New Vertigo goes on trial

This crazy-looking Vertigo scooter/trials bike hybrid is being lined up to compete in the ultra-tough Erzberg Iron Road Prologue according to Vertigo boss Manel Jane, who has ploughed millions of Euros of his own money into the new bike firm.

Jane made his money as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of prams and children’s car seats, but his big love is trials. The company’s first production trials bike, developed with input from Brit trials supremo Dougie Lampkin, will be available to buy shortly and will be the first trials bike available with an electric start.

The Ursus, unveiled to audible gasps in Milan last week, is a fully-working engineering prototype with only the plastic being built using rapid prototyping to get it ready for the show. The plan is to get the bike working with single-cylinder engines of 350, 450cc and even a 600cc V-twin before it launches next year.

It gets even more ambitious after that as there are plans for a two-wheel drive option, a petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain and even to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Jane told MCN: “We wanted to make an urban bike that was mid-way between a trials bike and an enduro. Something that has the practicality of scooters for the city and for getting to work in the morning but can still be fun at weekends.”

There are two sets of footpegs; one for feet-forward scooter riding and another for off-road. There is storage under the dummy fuel tank for a full-face crash helmet, and it’s a twist-and-go because that’s what scooter riders are used to.