Where's the 2010 TY175?
By TMX Archives on 10th Jun 10
Off-road boasts many awesome models but the question this week is what bikes do we produce to encourage newbies...?
FOLLOWING last week's column, which majored on the awesome KTM 350, a machine which threatens to take motocross development in a whole new direction, I'd like to go entirely in the opposite direction this week – eventually – to new machines suitable for beginners or newcomers.
The KTM 350 is the perfect illustration of a ‘top end' model for the committed enthusiast. It is state of the art, a truly immense model and not only that – it's actually good value as well.
Expensive, yes, but considering what you get you can't knock the value. The very same goes for machines such as the Gas Gas Raga Replica trials bike.
This is virtually a production line factory machine. I have greatly admired the Raga Reps since their introduction. If I ever win the lottery, I will just buy one and stick it in the living room and just stare at it. Well, I will as long as it's in red and white – GG will never convince me that the gold and black is an improvement! All that magnesium, titanium and the GGs minimal design results in something that is to my mind verges on a work of art.
So that's sorted out the top end, bikes for the committed enthusiasts who want the very best that money can buy. It is something that the off-road industry does very well.
But what about lower down the order, how does the industry cater for newcomers and those who still want an occasional competitive ride but can't justify the wonga needed for the state of the art models?
In trials the question is – Where is the TY175 of 2010? Repeat for TY80 and even TY250 if you like? I would also add Where is the Fantic 200 for 2010 as surely the little Italian twin-shock is the last true bullet-proof Clubman model?
The TY175 Yam started thousands of riders – youths and adults – in trials. It was as simple as it was indestructible. Air-cooled five-speed motor, steel tube frame and tough as old boots while remaining light and easy to handle. You could ride a TY all day, throw it in the shed still covered in muck, drag it out three weeks later and with a few squirts of WD40 and any old oil, ride it all day any day. And everyone did.
You were never going to be world champ on one but you could win as many club trials as you fancied, if you were good enough. But the most important thing was, it was a genuine competition bike that you could learn all the skills on. You then had the choice of sticking with it, if that level was for you, or moving on to a more expensive more compeitive (but only if you are a good enough rider) option.
The Fantic 200 was just a later tune played to the same theme. Same format, even smaller engine (just 156cc) and actually competitive up to World Championship level at the time. The market is wide open for something similar right now. It doesn't have to be ‘cheap' just really simple, reasonably priced and idiot proof. There are thousands of potential customers out there...
On the MX front, I firmly believe there is expansion to be had in what I would term ‘formula' classes. There are several inexpensive air-cooled models produced in the far east that do the job to a point. If manufacturers just want to squabble over ‘market share' then we carry on as we are, only with an ever diminishing market. If we want to actually expand this market then they will have to explore other options. This could be with simple models, probably built in the far east which could be raced on simple tracks – like the Beginners circuit at most practise tracks.
Factory ‘replicas' costing from £10,000 upwards are fantastic and it is brilliant that you can build such animals – but you can't just run a sport at the ‘top end' you need a solid foundation with solid, inexpensive models drawing in new young blood.
The Youth MX market, though strong in its own way, is not designed to encourage new riders, it is all about a system already in place with its age-based class structure. How are you going to encourage a newbie 15-year-old to take up the sport when he (or his parents) has to get him/her an expensive to buy (and run) 250 four-stroke racing model?
I could make a powerful argument that we don't actually WANT to encourage this potential new kid because as a group we are way too precious about our sport.
FINALLY, I was, like many, both shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Bootle SC and Lakes Two-Day Trial enthusiast and stalwart Mike Ashcroft.
Mick Wren's letter (on this page) says it all and I would just like to endorse Mick's words. Mike ‘Ash' was a genuinely lovely man and it was always a pleasure to spend time with him. As far as I know Mike didn't even ride a motorcycle but he instinctively understood exactly what was needed when it came to marking out trials and sections, regardless of the stature of event whether Novice or National. He was instrumental in ‘saving' the Lakes Two-Day Trial and he turned the Bootle Nationals into a must-ride event. Mike's presence was much missed in the Northern centre when he decided to retire abroad – and he will be missed even more now.