NoTraction

Evening all, Just trawling the internet looking at new and new/used bikes and getting a bit bewildered (it’s not difficult!) As I am now a seasoned rider (!) of some four months I want to upgrade my bike so I just thought I’d share this and see if anyone has any interesting input. I bought a Rev3 250 to get going and see if I liked it but I’m hooked and I’d like something newer really. I’d also quite like a 4 stroke, no real reason I just like the sound of them and I like the idea of low end low rev grunt, I always liked that in other bikes I’ve had. And hopefully they’re a bit quieter for practicing at home. If I haven’t missed anything, I think that means Montesa 260/300, Beta 300 or Tenaci-Wong 200 for new and add in Beta 250 if a few years old? Now I’m very much a ‘wobbler’ having only half a dozen trials and a few hours practice under my belt and I know only too well that a 300 2 stroke of any type would be far more bike than I need and would spit me off in an instant (been there). But does the same apply for the 4 stroke bikes? Really, I want something that’s smooth and progressive with hopefully a nice smooth clutch rather than the ‘light switch’ I have on the Rev3 (yes, I have done the Beta clutch fix, twice! And filled it with Nano Trans…. It’s still pretty shocking) Has anyone tried a Tenaci-Wong and are they any good apart from the suspect name? They’re certainly well priced. Would be good to hear some views on the above, the alternative is to get a newer 2T I guess but then there’s a whole other load of things to consider. Short of a Beta 200 Evo, which I would buy (if I bought a 2T) but cant find anywhere, I have no idea how to choose between the different brands…. Although I’d probably select something with a right hand kicker…. Rambling on a bit, fancy a four stroke, haven’t got the opportunity to try them all out really….. but if I’m going to spend a few quid I want to buy something I’ll keep for some time. ‘

That’s awesome, thank you 👍

Afternoon, Can anyone point me toward instructions on how to change the fork oil on 2008 Rev 3 250 please? Cant seem to find any info online and haven’t done it before, thanks.

I’ve had a look around and can only find the S3 heads for the Evo - Is the top end the same on the Rev3?

I’d heard that about the newer Evo 200’s, someone wrote a post saying the brand new ones are ruined (in his opinion) as they have completely lost their mellow nature. I’ve ordered a 10 tooth front sprocket, for the sake of £15 I though it was worth a go. I’ve learned not to use first gear anyway as it just seems too low, I realise this will make it even lower but I’ll see how second is with it, which is what I normally use mainly, or possibly third if it makes second too lively. I will also look into retarding the timing, again an easy reversal if I don’t like it before changing heads and base gaskets. I will look into the S3 head though as I wasn’t aware of it before. If going down one tooth on the front doesn’t make sufficient difference I guess I could also try going up one on the rear (with the original 11 tooth front) to 42 which would then be the same sizes as a 200 has as standard, albeit I expect being a 250 it still wouldn’t be quite the same.

So are you saying there’s nothing that will achieve what I’m hoping to do? What would you suggest?

That’s a good idea, hadn’t thought of that…. I’ll give it a try, thanks 👍

Thanks…. I already have the slow throttle and flywheel weight. I’d be interested to know the best way to reduce the compression maybe. It’s only really until I get more used to it, I feel I would rather learn and then go after more power when I need it rather than trying to learn techniques with more power than I need if that makes sense…

Hi Guys and Gals, Can anyone tell me what the real world riding difference is between a 200 and a 250 Rev 3? I’m new to the sport and searched for a 200 but none were about so I ended up with a 250. I have read that the 200’s, either Rev 3 or Evo are the ‘holy grail’ for the beginner Clubman rider with the ideal spread of power etc. Is there a big difference between the two? And if so are there sensible alterations I can do to the 250 to make it more like a 200 to ride? I ask this because at my standard I don’t need the power it has and in some ways it would be helpful to have less so I can master technique without worrying about the bike getting away from me so much. I have already fitted a slow throttle. I’d be grateful for any insight on this.

Thanks…. I’ve got myself a paddock to practice in so will be doing that 👍

Yes, that’s the one. Thanks for letting me know.

