If you’re looking to get your hands on a new trials bike then you will definitely have been thinking about some of the exciting options that Vertigo have to offer, but are their bikes as good as they look?
In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common problems that you might find with a Vertigo bike so that you have all the information before you actually make a purchase.
What Is Vertigo?
Before we get into any of the issues you might find with a Vertigo bike, we should first explain a little bit about the company itself and what they are all about.
Vertigo Motors is a company that is dedicated to building and developing cutting-edge trials bikes.
Founded in 2014, their whole business plan was to create the best machine possible, and (with the help of designers, riders, and engineers) they definitely believe that they’re doing just that.
In fact, to prove how much they back their bikes, the company owner (FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin MBE) has personally won the Scottish Six Days Trial on the Vertigo Combat four times.
With that being said, there are certainly more than a few enthusiasts who have some questions about Vertigo bikes, and not everyone is convinced that they really are the best in the business.
Are Vertigo Bikes Good?
Vertigo is very proud of the bikes that they make, and they are known for being light, powerful, attractive, and a joy to ride. Despite all of these positives, however, they are still not as popular as other trail bike brands.
That’s not necessarily because of a lack of quality or performance, though. Vertigo bikes are, fundamentally, very expensive, and they haven’t quite done enough to convince riders that you will definitely be getting your money’s worth.
With Vertigo making so many innovations and adaptations to the formula, a lot of people worry that they’re going to find recurring issues and mechanical problems.
At the end of the day, it comes down to trust in the brand name. You know what you’re getting with a Honda, Yamaga, Montesa, or a KTM – whereas buying an expensive Vertigo can feel like more of a gamble.
5 Common Problems With Vertigo Trials Bikes
So, is it fair to have reservations about buying into the Vertigo dream? What kind of problems do people actually have with their bikes once they take them home?
We’re going to take a look at some of the common problems that riders have found with their Vertigos after actually taking them home and testing them out.
1. Mud And Water
If there’s one thing that a trial bike is likely to face on a day-to-day basis, it’s mud and water, so you want to know that your bike can handle it.
Depending on the model, however, some Vertigo riders have found significant issues with water getting in.
Specifically, Vertigo has moved the ECU (Engine Control Unit) in their newer 2022 models so that it sits within the base of the mudguard – rather than in the center.
Ostensibly, this is for security reasons, but it means that water can actually work its way into the compartment where all of the electrical components are housed, which is definitely not ideal.
All of the connectors are supposedly waterproof, and you can buy additional waterproof grease if you are slightly more nervous, but it does get a little messy inside that housing.
Some people have just found this to be a mild annoyance that requires constant cleaning, while others have reported more significant electrical issues as a result.
2. Throttle Position Sensor
A classic issue that can really get in the way of a good day out is finding that your bike starts to tick over but then it just cuts out.
On a Vertigo, this tends to happen with the TPS is not properly calibrated, and that could mean that it needs replacing.
Unfortunately, recalibrating one of these can be a bit of a pain, so you may need to actually go down to your local dealer to get the job done, or you can replace it entirely.
3. Fouled Plug
A relatively common problem that people find with their Vertigo is a result of sooting or fouling of the spark plug.
It’s not exactly an issue that’s unique to Vertigo bikes, but it does seem to be slightly more common with their models than some others.
Fortunately, replacing your spark plug is a very easy fix, and Vertigo customer service will be more than happy to help.
4. Innovations And Complex Parts
One of the main issues that people tend to find with Vertigo as a company is related to one of their greatest strengths.
They always like to push the envelope and test out the limits of what is possible, which means they can be a little more complicated.
More complicated parts mean more things that can go wrong, and that is certainly something that a lot of riders have had concerns about.
Some people have found that they are constantly having to send their bikes back to Vertigo for expensive repairs.
5. Quality Control
As a relatively small manufacturer, it seems like Vertigo has been finding it tricky to offer the same level of quality control as a huge company like Honda.
With a few of their recent models, customers have noticed control problems like a lack of grease, loose fixtures, and misalignment.
Most of these are simple fixes for anyone with a bit of knowhow, and it is an issue that Vertigo have acknowledged.
They’ve recently stated that they are actively improving their quality assurance checks, so hopefully these problems will become a thing of the past.
Summary
So, is it worth spending the extra money to get a Vertigo bike despite some of these issues? Generally speaking, yes.
In comparison to most trial bike manufacturers, Vertigo has a really good reputation for quality and performance, and the problems that customers face are relatively few and far between.
If you are having second thoughts, however, you might be reassured by the fact that their warranty and customer service are excellent – so you know that you can get the support that you need if anything does go wrong.