Montesa Honda is the Spanish subsidiary of Honda , which assembles several models of motorcycles , bicycles , and parts at its Barcelona ...More »
2013/09/19
Scorpa Trial Bike
Scorpa is a manufacturer of trials motorcycles based near Alès , France . It was founded in 1993 by Marc Teissier and Joël Domergue. The...More »
Beta Trial Bike
A 2000 Beta Rev 3 Beta is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles. Beta are best known for their pop...More »
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
2013/09/19
Montesa Honda Trial Bike
Montesa Honda is the Spanish subsidiary of Honda, which assembles several models of motorcycles, bicycles, and parts at its Barcelona plant. The company exports 75 per cent of its production to Europe
Montesa was formed in 1944 by Pedro Permanyer and Francisco Xavier "Paco" Bultó. Their first Montesa prototype was based upon the French Motobécane
models of that time. Permanyer began to produce his own gas engines,
which allowed for a new area in motorcycles to be explored and expanded
into. Permanyer and Bultó teamed up in Barcelona and created a
light-weight motorcycle. This led to the creation of a bike powered by a
95cc two-stroke
engine with no rear suspension. Despite some setbacks, they sold 22 of
these units in the first year of production. The next year, the
partnership focused on production improvements and meeting the growing
demand for their bike. As a successor to the previous model, Bultó
designed a new 125cc roadster, which was tested in many the trail-type
rallies and semi-enduros that were popular in Spain at the time.
This model went on to enter the 1951 International Six Days Enduro.
The bike was entered in by the factory, being ridden by Bultó and G.
Cavestany. In the early 1950s, Montesa entered many races in the 125cc
class of road racing.
These bikes featured six-speed, bolt on gearboxes, in semi-unit
construction, with all gears running on needle-roller bearings. By 1956,
these Montesa 125s were very competitive and took second, third and
fourth places in the Ultra-Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT.
The most successful Montesa street bike of the '50s was the Brio 80, of which more than 12,000 were produced. The success of the Brio and the other models, led to the opening of a new and larger factory in Espluges de Llobregat. The Brio 80 and Brio 90 models contained many new advances, such as moving the carburetor behind the cylinder, and a handbrake. However, a slump in the Spanish economy had forced Permanyer to cut back on the company's racing activities. Permanyer wanted to pull out of road racing, but Bultó insisted that they stay in. In May 1958, chief designer Bultó left, taking with him several of Montesa's vital personnel. Permanyer had not only lost the brilliant designer Bultó, but also his 30% share of the company.
Fortunately for both, Spain's economy began to improve. Permanyer
promoted the all-around champion motorcyclist Pedro Pi from head test
rider to chief development engineer. Leopold Mila was made Technical
Director and Permanyer's son Javier, was to be Sports Assistant. Work
began right away on designing a brand new all-unit-construction 175cc
engine that by 1960, would power the latest Impala sports roadster
model. This engine would form the basis of the company's future trials
and motocross
machines. To promote sales of this model, three Impala's were taken to
Africa where they covered over 12,000 miles of terrain, most of it being
off-road. Back in Spain, Pi was busy winning the Spanish motocross and road race championships and working on a new 250cc version.
Following its introduction in 1965, the 250 engine would be the cornerstone of the company's future success. Mounted on the new 250 Scorpion scrambler, Pi won the Spanish championship again in 1966 and the similarly engined Sport roadster won the Barcelona 24-hour endurance road race. In 1967 the first Montesa trials models appeared and in 1968 retitled the Cota, Pi won the Spanish Trials Championship. After adding this title to go along with the road race and six motocross titles, he retired from competition to devote his full energy to bike development.
In the decade following, Montesa had unprecedented growth around the
World and one has to remember that unlike Bulto's bike, the Bultaco,
Montesa only sent a small percentage of its production to the States,
concentrating mostly on the European market. Trials models were offered
in many different sizes 25, 49, 125, 175, 250, 348 and 349, as were
motocrossers 125, 175, 250, 360 and 414. This also included a line of
street and Enduro models also. In 1973, the VR (Vehkonen
Replica) was released and set the standard for 1974, as did the 348
Cota did in 1976. Ulf Karlsson won the World Trials Championship on a
Cota in 1980.
