The Montesa 4Ride maintains a trial-like essence but increases its versatility
Weighs 85 kilos
It shares an engine with the Cota 4RT and the start is kick-off
Its tank is 4.4 liters and it has a range of more than 100 kilometers
The price of the Montesa 4Ride is €7,149
Montesa has always had the
trial-excursion
segment in its sights, although more than a quarter of a century ago it created a model expressly for this market: the Montesa Cota Evasión. Since then we have seen different technical solutions adapted to trial models with the aim of improving comfort, such as offering a custom-made seat that can be easily removable. This is something that we can find today for the Cota 4RT.
However, Montesa’s technicians wanted to go a step further, making more profound modifications that meet the needs of all those who are looking for a means of access to the mountain with greater autonomy, versatility and comfort. All this, in addition, with sufficient technical capabilities to perform in the most demanding circumstances.
MECHANICS OF A TRIAL-LIKE NATURE
The five-speed 4-stroke single-cylinder engine is equipped with a cylinder head with a single camshaft and four valves, with internal dimensions of 78 x 54.2mm that give it an exact displacement of 258.9cc. It is powered by a PGM-FI electronic injection system with a butterfly diameter of 28mm .
The 4Ride shares a chassis with the
Montesa Cota 4RT,
with the exception of incorporating a subframe on which the seat is placed. The interior cavity between the subframe and seat has been well used to store personal belongings, tools or even a canister with auxiliary gasoline.
The seat is at a height of 885 mm, more than enough distance to satisfy all audiences and offer optimal manoeuvrability in the most technical situations. The riding position is comfortable, which is also helped by the fact that it receives a higher and more open handlebar compared to the Cota 4RT.
MORE COMFORT, MORE AUTONOMY
The suspensions maintain the essence of its trial sister, but with modification in the travel to provide more comfort on long journeys. Thus, the Tech fork is 38mm longer than the 4RT and the R16V increases its height by 12mm. As for the brakes, they are Braktec and do not vary from the trial models.
Another key element in the Montesa 4Ride is range. This point is one of the most critical in trial bikes, so it was essential to increase the capacity of the fuel tank, which grows to 4.4 liters ( 1.9 liters in the case of the Cota 4RT). Montesa’s technicians entrust it with a range of approximately 120 kilometres.
All this equipment reverts to the weight of the Montesa 4Ride, which although it is optimal compared to an enduro bike, is more than 10 kilos above the Cota 4RT, specifically 85 kilos.
AT THE CONTROLS OF THE MONTESA 4RIDE
The Montesa 4Ride is a bike that exudes adventure and accessibility from the first impression. Its aesthetics are not characterized by racing, but it is elegant and boasts a timeless style, faithful to the chromatic of the Spanish-Japanese brand.
As we said before, the start-up is a kick. Thesound of its 4-stroke engine is contained and the first response to the throttle shock conveys smoothness. It’s sweet. A sensation that continues after starting to ride it and where, logically, we are reminiscent of the feel we know in the Cota 4RT. This is a mechanic with good torque, linear in the delivery of power and a very predictable behavior. Ideal to quickly empathize with her and know where both her virtues and her limits are.
GREAT SPORTING SKILLS
The gear ratio is logically longer than on a trial bike, but in first gear you can perfectly do sections of a more than considerable level. What’s more, we were amazed by his trial skills. So much so, that you end up forgetting which bike you’re riding on and it’s easy to warm up with a “light” trial that is not negligible. Of course, we are talking about trial capacity, not so much about agility and maneuverability in areas. That’s when the pace and dimensions start to take their toll.
THE NATURAL HABITAT OF MONTESA 4RIDE
On tracks and paths it is also very effective. The position is more comfortable than sporty, but enough to give you confidence and allow you to go fast on tracks and paths. The more winding and broken the terrain, the better. That’s where their habitat is. If you are looking for wide, high-speed tracks, you will find the limitations of its purely trial tyres, the
Dunlop D803GP,
which are not designed for such a task. The suspensions don’t hold you the same in these types of conditions either.
In short, this is a highly versatile and fun bike, closer to trial than its aesthetics may invite, tough enough to have fun at a good pace, but a lover of the technical.
If you are looking for fun, reliability, good performance and can afford a price of €7,149, the Montesa 4Ride is a great excursion trial bike to consider for your garage.
MONTESA 4RIDE PHOTO GALLERY
