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What Are Good Prices For Bikes?


acesneverwin
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I just discovered there were such a thing as trials bikes the other day. I've had a few mishaps on my dirt bike and someone suggested a trials bike to really develop balance and technical control. Checking them out online, they look like a lot of fun. I really would like to get one. Around here though, it doesn't seem they are that popular. I think the closest dealer around here that has them is about 3 hours away according to a trials bike website.

I was curious what are good prices for used bikes. Hell, even brand new bikes I have a hard time figuring out prices. Found prices for some new honda trials bikes like 10k.... is that about what the new ones go for (seems rather expensive when you can get full on dirt bikes for that price but what do I know?).

Also, what are some good bikes to look for? Searching craigslist, trials bike in general can bring up weird stuff I'm not looking for.

The one I found on craigslist and I was tempted to get because it's the only one I've seen pop up around here was a 2007 gas gas TXT 250 pro for 3800 dollars.

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Please please please go to a competition and just talk to the riders. Most of these mutts are real good people, and there families are even better. Go to a competition and ask around. Ask about the bikes, ask about the WHY of this bike or that bike, and truly SEE what these riders are capable of. Then, ask questions about the how much. Trials bikes hold thier value quite a bit better than the usual, so 3800 for the TXT is not to bad sounding. I will also say, that the 250 might be a LOT to much bike for the beginner. If you are a lightweight, say under 150 LB, or a beginner up to 175 or so, a 125-200 would probably be a much better choice. There is a lot of go in these bikes, while not that fast, they are explosive if you get it wrong. There are plenty of men and women competing on 200cc bikes and they are having to tune them to slow them down a bit. Look into a comp that is coming up in a place called Tishamingo. I think that is how it is spelled. It is a town in southern Oklahoma and might give you a good look at the riders and the kind of riding you are looking into. Good luck, enjoy, and above all else, Enjoy the ride Amigo.

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I'm in California. LA is about 3 hours south from here.

I have no idea where competitions are held around here but I'll look into it.

The 250 will be a bit much for the beginner even if I'm pretty comfortable on a regular dirt bike? I've got a DRZ 400 and a YZ250f. DRZ is too big for me on the dirt so I use it as a street bike. 250 I've got pretty good control over.

Not really into all the rock and crazy stuff they do on these trials... I want one purely so I can ride my dirt bike better. I'm fine at higher speeds but going real slow, like single trail riding in the mountains, going over rocky trails, and fine tuned technical control are my weakness.

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3 hrs north of LA ? Contact http://www.lewisportusa.com/They 've got shops north and south of you ... And if you really want to learn bike control , a 125 is your game . Trust us , going fast is really easy , I've done the Mint 400 and the Barstow to Vegas ... Even a old tl125 honda will teach you things ! A modern 125 will blow your mind what it can do with proper technique . And just remember , Jim Pomeroy , and Malcom Smith and a host of other go fast legends all rode trials for practice too .... IT IS the best training you can do on two wheels , Don't worry about the video's you see of the world class guys (aka Bou ) , go to a event and meet some folks and start having some fun ... YOU ARE YOUR Hardest Competition in Trials ...

And as Mags would say , "balance your life , ride a trials bike " . (I need to get some stickers made that say that , and send him a few :) )

Glenn

And PS ... I lived in Vegas for a few years , and trust me aces CAN win ... :)

And a double PS. , Cleaning that 3 foot log followed by the 180 degree turn into a 4 foot step (all within about 18 feet :) ) beats stuffing your buddy into a berm at 40mph any day ... (or getting stuffed !).

But be forewarned ... Trials is ADDICTIVE ! Challenge yourself ....

Edited by axulsuv
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Yep, a ten grand Honda is a hard pill to swallow!, but others new are in 7500 range, still a lot.

The Gasgas pro is a pretty smooth ride in the 250 version. Although I would not consider them the lowest maintenance bike, if I was looking in that price range I would certainly consider one in good condition. But for that price it would have to be like new. 3K would be more like it for a good one of that year.

Lweisport may have other options, and as fun as a 125 is to ride, in reality they lack torque in a 2 stroke motor, so are much more of a rev and go thing, but they will perform.

Trials is a skill thing, but a good bike from this decade with decent(not overwhelming) power, good clutch and controls and brakes will get you a long way. Like Ryan says, everything needs to work perfect! Old bike or new.

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How does a trials bike compare to a regular dirt bike?

My goal is to ride a dirt bike over rocks and over logs and down winding single trails in the forest a lot better. It sounds like a trials bike is perfect for that stuff but all my buddies ride dirt bikes. Maybe I can convert them xD

Yes I agree about the double PS... that sounds like way more fun... I'm done with the motocross track, never liked it much anyway cause I was more into the desert and mountains and the adventure riding stuff. I broke my hand and my leg on the track so I was like, why I am I even doing this... if I'm gonna break stuff it's gonna be doing something I like... though I would prefer no more broken bones. My accidents with the motocross track though were from poor basic control skills that weren't second nature and things can go wrong and happen quick on the track so you gotta be on it... so that kind of motivated me to scale back and get a trials bike... Even though I have no intention of going back to the track, I would prefer to just be a better rider in general. It would really help with the rock climbing me and my buddy did a while back too... That was ROUGH!!! If I had known about these back then, I would have got one of these then instead of mess with the stupid motocross track with my other buddy.

