Montesa 4Ride Onnit Cycle Trials
The fun factor of any part of life makes the mundane day-to-day tasks in life worth putting up with. Four-stroke road based motorcycles paved the way for competition based converted trials and off-road machines, before the two-stroke revolution of simple and easy to maintain motorcycles changed the face of the sport forever. The four-stroke motors still have an attraction to them though, for their robustness and, in the modern world, for the reliability they offer. In what feels like a lifetime away Montesa introduced the four-stroke Cota 4RT in prototype form behind closed doors in 2003 before it graced our presence in the
World Trials Championship in early 2004. As they say: the rest is history. As we enter 2016 the Montesa brand celebrates its 70th year and, without a doubt, delivers what the world has been waiting for in the 4Ride model – ‘Viva’ Montesa.
We are all
well aware just how good the reputation is of the Montesa Cota 4RT model; many comments have been made in the style of what a good long distance trail-type adventure machine it would make, and they have listened, with the arrival of the new 4Ride model for 2016. This is a model aimed at so many aspects of off-road riding, with the main criterion the ‘Fun Factor’ of motorcycling for everyone.
Ever since Montesa stopped manufacturing the two-stroke ‘Evasion’ model in 1991 it had focused its production exclusively on the creation of trials models, once again powered by two-stroke motors under the ‘Cota’ name. When the revolutionary Cota 4RT arrived it was an advanced model that featured a completely new compact and revolutionary fourstroke, four-valve engine with a PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system.
Following the brand’s trend of combining advanced technology and respect for the environment, in 2013 Montesa released the Cota 4RT260. This was a new model that offered a considerable improvement in performance whilst preserving the identity of the Cota 4RT. We then received the news that a new Cota 300RR model would be added to the range, which also includes the Cota 4RT260 and Repsol Replica.
Twenty-five years after production of the Evasion model ceased, Montesa has followed an identity trait associated with the ‘Cota’ brand and the adventure side of trials.
OFF-ROAD CONCEPT Montesa has extended its range of Cota 4RT models and users by releasing the 4Ride. This is a model that reinvents the off-road concept, bringing a motorcycle made to enjoy the environment and freedom in a fun and comfortable way using their advanced technology, reliability and the quality of its components. Montesa Honda’s development team worked alongside the research and development departments of Motor Honda Co. Ltd to develop the new model.
The concept of the new model is also evident in the name ‘4Ride’. The ‘4’ reminding us of one of the main characteristics of the Cota models: the 4-stroke motor. ‘4’ is also the number of objectives the new model aims for: adventure, fun, freedom and versatility. With these objectives in mind the design team has taken on board an important feature of the model worth noticing, featuring a large space under the easily removable seat where various items such as waterproofs etc. can be stored.
Starting from the base of the Cota 4RT260, the development team has created an easy-to-use and versatile motorcycle that is completely orientated towards the adventure side of riding. It features a completely revised gearbox with wider gear ratios which are different from the ones found on a trials motorcycle. This guarantees a more comfortable ride as well as better engine performance on long journeys. The ergonomics of the model have also been revised for similar reasons, which has resulted in a more elevated seat height and changes to the ride height of the front and rear suspension.
QUALITY CONTROL Like the Cota 4RT260, the Race Replica and the Cota 300RR, the new 4Ride will be manufactured exclusively and for a worldwide distribution at the modern Montesa Honda facilities located at Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, in Barcelona, Spain. Worth mentioning is the fact that in an effort to ensure the preservation of the brand’s high quality standards all the processes of welding, assembly of the engine, plastic mouldings, manufacturing of the fuel tank and swing-arm, as well as the aluminium frames, is also carried out at this facility.
Following the aesthetics of the Cota 4RT260 and the Cota 300RR the new model’s dominant colour is red, which can be found on many of the components including the front mudguard, the side covers and the rear of the seat, where it merges with the black, as well as on the wheel hubs and the wheel decals. The red parts of the model combine perfectly with the white rear covers and mudguards. The aluminium fuel tank is left uncovered to highlight the high quality of the material used. On the wheels the red decals and hubs combine with the black wheel rims and spokes, giving the model a sporty attractive look. The handlebars are also black.
Montesa’s models have always been known for their great quality finish and their excellent components that maintain their properties intact throughout out the years, and this is something they have maintained in the new model.
