FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) Hi, I’m in Canada now and not much of a trials scene where I am. Looking to get a new bike as a retirement gift to myself. Haven’t ridden any sort of bike since I took my bike test in 2000 and haven’t ridden a dirt bike since 83 (battered ty 175). What I mean by riding a dirt bike loosely translates to wobbling around a quarry in Bradford avoiding anything more than a mole hill. anyway I am going to treat myself and was wondering if I could get some input on what would be a good first bike. I’ll be buying new. I’d like a montesa 300 but it might be too much bike! I can source Beta, Gas Gas Montesa TRS Scorpa etc. I also like the thought of 4 stroke from a maintenance point of view but this could also be misguided on my part. im 15 stone if that matters Edited October 28, 2020 by FrankHugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 A standard Beta 250, since you have not ridden in a long time. It is the most forgiving. The standard Montesa would be next, but is not as forgiving as you would think. The electric start TRS could be a consideration, but everything happens faster on this bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 56 minutes ago, lineaway said: A standard Beta 250, since you have not ridden in a long time. It is the most forgiving. The standard Montesa would be next, but is not as forgiving as you would think. The electric start TRS could be a consideration, but everything happens faster on this bike. Ok I’ll take a look. When you say standard montesa are you meaning 250? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timdog Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 You mention 4 stroke, 4 stroke beta is VERY soft in power delivery. Very forgiving and easy to ride and maintain. Certainly can’t fault the montesa for build quality, it’s all personal preference and not everyone likes 4t but thumbs up for the beta, particularly if you put slow action throttle on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 5 minutes ago, timdog said: You mention 4 stroke, 4 stroke beta is VERY soft in power delivery. Very forgiving and easy to ride and maintain. Certainly can’t fault the montesa for build quality, it’s all personal preference and not everyone likes 4t but thumbs up for the beta, particularly if you put slow action throttle on. Thanks, are you talking about the 300 Beta? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapezeartist Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 10 minutes ago, FrankHugh said: Thanks, are you talking about the 300 Beta? I started on a Beta 300 4T. It was too much for me, as a raw novice. I have a 250 2T now which is great, but If I could have found a secondhand 250 4T I would have gone for that. Having said that, the main attraction is the sound of the 4T, which shouldn't really be a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, trapezeartist said: I started on a Beta 300 4T. It was too much for me, as a raw novice. I have a 250 2T now which is great, but If I could have found a secondhand 250 4T I would have gone for that. Having said that, the main attraction is the sound of the 4T, which shouldn't really be a factor. Thanks, don’t believe Beta make. 250 4T anymore. Only montesa. I concur on the sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 260 is the new std on Montesa. Otherwise they are pushing 300`s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 2 minutes ago, lineaway said: 260 is the new std on Montesa. Otherwise they are pushing 300`s. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu109 Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Hi I have a Beta 4T 300 and I'm very much a novice rider. The original Beta throttle was s very fast action, which made the bike a bit of a handful. I found the Domino slow throttle to be to slow (you had to twist it too far for comfort). A Domino fast throttle did the trick for me. Bike is easy to ride, grippy and sounds great. Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 25 minutes ago, stu109 said: Hi I have a Beta 4T 300 and I'm very much a novice rider. The original Beta throttle was s very fast action, which made the bike a bit of a handful. I found the Domino slow throttle to be to slow (you had to twist it too far for comfort). A Domino fast throttle did the trick for me. Bike is easy to ride, grippy and sounds great. Stuart Thanks Stuart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr62 Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 I had a pretty big gap not riding and went for a new 260 Montesa 4RT (‘standard’ if you like) nearly 5 years ago. Great build quality, pretty low maintenance, better residual values than any other new trials bike and - of course - that sound. Always starts first kick (or gentle push on a 4RT - slightly different technique than a 2T). The only fag is the oil filter change but that’s not a massive hardship. About to change for another new one. After your TY175 you’ll find it forgiving but with plenty of grunt as needs (& the brakes work!!). Good luck - so many choices out there and everyone has a good opinion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Cheers rr62. Narrowed down to beta 300 and Montesa 260. A lot depends on Canadian dealers and what’s available but hopefully riding in the garden by end of November Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 The Beta 300 turns better, has better ground clearance. Build quality is just as good as the Montesa. My son had one with a full arrow exhaust, which made in run real good. The Beta carb is a pain to work on. I had to rejet constantly. We ride from 2500ft to over 10,000 ft, so as a Dad I talked my son into the Montesa. Mainly because my fingers don`t work like they used too. Less labor is better at this point of my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankHugh Posted October 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the feedback. I am equally bad at bike Maintenance as I am a rider so that is good info. Did you get the 260 or 300? Edited October 29, 2020 by FrankHugh Addition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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