heffergm

I can't see why they would. There was a shared history with Husqvarna, and later a shared parts bin, so it made sense. I can't really imagine KTM having any interest in Ossa.

Exactly what teething problems is the vertigo having?

Random aside: Honda is a 50 billion dollar company. They made something around 5 billion in operating profit last year. Throwing a few 100k at Bou to retain his services, make him happy, and keep winning world titles would be asinine not to do.

I'm sure Honda pay Bou a good bit more than 100k. He guarantees them world titles, and while the trials audience is a lot smaller than other motorsports, it's still worth a lot to them in terms of marketing. I'm sure the guys riding for European manufacturers make a good bit less than what Honda is dishing out though.

Got it. Thanks for the info.

Not sure, it's a 300 sherco.

How much of a pain is putting a new piston in? I'm thinking specifically about how to determine whether I need an A or B spec piston, which I'm guessing I can only determine by measuring the cylinder bore? Then there's the question of whether to hone the cylinder. Anyway, never done a two stroke top end, looking for any advice.

Rub a fingernail over the nicks on the tube. Of they catch your nail, knock the edges of with some 500 or 1000 grit sandpaper.

So for guys that ride a LOT... like 100+ hours a season; how often are you replacing the bike, either with something new or newer? I realize this is a little more complicated that just the bike, as there's budget to consider. But I'm still curious... It's probably worth noting that I ride at an intermediate level. Which is to say there's a fair amount of crashing and banging into immovable objects involved. Obviously if you're riding at a level where this isn't the case, the bike's bound to last longer.

Hurray! A blue Scorpa!

Wow... I nominate this for "old fart thread of the year"! Seems like a moot point to me. New bikes use hydraulics. They aren't going to go back to cables, so what are we debating?

At 6'1" you might want to look at risers, but I'm guessing mainly based off the fact that at 5'10", I feel like I'm near the limit of the stock bar height for a punter like myself. You really need to think about bending your knees a lot and holding all your weight on your legs. You can't be lazy like you can on an enduro bike... or rather, you can, but you end up relying on your wrists to support all your weight, which isn't fun.

It's probably time to pull the carb and clean it, so I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on the easiest way to go about removing the carb on a '15 Sherco 300. It's wedged in there pretty good, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to pull all the bodywork off, etc. or if I should be able to just loosen the boots and yank it out.

There's a lot to be said for the extra weight on the front. If you ride more traditionally, rather than hopping, I found the beta really good at not washing out the front end, unlike my sherco which I need to be really careful on.

They've said it's not meant to be a full on full size trials bike. It's closer obviously and I think they're using it to get some experience bridging that gap.

Maybe, but no coolant regardless of the color is viscous. It's all basically the same consistency as water.

I'm no expert and I ride one. I've never had any real issue with any bike as far as power delivery goes... That's what the throttle is for. But, I like big displacement motors. The only issue I've had with mine is the oil drain bolt getting hung up on some metal shaving during break in. Ended up having to run a tap through it from the clutch side. I don't like how sherco designed the drain plug, but oh well. Otherwise 60 hours and nothing but air filter changes and fuel.

I have zero ideas, but I'm curious how much you weigh (if that's not too indelicate of a question) that you think you need new springs. You might be able to get by with cutting a small pvc spacer, but I wouldn't add one that's more than maybe half an inch or so.

Yeah... even when it's 131F, which as I recall was the temperature when I last visited Arizone. Admittedly it was during a bit of a heat wave. But still.

I'm the first to say I can't stand carbs... EFI will always provide way better fueling if done right. But high maintenance? I put 120 hours on my Beta and never touched the carb. I've got 62 hours on my Sherco, never touched the carb. I don't particularly plan to... I just blow enough fuel through it on a regular basis and it seems happy enough.

If KTM were to produce a trials bike I have to imagine it would be electric. Everything they had issues with on the freeride E would basically be resolved on a bike that would weigh 100 pounds less, namely battery life. The exception would be if KTM want to compete at the world championship within the next year or two, but I don't really see them chomping at the bit to do that.

I still think the 2013 I had with the red frame was by far the best color, although the current white isn't bad.

I think the frame repaint last year means this year will just be BNG (i.e. bold new graphics)

I was pretty stunned by the turnout. I was expecting it to be pretty sparse in attendance, but clearly I was wrong, as it was packed. What really surprised me was all the conversation I heard in passing from people, all of which indicated to me there were a ton of non-trials riders there.

125's were there. No Smage. Marco Fioletti continued to kick everyone's backside... I had a nice chat with his minder in Italian as they came through scoring. Un futuro campione del mondo