Andy Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Poor Andy taking the blame and you can stop bloody laughing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomant Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Poor Andy taking the blame and you can stop bloody laughing... ROTFL Back on the tred.... I think that people think Honda actually make money from trials ? I would be very very surprised if Honda made anything at all. On the contrary, they probably lose thousands. As been said before, they just wish to build good quality machinery as they have a legacy to fulfill and a reputation to maintain. The Japanese are very proud people. I for one applaud that. Trials would be a sad place without Honda. In relation to the comments about buying the best riders, well It didn't do them any good last year winning nothing but it must of cost a fortune but they still kept on plowing the money in. Then this year they take on Bou who has never ridden a 4 stroke competitively and against nearly everyone's predictions (not mine I have to say) he wins the Indoor. The comments above about Honda buying champions doesn't fit in relation to Bou. He had won nothing at this stage so they were either buying him based on his potential to win or buying him to stop him winning on any other bike. Its funny that they didn't even contemplate Raga as a threat else they would have bought him too. I think that Bou being in the same camp as past winners has boosted his confidence and self belief to lift him that little bit extra he needed to become a champion. He has done that in style and I hope he continues it to win the outdoor this year ( if Doug doesn't that is ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for artie Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 (edited) Poor Andy taking the blame and you can stop bloody laughing... ROTFL Back on the tred.... I think that people think Honda actually make money from trials ? I would be very very surprised if Honda made anything at all. On the contrary, they probably lose thousands. As been said before, they just wish to build good quality machinery as they have a legacy to fulfill and a reputation to maintain. The Japanese are very proud people. I for one applaud that. Trials would be a sad place without Honda. In relation to the comments about buying the best riders, well It didn't do them any good last year winning nothing but it must of cost a fortune but they still kept on plowing the money in. Then this year they take on Bou who has never ridden a 4 stroke competitively and against nearly everyone's predictions (not mine I have to say) he wins the Indoor. The comments above about Honda buying champions doesn't fit in relation to Bou. He had won nothing at this stage so they were either buying him based on his potential to win or buying him to stop him winning on any other bike. Its funny that they didn't even contemplate Raga as a threat else they would have bought him too. I think that Bou being in the same camp as past winners has boosted his confidence and self belief to lift him that little bit extra he needed to become a champion. He has done that in style and I hope he continues it to win the outdoor this year ( if Doug doesn't that is ) Well said Atom. It is good to hear a thoughtful point of view and not the usual Honda- $$$- Honda drivel. Edited March 10, 2007 by for artie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilco Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Well im still waiting for an all British modern trial's bike to arrive.Triumph could make that happen,got a feeling it will be a long wait though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin belair Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 (edited) Team US Montesa has been at the US Nationals with parts, technical service and race support for all Montesa National riders for 15 consecutive years. Our record of service and support of US National riders speaks for itself. We have sponsored and continue to sponsor a large number of rider in the US Nationals in all classes: Pro, Expert ES , Senior, Support, High School, Women. We have develped young riders and supported them as the climbed from High School class up into the Pro ranks. We have been there as a sponsor, mechanic, minder, cook and friend. We have challenged for the US Championship for many years and of all the brands, Montesa, was the brand that challenged Geoff Aaron the most during his 10 years as US champion. In the 30 plus years of the American Championship Montesa has challenged for the championship in all but a few. This year top young American rider Keith Wineland will represent Montesa in the US Championship and continue the long tradition of Montesa riders in the US series. We will be at every US National this year with full support for our riders just as we have for 15 years. In recent years our riders have won Championships in Expert, ES, High School, Womens and Senior classes. This year we have a great shot at the Pro title with Keith Wineland. 10 time US Champion Geoff Arron is serving as Team Coach and mentor for our young riders. Also, Geoff will continue to support the sport by exposing hundreds of thousands of people to Trials through his ERE shows. On the International level Montesa S.A. has supported American riders efforts in Europe since 1970. American riders have been given bikes, parts, travel, transport, mechanics and money all in an effort to support theim efforts in International competition. Since 1970 Montesa SA, Montesa- Honda and US Montesa have donated a total of 24 FREE motorcycles to the primary fund raiser for US riders in International competition, the El Trial de Espana. No other brand can come close to this record of support. Prior to my term as importer previous the previous Montesa Importers Cosmoploitan Motors (my friend Larry Wise) and Montesa Motors also did a great job of supporting the sport. Together it is a total of almost 40 years of supporting the sport in America. On a peronal level, I have spent the past 15 years building the Montesa brand in the US and supporting American riders. As the US Montesa Importer I have been to every US National (except two *) for the past 15 years. I have averaged 30,000 miles a year traveling. Spent untold time, effort and dollars sponsoring riders. Missed family vacations and birthdays, and worn out this