Trials Torque: Jordi baby’s here at last
By Team TMX on 7th Aug 15
WELL, the eagerly awaited TRS broke cover this week, the latest trials venture by seven-times World Champion Jordi Tarres.
Jordi was, of course, involved in the Jotagas project but unfortunately, despite seemingly having a strong business plan, it all went pear-shaped pretty much before it got started although it is still in limited production, now under the Jgas brand.
Early social media comment on the TRS was of mild disappointment as the pics plainly show a very Jotagas-style chassis and engine with a conventional linkage rear end a la Gas Gas, Sherco, Beta etc at the back.
The five-speed two-stroke motor is also conventional with carburettor induction and mechanical water-pump.
No programmable efi or electric water pump as used by start-up rival Vertigo just down the road in Barcelona.
But then, with the erstwhile largest trials manufacturer Gas Gas no longer in production – itself a very simple, if very well sorted, production machine – maybe TRS has got it right, especially if it can quickly rise to volume production and keep the price right.
The trials market is certainly in a state of upheaval at the moment but given relatively small sales (compared to MX/ Enduro or road bikes) there are still a lot of manufacturers and would-be manufacturers chasing those customers.
For the 2016 model season we are looking at Beta, Sherco, Scorpa, Montesa, Jgas, Vertigo and TRS and there is still hope that Ossa will be rescued from the Gas Gas fiasco.
And that Gas Gas itself may rise like a Phoenix as rumours of potential buyers continue to circulate in Spain. So between seven and nine factories could potentially be scrapping it out for sales
TRS has multi British champ Steve Saunders champing at the bit to get going with his new venture.
Steve will be up against fellow British champ and seven-times World Champ Dougie Lampkin who will be spearheading the Vertigo attack on the British market.
And TMX understands the Vertigo will be very competitively priced and not the premium price that many expect. Interesting times for trials buyers that's for sure!
