NoTraction

Hi nhuskys Thats really interesting reading, thanks for sharing. It is the draw of the classic, I have no experience of riding one in a trial and not much more on the Beta. No, Alexz didn’t offer me a go on his Vertigo but I don’t think I’d have wanted to if he had, it would be too much for me, the Rev3 is enough of a handful at my level. Interesting what you say about the 125, that was something else I’d considered (I’ve considered/asked about everything!). Alexz did say more than once, although my Rev3 is a good one, he thought I would do better on a 200 (meaning a Beta 200), this was before we spoke about older twinshocks. What you have said makes sense. I think I may be better to stay modern for now and look for a 200.

Ok guys, thanks for the replies…. Maybe I’ll lay off the questions for a while, I don’t wish to repeat myself but I’m new and I’m a bit obsessed with wanting to know everything at present. Im not in love with the Rev3, I find it can be a bit snappy and as parts like the rear shock and the rear seat/mudguard assembly are impossible to replace I want to change it whilst it’s good. So whatever happens, I will be changing the Rev3. Its not that I don’t want to progress, of course I do, but I’m not aspiring to be ‘hopping and bopping’ any time soon. I thought in this part of the forum there might be objective comments from Fantic owners, I hadn’t realised I was asking a slightly different question to the same audience. Thanks for humouring me, I’ll leave it alone now and do whatever I do, cheers.

So today I had a days training with Alexz Wigg on my Beta Rev3 250. Well, I say a day, after a couple of hours I binned it into a rock and snapped the clutch hose union off at the reservoir - day over early (great!). We’d been discussing bikes and I mentioned how I bought the Rev3 because I wanted a cheap entry to the sport but I was thinking of getting something newer and smaller, maybe a Beta 200 now that I had got myself hooked. I told him that what I really fancied initially was an old Ty175 or Fantic 200 as they were what I wanted when I was young, but that I’d been advised to get something modern as it would be easier to learn on. This is why I ended up with the Rev3, a tool for the job but not really a bike that speaks to the soul - every other bike I have (not trials) is old as I prefer classic machinery. Anyway, he actually disagreed with that opinion and said that whilst modern bikes are lighter and have better brakes, an older twinshock such as above would be easier to tool around on without having to use the clutch all the time if all I’m interested in doing is novice/clubman stuff. Starting at 53, that really is all I’m interested in! This intrigued me and got me thinking I might do what I originally set out to do and find myself an old Fantic (preferably) or TY. My question is, am I really going to find it that more difficult to learn and progress on an older bike? 30 years ago I’d have had no choice….. and there’s not enough tinkering to do on the Beta apart from when I bend it…! And it really doesn’t have the appeal of an older bike….

Thanks…. I’ve searched everywhere online, I’ll need to do as you say. In the meantime, to get me going I’ve ordered a DIY compression type fitting, it will do for the weekend with a bit of fettling. Seems that those 2 years were different to all that came before and since! 🙄

I’m not aware of who that might be. I’d have to look into it if I can’t get something ready made fairly quickly.

So today, whilst on a training day (typical), I dropped the bike and the clutch hose sheered off at the reservoir on the handlebars. End of training day and an early lunch! I'm trying to source a fix before the weekend, I see that the Rev3 <06 are listed as different to the 07 and 08 - and everyone is out of stock of the 07 and 08! Does anyone know if an Evo one might fit? Alternatively, I've though about trying a repair with a compression type fitting on the end of the existing hose if I strip the braiding off but I don't know what the size would be called (M10...something?) Would be grateful for any info from anyone who knows, thanks.

I agree with everything you just said, especially the bottom bit!

I certainly don't need anything more powerful for now and less might feel more manageable. I say powerful, I know they aren't 'powerful' in the true sense but I would like to feel master of the machine power wise rather than the other way around...

What would be the difference between the TRS and the Evo with regards to manners?

Thanks Melba, This seems to be something I'm reading more and more. There's nothing 'wrong' with my Rev3 but it was never intended as a long term bike, just something cheap enough but modern enough to dip a toe in - and now I'm up to my waist, so I want something I'll stick with longer that's not so obsolete. At present, its a good bike in good order. It might be good to sell it on to another beginner in this state. If the rear shock goes, or I break the rear fender, both parts that can't be easily replaced, I'm then stuck with something that suddenly is hard to repair or loses what value it currently has. Interesting what you say about the 250. I have a dealer calling me this afternoon to discuss a 2020 200 he has coming in and there are also a 2021 and a 2022 I'm aware of but they are pricey (due to newness I expect). I love the look of the TRS, Vertigo etc but I need something steady. If a 250 is as steady as a 200 then that should broaden my horizons a little .

