OREANDA-NEWS. Trials riders are about as passionate a bunch of enthusiasts as you're likely to find. Now they have a new way to fire up that passion as Honda adds a second new Cota trials mount to the line that includes the Cota Race Replica introduced in 2014.  

"Trials riding is a very unique style of competition that's spectacular to watch and incredibly difficult to do well," said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications. "Last year we unveiled the COTA 4RT Race Replica, a hard-core bike made for national-level competition. That bike returns for 2015 with some important new features. The new COTA 4RT260 we're introducing is designed and priced for riders entering the sport; those who compete at local and regional levels, rather than in national-level and pro events. Together, this pair allows trials riders to pick the one that best suits their tastes and budget."  

* COTA 4RT Race Replica
Inspired by Honda's world championship machines, this built-for-competition trials bike returns for 2015 with a new 4-piston monoblock front brake caliper that is stronger for more precise actuation and superior stopping action. A new shift lever is slimmer to stay out of harm's way over rocks or other obstacles.

And a new black finish for the triple clamps and handlebar, re-shaped, slimmer front fender and new-style rear final-drive sprocket add to the all-new official Team Honda Repsol looks. Designed with a lightweight aluminum frame, it features a four-stroke Honda 260cc engine with electronic fuel injection and a revolutionary decompression system that reduces engine braking for an operating character similar to that of a 2-stroke. Other key elements include fully adjustable competition-level Showa suspension front and rear, DID rims, Michelin tires, extra-wide aluminum footpegs, a race-replica headlight, Repsol sticker kit, plus many carbon-fiber protectors: fork guards, front fender brace/mount, clutch cover, head pipe heat shield and silencer cover.

* COTA 4RT260
The COTA 4RT260 carries over most of the main elements that make the COTA 4RT Race Replica a world champion, including the aluminum frame and 260cc engine.

The COTA 4RT260 carries its own 39mm TECH fork and R16V shock for the Pro-Link rear suspension, components that are fully trials capable while allowing a better price point. As with the Race Replica, both ends are fully adjustable for rebound and compression damping. The 4-piston front brake caliper is also unique to the COTA 4RT260, along with the Dunlop tires and Morad rims-all components that are competition-ready. Perhaps the biggest difference is the seat that comes with every COTA 4RT260. At the expert level, the seat is reduced to virtually nothing to give the rider maximum freedom of movement. For more casual competitors, this larger seat adds comfort while riding between sections or waiting to enter the next section. The seat is removable and can be switched out as desired, and it incorporates a bit of underseat storage.