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I just discovered there were such a thing as trials bikes the other day. I've had a few mishaps on my dirt bike and someone suggested a trials bike to really develop balance and technical control. Checking them out online, they look like a lot of fun. I really would like to get one. Around here though, it doesn't seem they are that popular. I think the closest dealer around here that has them is about 3 hours away according to a trials bike website.

I was curious what are good prices for used bikes. Hell, even brand new bikes I have a hard time figuring out prices. Found prices for some new honda trials bikes like 10k.... is that about what the new ones go for (seems rather expensive when you can get full on dirt bikes for that price but what do I know?).

Also, what are some good bikes to look for? Searching craigslist, trials bike in general can bring up weird stuff I'm not looking for.

The one I found on craigslist and I was tempted to get because it's the only one I've seen pop up around here was a 2007 gas gas TXT 250 pro for 3800 dollars.

I hear your pain.

First, forget about a new bike unless you can afford it. If you do buy a new rig, no matter the brand, you will receive a good bike with more capabilities than you will muster for a while and will be trouble free other than buying bling.

Since you mentioned spending a lot possibly, for around 5-6000 you can get a nice newer bike that can be delivered from anywhere in the US. If you really want a nice rig then shop on dealer used ads, like jackscycles, lewisport, ryans, ect. Pick your flavor and talk to the selling parties. Enjoy.

Don't be discouraged against a 300, you can tone them down.

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Find a event , go to it and talk to folks , Somebody always has a bike for sale ... Just check all the basics before you settle on price ... Inspect rear suspension play/movement close , high wear/ neglected / easy fix ...

Have fun and let us know .........

Glenn

And if you've never ridden a trials bike before , even though you ride and race , BE CAREFUL , completely different beast .....

Edited by axulsuv
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You're a little vague about your location but I'd guess it's somewhere around Fresno?

In two weeks PITS is holding an event in Copperopolis. It would be worth a drive up there to check it out. Even if you're not interested in riding in competition, you'll get to see what it's all about. Plus Lewisport is located there and you can see what they they have to offer in new or used bikes.

In answer to your question though, I'd think you could pick up a nice used bike for $2500-3500. You could certainly spend more if you have money to burn but you don't really need the latest and greatest. Be patient and keep checking craigslist, if you find something in the bay area I may be able to check it out for you.

http://www.sactopits.org/

Edited by motopelli
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Sweet! I'll try to hit that one up. The other day I found there was one this weekend way down south but kind of late notice to get up and go check that out. This sounds good though, I'll look into it.

Yeah I'm in Tulare which is like 40 mins south of Fresno.

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  • 1 month later...

I live on the East Coast, and I have never heard anyone say they couldn't get someone to let them try their trials bike. I think trials riders are just like that, at least around here. If you showed up in Maine, I'd let you ride my bike until you couldn't hold on. So, go to an event, try some bikes, see what works. Then buy an inexpensive bike, when you decide if you really like it, trade it in.

I bought my first trials bike in 1999 and it was a 1975 Kawasaki KT250, for $400 bucks, on the side of the road, chained to a pole. The guy said he couldn't keep it from stalling. I cleaned the carb and nothing more; ran great! I rode one vintage event and the next week bought a '96 Gas Gas for $3000 on my credit card!!! I've been hooked ever since!

I wish I kept the Kawasaki for vintage events, but that's another story.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I went riding a while back with a bunch of motorcycle guys its great time i followed for a while then I was the leader. We where just riding trails when I came into this large stand of pine trees we rode in tail was good but then started hitting a lot of pine trees that had fallen across the trail no problem I was really starting to have some fun now I was in the zone this tree then that one another one trees were all over the trail finally we cleared the large stand of pine trees and the trail opened up into an old logging road that looked like it winded back into the mountains  for miles .So I stop,

Hey guys wasn't that a blast.

 No answer.

 No one was there, I was by myself . I pulled my helmet off , I couldn't hear anyone, I turned off my bike , still can't hear anyone.

 I smiled  

 Now I have to ride back threw that stand of pine trees  

 I found the the other rides back at the trucks 

 We couldn't follow you you went over those trees like they weren't there, we tride going around them just to many 

 I ride a montesa what could I do 

 I recruited more trials riders (-:

 I ride in Oklahome and Arkansas im on the border gonna be having rides there before to long everyone will be welcome I could put a world round on the land we have over 400 acres so I will be seeing some of you'll before long

 I do have some used bikes now 

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Big event in So Cal this weekend.  Check it out here. http://www.socaltrials.com/

 

Bikes can start out used $1500 for entry level $3-6k for something very competitive and new bikes are about $7800-$8500

 

The Southern California Trials Association has a current facebook page check that out for updates on the latest

 

Motoventures is a try before you buy.  They can teach you about trials and supply a bike to ride http://www.motoventures.com/

 

Enduro Cross coach is also a good place to blend trials technique on rocks/etc http://www.endurocrosscoach.com/

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