Broncobowsher
Total hack
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
- Messages
- 34,967
Mine is actually a Sherco 2.9 which means nothing as it is a 272cc engine. The current model lineup https://www.sherco.com/en/racing-en/new-2024-trial-range is now fuel injected.Are these sherco 2.0 for competition only? I know nothing about them- obviously!
All I know is my 450KTM SX-F is EFI & electric start. Too much bike for me off road as I only use it for snow. No light, no gauges, no tach etc but it comes stock with traction control because you'll dig a hole to China if you don't use it in 1st & 2nd. All I know...
They really are not good for much more than riding trials. The cool factor is the bike is nearly identical between a beginner and a pro. The pro rider will have things dialed in to personal taste, clutch may hit a little harder, fast throttle, high compression head. But that is it. Several years ago we had a world round here in AZ and the bike makers brought in a batch of new bikes for the team riders and minders. Brand new bike, out of the box. Throw the rider number plate on it, compete, sell it at the event and not have to haul it back. It really is all in the rider, the bikes are pretty universal.
There are other makers out there. GasGas was the largest importer, then they went bankrupt and were bought by KTM. You can get a GasGas at most any KTM dealer now. But KTM discontinued support of older models, which they are known for when they buy another brand. This has really soured a lot of people. While GasGas is more available then ever before, the fans have thinned.
There are other brands out there Beta, TRS, Vertigo are a few that come to mind for modern bikes. And there are vintage classes for twin shock, air cooled, drum brakes bikes. There are even electric bikes out there that are competitive. Most are 2-stroke (setup for low end torque and a broad torque curve), Honda is the oddity with a 4-stroke.
There are a few street legal versions. To compete in some events there has to be a street legal version. Every once in a while a homalogation bike shows up with a tail light, brake light, horn, and a few other bits. For the most part these are just registered as OHV. In AZ you can get a street endorsment for OHV that I have. I am not really legal (lights, horn, mirror) but I do have registration and insurance. Makes it quasi legal for forest service roads, or at least crossing them.
They all weigh the same, FIM rules put a minimum weight requirement in place to keep the bikes from going unlimited budget super lightweight. The difference between bikes is where the weight is at. There is a lot to level the bikes so the results are ride skills.
Doesn't take much space. I have seen a local club ride on a 3-acre property in town. Making the turn and not hitting the mailbox was part of it. This is what I do to get off-road after I quit beating up the Bronco on trails.