I think I’m getting it now…. There I was thinking it was partly a hardware issue but I wasn’t seeing the full picture. I’m going to join a club that’s not too far way that has a practice ground and will get some lessons as soon as I can - it will be great if I can find someone this end of the country but my guess is I will have to travel. Thanks for your comments 👍

Does anyone know what the going is like at Park Farm, Hook Norton? There’s a trial there next weekend, I just wanted to get an idea on what it’s like, ie flat, hilly, boggy, easy, difficult etc. Many thanks.

Sounds like fun 👍

I totally get it…. I’m sure I can find somewhere round here to try it on my pushbike with all the HS2 stuff going on. I think that’s a great idea 👍

That’s really helpful, thanks 🙄

Thats a good idea 👍

Thanks Rich…. I was there, it was a nicely laid out area. I was disappointed with my score but more because I didn’t think it through and got 5’s where I could have got 2’s or 3’s probably. Also, on one section that I know I cleaned all fours times I was awarded four 5’s! I can only guess I mistakenly didn’t follow the course correctly but nothing was said - I was really annoyed with myself about that one! I think I could have taken 40 points plus off by paying more attention - note to self for next time! My biggest issue, and hence me blaming the bike, is letting it get away from me when making turns on slopes, both up and down bit mostly up. I somehow fail to get the bike in the right position and then tend to over shoot the turn and the bike goes flying. I’m clearly not putting my weight in the right place and gripping the throttle too hard. I’ve fitted a slow throttle but it’s still easy to over twist it, I’ve managed to get hold of a stronger slide spring for the carb which I’m going to fit and see if that helps me. Someone I know has kindly given me permission to use his land for practicing so all good for the flat stuff but unfortunately there are no banks, its flat as a pancake. Look forward to meeting you sometime, onwards and upwards 👍

Thanks very much for all the time spent replying to me. It’s all great info and gives me lots to address. As I’m doing this on my own, although I am finding everyone really friendly at meetings I don’t have any one to ask for sage advice directly which is what makes this forum so helpful to me and confidence inspiring. There’s only so much ‘turn up and get on with it’ you can do without some direction. I appreciate all your comments and will go over them again at the weekend. Oh yes, I did rotate the bars forward a bit and it did help at the last trial. That is until I binned it half way up a slope and twisted the forks! But that’s another story…. (Fixed now!)

That’s brilliant! It’s funny, but the wheels are so small that they can get up some hills! Used to get up railway embankments on my Vespa 50 that the DTs and ERs couldn’t back in the day! 😃

Tell me about the price of scooters! My first was a Vespa 50 Special in 1984 which was £320. It makes me shudder when I think of the scooters we cut down, chopped and god knows what else in the 80’s. My first Lambretta was an SX150, albeit incomplete, which cost me £70! Currently got a ‘61 Li 150 S2 which I’ve put a GT186 kit on and rebuilt the engine to suit. Goes alright for an old Italian shopping bike! There’s still quite a scene round here (Aylesbury/Oxford). I would have been living spitting distance from Wiggs shop in 1981, me and my mates (I was 13 then) spent many hours drooling over the bikes and making a nuisance of ourselves. They used to put up with us though! I remember we found the front door had been left unlocked one night when they’d all gone home - being good boys we told Julian the next day, someone got in trouble for that I think! Anyway, I digress. I’d love another old TY if one appeared at the right time/right price. What did you mean ‘Do private message as needs - fairly local and have new/old bikes.’? Sorry, didn’t understand. And I definitely need to get to a practice area. I couldnt make it to the North Berks practice day on Saturday in the end, mind you it was bloody freezing so it might have been hard work!

I had a Messenger chat with him… it’s funny, we’re from the same small town (Winslow) but I don't know him. His Dad, Julian, had a shop there when we were kids in the 80’s selling trials bikes. I don’t think he does lessons locally to here though, I think he does them in Surrey, Hookwood I guess? The conversation fizzled out and I didn’t get anything booked, he was a bit vague on the detail but I remember it was £200. Not sure if that’s one to one or not, he didn’t say.

Yes, I have a flywheel weight fitted. Already checked that. I’ll check the sprockets though, thanks 👍