In my opinion the 280 is more 'specialist' rider suited.
When I've ridden them they seem more fiery and snappy than the 300 and generally (from what I've seen) it's only good expert standard riders buy and own them.
I find the 300 ticks every box - lovely and smooth, great low down torque, awesome power when needed. The 300 seems to ridden by and liked by a huge cross section from decent clubmen up to top top level stars.
However, as above will be down to your preference.
Your right though the sport isn't particularly rich.
I know the top boys earn a large chunk of their money from ITWC (now X-Trial) where they get good appearance fee and I expect finish position bonuses. This ties up with what Shirty says about top 5 earning decent money
I would expect that they factories only pay them a fairly low wage but with bonuses etc. The rest of their money would come from sponsorship (Red Bull, Monster etc) and display and publicity events.
Outside of this its easy to see why the rest of the riders cant earn big (or any) money from trials. I expect that
X-trials will help generate more spectators and revenue if they are linked with other events like enduro was in Italy. However the problem is that again this will only benefit the best of the best.
lampkins experience might just be enough to help coach raga and get him another world title to steal bou's crown!
Maybe a Lampkin replica enduro but not trials bike. When did you last see a manufacturer make Lampkin replica's?
Not sure if I agree re: coaching Raga or not.
Raga already has Tarres - IMO the greatest ever and founder of modern trials as most of us know it (till Bou made modern trials old and out of date with cycle trials ability on a motorbike)
so will having Doug about help Raga?? without question, yes. Doug has been there, done that and won everything BUT Bou has moved trials to a planet that neither Tarres nor Lampkin can help Raga with. I think the only person that can help Raga is Bou. Raga will surely be watching and trying everything in the same style that Bou does - especially indoors.
Will be interesting to also see how having a more experienced head around Gas Gas calms Raga. He's mentally looked defeated over the past few seasons and could well be looking over his shoulder at Fajardo and Ossa as well as looking at Bou. This is where I think he will benefit from having an older more experienced team mate who can help clear his head and focus on winning again. No one is better than Doug at pushing on despite injury, age, bike performance etc.
On the flip side he might have b*gger all to do with Raga, ride whatever trials he's contracted too and spend most of his focus on developing Enduro for Gas Gas.
There is always the chance that 'if' Dibs stays at GG it may be on a factory basis rather than GGUK.
Obviously just speculating here and a Beta return seems most logical but it might just be that Gas Gas feel a 2 pronged attack will reap certain rewards.
There is another good game for the iPhone on the app store : 'Unreal Trial'. There is free version and an upgrade version. I've only got the freebie buts it pretty good once you get the hang of it
Does anyone know whats on at the show demo wise etc?
I went a few years ago and it was a truly awful show with only about 5% trials coverage.
I had a look on the website and saw a few trials stands/inporters etc there but does anyone know whether Ossa etc may have a bike there or if there is anything trials related other than a few stands?
It is not too far fromme but dont want to drive there and spend
I reckon heat will be an issue somewhere down the line as the rad is sat behind the petrol tank and above the cylinder. The rear shock from what i can tell seems wrapped around by the exhaust.
You'd hope not.
Its been developed and built in Spain so you'd think its been well tested in hot conditions over extended runs.
It's easy enough to protect with heat shields etc.
Probably the easiest and cheapest thing to soften the power initially is
1: flywheel weight (might already have one)
2: head spacer
3: have the head ground out a bit (poss best to have done professionally depending on your skills/knowledge) this will make a huge difference.
then I'd maybe look at getting a 250cc kit and finally if you're still not happy swap the Keihin for a Dellorto. Personally I dont think the carb will help in softening the power noticably
The Keihin is a great carb and I personally would keep it. Luckily for you the Dellorto also works perfectly on Gas Gas.
Its been along time since i used 2 strokes as per my previous newbie e-mails.
I have now been to purchase some premix oil as was told i need synthetic. The oil is Fuchs Silkolene comp 2 synthetic Ester 2T off road. Is this ok for my TXT 300 at 70:1.
many thanks Kay
That will be fine.
I used to use comp 2 fully synthetic @ 80:1 and the bike ran fine
I was Gas Gas for years then changed to a Beta Rev3, one of the main reasons for me selling and going back to Gas Gas was the heavy front end on the Rev3.
Ah ok Then, Didn't know that was the case now, Just thought The 6 month warrenty with GG UK, Is a very important issue for people to know with new Gassers, Even if the warrenty has to be 12 months, I have no doubts that shirty will manage a way to get round it.
As you say also though John Lampkin & the team are 100% fantastic with you, Couldn't ask to deal with nicer people.
The main phrase you need to focus on will always be 'fit for purpose' if you can argue that the item or bike is not 'fit for purpose' you are entitled to a replacement part (or bike if you have a strong enough arguement)within the first year.
There are even discussions in Europe that ALL motor vehicles will come with a 2 year warranty, however there will be exceptions allowed in this and I wont be surprised that if this does happen trials bikes (MX / enduro etc) will be exempt.
Again to Slapshot 3 - I've spoken to riders of 3 year old Beta's who have had stators (a known fault part) replaced FOC by Lampkins.
Gas Gas had a known fault issue with the internals of the kickstart mechanism breaking (sorry cant recall the part name) and Shirty wanted to charge
To Slapshot3 : If you've used them both it is fair to criticise IF the criticism is FAIR
I've dealt with both Gas Gas UK and Beta UK and they are chalk and cheese - honestly they COULD NOT be more different.
Shirty is awful, expensive, un co-operative and generally rubbish
Lampkin is FANTASTIC, there is no other word I would or could use. Inside or outside of warranty he bends over backwards to help you.
If someone asked me to recommend either of the above bikes based on back up and support I would say Beta with zero hesitation.
To GasGas Ben : too late now BUT, by E.U law ALL 'motorised vehicles' MUST come with AT LEAST 12 month warranty. I know of riders who have threatened GasGas UK with legal action based on his illegal warranty and quel surpris, shock of shocks he backed down instantly and covered all the work and parts
bike seemingly being awful.
gas gas 280 or 300
in Gas Gas
Posted
In my opinion the 280 is more 'specialist' rider suited.
When I've ridden them they seem more fiery and snappy than the 300 and generally (from what I've seen) it's only good expert standard riders buy and own them.
I find the 300 ticks every box - lovely and smooth, great low down torque, awesome power when needed. The 300 seems to ridden by and liked by a huge cross section from decent clubmen up to top top level stars.
However, as above will be down to your preference.