Dirt Bikes

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT Trials Bikes First Look

Honda’s trials bike trio returns for 2023.

May 8, 2023

Back in 2005, Montesa, a subsidiary of Honda, was one of the first motorcycle manufacturers (the other being Sherco) to introduce a modern-day four-stroke trials bike with its Cota 4RT. The Spanish maker was the only one to drop two-stroke trials bikes entirely that same year, and that remains the case to this day. Montesa offers three versions of its rock-hopping thumper including the Cota 4RT260R, Cota 4RT301, and Cota 4RT301RR.

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT260R

Montesa (a subsidiary of Honda) offers three versions of its Cota 4RT trials bike. The least expensive of them is the 4RT260R, which retails for $9,299.Honda

The trio are powered by fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke engines with four valves, but differ in displacement with the 4RT260R at 259cc, and the 4RT301 and 4RT301RR at 298cc. Electric start isn’t nearly as common on trials motorcycles as it is on dirt bikes, and these three are fired to life via kickstart. A five-speed transmission is shared among them, as is a hydraulic clutch.

For suspension, Montesa specs each with a Showa 39mm conventional fork that’s adjustable for spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping, as well as a Showa shock with linkage that’s tunable for spring preload and rebound damping. Travel is 6.6 inches up front and 6.7 inches in the rear.

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301

Each Montesa trials bike is powered by a fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke engine, but the Cota 4RT301 (pictured) and Cota 4RT301RR have a 39cc displacement advantage over the 4RT260R.Honda

Some notable shared chassis components include an aluminum frame, 0.5-gallon aluminum fuel tank, Braktec four-piston front brake caliper that grabs onto a 185mm disc, and Braktec two-piston rear caliper paired with a 150mm disc. A minor difference is that while the Cota 4RT260R is spec’d with Dunlop D803GP tires, the 4RT301′s and 4RT301RR’s wheels are shod with Michelin Trial Competition X11 rubber.

According to Montesa, its trials bikes weigh 170 pounds wet. Each model is available in one color apiece: the 4RT260R in red, the 4RT301 in blue metallic, and the 4RT301RR in white. The 2023 Montesa Cota 4RT range hits dealership floors this month. Pricing is as follows:

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT260R: $9,299

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301: $11,899

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301RR: $11,899

2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301RR

Trials riders looking to emulate 32-time FIM Trial world champion Toni Bou (at least in terms of bike appearance) should check out the Cota 4RT301RR.Honda

Specifications

	2023 Montesa Cota 4RT260R	2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301	2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301RR
MSRP:	$9,299	$11,899	$11,899
Engine:	SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.	SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.	SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	259cc	298cc	298cc
Bore x Stroke:	78.0 x 54.2mm	81.5 x 57.2mm	81.5 x 57.2mm
Compression Ratio:	10.5:1	10.4:1	10.4:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain	5-speed/chain	5-speed/chain
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 28mm throttle body	EFI w/ 28mm throttle body	EFI w/ 28mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; hydraulic actuation	Wet, multiplate; hydraulic actuation	Wet, multiplate; hydraulic actuation
Frame:	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Front Suspension:	Showa 39mm conventional fork, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 6.6 in. travel	Showa 39mm conventional fork, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 6.6 in. travel	Showa 39mm conventional fork, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 6.6 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Showa shock, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 6.7 in. travel	Showa shock, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 6.7 in. travel	Showa shock, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 6.7 in. travel
Front Brake:	Braktec 4-piston caliper, 185mm disc	Braktec 4-piston caliper, 185mm disc	Braktec 4-piston caliper, 185mm disc
Rear Brake:	Braktec 2-piston caliper, 150mm disc	Braktec 2-piston caliper, 150mm disc	Braktec 2-piston caliper, 150mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop D803GP; 80/100-21 / 120/100-18	Michelin Trial Competition X11; 21 x 2.75 in./18 x 4.0 in.	Michelin Trial Competition X11; 21 x 2.75 in./18 x 4.0 in.
Rake/Trail:	23.0°/2.5 in.	24.6°/2.5 in.	24.6°/2.5 in.
Wheelbase:	52.0 in.	51.3 in.	51.3 in.
Ground Clearance:	12.2 in.	12.2 in.	12.2 in.
Claimed Seat Height:	26.2 in.	26.2 in.	26.2 in.
Fuel Capacity:	0.5 gal.	0.5 gal.	0.5 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	170 lb.	170 lb.	170 lb.
Availability:	Now	Now	Now
Contact:	powersports.honda.com