trapezeartist

As it happens, I’ve just sold the Fantic, but not because I had fallen out of love. Being a wobbler of mature years and a beginner into the bargain, I could see that the classic clubs run the sort of trials I want to do. So I decided to get a twinshock and everyone said a Fantic 200 was the best. I have certainly had a very happy time with it: steers well, nice soft power delivery, adequate performance but didn’t want to kill me. A year on from buying it, I’ve decided to get a modern bike. If you fancy twinshock, I would recommend the Fantic without hesitation (and I no longer have one to sell ?).

I have a Blingo too. It might be a decrepit old rattle box but it was cheap and it does the job. I use it for other things too where I wouldn’t want to use my “best” car.

I started with a trials experience day too, just to make sure I was going to like it before spending proper money. Definitely the way to put a toe in the water, I think. Personally I have reservations about bike racks but lots of people love them. Look in the Transport sub-forum for some lengthy discussions. I believe Dave Cooper is the only commercial manufacturer. He also builds trailers.

I’ve not done a direct comparison but I imagine the headlining does steal a bit of space. I find my handlebars just clear when upright and straight, but as soon as I turn the steering I have to lean the bike out a bit. My headlining is not quite as pristine as it once was.?

Fiat Doblo and Citroen Berlingo are pretty much the same thing in both van and car versions. There’s also a Peugeot variant, but only a van I think. I started out looking for a van but then discovered that the same money bought me a lower mileage car, with a petrol engine, and no-one had mixed concrete in the back. I only carry one bike in my Blingo, but I think it would take two as demonstrated by the OP.

Pulling down on the suspension only compresses the springs about the same as having a rider on the bike. It's way within acceptable stress limits for the springs. Damping elements won't know you're doing it as there is no movement of the damper. Any "air spring" will only increase in pressure slightly so would be well within limits, like the spring. The block under the sump guard is fine of that's what you want to do. In my little Berlingo, it would be difficult if not impossible to lift the bike onto the block while hunched over. With a high-roof Traffic, it would be easier.

To Howard who enquired about my Fantic in the Trials Central Classifieds: sorry, but I can't find a way to reply to you. The bike is now sold (not via Trials Central), subject to payment/collection in a few days time.

I would agree with Faussy.

Huh? Ah, American, I understand. ?

Wasn’t it Martin Brundle who said “If you’ve got a £5 head, buy a £5 helmet.”?

I have an Airoh and it’s super light and comfortable. 900 or 950 grams I think. My old Shoei full-face weighed about 1700! I was tempted by the Zona 5 with the built in visor but was slightly put off by the 1200 gram weight.

Broadly like misscrabstick has said. It opens up the possibility of adding throttle position to the ECU map. Imagine having full throttle at the twist grip giving only 25% at the FI for trickling round some tight turns. Then with a flick of a thumb switch you go to full “quick throttle” mode to blast up a big climb. Basically like the current mode switches, but doing something useful.

It is! Have you not tried it yet?

Perhaps a better application of new technology would be fly by-wire. You could have radically different engine characteristics to suit the immediate conditions just in front of your front wheel. Much more useful than the current mode switches.

If you fancy a day down at Fry’s, blow_away, let me know. It’s good to ride together.

I think they are still running the same engines after 20 years because there is no reason to develop anything fundamentally new. Trials bikes are a mature technology so minor tweaks are sufficient. If one manufacturer develops a hybrid and is successful, they’ll all follow suit. In the meantime it is more cost effective to steer the development budget into “exciting new graphics”.

Toni Bou and I ride totally different sections, so I don’t think that’s proof enough for me. Weight back and dodgy throttle control: that’s me! I know I’m too on-off with the throttle (Mick Andrews told me so) but I’m working on it. I do like that feeling of burbling around something with the engine hovering just above stalling. People are giving me totally mixed messages about grip on mud so I think I’ll just park that one. They are also telling me the Montesa doesn’t steer as well as the Beta. I know I’m not good on tight turns so I need all the help I can get. But as I can never get the steering over to full lock maybe it doesn’t matter. At least this is something I can easily get a feel for when trying a bike out.

That is the most useful response I’ve had from anywhere. Thank you lineaway. I was tending to veer down the Beta route and I think you’ve just confirmed it.

Well of course that’s the obvious solution. But getting access to bikes to have a proper ride on some proper sections is not so easy. A few figure-of-8s around a car park doesn’t really tell the story.

Right then Montesa fans. I’ve asked a similar question on the Sherco forum. Tell me why I should buy a Montesa and not a Beta 200 or 250. Or not, as the case may be. The reason for asking is I’m thinking of changing fron twin shock to modern and it’s really hard to get my head around the pros, cons, problems and model changes of the various manufacturers. I’ve g it myself reasonably well-educated on the Betas so I need to compare. My budget buys me a 2014-16 Beta so a Montesa would be somewhat older.

The Beta 4T is quiet. Not so sure about the Montesa. It’s also about the quality of the sound though. I think like-for-like a 2T has more potential to annoy non-petrolheads than a 4T.

Only 30 years? My trials hiatus was somewhat longer, and no road bikes, enduros or anything else in between. I started with a Beta 300 4T and it definitely got the better of me. I switched to a twin shock Fantic 200 and got on better. But after a year I’m going to switch back to a modern 200 or 250. The Fantic is a lovely bike and more knowledgeable people than me will say it’s the best twinshock bar none, but I think you have to have a passion for classic bikes to ride them, and I don’t have that. I will continue to enjoy riding with the classic clubs though.

That's a neat summary, Lineaway. Perhaps I need to go and start a Montesa v Beta thread. I definitely am not in the hop and bop contingent. One problem with the Montesa is that you have to go at least two years older for the same money. And the weight?

Indeed there are, section swept. And I'd be open to any, but the amount of information to be absorbed is pretty mind-blowing. Which year the significant changes came in? Which year there were problems. Which year it was a fiery beast and which year it was all soft and friendly. I started this thread because I think I'm getting on top of the Beta info but then saw an attractively priced advert for a Sherco, so I thought I'd ask.

I would be looking at a 2014-2016.