beatabeta

Interesting! Certainly reads better than it looks on the god awful videos on You Tune with Phil Disney (I think) riding it. Everything looks wrong on there. So do they actually exist, are they in production, are they available and most importantly is anyone going to be crazy enough to buy one??

Tried an X-Lite, liked it a lot but also disliked it a lot... Pro's : Very light (I'd guess possibly 1/3 the weight but according to Michelin its 6%) and definitely the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to save some serious weight Grips very well in wet and dry - I'd say better than standard X11 Cons : Puncture VERY easily as you've already heard Cost a bit more I would like to think that Michelin have been made very aware of this by the factory teams and riders and are hopefully looking at resolving it and making them more durable. However more durable would almost certainly mean more weight.... Until then I'm sticking with an IRC. If you dont get on with IRC's or live in an area where they are not as brilliant - rocks apparently (although I've never noticed) then I would say unless you have to save the weight, stick with the standard X11

Anyone know what the 'outside assistance' is?? What are they allowed to do? e.g. If they asked someone to hold the bike while Fajardo and minder did something that needed 3 hands - is that outside assistance? Or is it more involved than that?

As I understand it there has only been 1 batch into the UK and that was a small batch predominantly for GG UK demonstrations and team riders. don't know how many (if any) were made available to dealers. It will also be August factory shutdown now so what's here will be all there is till mid-late September (if previous production runs are anything to go by) No reason why bike won't be mega. Only major difference is the linkage and rear shock and GG have done lots of work with Sachs to make the shock very good. Ring your dealer and get a test booked I'd say : )

lol. Almost certainly

Cheers Andy. Genuinely had no idea if he had or hadn't gone but figured Dabster was angling for yet another picky row based on comments on how much Doug had helped Raga.. Hence putting 'no' to nip him in the bud. Now it's a 'yes' I can say Doug gas helped Raga sooooooooo damn much : )

No.

Raga definitely closer than at any time in past 4-5 years. The Dougie Lampkin impact on the team and Raga. Here's hoping Raga keeps pushing and topples Bou : )

Yea but so's Challoner according to that list!

Could be a good weekend for Michael Brown then. 2 days of decent points hopefully. Strange that the FIM don't announce those that aren't riding when there's obviously a list available of entered riders somewhere for all to see. Where can you find the entry list? Are Bou, Raga etc all riding?

Entered on Gas Gas though...... In the programme at least

Freixa still looks tidy. Also, Pol Tarres is turning into a BIG lump now aint he? must be training and eating very hard. What happened to the scrawny lanky kid?

The immediate answer to this was done to a serious ankle injury picked up whilst riding. He was on crutches (not sure if he still is) hence he was unable to ride anywhere. Anything else is currently rumours - so I believe. There are obviously issues around the Sherco relationship and only one way/manufacturer for Wigg to go..... Have to wait till his fat @rse ankle gets better first though

On a 2004 Raga youve probably done the opposite of taming it by using a 280 barrel. The original raga rep in 2003 was 280 only and were IMO unrideable. At that time the 280 was the experts weapon of choice and the 300 offered more torque, smoother power deliver and much nicer bottom end power and was useable for clubmen - expert and everywhere inbetween

GOOD GOD you are so argumentative! anything and everything (literally) and you can attempt to argue it. do you argue with yourself in your van? I have no idea how many Beta's are sold in Japan, nor do I care. I also do not know the 'answers better than Beta' but was merely stating that I thought it strange that they did not have their number 1 rider representing. If it's safety reasons - fair enough, although I doubt it's that. Radiation levels are radiation levels and very easily tested and Earthquakes etc are 10 a penny in Japan also. If it's cost then +1 for what Andy said. Dont send the whole of Beta out there. Why can they not get a standard Beta from Beta Japan, take some of their 'trick' bits, send James, a minder and a mechanic? Am sure Beta Japan will be there anyway and would happily should any problems arise. I guess (and no I DONT know this Mr Argue!) that the points missed from Japan could affect James' overall standing in the WTC especially if Brown, Gubian and Challoner are going.

Agreed. Would obviously depend on the shock you have and the age/condition it is in. However, Generally I'd say yes you'd definitely notice a good shock. As an example when I moved from a standard Gas Gas to the Raga rep I could not believe the difference that the Ohlins made it was SO much better than the standard shock. Before the Ohlins I thought the standard GG shock was fine but upon riding the Ohlins I realised how much difference a, good shock can make. If you have the money I'd definitely recommend an Ohlins, they are a lot more tuneable/serviceable than a standard shock plus you can swap it over for standard when you sell bike and swap onto new bike etc

It appears that Dibs and Beta have decided it's not worth going to compete in Japan. Strange scenario??? I appreciate the cost implications etc but surely as No1 factory rider they (Beta) want him to represent them in a good sized market for them..

Mmmm shocking look on a shocking looking bike... Wow! Well done Montesa you've successfully lowered the already low low bar

He is using a Reiger. It's the only shock that will fit the new linkage. They are tiny (almost lie a downhill MTB shock) so unless Showa are making a unique one off shock his will be a Reiger. They seem very very good especially on soaking up big drop and splatting into rocks. Look very planted and stable.

From what I've heard 1: price 'should' stay simliar. 2: the Reiger shocks are V expensive (apparently circa

What a legend Bert the Bear was... Riding in Oakley shades etc - Need more characters like him on the world scene. Still got the Duke video of him smacking the observer. Great Days

There is apparently a small quantity coming into the UK in July but going to GGUK riders. All I've heard so far

Possibly.... Needs to get back on a Gasser IMO never looked as at home on anything else.

Cheers for that. On hols ATM so just done remote record.