micm

In the Uk as opposed to the rest of Europe it is traditional to separate design from engineering. Greeves is not unusual in this respect. A bike like this new one is an engineers concept and may ride very well. However it does not look as if it has been examined from a general industrial design viewpoint. That could include final shape and detailing of structural members, cross bracing, graphics and the final shape and style of other items like plastics and tanks. Both the Spanish and the Italians understand this.

The other side shows a Sherco design exhaust system right down to the bit on the end you drag the bike out of the ditch with. Sherco kickstart too by the looks of it.

It would have been cooler if Xispa hadn't been so derivative regardless of price. How much is an 05 Sherco these days?

I asked Graham Jarvis at the Sherco test day at Hook Woods recently which one he preferred the 290 or the 320. He was very non committal, sometimes one was better sometimes the other he thought. He said he rode the 290 in The Scott recently because it was a long day and it was the lighter bike.

If there was an electric bike that was OK with a reasonable battery time I would buy one. That would be yet another class in my local club trials! though a re charging generator sounds a bit well ... noisy. I did see a hydrogen powered bike in the Uk press a couple of years ago. Not powering a 'conventional' engine but producing electricity. The bike did about 50 MPH or so and made no noise. The reporter was impressed. Instant recharge by swapping a small tank of the gas.

I sold my gasser when that happened to me - all rather painful I recall with a lot of limping about. I couldn't find an explanation. The ignition cut out also failed to work at the high revs. So I sold it, though I did tell the buyer of my experience, before he bought it!

Get an 07 if you can afford it - for the bars. They seem reliable even when used a lot. I have not heard about any particular problem. They need just normal maintenance, as said, including the rear suspension. You can't repack the silencer and new plastics could be cheaper. Buy a spare air filter for a quick swap over. Tons of power!

I tried one last week, a bigger engine one - and in comparison with the old 270... Engine seemed much smoother, especially at the bottom end. Steering was even more extreme with even more lock. Back suspension seemed more compliant. (I should also say the back brake had sheared off) ...So if you are a Beta fan I can't see what's not to like.

Sub make...Gollner Kawasaki

You could buy a new silencer! Not the cheapest option but very effective.

Good - the farmer allows everyone to use his land. Bad - that includes 4 x 4, motocross, enduro and quads. There is a large area, say about 10/12 acres of flat and hard land no use for trials, but in the woodland roughly 3/4 acres there are a couple of small bomb holes/ mini dells - otherwise again mostly flatish. The 'dells' are rather smoothed off by the big stuff. It is clay in the woods and can be very wet - especially the holes. Deep car ruts too. There are few rules so you must take care. Away from the weekends it is pretty quiet. There is also a purpose made banger racing (?) ampitheatre and the local steam train puffs by! East of Four Marks on the dual carriageway, turn up under the railway bridge on a small lane.

Nearest shops are probably Jamsport at Farnham 01252 725335 and Gordon Farley in Guildford. Bognor has a trial on 1 January at Halnacker Quarry just east of Chichester you would be welcome to join and ride. They have 4 routes. Alton also has a trial at East Tisted in the Meon Valley (by the side of the A32 I think) on January 1 though I think you would need your ACU registration for that one - 3 routes.

In a word - Yes!

The new 09 250 Uk spec is an excellent bike with a very nice power spread. Sherco seemed to have got the suspension message as well. Out of the box I think it feels compliant, comfortable and moves about easily. It seems to me to be different from an 07 bike which I did not like because the power band seemed to be biased towards the top end coming in more suddenly - hence comments made about not finding grip. To describe the 290 as having 'soft' power is one opinion - there are other ways of describing it! However if you are a seriously big bloke go for the 290 and hang on.

I agree why limit it to the retro style bikes.

All observers are equal but some observers are more equal than others!

Don't forget the handlebar grips.

I bent one when the engine on my 290 backfired - a true banana shape! It didn't like being bent back, it snapped! Coincidentally it was also starting to tear at the shaft junction. Over 70 quid to replace.

Good ground quite varied, excellent cottage, and perfect hosts. Go for it.

The 03 200 I owned from new was very reliable and was easy to ride and maintain. It was popular with other members of my family as well, being a good learner bike with plenty of grip and forgiving handling. They can rev too and they sound pretty good on full noise.

A leading UK Sunday newspaper today includes a picture of Dougie on the stairs at Goodwood (front wheel up on the newel post) and comments, quote "He's Britain's most successful sportsman, with no fewer than 12 world titles to his name. But few have heard of Dougie Lampkin, the trials bike champion. After you've seen him at Goodwood, you'll be telling the world."

Fantastic! Well done. And Dougie never got in the bedroom!

No clonks in my Sherco suspension, and Sherco parts delivery from the usual dealers is fine. If you have never ridden a trials bike before a 250 is loads. Which ever make you choose, get a clean one with history. A 290 Sherco or a 300 Gasser can be quite tiring for a novice rider. Good luck and try and borrow a couple of training videos to help you learn.

Check out The Sunday Times UK June 22 the In Gear Section on Goodwood. How Carl Fogarty learns to love trials! Yet more pictures of Betas! Nothing to do with the above but please put Cabestaney back on a 290, Mr Sherco.

Now that the works riders are competing on the 320 4T bikes, does this mean the Sherco 290's will still be be 'improved.' If so, by whom? If not, are the 4 strokes 'better?' I hope the answer isn't Xispa!