steve fracy

Jay: How fast is the Garelli coming along? I am hosting the first round of a vintage series April 23/24 here in Shawnigan Lake! You and your wife would certainly be welcome then and any time you would like to come! I can promise a great time at the trial, riding my backyard, and sitting around the campfire in the backyard! You will be required to bring your guitar though! Let me know OK! Cheers, Steve

Being on this side of the pond, I've never had the chance to meet Crosser! I have heard from friends over here (Mike Komer) that he is a great guy! After reading what has transpired over there with Scorpa, I would just add to that by saying it takes a lot of class to come on here and publicly say the truth about what happened! Good luck in your future ventures, I believe that your dedication to the sport and your business with Scorpa will only help you in whatever you choose to do next! As Perce has stated, I would agree that giving someone unreal quota's and expectations is another way of terminating a current contract, and sabotaging a new one! Business I guess! Cheers Crosser! Steve Fracy

Jay: I am still riding my trusty 02 GG Pro! In my humble opinion, it is the most powerful, light and fun to ride trials bike made to date! The 02 motor is ferocious, and exempliphies the word "Pro" on the decal! I have ridden every year model since the 02 and the motor has been softened somewhat every year to make it more rideable to more people! My bike would make a good test model for a long term test! It's immaculate, and has been maintenance free! I ride every weekend! My backyard is pretty much expert only material, so it's not just a trail ride! Contrary to the reputation that some have spread about the GG, it is an excellent bike! I have yet to ride any of the new bikes that work as good for me! Again, it is not for everyone, but, I have been tuning bikes for 20+ yrs to try and run like this one does, right out of the box! Beta huh! Hmm, we'll have to see what happens this year! It was supposed to be top secret! You might have to reveal your sources Jay! Hope to see you up here next year for our vintage series on that Garelli! Cheers, Steve

Now that some of you have had some time on your SY 175's, I'd love to hear some reviews from as many people as possible! I love Scorpa's concept of being so simple, and last summer when I rode a little 125, Iloved it. It was so fun, but more power would have been great! Does the 175 have enough? Love to hear about things that have surprised you, both good and bad! Cheers, Steve

I have had no comments to make about the new 4RT because up until last week I had never seen or ridden one! The one I got to ride last weekend had all the restrictors in. Very cool bike! Mega grip off the bottom. I was a little hesitant when hitting anything big, mostly because the accerlation was very different! I agree with Dabster that the suspension was brilliant! I only had a short ride, but would have enjoyed to spend a full day on it to see what it could do! Now, today met up with two more guys in my backyard riding area who had all the restrictors OUT! Man, what a nasty sound comig from these things when the throttle was cracked! I could hear them above all the other bikes combined! (There were about 12 of us all together). For me, and for where we were riding, it bordered on offensive! I'm not bashing the 4RT's, but surely they can be produced as a stock bike that a good expert can feel confident on without having to modify the exhaust so much that the sound is that loud! I enjoyed my ride on it and found it quite decent, but would be concerned about the noise. I am very, very anxious to try the Sherco 4RT now after having a bit of a taste with the Mont! Cheers, Steve

1-Geoff 2- Chris 3- Cody

I would agree that without a doubt Saunder's is the best I have ever seen in the mud! Although, after watching last years WTC from Duluth, I would put Dougie right beside Steve! I have ridden with both Lejuene and Schrieber in WR'S in muddy conditions and they were good! But, Saunder's and Lampkin are extraordinary! I used to hate riding mud, mainly because I wasn't any good at it! I finally got round to practising in it, and it makes a difference! Like one of the other post's said, I ended loving riding in it because everyone else hated it! cheers, Steve

Does this dispell the rumours on here (not sure where they started ) that you are settling down, getting married and planning a family? Nice to know your still alive and somewhat OK despite your injuries! Get well soon! Cheers, Steve