old body (knees especially) as a minder for young riders. Running up and down hills in the summer heat with a 20 lb backpack on my back, fixing flats in the mud, catching flying motorcycles (still have all my fingers). I am not the only one one. The other US Importers do the same and I am sure that in Europe they do as well. We all love the sport and most of us were riders first and it is that passion makes us put the sport first, many times before our pocketbooks. We don't to for reconition. As a businees, it is marginal at best and since the dollar fell it has been poor. Sometimes we get a nice thank you from a rider. Sometimes we don't. That is part of the game. Sometimes we sponsor a rider for a decade and take him from Novice to Pro, only to have him switch to another brand. It is part of the game. It hurts, but we accept it. Trials is a great sport and it has allowed me to travel and to make friends all over the world. I am grateful for what trials has given me and I will continue to try and give back, as many others do, because that is the lifeblood of our sport. I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the riders that have helped make Montesa successful here in the US in recent years. This is only a partial list so please excuse me if I left your name out. Christy Williams (welcome back) Pam DeBruin, Kerrie Brokaw, Jean Bancroft, Ryon Bell, Chris Florin, Dennis Sweeten, Lonny Hallsted, Johnny Clark, Brent Le Riche, Bruce Le Riche, Chuck Sutton, Scott Head, Andy Saum, Andy Bowman, Andy Johnson, David and Dan Hoffstrad, Al Gohlike, Jim Blount, Ty and Dave Dheil, Dave Carl, Steve and Stevie Darrow, Eric, Greg and Brian Trnka, Greg Erwin, Dan O'neil, Andrew Young,, Wayne Shoulder, Dan Farago, Tom Golden, Tom McBride, Bruce Bolander, Adrien Lewis,, Brian Martinson, Dave Black,, Mike Helmstrom, Lewis Bolopue, Scott Muthler, Chad Kimbrel, Daki, Yuki and Kunio Watanabe, Jim Gawne, Mitch Reichardt, Ted Gansberger, Ron De Bruin, Gordon Bowden, Mike, Mark and John McGregor, Cory Pincock, Dan Johnson, Mike Bryant, Mike Casper, Kary Krahel, Keith Sweeten, Sean Bird, Max Nelson, Brock Sattelmeir, Matt Libertore and the late Andrew Buczkowski. I don't say all this to brag about our contribution to the sport but to defend the Montesa record against lies and to infom those that may not know the truth about our history of supporting the sport. The world is full of critics. The great thing is that in trials there are very few bad apples. Best Regards, Martin Belair US Montesa PS *The two Nationals I miissed were one, due to my daughter being hospitalized and the other was a head on wreck I had with a semi truck that totaled my rig and we were unable to make the following weekends National at TTC. I thank God we all survived that one. Edited March 10, 2007 by Martin Belair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastplacebrad Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 (edited) If you would losen up a little this site would grow,Now for the smart @ss remark about me looking for shut up money from Honda! That's such BS, I won't even address that silly comment. Er, have you seen how many members TC has!! You just did address it, by answering it....dumb ass Edited March 10, 2007 by lastplacebrad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomant Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 I don't say all this to brag about our contribution to the sport but to defend the Montesa record against lies and to infom those that may not know the truth, about our history of supporting the sport. The world is full of critics. The great thing is that in trials there are very few bad apples.Best Regards, Martin Belair US Montesa Thank you Martin for taking the time to tell us what we already know that Lane is talking crap again. Mich Lin, anymore of your slanderous comments and you face a permanent ban. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastplacebrad Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Team US Montesa has been at the US Nationals with parts, technical service and race support for all Montesa National riders for 15 consecutive years. Our record of service and support of US National riders speaks for itself. We have sponsored and continue to sponsor a large number of rider in the US Nationals in all classes: Pro, Expert ES , Senior, Support, High School, Women. We have develped young riders and supported them as the climbed from High School class up into the Pro ranks. We have been there as a sponsor, mechanic, minder, cook and friend.We have challenged for the US Championship for many years and of all the brands, Montesa, was the brand that challenged Geoff Arron the most during his 10 years as US champion. In the 30 plus years of the American Championship Montesa has challenged for the championship in all but a few. This year top young American rider Keith Wineland will represent Montesa in the US Championship and continue the long tradition of Montesa riders in the US series. We will be at every US National this year with full support for our riders just as we have for 15 years. In recent years our riders have won Championships in Expert, ES, High School, Womens and Senior classes. This year we have a great shot at the Pro title with Keith Wineland. 10 time US Champion Geoff Arron is serving as Team Coach and mentor for our young riders. Also, Geoff will continue to support the sport by exposing hundreds of thousands of people to Trials through his ERE shows. On the International level Montesa S.A. has supported American riders efforts in Europe since 1970. American riders have been given bikes, parts, travel, transport, mechanics and money all in an effort to support theim efforts in International competition. Since 1970 Montes SA, Montesa- Honda and US Montesa have donated a total of 24 FREE motorcycles to the primary fund raiser for US riders in International competition, the El Trial de Espana. No other brand can come close to this record of support. Prior to my term as importer previous the previous Montesa Importers Cosmoploitan Motors (my friend Larry Wise) and Montesa Motors also did a great job of supporting the sport. Together it is a total of almost 40 years of supporting the sport in America. On a peronal level, I have spent the past 15 years building the Montesa brand in the US and supporting American riders. As the US Montesa Importer