bent_boot42

What??? those blue wheels look sweet!!! I can't tell you about the others but I know the sherco 290 is an awesome bike. tough too (I have tested this many times). I am about 6ft and 200lbs. people might say the 290 is a lot of engine for a newb but I started on one (though I am experienced on other motocycles) without getting into trouble because of the power. Actually I think the extra grunt down low has allowed me to "chug"/"lug" it up the last bit of a few hill climbs that I would have stalled a smaller bike on, basically it has allowed me to be a little less than perfect and still get up the hill. Good luck finding the right bike.... post up some pics when you get one!

I am a newbie and just got a bigger cc bike (290 sherco... is actually a 272cc) and I would definitely give it a positive review... I love this thing!!! The extra grunt gets me both into and out of trouble. (I am a fair sized guy though 6' and 200lbs so this might affect my perception of the bigger cc bikes)

I just bought a 2004 sherco 290 for $3000CDN (but bikes are a bit more expensive over here as trials isn't nearly as popular as across the pond). It is (so far, 4 weeks) an awesome bike for the money. I need new tires soon but the ones it came with hold air and grip enough for a newbie to learn on for a few weeks before I win an event and get a new pair for free good luck!

Hello All, I am new to trials but not new to bikes, I have owned and ridden an 1986 Honda XL250R since 2001 and in the last 3 years have owned a couple CBR600 F2s and a CBR600 F4i. I have just sold my nicest sport bike ('02 red/black CBR 600 F4i) so that I can get into trials. But I still ride a 1991 CBR F2 daily. I recently got a couple of project bikes, an '85 XR250R and a dirt only '86 XL250R to thrash on the trails. Looks like there are a few other Canadians on this forum but haven't seen many from BC... you wet coasters out there? I bought a 2004 Sherco 290. If anyone has any Sherco expertise or just trials newbie advice that would be great! (I am also new to 2strokes, the sherco is my first) Trials is even better than I thought it would be (and I had HIGH expectations) and I have only had one good ride on it Picture of my new trials bike: http://vmc.bc.ca/components/com_joomlaboard/uploaded/images/sherco2.jpg

That looks amazing! Normal day for you I'm sure (but what an adventure that would be for the rest of us)! Thanks for sharing those pics (more arctic trials pics please)!

Too bad about the synt selling. I guess you don't have the budget for the $3500 bikes? Thanks, it would be great to see the other areas (and not get super lost trying to explore by myself). I will try and get my XL250R ready for the weekend following may-long, so that we are on similar machines... the trials bike would make me want to do crazy single-track stuff but the XL should want to go where you and the DR would. (PM sent)

Ya, the scorpa is a blue one... here is the link: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/2006-SCORPA-250CC-TRIALS-BIKE_14833404 and here is that GG that I liked (but couldn't afford) http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/2005-GasGas-300-trials-bike_14768319 That Synt does look in pretty good shape... get off that fence! Go get it .... seriously though, take your time with finding the right bike (but don't be on the fence about trials) I have been up to Shawnigan (only once) and never to Tugwell or Boyd's (or etc.). I want to go check out Tansky Main soon (never been there either), have you been? If/when you get a trials bike let me know if you would be up for showing me around Tugwell, etc.? Is your DR350 your road bike too, or do you have another bike for the road?

Hey, I am also a total trials newbie. Just got a bike last Sunday But it is AWESOME... go for it! I also live in BC (near victoria, you?) so I can relate with the price being steeper than south of the border. I got a 2004 Sherco290 for $3000CDN and am very happy with it and it doesn't feel like too much bike (I am about 6' and 190lbs). I also have a street riding background, the last few years on a couple CBR 600's and before that a street legal Honda XL250R. I have been fixing up another ($300)XL for the dirt but just couldn't resist a trials bike The terrain these things can handle (with very little help/skill from me) is amazing and wicked fun. I did a lot of research on different makes/models of trials bike and I basically came to the conclusion that $2500 was about the minimum for a "good" semi-reliable used bike that is at least semi-modern and therefore most capable (old twin-shocks being too much work for a newbie). I saw a really nice and prettty dang new gasgas 250 for $3500 but have heard the GG is a bit finicky on the reliablilty and was just too much out of pocket for me (even though a good price on the bike). There is also a Scorpa 250 on usedvictoria for $3500 but there are so few scorpa's around you may have trouble finding parts/mechanical expertise/etc. for them. Where do you usually ride your DR350? would you ride the trials bike there too? link to the beta add?