General Trials Talk

Aye there's plenty from Sammy Miller bringing in the Spanish, non stop/stop, duel/multi routes, dodgy suspension linkages, tubeless tyres no doubt everyone on the forum has a personal axe to grind so let's be honest we've all got a good moan right or wrong so after 45 years on the scene here's my top gripe. WATER COOLING, worst thing that ever happened even as we speak I've a Scorpa p****** coolant in the garage doing my nut. Anyone who has not had bother with a water cooled trials bike has never owned one. Water pumps, thermostats. wiring , regulators, radiators, hoses, O ring head gaskets had bother with the lot. Do they run any better than my old air cooler? a ver…

After reading a few posts complaining about newbies making their first post a "which bike should I buy", I'm almost afriad to ask but.... at the risk of getting booted off on my first day here.... here is my question. I am a fat old guy wanting to get into trials riding. I am probably an intermediate enduro/hare scrambles rider. I currently own a 2006 300xcw KTM and a 2005 450exc KTM. Compared to everyone else here, I am probably a below-novice trials rider but I am "determined" to learn and improve. I am nowhere near ready to compete but that could be an option as I improve. I have narrowed my choices down to the three following bikes: 2004 Montesa 315r - $3500 2…

Here's one for all you experts (rules) out there. In a recent multi route trial, at one section the yellow (novice) route crossed the red/blue (expert) route at right angles. Half way through the trial a red/blue route rider, rides the section and dislodges a rock the size of a wide screen old style T.V. right into and across the yellow route, but not on the experts line. Whilst some of the novices will be able to hop over the rock the vast majority will come to grinding halt. Question. Do you leave it where it is or move it clear of the section ? Leave it because that's the luck of the draw. Move it because it's a bit harsh on the yellow route boys. I await your v…

Is it me? I, like many of us, like to browse on e.bay to see what bikes are on there and what people are paying..... My question is however, do you like me, read some of the descriptions and enter a mild rant state! Comments like "scrambler", "never raced", "not for the faint hearted" and my favourite "very fast" in relation to any trials bike, never seem right. Is it me, have I turned into my father, or has Victor Meldrew moved into my mind... That said, when people say, not taxed and MOT'd about trail bikes as they've only been used on green lanes, has the same effect. Perhaps I should just chill, and ride more.......mind you I can only get 120mph from my TXT Pro …

Morning all....or afternoon/evening depending on where you are. Popped out on the bike for an hour yesterday. After I started it I selected 2nd gear and went to pull away as normal and when I slowly released the clutch it started to move backwards like I had selected a reverse gear. It was really weird 'cause that was the last thing I was expecting it to do. After selecting 1st and then 2nd again all was well, but I was curious if anyone else has experienced this, and if anyone knows as to why it might have happened? I'm curious. Thanks in advance, Chris.

Hi guys I'm new here so please be gentle ! Looking to get into trials , know nothing about the sport , bikes etc so any advice on a first bike will be much appreciated . A Gas Gas 250 txt 2009 has come up for sale near to me but having read posts on here regarding Gas Gas filing for bankruptcy is it a good idea to buy one or not ? I'm thinking long term regarding spares , depreciation etc any help is much appreciated . Cheers

My son has just started riding a Beta Rev 50. He is a big 6 year old and a capable rider of autos...BUT... while he tries very hard with the clutch lever on the Rev 50, I'd prefer to get a smaller one. Has anybody made this change and if so, what bike lever and post did you use succesfully? Cheers. J.

I see GasGas is switching from the Reiger rear shock to Ohlins. Any thoughts or experience on one vs the other? When I shop them separately, I see the Ohlins at almost one half the cost of the Reiger. Purely a cost savings approach? Is performance apples to apples? Cheers!

