Which Trials bike for wet conditions?

[Mark_S]

Hi

We ride in and area with lots of mud and plenty of streams.

I recently brought a 2007 Scorpa SY250 to see how it would work as a trail bike for tight conditions and was very impressed with how much fun it was.

Unfortunately we crossed a few streams and gave it a lung full of water. Are there any trials bikes that are significantly better with airbox sealing and location or is this a potential problem with trials bikes generally?

thanks

Mark

[wilkinsonk]

I don't know that one bike is any better than another in wet conditions. All of them have rather low air intakes relative to a dirt bike, so I think most are equally at danger of sucking in water if you're not careful.

You may find some of the things that are recommended for bike prep prior to the SSDT to be useful in making your bike a little more capable of managing in wet/muddy conditions. These are not particular to your bike, but may provide you with a few ideas:

http://www.motomerlin.org.uk/article/show/20
http://www.motomerlin.org.uk/article/show/21
http://www.motomerlin.co.uk/blog/wp-...-SSDT-2011.pdf

good luck
- Ken

[motojunky]

Originally Posted by Mark_S

Hi

We ride in and area with lots of mud and plenty of streams.

I recently brought a 2007 Scorpa SY250 to see how it would work as a trail bike for tight conditions and was very impressed with how much fun it was.

Unfortunately we crossed a few streams and gave it a lung full of water. Are there any trials bikes that are significantly better with airbox sealing and location or is this a potential problem with trials bikes generally?

thanks

Mark

Mark,

I have a 2002 Scorpa - I believe the airbox layout is the same. With a couple of strips of weatherstripping foam/tape, removal of the wiring to the tail light (a path for water/mud) and then a strip of tape at the rear seam (where the rubber flap is), I've managed to stop the influx of water & mud without cutting off air flow. This is in a trials environment though - you may be crossing deeper streams.

I have no basis for comparison, but I've been told by several former Scorpa owners that the Scorpa works very well in the wet in terms of traction.

[broncobowsher]

My new Sherco pulls air from the top of the steering stem. About the highest as I have seen on any bike. If the water is deeper then that you need a submarine.

[Mark_S]

Originally Posted by wilkinsonk

I don't know that one bike is any better than another in wet conditions. All of them have rather low air intakes relative to a dirt bike, so I think most are equally at danger of sucking in water if you're not careful.

You may find some of the things that are recommended for bike prep prior to the SSDT to be useful in making your bike a little more capable of managing in wet/muddy conditions. These are not particular to your bike, but may provide you with a few ideas:

http://www.motomerlin.org.uk/article/show/20
http://www.motomerlin.org.uk/article/show/21
http://www.motomerlin.co.uk/blog/wp-...-SSDT-2011.pdf

good luck
- Ken

Yes we have been spoilt by our trail bikes high air intakes and kind of took it for granted

Thanks for the links - interesting reading

Originally Posted by motojunky

Mark,

I have a 2002 Scorpa - I believe the airbox layout is the same. With a couple of strips of weatherstripping foam/tape, removal of the wiring to the tail light (a path for water/mud) and then a strip of tape at the rear seam (where the rubber flap is), I've managed to stop the influx of water & mud without cutting off air flow. This is in a trials environment though - you may be crossing deeper streams.

I have no basis for comparison, but I've been told by several former Scorpa owners that the Scorpa works very well in the wet in terms of traction.

Yes I'm pretty sure our bikes are identical apart from important stuff like the color of the rims etc....

And yes I agree some clever sealing would make a big difference. The water was only about a foot deep but it appeared to get in from being thrown up by the rear wheel and trickling down the rear guard/airbox joint and straight into the recessed air cleaner.

Originally Posted by broncobowsher

My new Sherco pulls air from the top of the steering stem. About the highest as I have seen on any bike. If the water is deeper then that you need a submarine.

There is a used 2010 ST250 Sherco available that I believe has the newer higher located airbox which - apart from needing a fuel pump - seems like a good solution. Are you happy with your bike?

Thanks guys for responding


Cheers


Mark