ride area (for us) so the small piece of tin to say you've done your first 40 could mean a big deal as sign of encouragement. More training this year and we will be on the heels of the the first 40. The next encouragement $8 tin could be for the first 40 in novice that you run dab free!!! Now there's a piece of tin that might take some work!!! Might have to get a Repsol to complete 40 clear... did you hear that honey? Hehehehehehe There is also the industry side of trials. We have spent over $35,000 ($21,000 for the two bikes alone) in the last year on trials related gear. Everything from the bikes to boots, clothing, spares, trailer et cetera. Any new person that gives up on it after a bad novice experience the spending potentially stops immediately. We will always ride trials while I can still hold a handle bar but others may just give up and walk away. Thats a fair bit of moola for the aussie trials resellers. Then we come to training and technique. We my wife started back last January (2014) we got "one on one" lessons from a very experienced trials rider. These lessons were 3 quick lessons and then a lesson after you feel you have the task practiced enough you are confident with it, then move on with another lesson. The lessons were from $100-$150 per hour... I would have gladly paid a club those monies to teach my wife the raw basics of novice. Thinking about it I would of preferred the money went into a club coffers. It got the job done really well as she was encouraged enough to become addicted to her trials bike riding. It does take time and effort on the part of the trainer and maybe there is just not enough resources to do it from a club???? She has been talking about more lessons this year. We also get that "being involved" is possibly the best way forward and I feel it may be the eventual solution for us. After the blood sweat and tears (and melted pants from header pipe at $200 a pop) my wife has spilt I will make her a great encouragement award.... I'm thinking a nice shiny rear sprocket with a $5 plate in the middle... Congrats on your first 40, your mechanic is special. Signed, Your Mechanic. (wink) Mags

shyted, The clutch on my 4rt is great. Fair enough, it engages a bit when cold but by time the fan is on the clutch is fantastic. The Beta is the same when cold and by the time both warmed up they feel about the same. When hot they both are difficult to get in neutral with ya foot but reasonably easy with ya hand to find neutral. I think you may have an issue as well??? I run the Elf in the Monty. Maybe do the Beta clutch plate mod (blueprinting) to the Monty and see if it improves? Don't change two things at once... like blueprint plates and change oil type at same time. Mags

Does Sergio know there is a Women's World Trial Competition? I'll fire up my trusty colour laser and print out a women's one for the 3 in my house... Hehehehehehehe Mags

I'm at a loss to why section setters still dont set true Novice sections in sections. At out last trial there was one section I took the 5 every round, another after riding once took the 5 after every time after that. My wife had 4 sections out of ten she took the 5 every time. Surely if you can ride 6 sections and most "clear" why cant not ride 4 because of inconsistent difficulty??? For my wife... she had those expectations because she has only been riding a year on a motorcycle (95% on her trials bike) and played it extra safe to not injure herself. She didn't walk the section and say... "Maybe not this this time?". She fronted up at the section and said "You've got to be kidding I cant ride up that". For me, trials for a year now and motorcycles for 44 yrs... the vertical faces were the issue. I cant double blip up a 2 ft rock face half way up as steepish hill (yet) and there was no way around the side of it. We'll see how it pans out this year... we either have to upskill much quicker or give it away from lack of achievement (from not completing 40 sections) killing incentive. At this stage we have the greatest fun just the two of us playing on our trials bikes in our local motorcycle ride park creek beds... and leave the trial comps for the expert beginners. We have access to the trial comp area that we didn't complete so we will most likely give comps away this year... but, ride the comp area for another year and see how our skills are after that. Mags

As soon as I get a 40 section clear in Beginner I'm heading straight for Novice... Mags

90% of the time we are on the trials bikes we the comms on so I have to be careful what I say! Especially when i'm following her! Hehehehe I'm good on the post mortem self-talking.... why did you that dickhead, too much throttle wally, not enough throttle you idiot, why did I lean that far over it was not necessary! We get some funny looks when walking sections and people dont see comms... it looks like a massive self talk session!! Yeah, come along dear, around this rock, watch the ledge just after it, down to the right over the small log, then up the hill as normal, you'll be right, take it easy, take a dab before dropping bike, good luck sweetheart! Imagine hearing a bloke say that, to seemingly no-one, while standing looking at a section! Sometimes she is at the other end of the section as we discuss it! Ahahahahahaha Stay away from mental, self-talking guy on the Montesa that calls himself sweetheart!!!! Hehehehehehehe Mags

Yeah... hope I never get water or particulate matter in the fuel tank of the Cota. I'm a bit paranoid about it and sight all fuel in a clear metho bottle before it I pour it into tank. It actually saved me once... condensation from jerry can went into metho bottle and I saw it before pouring into Monty. I put it down to condensation it may have been from fuel station? Either way it didn't see the inside of the tank.... thank the trials Gods. Mags

