You can tell Montesa are serious about dominating the trials scene with this bike from the moment you set off up the first grassy bank. The 4RT weighs less than a Supermodel's breakfast, at just 72kgs dry, has a torquey 249cc, liquid cooled motor, features beautifully made suspension and the fuel injection system is absolutely faultless.
Like most trials machines, there's no seat to speak of, just a sparse, twin beam frame and minimal bodywork. It feels so light, so punchy off the throttle, almost like a BMX bike with an engine fitted. One dab on the kickstart fires up the electrics, as well as the engine (there's no battery) and away you go.
Once you re-think your biking style from road biking - gentle braking, lots of bodyweight input into the steering, let the bike move around much more - you begin to get the hang of trials riding. Well, until you fall off in a stream and drown the bike, as I did at the test day near Skipton...
This was my first ever attempt at trials riding, so I don't think I would buy a £4,500 Cota 4RT straight off - but for experienced trials riders, the bike is undoubtedly a Swiss army knife on wheels.
If you want to find out how to compete in trials, visit the ACU website as you need an ACU licence. There's more on Montesa-Honda bikes at the UK importers website listed below.
