The new Montesa Cota 4RT 260 2014 and the Cota 4RT 260 Race Replica 2014 have just been presented in Italy, coinciding with the scoring event for the Trial World Championship. Expectations have been high since Montesa revealed the existence of this new project, which is the continuation of its ambitious commitment to four-stroke engines in 2005.
Full stop
Since its appearance, the Montesa Cota 4RT model created a revolution in the world of trial, a discipline completely dominated by 2-stroke mechanics, engines of relative mechanical simplicity and at the same time extremely compact that, however, penalized by a high level of polluting emissions.
So much so that, anticipating the anti-pollution regulations that were to come into force in 2006, Montesa, in close collaboration with Honda Motor Co., developed the Montesa Cota 4RT, an advanced trial motorcycle equipped with a compact and revolutionary 4-stroke 4-valve engine powered by PGM‐FI electronic fuel injection, being highly efficient in terms of the level of pollutant emissions as well as its significant torque and power values.
In addition, the chassis also proved to be certainly innovative with the adoption of a lightweight aluminium frame and the use of a set of SHOWA suspensions of the highest quality, highlighting the successful design of the rear suspension system. From the outset, the performance of the amazing 250cc engine amazed to be able to compete head-to-head against the superior 2-stroke machines of similar displacement.
The Montesa Cota 4RT stood out for its exclusivity in terms of technological solutions, but also for being a model of the highest quality and more than proven reliability, aspects certainly valued by the brand’s customers. However, as the years went by, The tastes of trial fans have changed as has the global economic situation. So much so that in the scale of values of a good part of trial enthusiasts, the economy has an important specific weight when deciding to buy a motorcycle.
Development Concept of the new Cota 4RT 2014
Based on the new priorities of trial enthusiasts, Montesa Honda has developed a completely new Montesa Cota in which it maintains its main hallmarks: advanced 4-stroke PGM‐FI technology and the lightweight aluminum frame.
Similarly, to increase the level of competitiveness against the still popular 2-stroke engines, the development team opted for a new engine, increasing the displacement to 260cc in search of a clear improvement in performance.
To meet the expectations and needs of today’s customers and with the firm will to reach a wider range of customers, Montesa launches 2 versions of the Cota 4RT model, the 4RT260 version and the Race Replica.
Dimension 4RT260: A model developed with the valuable participation of the Repsol Montesa Honda team and which, without sacrificing a high level of quality, as well as a remarkable increase in performance, is presented as an economically comparable option to motorcycles equipped with 2-stroke mechanics.
Cota Race Replica: For the most demanding customers, for those who expect a product of the highest quality, the Cota Race Replica offers the exclusivity provided by its high level of equipment and the image of the motorcycle that dominates with authority in all competitions in the world: the Montesa Cota 4RT of the riders of the powerful Repsol Montesa Honda team, Toni Bou & Takahisa Fujinami.
Like its predecessors, the production of the two versions of the new Cota 4RT will take place at Montesa Honda’s modern facilities in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Barcelona, ensuring the very high quality standards with which the Cota 4RT model has always been characterized.
Design & Plastics
Broadly speaking, the new Cota 4RT in its two versions, 4RT260 & Race Replica, It presents a modern and fluid line in which the new design of the fuel tank stands out, much more stylish and compact, but maintaining enough capacity to be able to enjoy a long day of trial.
The new rear fender design continues the fluidity of lines marked by the tank and finishes in a more elevated and streamlined finish.
While the Race Replica version inherits the powerful image of the world champion’s motorcycle, the 4RT260 returns to the Montesa red color with which the manufacturer dressed its most emblematic Cota models. A red color that is also present in the wheel bugs in perfect combination with the beautiful black anodized rims.
The 4RT models have always stood out for their high quality finishes and the excellent level of components that keep their properties intact over time. As it could not be otherwise, this is an aspect that is maintained in the new Cota models with the adoption of plastic and adhesives of the highest quality.
Engine 260cc 4T
Maintaining the compact thermodynamic base of the Montesa Cota 4RT, the already advanced 4-stroke engine receives numerous changes, including an increase in displacement to 260cc.
However, Montesa Honda has not been satisfied with a single increase in displacement, since for To achieve the maximum balance of performance derived from this change, the camshaft has also been redesigned in order to adjust the timing diagrams in favor of better engine response to any regime.
In the same way, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) incorporates a new injection and ignition map inorder to optimize the changes applied to the thermodynamics of the new engine. With this new map, a remarkable increase in traction capacity is obtained, especially on unfavorable terrain, a condition that is also maintained in more critical situations such as when cutting off and opening gas in the middle of an area. With this particularity, the new Montesa Cota 4RT shows all its efficiency and provides greater control to the rider.
The implementation of all these changes has a clear impact on a clear increase in performance. The engine now stands out for its greater stretch, while the low-end response has been improved in favour of a greater engine feel. In general, the engine is much more elastic as it is more usable throughout the rev range, presenting higher torque values from mid-revs until the ignition cut-off. In this sense, it is worth highlighting the perfect connection between the throttle control and the final transmission, a key aspect in the top-level trial and in which the exquisiteness of operation of the PGM‐FI electronic fuel injection system is of vital importance.
