nottoogood

YES!

I'm riding an "clutchless "EM after 40 years of clutched bikes. My opinion (which nobody asked for) is that rookie, novice, amateur/sr. ama riders can ride sans clutch on 99% of their routes with no issues. In fact, I think an adult just starting on bikes/trials would learn much faster/advance more quickly on my EM than a clutched bike. However, advanced classes will need a clutch and flywheel...imho. Of course a manufacturer could make a clutched/flywheeled/transmissioned EM-type bike...but it would likely be far too heavy to be competitive. My EM is pretty hefty...there may be some software improvements one could do to "improve" the bikes...but its good/interesting as is. The low-end throttle response on my EM is beyond compare in the clutched/gas bike world. So...clutch or no-clutch is a matter of section severity imho.

First ride on my new 5.7 As age has crept up on me...I have less interest in crashing...so moved down a class...which proved a bit too easy. Soooo, wanted to try something new: 1. Think of an underpowered 2007 Scorpa SY250...very similar characteristics. 2. its a bit heavy...like an older scorpa or 4rt 3. First ride was 45 minutes to 25% charge...not sure if it was really at 100% 4. Low speed throttle response is unparalleled 5. Map 1 is adequate for most Nov/Ama/Sr.Ama sections...but you will use a lot of throttle 6. Map 2 will readily do any Sr. Ama. section I have ever rode 7. Both map 1 and 2 would do the biggest hills I normally ride on my gas bike, Map 1 required a good run...Map 2 would make it from a total stop...but with little left to spare 8. No need to use brakes to slow down... the regen has significant slowing effect 9. Events with long/high speed loops will suck 10. 50 minutes t0 a full charge 10. Next stop...a real event

Well...I was going to flip the switch on am EM in 2015. The cost was $11K....and the wait was 4 months. I would have dealt with either of these issues singularly....but not both. Ended up with a Factory Beta. I'd still like an EM, but the stars would have to align better than they did the last go 'round.

Well...earlier in the year I found myself bikeless. I researched the bike as best I could...and decided to buy the sport model. After calling the dealer, I was informed of a 3 month wait and a $10K+ price tag. ...opted for a Beta factory after that. Still, the premium model seems pretty keen...but I think most folks would not call it a performance rival to a gas bike, so I couldn't justify the wait and the price premium.

Keenan... ...you can start the sport growing by actually showing up at our events We miss you.

008: Yes, not as good...much better (no sissy music). Thanks for posting.

So I've been studying this for a few days...what is the main drawback? It seems battery life is sufficient....so it must be power. In the videos, the bikes do seem to struggle/"run out of gas" in the big steps and long uphills. It appears to me that when nearing the summit of such struggling accents, the pilot is lightening and hopping the rear wheel to keep it spinning. Thus, is there simply not enough power to keep the rear spinning during these obstacles?

Is it just me...I just don't understand why minders wear full rider's regalia at indoor events. They don't really ride??

Re the "future of GG". Obviously Gas Gas has a tough, but not impossible future. What about the other brands? Honda is irrelevant re this. Ossa also a bit irrelevant for an entirely different reason. Sherco? Beta? I would suspect both a bit better off....Sherco mildly some and Beta even more so.....agree? JGas...hanging on by a fingernail?

PS had the talent to become a contender...and he is still one of the 2 best US riders...maybe the best. However, WTC was not his "thing"...he proved himself in a few Junior rounds and then gave up. Simply put, " he didn't like it". I like to think he would have been great competition for The Dibs and Fajardo crowd had he competed in earnest. I'm not sure anyone will ever match Bou on his "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"...except Father Time.

Sorry I'm so late to the fray...but I have a bit of experience herein....2006SYR to 2010pro. The GasGas is the most "nervous" handling bike in the mix right now...and the SYR was the most sedate. I made the SYR transition via lots of crashes....most of them "loop-de-loops" (heaviest front end vs. the lightest)...be glad you are just spinning out. I finally transitioned via the slow twist throttle, keeping it a tad rich, weighting way forward (not your issue), and finally switching to Sherco. The pro is a great bike...very light to pick back up.

From what I understand it was the main bearing. Supposedly parts have been shipped to the importer for repair. The interesting thing is that a large number of the U.S. Ragas were sold with the same bearing. Word is that this part, supposedly from a new supplier, caused many of them to seize (a bit oversized and once warm...seizure). I also hear that GasGas US repaired them (even though we have no warranty over here).

Thanks for all the replys. No...no money has been exchanged, no papers signed. However, I begged/pleaded to be put on the list back in September and the importer increased his order accordingly. That being said, my Dealer says I have no obligation at this point due to the long/continuing delays...I am still without an expected delivery date. The other issue is bike availability. Here in the States...there generally is no excess inventory. There are no 14's left and precious few 15's. During my "wait"...I have missed out on the Raga models (maybe a good thing...similar bearing issues) and the first batch of Race models. Being a "man of ordinary means"...I had to sell my existing bike to afford the Ossa Factory. I'm just about "done" with being without a bike.

