...
r2wtrials misfits at the BVM test day!!
2 bloody hours!!!! That
is how long it took to get out of Weston-Super-Mare,
pick up Spuddy and Jack, get over to Barry's and then
up the 10 miles or so to Dursley. Should be less than
45 minutes but we had to contend with all the poxy M5
traffic going into Bristol!!!
Anyway... we got there eventually. Luckily I had left
early enough not to have missed the start. We wondered
into the signing on hut and within 20 minutes all had
our first rides under our belts.My
first one was the 200 Beta. The new frame appears to be
smaller when riding the bike and the brace-less bars make
the front feel less bulky. I am not totaly convinced about
the bright red/orange colour. Maybe because I personally
think that the 2006 Black model was the nicest looking
trials bike for years... But Steve Saunders had his 07
there with a new, soon to be available, sticker kit added
that broke up the red very well... it grew on me throughout
the day. The 200 felt lovely, enough power for most things
and not enough to carry the average rider out of control.
After 5 minutes I remembered to give it a little more
revs a bit sooner and it was more than happy to do anything
my 13.5 stone body wanted it too... Both Jack and Phil
also loved this bike and I think it would have gone on
the back of the trailer home if I had brought it with
me!! Barry was hovering all day taking photos and listening
to people as they handed various bikes back and he reckons
that without doubt the 200 Beta was the best talked about
bike all day. A lot of riders are "over biked" and
many would find their riding improved on this bike as
you can't rely on sheer power to pull you out of trouble,
you need to ride it more accurately with good throttle
and clutch control.. Steve
Saunders then kindly lent me his Repsol 250 Rev3 for
45 minutes whilst I was waiting for the next ride.....
now this is how I need to set my bike up!!! He softens
his suspension up and fits a 27.5 pilot jet and his set-up
was perfect for me. The bottom end is lovely and smooth
but strong and it just rode over the rocks so well. I
am not a good enough rider to tell that much difference
between my 2005 Rev3 and the 07 models as far as engine
performance goes but the ride was a step up from mine....
just adjustments I think though, I hope!!
This was confirmed when I rode the 270 later in the day
which felt like my bike but with an awesome amount of grunt
if you grab the throttle a bit too much!! Whilst I loved
it my arms ached more from hanging onto it ... !!!... |
Phil's views of the bikes he
rode .... HERE |
Spuddy dropping off with the
125 Rev3 |
....
Jacks Dad, Spuddy, had a play on a few bikes but came out
loving the 125 Rev3!!! ... and he isn't a small bloke.
Not huge but several stone heavier than me. And he rides
a 290 Sherco normally!!!!
Both he and I were a little perplexed
about the 300 GasGas. He had ridden it earlier but I
didn't get a chance to talk to him about it as I went
straight out on Steve Saunders bike. I got on the 300
and just couldn't get on with the low front end. The
bars were miles too low and common with most bikes on
the day were also too far forward for me... but the worst
bit was the rear suspension. I hope that the shock was
buggered, or the damping had been wound right off. It
was like a pogo stick but with no control, there was
a loud clank everytime I tried to hop it as the shock
topped out. Compared to riding the Beta's over the rocks
the 300 Gasser was a nightmare... no smoothness at all.
I did originally think that perhaps it was just me, and
that I was too biased towards the Beta but after getting
off of it and wondering back to chat to the lads it was
apparent that Spuddy had exactly the same experience...
he had not mentioned it as he is a novice rider and wasn't
sure if that was the way they were!!! Sure the engine
was powerfull but I have to say that even that was a
let down. I sold my 300 GasGas last Christmas and have
always felt that my 250 Beta was just as good on almost
everything, I was proved right as I didn't find the 300
a huge amount more powerfull. Certainly not compared
to the 270 Beta I rode later... now that is a beast!!!
**
Stop Press** I have since found out that the 300 GasGas
was fitted with a steel centre exhaust box and a non
standard Ohlins shock that had the damping se at "fast"...
it was ridden by Wayne Braybrook at the Scott... he obviously
likes it nice and bouncy!!! Steady !!
.. That will explain the rear end feel for us on the
day. ***
As no-one else had booked
the 125 Scorpa at the time I thought, "what the hell" Sorry
to say I shouldn't have bothered. According to 15 year
old Jack who rode the 175 as well he reckoned
the 125 was "nasty"!! No power, naff clutch and just
felt big and clumsy. The people who rode the 175 said
that it was a vast improvement. Hydraulic clutch and a
bit of get up and go.... but not much! One for the club
rider who is happy to potter around the easy route I
was told by more than one person. One other note about
the 125 and 175 Scorpa's.... it is very old technology
but a very up to date price. If it was much cheaper I
could start to see the appeal for some.