I do like the idea of a 4T but I was told it would be a bit much for a beginner. I didn’t really understand this as I would expect a 4T to be less feisty than a 2T but this is what happens when you haven’t got the opportunity to try everything out…. 🤔

It’s almost like you know me Chris….! Sound advice there though if I put my sensible head on 👍

Thanks for all the comments and guidance. There are two 200’s that I know of for sale, a 2022 model that’s six weeks old for £5k and a 2021 model locally with not much use for £4300. They’re both a bit more than I wanted to fork out at present, I don’t really need to spend that much at this point if I can avoid it as I will still be dropping it and scratching it for a while yet I think! They seem to hold their value well …. Although the bikes mentioned are still for sale, they’re not sold so maybe the prices are a tad expectant.. difficult to judge as there are so few around.

Thanks Lineaway, No, I haven’t ridden one. I’ve only really ridden my Rev3 as far as trials go, although it is a well sorted Rev3 (I hate poorly maintained bikes where stuff doesn’t work properly). I do find it a bit cumbersome on some turns, whether that’s the bike or just my lack of technique yet I don’t know. Any years better or worse on these? I guess I’ll be looking at bikes up to around 2018/19 budget wise.

Thanks for this. In what ways is it better?

Thanks guys, so that’s sticking with a 250 but newer…. The idea was to get something newer but hopefully not just the same as I have or there’s little point. I’m trying to figure out what way is best to go in the absence of the hard to find Evo 200. Any opinions on modern 125’s?

Did you change up from a Rev3? Did you find the Evo much different?

Good Morning, So I’ve been looking around for an Evo 200, purely because having firmly caught the trials bug I want to upgrade my ‘08 Rev3 250 for something more modern that I can stick with for a year or two and evolve on and everyone seems to think that the Evo 200 is the ‘Holy Grail’ of trials bikes for the novice to progress on. However I have to wonder, if it’s such a brilliant creation, why are none of the other manufacturers making a competing model? The only other 200 2T bike I can see is the Vertigo, which is frankly too expensive at my stage of the game. I’d consider buying new, but to be honest whilst I’m still likely to drop and scratch/otherwise damage what I’ve got for a while yet something 3 or 4 years old would be more than adequate. And if finding a suitable Evo 200 proves challenging, where else should I be looking? There must be other bikes that would fit the bill? Are any of the 250’s out there known for being milder mannered than others? Or what about a 125 even? I only have experience of my Rev3 and I don’t need anything more powerful, just newer preferably. I’m not realistically going to be able to try everything out first. Things I don’t like about the Rev3 are the Beta clutch issues and I’m not a great fan of the left hand kick start but neither are deal killers. A more progressive clutch would be nice if some models are better this way. So if a suitable 200 doesn’t appear, where else should I be looking? 53 years old, 80kg, average build and height.

Well, he was going to do a video today and send it through but he hasn’t. And it’s been for sale for a month so something doesn’t seem completely kosher, unless he’s just really laid back. It’s a fair trek away so I think I’ll put it on the back burner and just see what happens and if he sends the video. My gut feeling now is to hold off, I’m not desperate and see what else comes along. Thanks for the input guys 👍

It does sound a little concerning, thanks for the input. At £3k the asking price seems reasonable yet it’s been for sale for a month. Better tread carefully!

I might have the chance of a 2018 Evo 200. I haven’t been to see the bike as it’s a couple of hours drive away. I’ve seen a couple of photos but not that clear, the chaps going to send a video tomorrow. He says he bought it used and doesn’t know it’s history. For this reason, he decided to have the engine rebuilt at a local shop, top and bottom he says. Im a little concerned that a four year old bike would warrant or need a complete engine rebuild, does this sound normal? Is there anything in particular I should look out for? it’s quite well priced but I’m wary, for what reason would a bike that new be likely to need an engine rebuild? Does it mean it’s probably been trialled to death already and is worn out?

Yes, I’ve got a day booked with him next week 👍

Thanks! 😀

Blimey….. that’s tempting…. North East though and I’m darn sarf… and there’s a 300 4T for similar money…. Both tempting!

Thank you 👍