Jesse: I would freshen up your top end for sure. Also, de-carbonize your exhaust system, it will feel like a new bike! The V-force reeds are a step above, like the next generation of reed technology! Email Ron at Beta USA and ask for his opinion. Let him know I told you about them, and we are in the same club! He will help you out for sure and can ship any part anytime for your bike! Cheers, Steve

Nice picture That is the only other twinshock bike I have ever wanted to get a hold of! The first is the 240 Fantic I finally got, that one is the other. I only ever saw one of them in Canada. I would love to get a hold of one in very good shape! Anyone have one for sale! Cheers, Steve

Hey Jesse: Unfortunately I didn't get to see how you made out today, but it sounds like you had fun!You are upgrading the two things that I would think should be first on the list for your bike! I would also look into getting some V-Force Reeds for your bike. Go to the Beta USA website for more info, I can also look into this for you if you need help! Let Ron at Beta USA that we know each other and he will take care of you! Cheers, Steve

You lost me on that one Ish! I guess sometimes it's better to talk face to face than one here! I've said before, as a sport I agree that things need to change. I would like to see the minder's eliminated and see what happens. Try to get back to the roots of the sport. From what I can see, GG,Sherco, and Beta have most to lose for the 4RT ruling coming into affect, not Honda/Mon, whatever you want to call them! It's fact that Mon/ Hon have paid big bucks to have Doug/Fuji/Frexia ride there bikes over the last few years! I doubt that the other factories could dare afford the likes of that team. Maybe a salary cap should be inforced onto all the factories to try and level the playing even more??? Shades of the NHL?) I guess it will be interestng to say the least to see what happens this year outdoors eh? Cheers, Steve

After chatting with Ishy, I think his point came accross the wrong way! I agree with him that in any trial there needs to be variety, not only for the rider, but the spectator too! I don't buy into sections deliberately being designed for a 2-stroke. Now, if that is the case, why would I want to buy a 4RT?? It would appear that from comments like that, there are somethings that the 4RT can't do as well as the 2RT!! I have yet to ride one of the new 4RT's and I can say that I do look forward to it so I can comment honestly on what I think! It's exciting to have a choice for sure, just hope that we continue to have a choice! Cheers, Steve

I would agree with you on that one JTT! You would have to be a little daffed not to be able to read between the lines of Doug's, Fuji's and Mark's comments! That being said, Honda has made there bed now with the decision of going agressively ahead with the 4RT. In the long run, it may prove to have been a wise desicion on there part, but until that is proven, these lads are I'm sure longing for there works 315r's for the indoors! Cheers, Steve

Ishy: If your trying to say that a section can be designed to give a rider an advantage if he rides a 2stroke over a rider on a 4rt, then there is something terribly wrong here! I have heard everything now! Perhaps, there should be 4rt and 2rt lines in every trial now! The bike you ride is the bike you ride! I think it's going to really dumb to hear guys complain that they didn't win because the sections didn't cater to what type of bike they were on! Also, Raga is the best in the world hands down indoors, right now! I remember watching old videos of Dougie riding a Beta indoors and he was even farther ahead of the pack than Raga is now! No one complained then!! Fuji, Frexia and even Dougie over the last couple of years have clearly been a little behind indoors. Now coupled with trying to learn how to ride a totally new bike, they are lagging this year. It's silly to keep comparing the two bikes and which type of sections suit them better. Honda has made there decision to go with the 4rt this year. I don't think anyone expected them to rule the world right out of the gate. As well, it show's how good the 2rt's are really working too! Subtle changes every year are keeping them competitive. It's clear the Repsol team are perhaps a little frustrated with the transition to the new bike, but it's arguable if the results would be any different if they were on there old bikes! Cheers, Steve

Hey Guys: Enough with the pre-historic comments OK, I resemble that remark! Shame on you for not knowing your American history! Curt Comer was National Champ in the early 80's. Not only is he a fantastic rider of any type of motorcycle sport to this day, he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and I'm proud to say he is a friend of mine! A true southern gentleman! He has also been recently inducted into the STRA Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and his life-long dedication to the sport! Cheers, Steve

