Four-stroke of the Future

Published: 08th June 2007

Author: WOODY HOLE

THE trials world has been waiting for a 125 Montesa/ Honda for several years now - and the Italian Future Racing Team - which of course sponsors James Dabill on a super-duper 300 model - has beaten the factory to it! T+MX is proud to present Britain’s FIRST test of the Future Montesa 125 4RT. WOODY HOLE landed the plum job of visiting the French World Championship round and landing a surprise ride on the unique eighth-litre baby.

Says Woody: I had just jumped off the Future TRW 300 model (previously tested earlier in the year for T+MX) which I blagged another quick ride on before grabbing the 125. I just wanted a quick update (more on that some other time) and my first job was actually picking-out the 125. There was a big line-up of about a dozen 4RTs outside the impressive Future TRW artic in the paddock in France and the only external difference - that I could spot - was the little 125 sticker on the side! That apart, the 125 is identical to the 250.

And starting it up I couldn’t tell a lot of difference either! Sure, there isn’t as much compression as on the 250 and starting the 125 was so easy - and the sound wasn’t a giveaway either, it just sounded like any other 4RT.

So, off we go to the testing ground, up through the gears no problem. In amongst the rocks it wasn’t long before I realised that this is a fantastic little engine. Being honest, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of power, I thought it would be as flat as a pancake, so this was a real eye-opener.

Like all 125s, bottom is the obvious gear, but second really was a genuine option. I found some really steep, twisty loose climbs and I could tease it up these in second gear easily. Even more impressive, I could also tackle some pretty impressive rock steps from the usual zero run-up - in second. I couldn’t believe it.

Thinking about it, this would make an ideal bike for the Scottish Six Days, just the right power for many riders.

Being based on a much bigger bike, stresses on the bottom-end are minimal and the clutch is going to handle 125 power like nothing. This engine is capable of running as a power-up full 300 so a 125 is a breeze. Surprisingly, the engine produces plenty of bottom-end power so the clutch doesn’t even get a hard time.

And when it revs it really does rev, and it makes a bit of noise about it so you get quite a buzz.

Now, you have to remember that I am definitely not Youth weight - which brings me to an important point.

We all know that with all the two-stroke trials bikes, the 125 versions have that magic quality that makes them feel like they weigh about half as much as the 250 version. The actual weight is identical but due to the laws of physics and mechanics and stuff, something magic happens and they feel as if they weigh nothing.

For some reason, which must have something to do with the four-stroke cycle, this is not the case with the Montesa. The 125 feels virtually identical to the 250. It doesn’t require any extra physical effort but what I am saying is while the bike will be fine for the older and bigger lads, the less physical may find the extra ‘weight’- or at least the feeling of weight - a handful. This is something that they will have to find out for themselves.

All I can say is that the Future125 was a total revelation. There’s obviously a hell of a lot of work involved in down-sizing the 4RT and the price will reflect this in any production versions - but I would say that you will definitely get what you pay for...

THE 64,000 dollar question is, ''Exactly how has Future transformed the 250 4RT into a stonking little 125cc mount.'' The answer is a surprise. Sure, the bore has been reduced, but only down from 76.5 to 68mm. The shock is the new stroke of just 34.4mm. Check this out against the 250 4RT stroke of 54.2mm and it makes you sit back and whistle through your teeth. Future has opted for a super short stroke and you can’t argue against what they have produced. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and the performance - as Woody Hole discovered - is a real eye-opener....

Future products, including the Montesa 4RT 125, are handled in Britain by Montesa importer James Sandiford Motorcycles Ltd who advertise regularly in this publication. As soon as production details of the 125 are known, Sandifords and T+MX will announce them. Until then, you can contact Sandiford’s as usual on 01282-428383.