MT motox, n enduro bikes.

**mattwood** · 22nd July 2008, 18:30

[QUOTE=cheese;1657076]Aren't those 4.5i ones the spannish ones. Name starts with s ...... scorpia, sherpa something like that... Can't remember..
QUOTE]

Sherco's?? They look alryt, but have heard bad things about them.

**CRF119** · 23rd July 2008, 10:33

I recently saw 3 turn up on a trailer he looked to be a dealer of sorts i was in rotorua at the time. I had a friend who raced one a few years back and had problems with gear boxes. He did say it went hard while it was going.

**warewolf** · 23rd July 2008, 11:09

I've read a few reviews over the years. The most recent one rated the TM as the most pimped ride ex-factory, but it was a balls-out performer and not the best choice for the average rider.

If you have a specific model in mind, I could probably dig up the last review, which IIRC was in TBAM in the last year or so.

**tri boy** · 23rd July 2008, 11:23

A mate was considering one of their enduro models, and will contact the importers after doing some research.
They really do seem to have all the berries from factory, and it would be nice to hear reviews from seasoned enduro riders who have had one or two comps on one.
Mates no slouch, but also isn't up to the level of ISDE either.
Cheers for the comments.

**NordieBoy** · 23rd July 2008, 17:22

Originally Posted by tri boy

A mate was considering one of their enduro models, and will contact the importers after doing some research.
They really do seem to have all the berries from factory, and it would be nice to hear reviews from seasoned enduro riders who have had one or two comps on one.
Mates no slouch, but also isn't up to the level of ISDE either.
Cheers for the comments.

What he needs is a nice road legal Husqvarna WR250 2-smoke then

**marks** · 23rd July 2008, 21:21

I thought you preferred riding stout English lassies rather than lightweight european beauties....

**cs363** · 23rd July 2008, 21:34

If you really want something different from the main Japanese brands, stick to a KTM or Husqvarna and at a push Gas Gas. At least they are imported by legit companies with proper back up and they are well proven brands worldwide.
Trouble with many of those boutique brands is they have little or no back up here and are plagued by silly problems that you just don't seem to get on the major brands.
There are generally good reasons that a brand is not a major player in the market, but hey as they say different strokes for different folks - if you must buy something oddball, research it well and be prepared to do money come sale time.

**warewolf** · 23rd July 2008, 21:57

I'd count Husaberg, TM, and Sherco as "well proven brands worldwide".

ATK, CCM, Cannondale... those I'd rate as "boutique". Odd-ball might be another description.

Who else is making dirt bikes these days, apart from the Chinee?

**tri boy** · 23rd July 2008, 22:08

Yep, I think TM are quite a popular bike in parts of the European race scene, and Aussie is selling a few more each year.
I hear ya on the backup issue, and can only delve further to allay any concerns.
For what it's worth, Ducati had disgusting backup n agents through the 80's in the southern hemisphere, but look at them now.

**cs363** · 23rd July 2008, 22:30

Originally Posted by warewolf

I'd count Husaberg, TM, and Sherco as "well proven brands worldwide".

ATK, CCM, Cannondale... those I'd rate as "boutique". Odd-ball might be another description.

Who else is making dirt bikes these days, apart from the Chinee?

Just try and trade any of those brands above at your average bike shop and then tell me what the response is - if you read my post I'm not knocking their performance but just trying to inject some reality into the emotion that often surrounds less common brands.
The fact remains that if you buy outside the norm (and I don't care what sells well in Europe - we're a long way from there) you will suffer come resale time unless you are very, very lucky as the market for these brands is very small.

If the desire to own something a little different outweighs the likely loss in resale and oftentimes difficulty obtaining parts and service then by all means go right ahead and buy one.

**oldguy** · 23rd July 2008, 22:47

I know the TM is up there, in Motard racing, I see on there web site they have got a 85ccMX model. that would be a change from the norm, of KTM. Kawasaki. Suzuki, etc.
Bet they would be expensive though. If I won lotto I would buy one for the little fella just to be different.

**deanohit** · 23rd July 2008, 22:50

Heres a mix of the SM and Enduro models:

Check out http://www.tm-racing.co.nz/

**Ktmboy** · 24th July 2008, 08:27

Cool Vid

I rode a TM 250 enduro bike (2 smoker)when I got back into riding a couple of years ago.
What a neat bike to ride. It had all the fruity Ohlins suspension as standard and as suspension maketh 60% of a bikes performance, well, say no more. It just felt like you were sitting on your couch riding (well for those that sit on their arse). And this was a 1998 model!!

Friend had it for about 4 years and never had any major problems. If I am correct he used to get his parts off a bloke in Rotorua and it was an over night delivery service.

As far as resale goes they shouldn't be that hard to flick as they are fast becoming more recognisable, especially with the demise of the Japo 2 smokers. Watch this space.

Would I buy one... definitely and am thinking about it now.

**tri boy** · 24th July 2008, 10:54

Great vid deano,
I think this brand is going to steadily become more established down under.
It just needs acouple of good sponsored riders in MX SM and enduro to get its profile up.
Resale? who cares. It's a competition machine. If it's winning, people will lust after them. MHO
Now all my mate needs to do is further research.
Cheers guys.

**warewolf** · 24th July 2008, 12:05

Originally Posted by cs363

Just try and trade any of those brands above at your average bike shop and then tell me what the response is - if you read my post I'm not knocking their performance but just trying to inject some reality into the emotion that often surrounds less common brands.
The fact remains that if you buy outside the norm (and I don't care what sells well in Europe - we're a long way from there) you will suffer come resale time unless you are very, very lucky as the market for these brands is very small.

If the desire to own something a little different outweighs the likely loss in resale and oftentimes difficulty obtaining parts and service then by all means go right ahead and buy one.

If it's a japper, they say "they're a dime a dozen, can't give you much for it" and if it is rare they say, "they're unusual, can't give you much for it". What's the diff??

I didn't mention their performance - rather how well established they are. Earlier I wrote that in essence they outperform the rider. Sounds like a pretty realistic call to me.

You won't suffer anywhere near so bad on resale if you buy used.

We are closer to Europe than you think. This is the internet era. Information and parts flow freely across geographical borders. Large numbers of people purchase parts not locally but over the 'net... even for common bikes. It bypasses all the delays & costs associated with the more traditional supply chains. Owning a piece of exotica has never been cheaper!

Originally Posted by Ktmboy

If I am correct he used to get his parts off a bloke in Rotorua and it was an over night delivery service.

Which beats the hell out of the "established brands" that take weeks to get parts ex-Japan or ex-Europe.