Vertigo R2 and DL Replica
We first came across Manel many years ago at his Favourite event, the Scottish
Six Days Trial. A hugely successful businessman in his own right, and with many SSDT events under his belt, he had the vision of a machine to compete at the highest level and the dream of
Vertigo motorcycle, winning the event.
He wanted the Vertigo to be at the cutting edge of the development of a trials motorcycle so started to put together a team who could bring his ideas to life. This they did, and then all that was needed was the rider.
In January 2014,
Great Britain’s 12-time FIM
Trial World Champion, Dougie
Lampkin, announced he would be moving to Vertigo to help develop a new trials motorcycle. After an intensive and challenging period, new models were presented at the
EICMA show in Italy later that same year.
The icing on the cake came at Scottish Six Days Trial in 2015 when, after six days of riding, Dougie was a clear winner. Manel Jane was a thrilled and proud man as it was a fairytalewinning debut proving that Vertigo meant business in the world of motorcycle trials.
Following on from that famous first win at the 2015 SSDT, James Dabill continued with the winning trend as he won the ACU British Trials Championship. During this period the machines were developed and readied for production.
COMBAT READY
The first machine model that Dougie Lampkin helped to develop was the Combat. It was radical, to say the least; its trellis-frame appearance, with its multi-tubular fabricated section providing flexibility to give the rider feedback, while the aluminium sub-sections at the front and rear provided the required rigidity.
Alongside the Combat, also announced at the EICMA show were the Camo and Ice Hell. They too carried this new trademark appearance.
The three models all used a new tried-andtested, very compact 300cc two-stroke, singlecylinder, water-cooled, electronic fuel-injected engine. It set new engineering standards and boasted a series of technical innovations and developments to create an incredibly strong and balanced trials motorcycle.
Using the new EFI system represented the latest technical advances in this area, managing and controlling the performance of the engine in all situations. Excellent control over emissions was an important factor as the world tried to focus on a greener planet.
It offered the rider the opportunity to choose from four different maps in each of the six gears, allowing an unequalled level of user refinement to suit riders of all abilities.
Thanks to the chassis design and the use of
EFI a high air intake, allowed a regular supply of clean air, which contributed to exceptional performance at all throttle openings. A specially designed radiator would work seamlessly in conjunction with the electronic
water pump and fan that responds directly to water temperature rather than engine speed or rider activity.
NEUTRAL BALANCE
A central and low-mounted fuel tank, aimed at reducing the suspension action as the fuel load changed during riding, created a neutral balance as the air filter replaced the regular position of the fuel tank.
Over the following years, new models and 125cc and 250cc engine sizes were introduced but still using similar components that had been thoroughly tested in the toughest of conditions.
The six-speed gearbox included four trialsrelated ratios with the top two gears designed specifically for the road or open tracks and trails. The large-diameter clutch diaphragm delivered a smooth and progressive action while giving the rider good control and instant reaction when the need arose.
The simple, clean lines with the high-level finish of all the components shout innovation and perfection. The overall effect was to create a trials motorcycle at the next level, which was the original goal. The sleek, narrow lines of the specially designed plastic bodywork and a flushfitting fuel cap finished off what could only be truly described as the next generation of the trials motorcycle. Let’s come straight up to date with the Spanish manufacturer’s two new 2020 models: the Vertigo R2 and DLR.
VERTIGO SUCCESS 2015-2019
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL: Dougie Lampkin, 2015-2018.
SCOTT TRIAL: James Dabill, 2016; Dougie Lampkin, 2017 and 2018.
ACU BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP: James Dabill, 2015 and 2016.
FIM TRIALGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: James Dabill, 2015 (8th), 2016 (7th); Jeroni Fajardo, 2016 (5th), 2017 (4th); Jorge Casales: 2018 (8th), 2019 (7th); Jaime Busto 2019 (5th).