The Scorpa 4 stroke was
getting a good hammering. None of us had a go on it so
we asked around those that had. Most that I talked to
were 4 stroke fans already but the thoughts were mixed.
Some said the pwer was a bit slow from the bottom end...
and many just thought that the size and look of the engine
made the bike look huge, even though it isn't too big
if you stand it against the other bikes. Still not sure
on that silencer myself, just looks like it will fill
with water should you take a slow trickle down a stream
section and is also open to being dinged by any rock
that gets caught up in the rear tyre. Time will tell.
It is certainly quieter than the 4rt when you open the
throttle.... in standard trim anyway. I know the 4 stroke
take-over is on the way but i have still to find one
that I like the look of before i even set foot on it.
Perhaps the new Beta 4t will be the one.................. |
...
To sum up the thoughts of our collective... Jack and
Phil loved the 200 Beta, Spuddy took a shine to the little
125 Rev3 and I enjoyed riding Steve's 250 Rev3!! Also
the syco part of me would love to have a 270 Rev3 but
I know that it would hurt me very quickly!!!... One bike
i have forgotten to mention, the 250 Sherco. Over the
previous 3 years I have gone from loving it, to not feeling
right on it but I have to say that this years model was
very nice. A very smooth but powerfull feeling engine
and the whole package just rode "nice". And
I have to say that after thinking that they were trying
to mix too many colours together I really like the new
scheme. The little bit of red and yellow just breaks
up the darker blue and black nicely. Once again the bars
were miles too far forward for me and after 10 minutes
I had to pause to allow my arms to get feeling back in
them, but that is just a twist of an allen key to adjust.
A nice package right from the start and the feeling of
being a bit of a stiff bike to irde has gone... I take
it that the suspension has been changed.
Given the money I would
have a new Beta, but you all knew I was going to say
that anyway didn't you!!! I have ridden mine for 10 months
now so felt at home straight away as the riding position
was almost the same as my own bike.. But it was closely
followed by the Sherco. A nice package that now looks
a lot better with the new colour scheme and little tweaks
The 4rt was left on it's own a bit. Perhaps the novelty
has worn off, or everyone has ridden them and the changes
are minimal over the 3 model years. Not my personel cup
of tea but you can't fault the Honda build quality.
Although perhaps looking a bit classier I have to say
that the black frame on the GasGas' made the bikes look
far bigger and heavier than we know they are. Lets hope
that the one bike we rode of the range was not a good
example as the rear shock setting put us off completely...
and I would have to find higher bars or I would develope
a hunch back!!!
The little Scorpa's were just not our sort of bikes on
the day. Phil reported that the 175 was ok as a normal
club bike, but he does ride a TLR Honda and an SWM usually!!
The 175 apparently feels much better than the 125 all round
even though there aren't many cc's in it. Although Jack
is supposed to ride a 125 he wouldn't entertain the Scorpa,
it was just too old fashioned for him! ..... |
Heath Plays with the beast...
270 Rev3 !! |
 |
...
Barry was doing the Photography bit with my spare Fuji
s5500. Having had a set back with his recovery from losing
the top of his finger he wasn't able to even have a little
potter on one of the bikes. But he hovered around and picked
up little tit bits of info from others about the bikes
etc. Even though he didn't get a ride at the end of the
day he reckons that the 200 Rev3 would get his vote also.
Perhaps he is calming down in his old age!!!
The interval entertainment
this year was provided by the GasGas youth team of Alezx
Wigg, Sam Haslam and I am afraid I have forgotten the other
lads name... craig was it?
All 3 put on a hell of a display and Alexz is amazing
on his 125, attempting and cleaning stuff that even Haslam
on his big boys toy wouldn't try. If you look at the
Photos you will see a few of their sections... but you
had to be there to appreciate it!!
.... Gallery 1.
..... Gallery
2.
Alexz has a Titanium front
pipe on his 125, amongst all the other tweaks. Rumour
has it that this may be available to buy soon.
Someone needs to get Alexz on a full sponsored ride,
he is an exceptional talent but there is only so much
travelling around the world that his parents can finance
I would guess. I would put money on him being the next
British world champion, but he needs support.... nowthen,
where are my lottery tickets!!
Thanks to BVM and all
the importers etc that were there.... a little misty
rain started the day but it cleared and warmed up later
for a perfect afternoon.
... See ya next year perhaps!!!! |
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