A motorcycle trial is one of the most spectacular things to witness, and that’s saying something, considering it’s just about the only facet of motorcycle competition that isn’t centered around speed. Where speed is relative, most everyone is awed by the sight of a motorcycle climbing a 10-foot vertical wall, or hopping from pillar to pillar and stopping on a dime. It’s a sport of total control, involving the mastery of balance and the threshold of your clutch, brake and throttle.
Modern trials motorcycles are some of the most specialized machines you can buy on two wheels, and that level of specialization comes at a cost. A top-tier trials bike can cost north of $10,000 (and it doesn’t even come with a seat), but the world is truly your playground on one of these machines, and there’s no quicker way to become the envy of your riding buddies.
Choosing the right trials bike is like choosing the right tires—it’s easier after you’ve tested several. While the majority of machines share similar parts and specifications, it’s the little things that make for the right combination. Maybe you like a slim chromoly frame over aluminum, prefer a steeper rake or would rather have a no-fuss EFI four-stroke over remixing oil. Whether it’s just for kicks, or breaking into the local clubman scene, these are the top five trials motorcycles on our wishlist in 2023.
2023 Montessa Cota 4RT 301RR While many riders swear by only the gnarliest two-strokes for serious trials riding, veteran Toni Bou and his factory Honda/Montessa mount make a compelling counterargument. Bou is fresh off his 17th consecutive FIM Trial World Championship, all of which he’s won on four-stroke Montessas. And if it’s good enough for the world champ, it’s certainly good enough for us.
Honda has owned a controlling stake in Montessa since the 1980s, and took the Spanish trials fleet to all four-stroke around 2005. Boasting top build quality, dependability and a strong dealer network, there are plenty of reasons to consider Montessa for your next trials machine.
While the Cota 4T 260R is revered by fans for being capable and accessible, Montessa’s top dog is the Cota 4T 301RR. It’s based around a 298 cc PGM-FI four-stroke single with a three-ring piston that Honda claims improves sealing and durability. While power figures aren’t reported, Honda claims the engine has been tuned to perform at the very bottom of the rev range, and the ECU has two selectable maps to move the powerband in response to conditions.
The chassis is an attractive aluminum piece, finished off with Showa suspension on both ends—returning 6.2” of travel in the front and 6.7” in the rear. The Cota also comes from the factory with a tubeless rear tire.
While the 301RR gives up a few pounds and a touch of ground clearance to some competitors, its top build quality, predictable four-stroke engine and accessible dealer network make it an attractive option—if you’ve got the coin. In Race Replica trim (livery and carbon-fiber lightening package), the Cota 301RR will set you back $11,899. [Honda]
2023 Sherco 300 ST Racing The Sherco name has always been synonymous with class-leading trials machines, and of the company’s two French assembly plants, one is entirely dedicated to the manufacture of trials bikes. The Sherco model range is coming off a major update for 2023, where almost every component is new, making the 300 ST Racing an even stronger benchmark for the most serious trials riding.
Chasing the Nth level of perfection, the 2023 Sherco Racing models feel like classic Sherco, but sharper, lighter and more powerful. The chromoly steel frame is new with increased rigidity, the five-speed transmission is lighter and more compact and all the controls have been revised. The 294 cc two-stroke engine is nearly 10 pounds lighter as well, benefitting from magnesium cases and a lighter rotating assembly. Given the weight savings in the engine and the new EFI induction system, the Sherco two-stroke is super responsive, but does like a little more rpm than some competitors.
The Sherco 300’s running gear consists of top-quality parts we’re used to seeing, including a TECH front fork, adjustable REIGER rear shock, BRAKTEC stopping power and MORAD wheels, and Sherco has tweaked the rear swingarm and suspension linkage. Suspension travel comes in at a competitive 6.5,” but the ground clearance is massive at 13.8,” and the bike is said to feel very well planted thanks to the larger footpegs and wider stance.
