The Bultaco Sherpa was not just a motorcycle. It was a revolution on two wheels that forever changed the history of trial. It was born from a shared vision between a British handlebar genius and a Spanish brand willing to break the mold. The result was a light, precise and charismatic machine that not only dominated the mountains, but also the hearts of thousands of riders.
Sammy Miller: the architect of change
In 1964, the legendary British rider Sammy Miller, tired of the heavy and clumsy British trial bikes, was looking for a more agile and modern motorcycle. It was then that he crossed paths with Bultaco, and in just 12 days, together with the engineers of the Catalan factory, the first prototype of the Sherpa T was born.
With that bike, Sammy Miller won his first trial right out of the box. That was just the beginning. For years, with his elegant riding style and technical approach, Sammy Miller showed the world that trials could be more than just brute strength: it could be art, balance and strategy.
Thanks to him, Bultaco not only conquered the UK, but also put Spain on the world trials map.
The glorious Bultaco Sherpa T
The Bultaco Sherpa T was revolutionary for its time and consisted of several improvements, but the most notable were:
2-stroke single-cylinder engine, with a smooth character but with torque at low revolutions.
-Weighs less than 90 kg, a feather compared to its rivals.
-Narrow chassis, perfect for tight turns
-Effective suspension, which improved grip on difficult terrain
Its evolution was constant, passing through models such as the Sherpa T 49, Sherpa T 80, Sherpa T 91, Sherpa T 125, Sherpa T 250, Sherpa T 325, Sherpa T 199A and 199B. Each one more refined, but without losing the original soul: to dominate the terrain without fighting against the bike.
Manuel Soler: the art of Spanish trial
If Sammy Miller was the creator, Manuel Soler was the heir who proved that Spaniards could also reign in trial. Due to his youth and charisma, he was the first Spanish rider to win a Trial World Championship race, and he did it, of course, with a Sherpa between his legs.
Soler was not only a pilot of results. He was an artist of balance, a reference that inspired generations of young people. With his elegant style and his total connection with the bike, he took the Sherpa to the limit and beyond.