By 1981, another round of economic unrest in Spain began to hinder motorcycle manufacturers. Strikes
and a shrinking market left Montesa as the only major motorcycle
concern in the country; however they were in need for a major influx of
capital in order to continue to survive. A loan from the government and
shares sold to Honda
(to establish a European manufacturing base for their commuter bikes)
helped production continue. Indeed, one of the government's stipulations
was that Honda would guarantee that production would not stop. Honda
was prepared to stockpile trials bikes and to sell them off at a loss in
an effort to reach Europe's more profitable market and to bypass
restrictive import tariffs.
In July 1985, a major reorganization took place and a large amount of money from Honda was received. By then, only two trials models were offered and the workforce had dwindled to a mere 152 employees. A year later, there were further financial moves between Honda, Spain's government and the Permanyer family, leading to Honda buying the majority of the family's remaining shares. Honda now had an 85% holding and spent another $5 million on modifying and updating the factory.
Montesa was still active in World Trials competition throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. Even though reduced to only offering one model, the Cota, such riders like former World Champion Eddy Lejeune and Andrew Codina rode the bike to good results in the mid-'80s. In 1992-93, the liquid-cooled Cota 311 was produced; this was to be the last "real" Montesa. In 1994, a new model, the 314R, was introduced. This model featured an HRC Honda powerplant with many other components from Honda. Montesa-mounted Marc Colomer won the World title in 1996 and the 315R followed in early '97. The 315R had a run of 7 years, taking Dougie Lampkin to many world championships, and was replaced by the technically advanced four-stroke Cota 4RT in 2005.
#source:wikipedia Read More
Permanyer and Bultó
 |
| D-51" (125cc)early 50's |
 |
| Brio 110 (125cc) 1959-62 |
The most successful Montesa street bike of the '50s was the Brio 80, of which more than 12,000 were produced. The success of the Brio and the other models, led to the opening of a new and larger factory in Espluges de Llobregat. The Brio 80 and Brio 90 models contained many new advances, such as moving the carburetor behind the cylinder, and a handbrake. However, a slump in the Spanish economy had forced Permanyer to cut back on the company's racing activities. Permanyer wanted to pull out of road racing, but Bultó insisted that they stay in. In May 1958, chief designer Bultó left, taking with him several of Montesa's vital personnel. Permanyer had not only lost the brilliant designer Bultó, but also his 30% share of the company.
Growth and success in the 1960s and 1970s
 |
| The most famous model in its homeland: the Impala (1962-70) |
 |
| Montesa Cota 247 |
Following its introduction in 1965, the 250 engine would be the cornerstone of the company's future success. Mounted on the new 250 Scorpion scrambler, Pi won the Spanish championship again in 1966 and the similarly engined Sport roadster won the Barcelona 24-hour endurance road race. In 1967 the first Montesa trials models appeared and in 1968 retitled the Cota, Pi won the Spanish Trials Championship. After adding this title to go along with the road race and six motocross titles, he retired from competition to devote his full energy to bike development.
 |
| Montesa Cota 4RT |
Honda partnership
 |
| 2008 Montesa COTA 4RT |
In July 1985, a major reorganization took place and a large amount of money from Honda was received. By then, only two trials models were offered and the workforce had dwindled to a mere 152 employees. A year later, there were further financial moves between Honda, Spain's government and the Permanyer family, leading to Honda buying the majority of the family's remaining shares. Honda now had an 85% holding and spent another $5 million on modifying and updating the factory.
Montesa was still active in World Trials competition throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. Even though reduced to only offering one model, the Cota, such riders like former World Champion Eddy Lejeune and Andrew Codina rode the bike to good results in the mid-'80s. In 1992-93, the liquid-cooled Cota 311 was produced; this was to be the last "real" Montesa. In 1994, a new model, the 314R, was introduced. This model featured an HRC Honda powerplant with many other components from Honda. Montesa-mounted Marc Colomer won the World title in 1996 and the 315R followed in early '97. The 315R had a run of 7 years, taking Dougie Lampkin to many world championships, and was replaced by the technically advanced four-stroke Cota 4RT in 2005.