Awesome post Ishy! Two things ring in my mind about all of this stuff! #1- I was that guy with the knackered van who barely made it to the event, barely got my gear on in time to ride and still had some decent rides! #2- Your right about the section severity being lowered once the playing field is leveled! I would dare to say that some of the results would be surprising! The only alarming thing to me about all of this, is, that the buggers who are still around and riding half decent (at least in the Pacific Northwest, are bloody old now) We need to get some new blood into the sport at the bottom levels! Cheers, Steve

JTT: I concure with your sentiment's my good friend! We have it tough here on the westcoast too! It was bloody only 12 deg. C here today and sunny! Man I can't wait for summer! Cheers, Steve

One thing I have thought about since Ishy first posted this thread. If in fact the Pro class is for "Pro's", who besides the importer's are actually paying them? Unless things have changed drastically, I would guess that you could count on one hand, the rider's who are actuall getting paid to ride! Oh, I must be right, I can count on one hand the amount of riders competing this year! Would it not be possible for the AMA/Natc for come up with some sort of contingency plan for each event, and in turn the entire series?? Any rider finishing in the top 10 at a National should receive some sort of money. Even if it is down to 10th place winning his entry fee back! This format should be seen as the "base salary" so to speak for the rider's. Like golf, it depends on how well they place as to how much money they make. It would still be up to the individual rider to get other sponsor's to chip in where they can! (ie, importer's, vendor's, private companies etc). Just some thoughts! Don't call it the "Pro" class anymore if it is not going to pay just about anyone who enters it! Cheers, Steve

I just knew the first response to this thread was going to say something about the 4RT! Sadly, I beleive that it really comes down to economics for today's importer's. A decision has to be made to either spend sponsorship bucks and hope for big sales to re-coup the investment, or help out selected rider's with discounts and let the bike pretty much sell itself. In today's market, who of any of us can say for sure. All I know is, we owe all the importer's a great deal for their continued support of the sport we ALL love, sometimes at their own expense! I wouldn't want to comment on Chris until we hear from Martin himself! I think also that this comment of Ishy's about the state of things in US nationals has to be re-examined. Entries in the Pro class have been slowly dwindling over the years. Not even enough rider's to make up a top 10 list. Oh and Ish, rather presumptious of you to think that you would finish ahead of me on my 240 Fantic!!!!! Cheers, Steve

Now I know the results of this weigh in are tainted!! Dom claims to have had some friends there!! Cheers, guys! Not a Mont fan at all, but just the same I am very curious and anxious to give one of the new 4RT's a go! Just hope that we as the consumer are left to have a choice and the FIM do not try and force an all 4RT situation on us! Ride on fellows! Steve

Sorry Billy, but I know it's you!!! On the off chance I am wrong, there is someone out there who know's far too much about me!! That is scary! They can remember stuff about me I've forgotten years ago! A stalker perhaps! You hit it on the head with your reasoning Ishy! I'd say there are possible 1 maybe 2 other people who know the info that M4rt knows, and they never come on here! Cheers, Steve

He calls Canada his home, but it is not the origin of his imbalance! I've heard of cases like this before when guys from Scotland were forced to give up their velcro mits at the border when entering this country! Bit like mad cow, sad really! Cheers

Hmm, some hints on your whereabouts are filtering through now! Only a Canadian or a few Americans would know what Tim Horton's is! Show yourself my chemically imbalanced friend!!! Surely you can see the merit in admitting what Nationality you are and where you plan on competing with all this vast amounts of sponsorship? Cheers

How much for the Pentax Ish? Sell the 300, it's a tank! I'm an old Fantic man from days gone by, and almost no one enjoyed riding the 300! Except r2w? The 200 is the way to go, unless you know someone with a mint 240! Cheers,Steve