While the racer in all of us makes the top-dog 300 ST Factory Replica look appealing, the standard 300 ST Racing model feels very much like a factory works machine right out of the box. And it’s hard to argue with the price as well, as the 300 ST sells for a reasonable $9,799. [Sherco]
2024 Beta EVO 200 Ask any trials rider what bike’s the right bike, and they’ll tell you it’s all about balance. Considering the quick bursts of acceleration and pinpoint balance required for trials riding, the right bike isn’t always the most powerful one. If you’re still building skills, you need options, and that’s where Beta’s got your back.
Where most brands have just a few bikes in the stable (typically from 250 to 300 cc), Beta’s EVO trials lineup has eight separate models to choose from, including youth options and a two-stroke and four-stroke 300 cc model. For adult riders looking for a well-balanced machine, there’s a whole lot to like about Beta’s EVO 200.
The Beta EVO trials chassis is a serious work of art. It’s made from beautiful hydro-formed aluminum sections, with the fuel tank integrated into the frame. The reed-valve 194.6 cc engine is mounted low in the chassis to keep the center of gravity low, and the transmission is a six-speed. Fans of no-fuss EFI will lament the Beta’s Kehin 28 mm carburetor and mandatory fuel premixing, but the system has proven itself reliable over the years.
Suspension on the EVO 200 is Beta’s standard Paioli 38 mm fork and adjustable nitrogen rear shock, and the bike’s wheel travel and ground clearance are on par with larger cc offerings. Without fuel, the EVO weighs just 146 pounds.
The EVO 200 is priced well for recreational riders at $7,999. [Beta]
2024 GasGas TXT Racing 250 GasGas invested in some big improvements in its TXT GP lineup for 2024, shedding ounces here and improving efficiencies there, but we’re still big fans of the standard TXT models. While the TXT Racing 250 is unchanged for the 2024 model year, this machine still brings a whole lot to the table for a weekend warrior.
Like Sherco and Vertigo, the GasGas trials line is built on a chromoly steel chassis, which is laser cut and robo-welded before it’s finished in the signature GasGas red powdercoat. Robust forged aluminum sections connect the skid plate to the frame, ensuring the TXT 250 can take a hit. And when it does, GasGas ensures that the flexible polypropylene bodywork will return to shape, even after being bent 180 degrees or more.
The heart of the TXT 250 is a 247.7 cc, reed-valve two-stroke engine with a forged piston, and induction comes by way of a 28 mm Kehin PWK carburetor. Brakes are top-quality BRAKTEC units, and the wheels are comprised of CNC-cut hubs and tough MORAD rims. Adjustable TECH suspension provides 6.2” of travel in the front and 6.9” in the rear, but we’re surprised to see the model hasn’t gone to WP, considering GasGas is owned by KTM.
Rider preference is the big differentiator among the numerous 250 cc offerings in the trials bike scene, especially in the areas of steel chassis versus aluminum, ergonomics and the all-important kickstarter location, but for your $8,499 cc investment, you’d be hard-pressed to beat the GasGas. [GasGas, Widenprod & Sebas Romero]
2024 Vertigo Nitro Works 250 We won’t fault you if the Vertigo name is a new one for you. They’ve been around since 2014, and have carved out a big market segment since then, but that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the big names. But there’s a certain excitement that comes with the electric-green finished bikes of the Barcelona-based firm, and their market share is only growing.
Vertigo has a knack for changing up model designations year to year, but the company’s latest and greatest product is the 2024 Vertigo Nitro Works. The new Nitro isn’t exactly a clean-sheet model, as it retains the same chromoly steel spaceframe chassis, bright green paintwork and five separate two-stroke displacements—ranging from 125 to 300 cc—all featuring fuel injection.
Where Vertigo has focused its efforts is a lighter 6082 aluminum subframe, new injection-molded bodywork and increased suspension travel from the TECH front end and adjustable rear REIGER mono-shock (coming in at around 6.7” on both ends). Elsewhere, you’ll find a new stainless-steel exhaust, a brushless water pump, a Renthal fat bar and BRAKTEC brakes laced to MOTORAD wheels. Finish assembled, the Vertigo Works machine weighs just 149 pounds.
While it’s tempting to opt for the top-of-the-line 300 cc model, rumor is that the power is a bit bonkers, and the 250 cc bike offers more usable grunt. It’ll set you back though, as the European MSRP equates to $10,300 USD. [Vertigo]
