Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 21:45:02 -0500
Subject: Re: HELLO CHRIS
From: papazit "at" juno.com (Chris L Johnson)

The answer to the weight-to-power question depends upon a number of
factors.  

If you ride high altitude, are very skilled and like to do large
obstacles, or ride very high traction areas (sticky and dry rocks), you
may want a more power than the common 250.  But, if you are an ordinary
rider under ordinary circumstances, you are best served with the average
250 machine.  A Gas-Gas 270 is really just a slightly more powerful 250,
so that is not what I mean about needing more power.  I don't think you'd
need the 280 Scorpa verses the 250, for example, or a 300+ Gas-Gas verses
the 270.  A 200 Gas-Gas would likely end up being too small once your
skills build, but might do well until then.

To do most things in trials well, more power will get you into more
trouble.

The new penalty stop rules will likely favor the smoother power machines.
 Most 250 machines will be perfect for this.

I have a 250 Scorpa which I have de-tuned by retarding the ignition
timing a full 4 degrees.  It is very smooth and yet still powerful enough
for most obstacles in the top local or club classes.  I weigh 170 pounds.
 Perhaps if I weighed more I would retard the timing less, but I don't
think I'd consider a 280, even for my class.  Unnecessary power.

Chris Johnson, Engineering Director,
College Park Industries, Inc.
papazit "at" juno.com
www.college-park.com


On Mon, 14 Dec 1998 10:03:58 EST ND262 "at" aol.com writes:
>HERE IS THE QUESTION ,  I AM RIDER WEIGHING ABOUT 210 lbs , AND IN THE 
>PROCESS
>OF BUYING A TRIALS BIKE,  WOULD GAS GAS 270, OR BULTACO SHERCO, OR 
>SCORPAS 250
>HAVE ENOUGH POWER IN THE ENGINE  FOR MY WEIGHT ?.
>
>OR SHOULD I CONSIDER THEIR BIGGER VERSIONS ?         I HAVE SEEN 
>RIDERS ON
>TOUR, RIDING BIKES AROUND 250cc, DO YOU THINK THAT WILL CHANGE 
>ESPECIALLY NOW
>WITH THE NEW NO STOPPING RULE CHANGE ?.
>
>I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO ABOUT ENGINES AND HOW THEY WOULD PERFORM 
>FOR ME.
>
>THANK YOU
>
>JYRKI OLKKONEN 
>