Well, just learned of another delay in my Ossa Factory delivery...recall on the main bearing. I'm now on near 3 months delay. So the importer is going to have to uncrate the bikes, repair, recrate, then ship to the dealer. I'm assuming another month or so...assuming the importer gets the parts quickly. So I'm getting a model '14 bike well into the 2015 year...all at a premium price...IF there are no further delays. So... 1. Is The bike worth the wait? 2. Is Ossa healthy financially...seems there have been numerous delays at the factory? The Importer has never made promises...just given me ETA's. Yet Ossa has constantly had issues in manufacturing....not exceedingly professional or reassuring for one that may need spares in the future. 3. Price...doubt I get any discount now. Even though it's quite late, Ossa/Importer now have extra parts/labor/shipping costs adding up. Would other folks pay the list price? Heck, I thought teaming up with GasGas was supposed to alleviate this type of thing. What are the thoughts/advice of the Trials Community?

I too am confident of a new bike for 2015...but only Tony Bou gets one. As for the rest of us mortals, I'd bet on bold new graphics and titanium bar ends to shave the weight to a feathery 85kg. All for a great price of 7000euros.

2007 scoria to 2010 pro to 2012 sherco to 2013 evo My thoughts: Handling- Sherco best, pro is nervous and beta sluggish...scorpa too old and heavy Motor- beta is best but pro is close, scorpa was great, sherco seems anemic Weight- pro seems lightest with sherco a close second, beta feels a tad heavier and scorpa is made of lead Chassis - too close to call, sherco best fork and beta best reared Reliability - scorpa, beta, sherco, pro I may try an ossa next!

Rode a 300 4T a few weeks ago: 1. Huge! 2. Heavy! 3. Powerful! Feels like its carrying a boat anchor underneath the tripletree. WFO from idle in first gear will result in a near orbital experience. But they do look razor sharp! The owner also has a newer Ossa...only rides the Beta 4T when the Ossa is broke down...so he rides the Beta most of the time (zing!).

CopeMeck....not Troy...he still beats me...and so does Scotty!

4-strokes...i just kid. I really liked the sound of the old Sherco 320's. I remember watching Fujigas's mechanics "tune" his bike a few years ago at a world round. They had him balance on his running bike...front wheel against a huge rock....with Fuji "bouncing the rear wheel...all at idle. Without touching the throttle, the mech.'s and their PC's were able to modulate/program the bike's ECU into an "anti-stall" mode. I could use that!

Its too hot to ride, so as a brand disloyalist, I though i should create controversy by declaring which brand is best, I am a poor "intermediate" level rider that has owned late model versions of most brands....so here goes: 4. Scorpa....nice bike, but heavy. Rides like a chopper ("raked-out" feel) and built like a tank...you never check for broken parts after a crash because nothing ever breaks. 3. GasGas...nice bike...very light. Rides a bit "jittery"...nice power...smooth shifting (but also lots of tranny failures in our club). When you crash...you do check for broken parts....and you do find some. 2. Beta...nice bike...kinda a hybrid between the heavy/sluggish Scorpa and light/nervous GasGas. Great craftsmanship and awesome power. Owners are generally too proud of these bikes to crash them...so will often "ride down" a class. 1. Sherco...nice bike...best of all worlds in the handling dept., though a bit down on power/responsiveness motor wise. Nice, light, and creates rider confidence. Things do break, but who cares as Ryan stocks everything and ships promptly. So there you have it...notice I said all the bikes are "nice"...I have never been disappointed with any of them. But if i were riding for points in a hard section, I'd opt for a Sherco....if I was wanting to have minimal issues and just ride, I'd opt for a Beta. However, if i just wanted to have fun, they ALL ARE PERFECT. I didn't rank Montesa...as no self-respecting rider would ever be caught dead on a 4-stroke. And Ossa/JotaGas are kinda like Bigfoot...you hear of their existence but never actually see one. Now let the character assassination begin.

The S3 rim stickers are quite durable and offer abraision resistance. Pain in the a*** to install though....and cover a lot of rim.

Good grief...I've seen several videos from several riders in numerous sections. If "stop" means what i think it does....every ride was a 5. I guess momentary ceases of forward motion are allowed??????

A few years back or so there was a company that sold carbon fiber shark fins (rear sprocket guards)...Does anyone know of any such guards available for late model Sherco's?

Well....I too like the "stock bike" approach. But I do not understand the stop/no-stop debate.....to keep from p***ing one group off...why not mix it up? Have a mix of stop allowed/non-stop sections at each event....fans could gravitate towards their likes....and riders could always be afforded a few of their preferred sections. Compromise.