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Answer to the last quiz – The front end of a Greeves Challenger !!
Harlow was the only one who got everything correct – the name we were looking for that really put Greeves ‘On the Map” was Brian Stonebridge who was enticed away from BSA after Bert Greeves saw what he had been doing to develop the BSA Bantam into a rocket on the Scramble circuit. – Sadly Stonebridge was killed in a car accident, but not before he had hooked up a young Dave Bickers, who went on to Scramble or Moto Cross fame. – The Greeves models excelled in both MX and Trials, plus they also did quite well at Road racing, with their Silverstone model. – The unique “Rubber Torsion” front leading link suspension, and huge alloy front frame, brought them much success both racing and Trials, and as the bike to have for many. ( Although not for me as I found the action of the front end very strange compared to conventional forks) – Ironically, Greeves ended up ditching that front end, for Italian Ceriani Forks..
Quiz today . Who knows what this is?
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The other pic we showed was not the Okanagan, but the Snowden area in Wales, not far from where we grew up. – Perhaps that is why we fell in love with the OK Valley.
As we have mentioned numerous times, although we always enjoyed riding competition, riding and exploring in the high Country has been a fantastic experience for us on Trials bikes – the low impact tires and torquey engines make them ideal for this. – The pic below was taken by Stan Bakgaard, on the last ride we did up Joss Mountain, on my 75th birthday, and printed in Trial Magazine UK.
Not sure where this pic was taken but likely in Europe someplace.
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Stan also sent us this pic of some new recruits to Trials in the Vancouver area we hope those young ladies enjoy the sport riding with their Dad..
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We just saw this old pic of Jordi, who was the first to get some big names to sponsor him – all very colorful at a time when most Trials clothing was quite drab.
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Just came across this article from one of the Outlaw Series at Stony Plain Alberta – We had some great events there.
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Andrea Buschi is at Buschi Trial School BTS.·
New Beta Syncro Test in electric start version!
Yesterday I had the chance to test a small revolution in the Beta Trial world again, that is the cool one that answers to the name of electric starting.
I know, the purist or professional baller will twist his nose, but this novelty, believe me, makes the approach to our bikes very pleasant. Lots of functional comfort, at the price of an extra kilogram of weight, it can fit and increases the pleasant driving of this beautiful bike.
By the way, yesterday wet ground with rain brought again into light the positive characteristics of the Syncro, ease of driving, round and bodied engine and great agility, these topics that are then the Betamotor philosophy.
I would like to thank Donato Miglio and Betamotor again for their trust, what can I say, stay tuned…
#betamotor1905#buschitrialschool#mclazzate #27 #buschistyle#liquimoly#buschisty
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Here is an interesting post by John Shirt – never one to mince words. – He is a genuine Trials guy, who loves the sport. >>>>> Read on.
John Shirt Motorcycles Ltd
Hi all
It seems that now that the Official GASGAS news is that they will stop with the Factory Trial Team for 2026, people will naturally have their own opinions regarding the brand going forward.
As I get older I now believe (most of the time) that ‘no reaction is the often the best reaction’ but I cant help myself with this one because although im not Mr. GASGAS anymore im still very passionate about the brand and im still a GASGAS dealer so naturally I also have an opinion but like everyone, my opinion is only my opinion and im not posting this to defend GASGAS or KTM.
I actually think that in the current climate stopping with Factory Trial Team saving 1million euros is a sensible idea. The Trial market is flat and spending money at the highest level is simply not sustainable. Both Vertigo and TRS also do not invest in the world’s best riders anymore especially when there are only 7/8 riders in the top class! Now GASGAS has pulled out let’s see what happens to the ones that remain. HONDA dominate with the world’s best rider and this does not reflect in selling Montesa Trials bikes, its makes no sense to me.
It’s encouraging the GASGAS Factory Press release clearly states… “The new strategy does not mean a total withdrawal from racing activity: GASGAS will maintain its presence in the competition arena through direct support for privateers and racing teams who support the brand. This will be done through various forms of collaboration and technical support.
GASGAS currently have (in my opinion) the best Trial bike on the market. Yes I am biased and again its only my opinion. This does not take anything away from any other brand that JSM sells or any other brand on the market. When it comes to Trials there are no bad bikes anymore. GASGAS have good stock of 2025 TXT models at great deals and see no point in changing a sticker to put 2026 on the bike and devalue 2025 models. The most important thing for the buying customer is the actual product and not the politics, stories and rumours behind a brand. My loyalty does not necessarily lie with GASGAS or KTM, I merely firmly stand by a fantastic product with the TXT GASGAS Trials bike, that’s the main thing.
With no 2026 GASGAS Trials models and no Factory Trial Team, people will naturally jump to conclusion but that’s no cause for people to panic and say GASGAS is over, it’s just a natural reaction.
The Press Release also clearly states…
“This decision affects only the racing field. GASGAS’ commercial activity—both in trial and other off-road disciplines—continues unchanged. Our customers will continue to enjoy a comprehensive service for motorcycles, spare parts, and assistance through the Official GASGAS Dealer Network, the cornerstone of the present and future of this iconic Spanish born brand.”
I now believe that GASGAS will close their Terrassa based Trials Factory in Barcelona and move GG Trials production to Austria. I take this as great news! The new generation GASGAS Trials bike in 2023 has been a big improvement in both design, quality and performance which has been because of the influence of KTM. Moving production to Austria will only further improve the product and is a very positive move.
Regarding KTM and all the stories that are on the internet my take on it is this…
KTM are in a restructuring process with a new boss, new direction, new money, new goals and new strategies. There will be many changes within the KTM group including Husqvarna and GASGAS. With factories in Austria, China, India and Spain, there will be a lot of logistical and workforce changes forced by the global economic crisis.
KTM have been very successful and unfortunately success can bring arrogance and greed. Also people can be are very envious of success and are very quick to slag off a successful person, athlete or company because of jealously. Its like in sport, an athlete can work for years in achieving their goals and win multiple world titles then all of a sudden the public will switch and support the underdog. Wimbledon is a great example of this. The superstar may have the respect but the crowd will cheer the underdog.
Currently the Offroad world and trade is not in a good place and most are struggling. But this is not just our small world of offroad. The UK is in a mess which leads to ‘fear of economic insecurity’ and it makes for a very nervous feeling no matter who you talk to and no matter what industry they are in. The retail world is struggling and all high streets are dead apart from coffee shops, charity shops and Turkish barbers. Internet shopping has destroyed the high street and Amazon is taking over the world ! We are now in an ‘instant lazy world’ obsessed with screens, social media, rumours and bullshit! Real athletes are losing their value with ‘talentless idiots’ called influencers gaining in popularity which is just nuts!
The general Offroad world is struggling but it has struggled before and they say the strong will survive. KTM are guilty of helping to destroy the market with over production forcing discounts and all time low used bike prices. This will hopefully recover with less production going forward and trying to recover pricing structures that will help the trade to recover. Discount is not actually good news and although cheap new bikes sounds great it has a massive knock on to the used market. I think we will see less 2026 models being made and used bike prices slowly return.
As said, KTM are in ‘recovery’ and I believe they will recover. Its natural they will initially focus on the KTM brand.
Anyway they do say opinions are like ar*eholes, everyone has got one! Maybe that makes me an ar*ehole
Am I worried about GASGAS? No!
Am I worried about the state of the nation ? Yes!
Regards
John Shirt
GASGAS rider for 37 years.
GASGAS UK importer for 32 years
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AND – Don’t forget the clocks go BACK one hour tonight!!!!
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