OK so I have a soft spot for Spanish trials bikes... A few years ago I was looking for a Bultaco Alpina... I know not a full fledged trials bike but a Hybrid between a trials bike and a trail/woods/enduro bike. I went to see a guy who had one and he also had a Sherpa... I was torn between the two and ended up with a 1980 Montesa Cota 200 (Don't ask) I had the little Cota for a couple years and really liked it because I could have a blast with it in such a small space. A guy saw the bike and since his son had a white Cota 50 he just had to have it so they matched. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse but I did... He made me another offer and I foolishly parted with the bike. I have regretted that for several years now. I bought a 1974 Yamaha TY250 a year of so ago hoping that would fill the void... That was right before I found the 1980 WR 390 that I just restored. The TY took a back burner while I worked on the WR. Now that the WR is done I began looking at the TY again... Not doing it for me... I decided it needed to go down the road and I sold it last week for what I paid... No loss. Today I took a ride to Lancaster Pa and picked up another Cota! This bike is 100% ready to ride (something I seldom do) and I am happy to have a 100% (except for the Harley) Euro Garage again! The old Cota... And the new!
Saw a couple of GasGas bikes this weekend at the Endurocross finals. I have been seeing lots of trials riding going on lately. If I had the money, room in the garage, and more property to play on, it would be a no brainer.
Yep. I did a little balancing on the 125 they had on display. I could definitely go for one of those, if I had the money. I had a 280 a while back, but kickstarting it was hard on my lousy knee. A 125 would probably be just the ticket for me.
I sold my 99 Beta 250 a while back. Riding trials helped me with line choices while riding especially in single track, I now see lines that weren't there before. I could only ride a trials bike for so long (until I ran out of patience) and would ride it back to the house and swap for a go fast bike. I feel the same way about Italian bikes as you do Spanish bikes, my next bike is likely going to be a TM. I attempt trials stuff on my woods bike now and that's enough for me... somehow there doesn't seem to be enough time to ride all different kinds of bikes.
That's why I figure I'll wait until I've got some property to play on. Seems like a great back yard toy.