Poetry in motion those boys!!! And doing the most exhilarating thing you can do... with ya pants on!!! Mags

I recently had an MI (myocardial infarction)... a basic heart attack. I actually had one good one and four less intense ones during two weeks after the first. My addiction to motorcycles for decades saw me have the first one on my road bike whilst travelling on it... my wife was pillion on the back at the time. We pulled into a fuel station and I rested for a bit. It abated somewhat after 40 mins, so on the bike and home. I am now on statins ( a side effect is slippery vessels walls and plaque consolidation as it was deemed I had a thrombus (clot) in my left anterior descending heart artery), aspro and two heart meds.... one for BP and the other for stroke volume. In the 10 weeks or so since it happened I have gone from 90kg, Cholesterol 6.4 and reasonably active to... 80.5 kg, Chol 3.1 and very active. Heart rate 51 at rest. Trials has been instrumental in my recovery and on-going management of my condition. I was off the trials bike by order of cardiologist for a month as meds made me a bit giddy at times. Was back on road bike after two weeks, am now back on trials bike getting back to where I was 10 weeks ago! Hehehehe I had an angiogram (yeah, not fun but necessary) and stress test and in six months from now the cardio is looking to get me off heart meds. I will be on statin and aspro forever. I have minimal damage to my heart muscle and the heart arteries are 3 x 100% clear and one mildly blocked... not too bad for 55! Shows a good diet (not too much sat fat) and minimal take-away food. Any of you guys over 55 should talk to your GP about low dose aspro... it has many benefits with regard to clotting factor being reduced which reduces stroke incidence markedly. There is also evidence for anti-aging against alzheimers and possibly dementia. Trials are being done on this atm. I have been very lucky and am now (with increased exercise and more sat fat elimination) a known factor and medicated... its the poor souls who dont know they are high risk falling by the way side. Many many people drop dead and its mostly preventable til much later in life. Motorcycles, especially the trials bike, has been instrumental for my mental well being and my on-going recovery. Although, I have now to rein in my trials exploits and not fall over too much... Viva La Trials, baby!!! EE, What a great effort, mate!!! Onward and upward.... you may find yourself talking like Jabba the Hutt if someone mentions trials, as in, Addicted, I Am! One of my best mates had a pacemaker fitted in '97... he's pretty active and I almost have him talked into a 250cc of some description! 2015 may be his year! Mags

I see Bou had a bad result (again) with that pesky fuel injection.... Mags

I've been away on holidays with family for two weeks or so.... Well done Heather! Very well done! Be very proud... its not easy and takes dedication as we all know! I've shown my girls all your vids and its inspiring them quite a bit... just need that final nudge to get them on the trials bikes! They'll get there this year I hope! Great pics by the way... Mags

I wear seamless trifocals all my waking hours so I'm most likely used to them? I wear them trials, enduro and on my road bikes. My script is so old I might try it next time without them? They are a pain in dusty conditions. Mags

I had not had an issue with mine but its trailered to trials events as we are definitely not allowed on roads here with trials bikes. Mine won't get as hot as road ridden bike. As for melting.... MMMmmmmmm!! Aluminium melts around 660 C, carbon steel around 1500 C, titanium around 1700 C, maybe the ally if ever used as a header but the other two... doubt it? The titanium header I used was 170 grams! Noice mate!!!!! Be careful when installing the ally plate that holds header to head... it will deform if over-torqued! Mags

If you are talking 4T... My wife's bike is a 2014 250 4T that arrived last January and has 65 hrs plus on it now. Only mods are removing front light for a flat plate, one tooth down on front sprocket, new grips, bar ends and lanyard. Rear sprocket and chain are still original as is spark plug. I drop oil and filter every 15 -20 hrs using a full synth 10w-50. Side stand bracket is very weak so I welded in a gusset to triangulate it somewhat and is fine now... it used to bend easily when bike on side stand. Fan stopped working 20 hrs ago and I traced it to a loose terminal in a plug, crimped plug terminal a fraction more and all is well. Front brake a little sticky and have disassembled master cylinder and its still there so calliper strip and inspect is next. Doesn't stop riding though, just sticky enough to be "I know its there and I want it gone"! Valve clearances were so out of spec from day one you could hear them at idle. Did clearances to spec and been quiet ever since. Must have been a Monday/Friday bike as others were in spec... might have been just a few that slipped through? It has been very reliable to date and she will keep it for some time yet. Mags

Nice dogs there! I have an advantage with my canine of the small fluffy type... when done I use her buff off the wax!! Hehehehehehe Mags

Here is my apprentice when I need a keen year for top end sound or bottom end knock.... Mags