Answer to the last quiz – Andreu Cordina on the Gas Gas at Ioco in 1990 – The year Mountain MC started to Import the brand. – Not surprisingly Brett got that one pretty quick as did Harlow.
Quiz today a tough one, but in Keeping with our story about the lightweight Trials bikes. -Name this BC rider.
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The trend to small lightweight Trials bikes – proved popular, and Montesa brought out a 123 model, as did Honda , but both of these bikes struggled on the steep sections of the early 70’s. – Pete Smith from Vancouver did do well on a bored out Power-roll TL -150.
Montesa soon introduced the 200cc version of their small bike and this was perhaps promoted to the most success by Stan Bakgaard, who rode this in a number of World Rounds.
Later, the Spanish Gas Gas company brought out a small bore, and we promoted this for Mountain MC, and surprised a few people, but as I’m quite small in stature and a lightweight – was an advantage.
Soon Beta brought out the Evo 200, which was the idea of John Lampkin as he figured a bike with less power would be better suited for English Club Trials. – The first edition of this used a 125cc bottom end and had a 6 speed tranny, while good, the later models fitted with the 250 crank cases and larger Keihin Carb – were a huge improvement.. – we always had one of these as a demo and sold quite a few once people realized just how good they were.
Below is a pic of Motorcycle Mojo gal Emily Roberts on one of our Evo 200’s
And – this could be the first time you will see a pic of Stan Bakgaard on a Beta !! Yes he has bought our Evo 200. demo – – Check out that section he has in his backyard. – He is already impressed with the bike.
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Of course the lightweight two-strokes, have always been very competitive in the right hands, remember George Fisher finished 2nd overall in the 1954 Scottish on a 201 cc Francis Barnett, and just look at the performance of the young Hemingway brothers- George surprised many people at the SSDT this year on the Factory Beta 125. finishing on the leaderboard.
Footnote. if you want to know more about these great lightweight models, give us a call.
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