jcbrewer

We've not been able to get new Montesas in the U.S. for a few years now. All it has done is drive up prices for the used bikes. JB

I recently went from a 2005 GasGas 300 to a 2000 Cota 315r and am happier than ever. I really like the suspension on the Montesa and I find the power to be much more controllable. You'll find the front end on the Monty is a little heavier but IMHO that is good because it means the bike is balanced better between front and rear. I wrote up a detailed comparison between the two. If you'd like to read it you can find it here. Good Luck, John STRA

So I've been told there are restrictors in the header pipe, airbox and in the mid-pipe. I've dealt with the header pipe, but since I got my Monty second hand, how do I determine if the other restrictors are still in there? Sad to say, I'm not even sure what the mid-pipe is. I'm guessing it is the convoluted aluminum structure between the header pipe and the silencer. Thought that was the expansion chamber??? Cheers.

Used my Dremel tool to cut it out, then ground down the welds. Runs like a champ! Thanks.

My old header pipe on my 2000 315 Cota had a massive dent in it so after the dollar gained a bit of ground against the Euro I picked up a new one. I got it in the mail only to discover there is a restrictor plate in the throat of the pipe. Cuts the diamter more than in half, so the area by a factor of at least four. The original pipe didn't have this restrictor or it had been removed by the previous owner. I know this sort of thing can improve torque on a four-stroke but I can't see how it would help on a two-stroke. Does anyone have any information on this???

What kind of ATF? Mercon, Dexron II, Dexron III, Type F? There are a lot of different automatic transmission fluids.

I'm in the states and I've never heard of Castrol Edge. I looked on their website and all I could find was Castrol Syntec which was marketed under "The Castrol Syntec Edge." It is a fully synthetic motor oil. And I think it's in a black bottle with a green label. Is that what you are talking about? If I put something in there that I don't like the feel of, will it flush out with the next change, or do the clutch discs absorb the oil and screw things up over the long haul?

Hey, I've got a new to me '00 Cota 315r and am changing all the fluids. The manual says to use ELF HTX 740 in the gearbox/clutch, and I've seen on this site that Silkolene SRG75 is a suitable replacement. Both are hard to find around here. I saw in an older post that some guys run ATF in their 315's and was wondering what's the concensus on this? What kind of ATF and does it do the job, or should I track down the other stuff? When I drained the old fluid it was sort of a clearish color and smelled like gear oil - but the clutch has been working great. -John

It is not uncommon for an exhaust change to make a difference in fuel metering. What you describe though would be a slightly richer situation since you are flowing less air with the more restrictive exhaust.

My dad made this mistake with me (a too-large bike) and I didn't ride for years. He still looks back on it and thinks I was a fraidy-cat. It was a 1972 Yamaha GT80. I was 7 years old and had never ridden a motorbike, and certainly not one with a clutch. I couldn't touch the ground on either side. Couldn't start the bike. Couldn't pick it up if it fell over. So of course the few times I did try to ride it I wound up getting thrown hard. If he'd have bought me a Honda Z-50 I would have ridden the wheels off of that thing. So when I started buying bikes for my kids about 5 years ago I started with a Suzuki JR50. The smallest bike I could find. As a result, they have never had a significant accident, built their skills slowly but on a solid foundation, and continue to enjoy riding. My oldest now rides a full-size KDX200 or WR250. (But I'm trying to get him into trials too!) My youngest son doesn't want a full-sized bike. Or at least doesn't like the idea. Even though he has ridden my 300Pro around the yard. If I'd have known how much power it had I wouldn't have let him though. My buddy tweaked the throttle on accident and buried himself in the back of my Expedition. He spent a week in intensive care and now has a face full of titanium and polyethylene. But that's another story. So, Alan, I think I'll take you up on your offer. We are in Huntsville, about an hour and a half south of Nashville. I too am partial to Shercos though couldn't find one when I got to looking. At least not one that I could afford. But my GasGas is very rideable and so far, quite reliable. I'll need to block off a Sunday to drive up there. I wouldn't mind straddling that 200 either. -John 256-658-4881

Feel free to include my pic of Dougie on the fan page! We don't only love him for how well he rides. :-) -John

From the World Round at the Trials Training Center... Dougie Takes a Break The rest of the pics are here --> TTC World Round 2008 And a movie my son put together is here --> World Round Movie -John

Is this a full size machine or does it have smaller tires or frame? -John

What does this mean? -John

My son is 12 years old, almost 13. He is 4 feet 10 inches and around 75 pounds. He is small-framed but reasonably athletic. Plays soccer. He's been riding a clutched CRF80 for a couple of years and is a pretty good bicycle trials rider. I ride trials and have a GasGas 300. We are looking for a trials motorcycle for him and would like to get the correct machine. I have come across a 2003 GasGas80 for a good price. I haven't seen this bike and don't know anything about it but I think it is a full-size machine, in which case it is the same size as my 300Pro. Standing on the pegs his waist is just barely above the level of the handlebars. So what is the 'right' bike for my son? Would it be the diminutive GasGas50 Boy? Or a full size 80? Or one of the incredibly rare mid-sized bikes. Sherco? GasGas? Beta? Other? And where do I find one of these machines in the States? Or could I import a used bike from across the pond? Thanks much, John