#source:wikipedia Read More
Scorpa Trial Bike
Scorpa is a manufacturer of trials motorcycles based near Alès, France.
It was founded in 1993 by Marc Teissier and Joël Domergue. The first
model produced by the company was the WORKS 294 in 1994, powered by a
single-cylinder, two-stroke Rotax engine. In 1998, Scorpa signed an agreement with Yamaha Motor Company to use its engines in subsequent models.
The final range included trials bikes ranging from 125 cc to 249 cc, in both two- and four-stroke variants. Scorpa also produced "long ride" models, that were mechanically similar to the SY trials range, but with a larger fuel tank, and a seat to allow longer trekking use. Non-traditional models included the BMX-inspiried 4-Tricks and the trials/trail hybrid T-Ride.
On July 13, 2009, Scorpa announced on its website that it was going into bankruptcy liquidation.
In September 2009 it was announced that original owner Marc Tessier had purchased the company. Operations have moved from Ales to Nîmes, France, and a full complement of Trials models will be produced for 2010. These will include the TYS125 four-stroke, a 125 and 250 cc two-stroke SY, and a T-Ride model.
#source:wikipedia
Read More
The final range included trials bikes ranging from 125 cc to 249 cc, in both two- and four-stroke variants. Scorpa also produced "long ride" models, that were mechanically similar to the SY trials range, but with a larger fuel tank, and a seat to allow longer trekking use. Non-traditional models included the BMX-inspiried 4-Tricks and the trials/trail hybrid T-Ride.
On July 13, 2009, Scorpa announced on its website that it was going into bankruptcy liquidation.
In September 2009 it was announced that original owner Marc Tessier had purchased the company. Operations have moved from Ales to Nîmes, France, and a full complement of Trials models will be produced for 2010. These will include the TYS125 four-stroke, a 125 and 250 cc two-stroke SY, and a T-Ride model.
 |
| SR 280 model |
Beta Trial Bike
 |
| A 2000 Beta Rev 3 |
History
 |
| Beta 160 Vulcano Sport, 1955 |
Trials models
Beta have produced motorcycles for observed trials since the early 1980s and are now one of the leading manufactures. Unlike the Trail and Enduro models, the trials bike have used Beta's own engines. |
| A 1983 Beta TR240, |
- TR240 (1983-4) First trial model, twinshock suspension 125cc,200cc engines, the majority with reed valve induction.
- TR32, (1984-5) Air-cooled, monoshock model, produced in parallel with the twinshock model, same engine as TR240
- TR33, (1985-6)
- TR34, (1986-9) Very successful trials model, stripey paintwork, 125cc - 260cc engines
- TR35, (1989–91) Air-cooled engine series
- Zero, (1989–92) Water-cooled monoshock
- Synt, (1992-4) Water-cooled monoshock
- SuperTrial, (1992-3) Air-cooled engine
- Gara, (1993-4)
- Techno, (1994-9) 125cc version from 1995
- Rev-3, (1999–2008) 2-stroke trials
- Rev-4, (2007–08) 4-stroke trials
- Evo [2009-] 2-stroke and 4-stroke
 |
| Evo 2013 250/300 2T MY13 |
Enduro and motocross models
 |
| Beta E3 bike |
The Beta Enduro bikes have used KTM engines since their return in 2004, though 2009 sees the launch of bikes with Beta's own power units.
Trail models
The Alp trail motorcycle models have used air-cooled Suzuki DR-model engines and have a good reputation at commuters and 'green-lane' trail bikes. With a low seat height and a reputation as an easy to ride motorcycle, they are ideal to beginners of off-road riding.| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1904, Florence |
| Founder(s) | Giuseppe Bianchi, Arrigo Tosi |
| Headquarters | Rignano sull'Arno, Italy |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Website | betamotor.com |