Road Tests

Fantic 245 The Fantic 245’s moment of glory came in 1989 when Steve Saunders, the then works rider, won the Scottish Six Days Trial on one. It was an interesting week with the early part being horrendously wet then the weather picked up and at the end of the week it was baking hot. So…

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Classy Monark Testing the Monark brings all that is good with classic off-road sport together. A thoroughbred Swedish motorcycle owned by the successful International scrambles rider Vic Vaughan, a wonderful venue at Owestery, nr Winchester owned by Brian Lush who has worked with the Winchester MCC for around 30 years and who allowed us the…

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Our tester found that the important dimensions fitted him well When changing colours it would essentially become a Monark and, one more time, a Lito. Therefore testing the Husqvarna version has to be compared to the bikes of the same family tree, the Monark we’ve already tested and the originator of these three Swedish scrambles…

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Exploring the torque of the 500cc BSA, Allan hangs the rear end out… The myth surrounding this machine was not bestowed on the bike by owner Ken Bayliss, or rider 2007 and 2008 British Classic Scrambles Champion Andy Roberton but by its outstanding results on the track. Having competed with Andy Roberton most of my…

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Francis-Barnett Falcon Mike Matthews and Francis-Barnett go back a long way. The former AA man’s first bike was a Model 60 FB – and he bought that one more than 50 years ago. But this Model 76 – the first of the swinging arm FB trials models – is the bike the young Mike lusted…

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1978 250cc Bultaco Model 221 Ian’s a motocrosser first and foremost – he races a pre-65 650cc Triumph Metisse as well as modern bikes – but he’d always fancied a go at trials and bought this Bultaco from Steve Garlick, who had restored the bike about two years previously. Now Ian has embraced the twinshock…

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Bikes don’t win events on their own, they have to be ridden and arguably a very good rider can win on a moderate machine but put a good rider on a good bike then great things happen. Except, in the case of this particular Greeves, nearly don’t happen. Yes, that’s right, nearly didn’t happen. “Bloody…

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Gaunt Ariel We’re all nosey aren’t we? We all like to see what the other fella’s bike is like to ride. Doesn’t matter if it’s our riding buddy who we share lifts with or the top line bike that wins each week we’re curious about it. Would it suit me? Am I missing something that…

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Seen in its natural habitat, the Husqvarna WR250 exudes competence It’s funny what sticks in your mind, for instance, I’ve to admit to being a trials mad teenager with little time for anything other than the feet-up side of off-road until a glimpse of a smart red painted petrol tank with highly polished panels brought…

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