About 3 weeks ago i traded in my 2013 300 Jotagas for the new 2014 model with the same engine. I havent ridden it all apart from a short spin on the grass in my garden . Today i rode a Bognor Trial near Petersfield for my first ever trial on the new bike. This was the first time i had ridden in about 4 weeks or so , but i cant remember exactly. Im making excuse already ha ha for my dismal performance :) |
If you want your bike to keep looking as close to new as possible I thoroughly recommend that you air dry it after cleaning. Water damages metal and leaves hard water spots everywhere.
Years ago i tried this and it made such a difference , i kept doing it.
If you havent got an air line , get you wife or child to blow on it for the evening , or use a leaf blower like my friend does ( Strange but true).
Years ago i tried this and it made such a difference , i kept doing it.
If you havent got an air line , get you wife or child to blow on it for the evening , or use a leaf blower like my friend does ( Strange but true).
In the garage before the trial i did the trick as last year and removed the steering stops with a Dremel grinding stone. This gives more lock and is better for clubman riders like me , you still faint with awe , when they see Tarres hop the front end.
Initial findings
Back in the garage i found that the footrests hangers are slightly different. I didnt feel any difference in riding position. Before the kick start would come down and hit the footrest in a certain way , which would slightly scuff the foot end of the kick start. This has changed . Its only a slight change , but its an improvement
In the garage i wound all the suspension off (front and back) to make it as bouncy as possible with no compression. Throughout the day i wound it on to 50% preload and 50% compression. This seemed to work well and i found the best compromise between firmness and the springy feel that makes me feel like im good and can hop :) - Who am i fooling !. I prefer these Tech forks. They have a nicer feel for hopping in your garage. (I cant do it in section )
The first impression on the bike was that the clutch lever feel was firmer that last years bike.Its still easy and the same as a Gasser but to get this back to a really really easy (lazy boy ) pull i moved the lever up the bars and adjusted it .
This firmer feel apparently is down to a stronger clutch. I definitely felt this. The clutch engages after a good long throw but it definitely stronger than last years bike. The clutch is perfect for me now .
This firmer feel apparently is down to a stronger clutch. I definitely felt this. The clutch engages after a good long throw but it definitely stronger than last years bike. The clutch is perfect for me now .
The power delivery on the new bike is different. You must remember that this bike is not run in and is brand new so the engine , the clutch and the suspension will change.
The new bike encourages you to hold a lower gear. It revs so smoothly that it doesnt break grip and is super smooth and revs all the ways to the moon.
The new engine is definitely more powerful that last years bike , by 20%. The pick up immediately off the bottom is stronger. The rest of the power is the same. Last years bike was more docile , but then some people said they wanted more power. Well , it has it now :)
Im told that the 2014 300 bike has a higher compression S3 cylinder head (which i can see) as well as porting changes in the barrell increasing the power.
On last years 2013 bike you engaged a higher gear and let it pull. The engine wasn't so powerful that it would pull away from you. On the 2014 bike i found that it likes you in a lower gear and use the revs. This way , the speed is slow and even if you open it up a little too much you dont get the speed.
The grip is still tremendous , but engage brain before you twist throttle on the 300 :). It has lots of power. Its more like the power you would come to expect from a 300.
The brakes are superb. The carberation is spot on.
The bottom line so far
Jotagas have had a company reorganisation. They have lost Jordi Tarres after a fall out but are fighting fit with a very very wealthy Trials crazy backer. I
Jotagas have a small work force and produce quality not quantity, thats why you wont see many around.
They are already testing prototype parts for the 2015 model.
Am i happy with it - - - yes i love the bike. It handles brilliantly well , looks miles better than anything else , is a little different (which i love) , is superbly built with quality components throughout. The chassis is hand welded by a very nice lady !!
But .......does it have to much power for me ??? ------- I DONT KNOW !!
Its to early to say . It was slippy trial today and i hadnt made many adjustments. Now im back home ive adjusted the clutch to how i like it .This will make a difference.
You will not have this problem. You will be a stronger person and a better rider than me.
Perhaps this will help me feel in control a little bit more , or more trial and less wine and pies ha ha.
The bike is 95% how i love it . I need to trial with it some more.
Time will tell :)
The new bike encourages you to hold a lower gear. It revs so smoothly that it doesnt break grip and is super smooth and revs all the ways to the moon.
The new engine is definitely more powerful that last years bike , by 20%. The pick up immediately off the bottom is stronger. The rest of the power is the same. Last years bike was more docile , but then some people said they wanted more power. Well , it has it now :)
Im told that the 2014 300 bike has a higher compression S3 cylinder head (which i can see) as well as porting changes in the barrell increasing the power.
On last years 2013 bike you engaged a higher gear and let it pull. The engine wasn't so powerful that it would pull away from you. On the 2014 bike i found that it likes you in a lower gear and use the revs. This way , the speed is slow and even if you open it up a little too much you dont get the speed.
The grip is still tremendous , but engage brain before you twist throttle on the 300 :). It has lots of power. Its more like the power you would come to expect from a 300.
The brakes are superb. The carberation is spot on.
The bottom line so far
Jotagas have had a company reorganisation. They have lost Jordi Tarres after a fall out but are fighting fit with a very very wealthy Trials crazy backer. I
Jotagas have a small work force and produce quality not quantity, thats why you wont see many around.
They are already testing prototype parts for the 2015 model.
Am i happy with it - - - yes i love the bike. It handles brilliantly well , looks miles better than anything else , is a little different (which i love) , is superbly built with quality components throughout. The chassis is hand welded by a very nice lady !!
But .......does it have to much power for me ??? ------- I DONT KNOW !!
Its to early to say . It was slippy trial today and i hadnt made many adjustments. Now im back home ive adjusted the clutch to how i like it .This will make a difference.
You will not have this problem. You will be a stronger person and a better rider than me.
Perhaps this will help me feel in control a little bit more , or more trial and less wine and pies ha ha.
The bike is 95% how i love it . I need to trial with it some more.
Time will tell :)