MOTOR
The engine of the 4Ride is based on the four-stroke 258.9cc from the Cota 4RT260 and the Race Replica. Unlike its trial counterparts the model features completely new gear ratios, as on a trials motorcycle the gear ratios are very close to allow for an immediate response. The five-speed gearbox of the 4Ride has longer/taller gear ratios. By changing this, the rider will always be able to find a comfortable speed, while on the other hand the motorcycle can also come into its own on technical areas such as single tracks or trials hazards.
The exhaust is bigger and longer than the one on the Cota 4RT, giving the motorcycle a smoother, less aggressive response than trials motorcycles making riding easier and more comfortable. Similarly, the motorcycle has also been fitted with a longer kickstart, making starting the motorcycle easier in any kind of situation. It also has the benefit of excellent performance thanks to the adoption of a fuel pump that is the same one used on the Cota 260 and the Race Replica, and a larger fuel capacity. This along with the development of a new mapping of the ECU allows a fuller power curve, especially in the low to mid ranges where it’s most needed.
In relation to its more adventure-orientated design the fuel tank capacity is increased from the 1.9 litres used for the trials models to 4.4 litres affording a range of over 100 miles.
Another feature is the reduction of the four-stroke engine-braking sensation, which was cleverly fixed by Honda’s engineers by incorporating a crankcase gas decompressing system. This makes the overall feel of the motorcycle lighter as well as easier to ride.
ADOPTED
The new model has adopted the high-quality light aluminium frame and swing-arm used by the Cota 4RT260. Both components feature an excellent anodised aluminium finish which is a treatment that highlights the beauty of the model’s lines and the perfection of the welded seams.
One of the most important features for rider comfort is the incorporation of the seat, which is raised to 880mm high. This totally transforms the machine’s characteristics as it is now more comfortable and easier to ride on tracks and trails.
The compactness of the whole package and the narrow lines make it easier for the rider to reach the ground with both feet, giving an extra sense of safety to riders of all heights and leg measurements. To further aid this compact feel the ends of the handlebars are now more open and higher, giving the motorcycle a better response and making the rider feel much more comfortable and in control. Wider footrests also complement this feeling.
The machine comes fitted with the new Dunlop D803GP tyres, which are known for their excellent grip characteristics. These tyres also give the motorcycle a better response and make the front end lighter. All in all the motorcycle only weighs 85kg, giving it a lightness that ensures the model is agile and easy to manoeuvre in any circumstances.
COMFORT
Comfort on the motorcycle is paramount for enjoyment, and this has been taken into consideration to achieve better response for the purpose of trail riding. The adjustable TECH front forks are now 38mm taller and have 24mm more travel.
Along with the new seat and ergonomics of the motorcycle the height of the suspension has been changed to guarantee a better performance, response and comfort. The multi-adjustable R16V shock used for the rear suspension has the same travel as the Cota 4RT260 but is now 12mm higher. As a result of all these changes the 4Ride features a highly efficient suspension setup that offers lightness, comfort and a better response that also makes the motorcycle easier to ride. It can of course be adjusted quite easily to offer a firmer ride if required. As with the majority of trials motorcycles one of the fork legs holds the hydraulics whilst the other holds the spring to make the motorcycle lighter. The progressiveness of the fork springs makes riding easier and more comfortable without losing the overall feel of lightness. The rear suspension can be adjusted both in compression and extension manually, without the use of extra tools.
The brakes are from Braktec. Both the rear and the front disc are the ‘wavy’ type that aids cooling and avoids overheating, which improves the motorcycle’s performance. The front one features a four-piston calliper that gives the model more braking power and overall makes it more effective. With this in mind the diameter of the rear disc has been expanded from 150mm to 180mm, taking into consideration that the machine will be used for longer rides and varying terrain where a higher braking power will be needed.
INNOVATION
As you would expect from its trials Cota 4RT model relationship, the 4Ride Montesa maintains the same high level of innovation like the advanced digital ignition system, which performs without the battery that is powering, amongst other things, the fuel injection system and the ignition coil. Also worth noting is the bank angle sensor, which switches off the ignition when the motorcycle is laying on the ground or when it is at an inclination superior to 65º for more than 7 seconds. This device minimises the risks to the rider if he falls as well as protecting the motor, especially in a situation where it can remain at very high revs.
The wheel rims keep their 32 spoke design, whilst at the rear the central adjustment spokes are incorporated, as is a tubeless tyre to significantly reduce weight whist allowing easy maintenance.
This idea of using an evolution of an existing model is not a new one, but is most welcome in the case of the superb Cota 4RT to the new 4Ride, a machine we believe will become a useful tool in attracting more riders to the sport of off-road riding and, in particular, motorcycle trials.