Call me a Cab!
By TMX Archives on 1st Jul 11
Limited Edition models have become increasingly popular in recent years, as the trials manufacturers offer a higher spec product at a relatively modest price increase.Limited Edition models are usually excellent value for money.
Sherco's now annual offering, the Cabestany Replica – based on the actual bikes ridden by factory number one Albert Cabestany – is always well received and the 2011 version certainly should be.
Its unique 300cc engine proves to be a really nice ride – any half-way experienced rider can appreciate the benefit and it is a machine that a genuinely talented rider can really get the maximum out of.
We headed-off to see Malcolm and Rhoda Rathmell of Sherco importers MRS to seek out some good old Yorkshire rocks to aim the Cabestany's front wheel at!
The latest design Sherco, with its rear-mounted fuel tank, positioned alongside the exhaust, and its high-mounted air-box situated where the tank used to live is – after initial minor teething problems when first introduced as a 2010 model – now clearly a well thought-out, efficient and well-built trials motorcycle.
The engine, now manufactured using Japanese technology and techniques, really does look precision-built, and the whole bike looks light, lean, yet strongly built. The Sherco perimeter style steel chassis really is slim, especially in the mid-section where the fuel tank used to live but now only houses the airbox. Painted white it looks nice and light too.
Up front are a set of Tech front forks. You may not have heard of Tech, it is a new company set-up by a former Paioli engineer, who is now manufacturing what are effectively fine-tuned Paioli forks – which as well as being lighter, really do have a very plush feel. Billet triple clamps are finished in gold and the whole front-end really does look trick. An Olle rear shock handles the rough stuff at the back via a linkage system.
The five-speed, conventional reed-valve, two-stroke motor sits nicely in the chassis, which has a very roomy, simple look with just two short external water hoses and no plastics round the radiator.
The front exhaust is a beautiful titanium fabrication leading into the shaped rear box.
The aluminium fuel tank mirrors the exhaust for a particularly neat rear end and the tank is filled through a conventional cap flush-fitting through the rear mudguard, not the obscure side mounted arrangement of the very first models.
The Cabestany sports a new 300cc barrel, with improvements to the porting over previous Shercos and a re-programmed CDI to give exactly the power required.
A Keihin 28mm carburettor offers refined fuelling. Gold-finished rims look neat while the package is finished off with unique textured graphics that are very touchy-feely. They ought to be hard-wearing though.
Right, you all know what a Sherco looks like so what is it like to ride?
Experienced Yorkie Andrew Brown is a Richmond club stalwart, and Scottish Six Days Trial veteran who knows his Shercos and has owned and ridden both 290s and 250s and was keen to try the 300 Cabestany.
Andrew says, "I had really decided that a 250 was the bike for me because previous Cabestany replicas, with the 290 motor, have been way too quick for me.
So it came as a real surprise to find how easy the 300 Cabestany is to ride.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE T+MX JULY 1
SPECIFICATION
2011 CABESTANY 300 REPLICA
NEW: Tech Suspension front forks, lighter, more efficient
NEW: 300cc motor
NEW: Cylinder head
NEW: Keihen 28 mm carburettor
NEW: Improvement to the intake and
exhaust ports
NEW: Improvements to airbox increases air flow to engine
NEW: Re-programmed CDI
NEW: Tapered high-quality front titanium pipe
NEW: Billet triple clamps in gold
NEW: Front and rear wheels in gold
NEW: Michelin X-Light front and rear tyres
NEW: Cabestany Replica Handlebars
NEW: Improved PVC graphics, stratch
resistant, more adhesion
