On Trial

Montesa 4 Ride

Please do not get too excited, we are on about crossover motorcycles – come on guys! When this new model arrived in early 2016 we did get some strange looks, I must admit. Not for any other reason but the fact that I could virtually ride anywhere on it. Based around the successful Montesa Cota 4RT, my latest encounter with the machine was at the Leven Valley Two-Day trial in Scotland.

My machine for the event was delivered by the nice people at Mickey Oates Motorcycles based in Glasgow. Brand new, these are ready to ride out of the box. Fuel in, riding kit on and you are away. With a nice-sized compartment under the easily removable seat you can place your waterproofs in here along with anything else you may need. They are very easy to ride, and with its inherited trials background any offroad riding becomes second nature.

I must state that they are not an enduro machine. A new sector is opening up for the motorcycle rider who wants a trial/trail machine; you know the one, you want a ride out on the open trails but also want the machine to be able to ‘play’ on a few hazards. New models have emerged, including from Beta with the Alp, Gas Gas with the Contact, Scorpa with the TY 125F and the new kid on the block TRS with the X-TRACK. If you’re looking for some new-found fun on a motorcycle, next time you are in your local dealers ask them about the new models available.