Another highly noteworthy aspect is the clear reduction of engine braking, a feature of 4-stroke engines that has been cleverly solved by Honda engineers by incorporating a crankcase gas decompression system. Through this system, when the throttle is cut, the engine only has a minimal engine braking effect, making the motorcycle feel much lighter and more controllable.
With the application of all these solutions, the new Cota 4RT tackles the areas with greater power as well as greater control by the rider.
Cycle part
The new Cota 4RT260 & Race Replica relies on a lightweight aluminium frame and swingarm with proven reliability and performance.
In the Race Replica model, the frame‐swingarm set has the same black anodizing treatment as the official Team Repsol Montesa Honda machines.
However, in the 4RT260 version, both components feature a formidable polished aluminium finish. A treatment that allows you to visualize the beauty of lines and even the perfection of the different weld seams that do not hide the high level of quality of this model.
Another improved aspect is the adoption of new footpegs. They are now wider, a feature that allows the rider to master the bike more while gaining greater control of the machine. On the other hand, as they are wider, they accumulate less mud and maintain a higher level of grip.
In addition, the new footpegs have a certain adjustability by simply changing thicknesses that allows the rider’s position to be slightly advanced or delayed in favor of greater comfort and control of the machine.
Suspensions
Race Replica: The model maintains the prestigious set of SHOWA front and rear suspensions of the highest quality that continue to be a benchmark in trial.
Dimension 4RT260: Aware that not all trial enthusiasts need exquisiteness and supreme quality of Showa suspensions Used in the Race Replica model, the Cota 4RT260 features a new set of high-level suspensions, but at the same time with a much lower cost.
The front suspension is signed by TECH, while the rear end relies on a lightweight R16V multi-adjustable shock absorber. Both manufacturers have extensive experience in supplying suspension assemblies to various trial motorcycle manufacturers. However, by the close collaboration between Tech engineers and R16V and the more than proven experience of Montesa Honda’s test rider, Amós Bilbao, multiple days of testing were dedicated in different areas and trial zones in search of the most appropriate settings for a machine with the characteristics of the Cota 4RT260.
As a result, the Cota 4RT260 features a highly efficient suspension package that results in a greater lightweight feel. With this suspension equipment, the new Cota 4RT260 is able to absorb the irregularities of the terrain with great ease while standing out for its ease of adjustment in favor of a more Racing use or, on the contrary, in search of greater retention and comfort.
HRC Programmable Control Unit
While it is true that one of the benefits derived from the adoption of the PGM‐FI electronic fuel injection system is the self-adjustment of the carburetion to different weather conditions, the most demanding riders will be able to vary the ignition and power maps using an optional HRC Kit and the help of a laptop PC.
The kit is supplied as optional racing equipment and consists of: Injection Body‐ECU, Interface and CD‐ROM Assembly
More news
Another aspect in which both versions of the Cota stand out is the adoption of a new braking system signed by Braktec. The master cylinder is now much more compact and lighter, which also improves performance. Specifically, the braking system offers greater bite and a much more precise feel.
In this same section, the brake hoses and their travel are also new , being now much more integrated, forming a more compact set.
At the same time, the clutch system continues with its previous hydraulically operated configuration and also relies on a new, more compact and lighter clutch pump from the same firm and which provides greater operating precision.
High level of equipment
While the main changes to the model focus on the engine, bodywork and suspension assembly (Cota 4RT260), it is worth noting the deep remodelling of the model with the adoption of 70 new components.
However, despite the numerous changes applied, both models maintain their high level of equipment, highlighting the advanced electrical system that dispenses with The battery is able to power, among other things, the injection system or the ignition coil itself. Also Of particular note is the use of a tilt sensor that switches off the ignition when the motorcycle is lying on the ground with an incline of more than 65 or for a fraction of time greater than 7 seconds. With this device, the risk exposure by the rider is reduced while protecting the engine, especially in situations where the engine may be revved.
The rims maintain their 32-spoke configuration and the rear the innovative system that incorporates centrally adjustable spokes achieving a significant weight reduction, easy maintenance while allowing the mounting of tubeless tires, which in turn contribute to weight reduction.
Competition Parts Kit
Only for the Race Replica model is a highly exclusive kit of HRC parts made of carbon composed of:
*Suspension bottle protectors.
* Front suspension bridge.
*Clutch cover protector.
* Exhaust elbow protector.
* Exhaust silencer protector. In addition, the kit includes:
* A set of OF3 aluminum footpegs.
* A complete set of stickers with the image of Team Repsol Montesa Honda.
* A lightweight headlamp face shield for competition use only.
On the 4RT260 model, a headlamp face shield is supplied as an optional accessory for racing use only.
Text and photos: Montesa Honda
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