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By Ben Coxworth
18:45 February 24, 2010
The FX Mountain Moto
Image Gallery (9 images)For many people, dirt bikes look fun, but intimidating. They’re dangerously-fast, they’re loud, and should you wipe out on one, which is going to happen... well, that’s a lot of bike that could come crashing down on top of you. If you’re one of these people, you might be interested in the FX Mountain Moto. At 57 kg (125 lbs), it’s billed as the world’s lightest adult-sized dirt bike. It’s intended to bridge the gap between regular dirt bikes and mountain bicycles, combining the power of one with the agility of the other.
The FX has a 125cc 9-horsepower Honda-Jialing engine, available in auto or manual, that gets a reported 100mpg. While it’s mostly a motorcycle, it does have some mountain bike parts, including a Marzocchi Monster fork, a Mavic 26-inch front rim, and a Kenda MTB front tire. It’s similar in some ways to a trials bike, but is designed more for general-purpose, comfortable off-road riding.
One of the main ideas behind the Mountain Moto is that it will allow riders to explore new territory, as it can be lifted (more realistically, let’s say “heaved”) over obstacles like logs and fences, and won’t get bogged down where regular motorbikes would. It’s also aimed at new riders, who aren’t ready for a 200-plus-pound fire-breathing monster. A third market might include vacationers, wildlife officials, or other people who want something light and simple to carry on the back of their road vehicles.
What would be great is if the Mountain Moto were to replace larger bikes in some applications, resulting in less fuel use, less noise, and less wear on the trails. What wouldn't be so great is if it kept people from getting into mountain biking, or encouraged them to ride in places where they don’t belong - such as on mountain bike trails, or private property.
The Mountain Moto can currently only be ordered from the US and Canada, although a dealership network is reportedly being established. Once you can buy one, expect to part with about $US4995. If you’re interested in getting one at a discount, drop by the FX Bikes website and look into becoming a test rider.
Should you wish to go electric, and even lighter, you can also check out the soon-to-be-released Comoto.
This looks like fantastic fun! One of my pals is a big motocrosser and is always trying to get me to give up road riding and try MX instead.... With one of these I may be tempted. Hope they come to the UK!
Facebook User
- February 27, 2010 @ 12:02 am PST
This is the most exciting japanese machine I ever seen!...
Sergius
- February 28, 2010 @ 06:02 am PST
the thing that frosts me is I paid 5200 dollars in 2003 for my brand new honda cr 125!! A full up motocross bike! how can they charge 5 grand for something that sports a lawnmower engine for a power plant?
Then again I've seen the ridiculous prices they charge for bicycle componentry these days and I sigh... How are we ever supposed to get our economy back into line when the mountain bike magazine I bought says you need to spend 600 dollars just to get an ACCEPTABLE entry level hard tail mountain bike these days!!
With the fabrication technology they make these bikes with their cost is astronomically low. Their prototyping and design costs also drop double digits every year due to digitization and other new technologies... where is the INSANE markup coming from?
This invention would be cool if it cost the 1200 to 1600 dollars it should and also had a 50 cc motor thereby letting it be registered for road operation in states with 50 cc scooter clauses. Instead it's a least cost throw together except of course the brakes and a few other components built around a probably laughable chinese built powerplant and crap trannie... This is a joke and the reason why our nation is slowly but surelly becoming an innovation backwater!!
Facebook User
- March 1, 2010 @ 02:03 pm PST
So... someone has 're-invented' a trials bike ... whooppeee
Tony Goodridge
- March 21, 2010 @ 02:03 am PDT
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That's what I loved and still miss about a Honda 125 trials bike I used to own back in the late seventies. It was light enough that you could manhandle it in the really rough stuff. You carried it & it carried you! The only problem I had in deap woods was that it was so quite, I ran up on moma bears more than once and really had to make some quick retreats! Don't forget the buddy system now days guys (me & my 44mag). Predators are not as afraid of humans now with less hunting pressure and encroachment! Always good to give them some space though instead of confronting. I think this is still too much power though for true mountain biking, more towards performance and excitement. I have had ideas of building my own 50cc 4-stroke "Mt bike" for minimal footprint. Would like to know where they got that serious front disk/rotor though!
Will, the tink
- February 25, 2010 @ 06:02 pm PST