I have been to every US National (except two *) for the past 15 years. I have averaged 30,000 miles a year traveling. Spent untold time, effort and dollars sponsoring riders. Missed family vacations and birthdays, and worn out this old body (knees especially) as a minder for young riders. Running up and down hills in the summer heat with a 20 lb backpack on my back, fixing flats in the mud, catching flying motorcycles (still have all my fingers). I am not the only one one. The other US Importers do the same and I am sure that in Europe they do as well. We all love the sport and most of us were riders first and it is that passion makes us put the sport first, many times before our pocketbooks. We don't to for reconition. As a businees, it is marginal at best and since the dollar fell it has been poor. Sometimes we get a nice thank you from a rider. Sometimes we don't. That is part of the game. Sometimes we sponsor a rider for a decade and take him from Novice to Pro, only to have him switch to another brand. It is part of the game. It hurts, but we accept it. Trials is a great sport and it has allowed me to travel and to make friends all over the world. I am grateful for what trials has given me and I will continue to try and give back, as many others do, because that is the lifeblood of our sport. I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the riders that have helped make Montesa successful here in the US in recent years. This is only a partial list so please excuse me if I left your name out. Christy Williams (welcome back) Pam DeBruin, Kerrie Brokaw, Jean Bancroft, Ryon Bell, Chris Florin, Dennis Sweeten, Lonny Hallsted, Johnny Clark, Brent Le Riche, Bruce Le Riche, Chuck Sutton, Scott Head, Andy Saum, Andy Bowman, Andy Johnson, David and Dan Hoffstrad, Al Gohlike, Jim Blount, Ty and Dave Dheil, Dave Carl, Steve and Stevie Darrow, Eric, Greg and Brian Trnka, Greg Erwin, Dan Oniel, Andrew young,, Wayne Shoulder, Dan Farago, Tom Golden, Tom McBride, Bruce Bolander, Adrien Lewis,, Brian Martinson, Dave Black,, Mike Helmstrom, Lewis Bolopue, Sctoo Muthler, Chad Kimbrel, Daki, Yuki and Kunio Watanabe, Jim Gawne, Mitch Reichardt, Ted Gansberger, Ron De Bruin, Gordon Bowden, Mike, Mark and John McGregor, Cory Pincock, Dan Johnson, Mike Bryant, Mike Casper, Kary Krahel, Keith Sweeten, sean Bird, Max Nelson, Brock Sattelmeir, Matt Libertore and the late Andrew Buczkowski. I don't say all this to brag about our contribution to the sport but to defend the Montesa record against lies and to infom those that may not know the truth, about our history of supporting the sport. The world is full of critics. The great thing is that in trials there are very few bad apples. Best Regards, Martin Belair US Montesa PS *The two Nationals I miissed were one, due to my daughter being hospitalized and the other was a head on wreck I had with a semi truck that totaled my rig and we were unable to make the following weekends National at TTC. I thank God we all survived that one. Think that kinda sums up the "lack of support" thing then dont it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Mich Lin, anymore of your slanderous comments and you face a permanent ban. I like this. I'm slobbed out on the sofa watching A Bridge Too Far And Obersturmf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizza5 Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Hey don't ban him............this is great, go on Andy you know you want to give him his forum back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 go on Andy you know you want to give him his forum back Yeah right. Kinell will find his way round the Scottish before that happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perce Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 go on Andy you know you want to give him his forum back Yeah right. Kinell will find his way round the Scottish before that happens Ish has got a ball of wool for him this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcota Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Martin, you have always been first class in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fracy Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Martin: Thank you for posting what is the most sensible and heartfelt post about our sport that I have read on this or any other site in quite some time. I think that sometimes we all can tend to "talk smack"(as Ringo puts it), or slag each other off, but, this can only be done when it's done between friends. So much of what you said really hit home with me and really sums up what trials has meant to me..... Now I am trying to let my son share that experience through his own experiences in our sport. Andy................just press the button already and get on with it!!!! Thanks Martin, for all your effort, your passion, and most importantly, your positive, enthusiastic approach, and for being a trials rider! Cheers, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonsurge Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 OK, I think ol' Mich has been pretty comprehensively p0wned already but in the spirit of the great British pile-on I'd like to add that it's extremely unlikely that HRC see a single penny of any profits generated by the sale of cars, generators or other non-motorcycle related products manufactured by Honda. All of these global mega-corporations are actually structured as individual, autonomous businesses that simply operate under a single banner. Of course, Honda's motorcycle division undoubtedly provides HRC with an R&D budget that is several times the combined development expenditure of all the other trials manufacturers, but since Mich's assertion seemed to place emphasis on a fallacy I thought that it was worth pointing out. Remember that at least a couple of the other trials manufacturers have links with major corporations: Scorpa obviously have a close relationship with Yamaha, Beta have used Suzuki engines in the past (although that was probably just an OEM deal) and currently use KTM engines in their range of enduro bikes. Do you think that if any of these companies believed that there was any real money in trials they'd hesitate to (for example, in the case of Beta), negotiate the production of an orange trials bike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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