Just wondering… What’s the big deal with Beta Evo 250’s? I’ve gone through a few bikes in recent years and am currently just riding my Twinshock, I don’t have a modern bike right now. Modern bikes, I’ve had a Beta Evo 200, Gas Gas 250, TRS 250RR, all only a couple of years old, all with bits I liked, bits I didn’t. I’m quite happy riding twinshock for the most part but might buy another modern for using when appropriate. One thing, it was not uncommon to be asked ‘why didn’t you buy a Beta?’, as if it’s the obvious choice. When I had my 200 I found the clutch needed messing around with constantly to stop it sticking and I preferred the handling on the Gas Gas. …

When Doug won at hawkstone last time the crowd pushed him all the way .... as the roars increased, so did Doug

I know there's going to be a few rude comments on this topic ! ..... but I'm suffering from cramp in my clutch finger and hands toward the end of a trial, a general feeling that I cant hold onto the bugger any longer which is runing my results. warming up, I get the usual burn in the lower arms and ache in the hands, it goes after about 10 - 15 mins of riding. the first and second lap are good ..... then i hit a brick wall, i cant pull the clutch in or turn the bike, .... it's a bummer Has anyone got any tips on what could help in terms of bar position or height......... or anything else that might help, exercise for the hands / arms / fingers ?? Cheers ...

I've been scouring the classifieds for a while now, and I see a few bikes coming up a few times, which makes me wonder, are people asking too much for their bikes, like do they think they are worth more than they really are, or is it just that nothing is selling nowadays ? I have cash burning a hole in my pocket, so I'm not a tyre kicker, but am I just looking for something for nothing

In the latest CDB there is the following pic of an early Yamaha framed Majesty. The topic came up at a trial on Sunday, not so much about the bike, who is the model on the bike??

Can anybody recommend any good trials websites? with the long winter nights I yearn for some more trials stuff... TC is great,one of my local clubs used to have a good active website but it (Briedden Hills) looks like its gone the way of the Dodo, another local site is South Shrops which is at least being updated with results and photos etc. Any good american websites?? Cheers Mark

I've seen loads of these threads and didn't want to start another but after reading them I didn't find an answer as my requirements are a bit unusual. I have tendon issues in my hands that cause pain and once inflamed can cause trigger finger. This can make clutch control less precise than it could be, but provided I don't ride too frequently or have to work the clutch excessively it's manageable. Although it was only a minor inconvenience on the day my left hand has not yet fully recovered from last Sunday so I've decided not to ride today. I've only done one trial so perhaps I need more bike time before I can make an informed decision on what bike to buy next but wh…

I was playing around designing some variations of trials bikes using lightweight materials and I think it would be possible to produce a 250cc machine with suitable strength below 60Kg in total weight.(Based on using a GasGas engine) My question is, How much would someone be willing to pay for a bike like this.

Hi, new to the site Just bought my 15yr old stepson a scorpa 250 2 stroke 98/99 model. he is keen to ride it, obviously, but has never ridden a motorbike before. Bit of a beast for a first bike but I had a misspent youth riding road bikes starting with Honda and Yamaha 250's when I was 17. He's a big lad, plays rubgy for town and school and is a quick learner. Can anybody recommend a training school. I used to be a volunteer RAC/ACU Instructor and have done advanced Police training so I can teach him the basics and roadcraft, which is useful even though at his age he will be totally off road. I currently run a Bonnie America, but only when its hot cos now I am offic…

I'm working on a 1974 YZ 80, I have no history on this little bike, seems like the same motor as a TY 80. The head is warped, I sent it off and had it machined, have not yet reassembled. My question is, Should I diconnect the oil injection and run it premixed? I just do not understand why this head warped other than not a proper amount of oil in fuel mixture? sam

i've had a quick scan around the forum and found a topic on boots, although it wasn't very helpful. I am basically looking for sum new boots, iv tried on some alpinestars and found them amazing in comparison to my forma grippers, although they are a little pricey i was just wondering what boots you guys use?..and basically some advantages and disadvantages?.. thanks alot chris

I'm looking to get a sticker kit for my '11 Gasser and wondered what experiences people have had with the ones available? As far as I can see there are 3 options 1) Gas Gas UK Team Stickers 2) S3 3) Jitsie. Mainly concerend with how easy they go on and what quality is like, i.e. how long will they last. Cheers