Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126945
A rubber band now secures the air box, eliminating use of screws. The TR 34 features what is a first for trials· a rear disc brake. The bike also uses Michelin's tubeless rear tire, the Michelin X-1. "The cI utch pull is ver)l.soft on my bike. Several Yamaha riders thought it was the softest they had ever felt. And I like to be able to take the tank off or get to the air filter without needing tools. "I like the tubeless tire. I was using two and three-quarter pounds air pressure for demos riding over autos. I normally run juSt underfourpounds in a tire with a tube. It seems like the new tire has stiffer sidewalls, probably to support th.e bead. It was getting awesome traction. I was in dreamland. I don't expect to get a flat very often with this tire, but' did slice one on a pointed rock, hitting it in third gear, wide open, [or photos. It's easy to take the rear wheel off because there are no spacers, just the axle and the wheel. You can use your foot to break the be-dd off the rim, on both sides, and then use tire irons to take it off. I didn't have a spare tire so • pu t a tube in. Rim locks aren't necessary. You just pump the tube up ulllilthe tire beads out. If you lube the tire good, 15 to 20 pounds should do it. It can take 60 pounds or more with a dry tire. You do need an air boule to seat the tire without a tube. It requires about 80 pounds of pressure. ''I'm really looking forward to this season .• think it's going to be very interesting having this new bike to compete on." So the team riders love their new TR34s. Seeking more impartial opinions, we asked a National top IO rider his impression of the competition's new bike. "~I like the unsprung weight on the rear wheel made possible by the tubeless tire and the disc brake. The rear wheel is really f1ickable. The feel in the rear brake pedal was fine. A rider probabl y doesn't need all that stopping power, but using the disc with the tubeless tiremakes sense because it allows you to adjust the spokes. I think the tubeless tire is a good idea. I like to run my air pressure low and I do worry about pinching the tube. How often do you get a puncture in the tire itself? "I thought the motor and clutch weren't as smooth as my brand. As far as durability, we'll have to wait and see. ". found the bike very sensitive to input. It w.asn't forgiving - whatever you put in you got back, good or bad. The low seat height was pretty incredible. You sit down and you feel like you missed the seat before you Ifi t. It shou be reall y good for push\ng uphill. • "I think the Beta is more of a specific, trick style of bike because it was developed around Tarres. It might be superior for that type of riding, but I'm not sure it would be beuer all around fordi[[erent styles o[ riding." Auempting an overview of the new TR34: The lowered seat height is a bonus. It makes the bike easieno lean in turns, easier to hop, easier for paddling, and more stable because of the lowered center of gravity. Giving away some of their excess ground clearance seems a wise trade ofL The new rear suspension linkage and adjustability is a major plus. The tubeless rear tire is probably a trendsetter. Theadvantages of reduced unsprung weight and the elimination o[ pinched tubes seems to more than offset the necessity [or an air bottle or compressor to reinstall the tire without a tube. The rear disc provides more consistent, maintainence-free stopping power, but does require the rider to adjust to a narrower control range in the foot pedal. The bike is light and feels even lighter, especially in the rear end, a change that will benefi t trick riders. The displacement boost provides more power without increasing the risk of wheelspin. Finally, the bike looks as trick as it really is. Beta may be a relative newcomer in the trials market, but the factory's consistent record of significant upgrading o[ each subsequent model is encouraging - especially since they have, in the TR34, a motorcycle that has to be considered at least the match o[ anything else available. - Budweiser presents The 1987 MOTORCYCLE T.T. Friday/Feb. 6/8p.m. ARENACROSS * * * .* AMA professional racing See Grand National stars Terry Poovey and Alex Jorgensen Special vintage race * SatunIay/Feb. 7/8p.mAMA amateur and expert classes See California's best motocrossers in action