General Trials Talk

Hi Guys, A bit of backstory first: I'm 38 years old, pretty athletic and as a younger man raced short circuit on a 600, plus dabbled with motocross for circa 10yrs- racing 250 2t and 450 4t at club level (and slowly. I wasn't great). I also rode a lot of street trials, becoming friendly with a pro mtb trials rider- I wasn't great but I had half an idea what I was doing. During lockdown my father restored a 1971 Bultaco Sherpa, I tried it and loved it. There are two trials centres within an hour of me, so I bought a 2001 Gasgas TXT 250. I'm enjoying the bike but ultimately it's tired and I've decided I'd like to upgrade. For my bud…

I went to a 'fun trial' today and it was fantastic - why aren't there more? For those who've not seen them before, you get sections with start and end gates but what you do between them is up to you; it gives a surprisingly greater focus than just practicing free-range, you get a bit of social time with other riders (and see how they approach things), and makes it easy for the club because you don't need observers. Some of the start or end gates can be in tricky places, but really it's up to the rider to set their own difficulty.

Most of you must have seen the new video by Danny MacAskill - The Ridge - so in just a week, it has over 11 Million views on YouTube and rising fast. Yet I have looked around YouTube and cannot find even 1 video of either Toni or Dougie that has made even a million views ... Dougie Lampkin - Dougie Does Red Bull Racing 786,000 views is the largest one I could find.. and its 1 years old - Professionally done and connected with F1.. Toni Bou - The Best of Toni Bou 2007 - 986,000 views and that's been up since 2008 So why is this I wonder? I have my views but it would be great to have an open discussion about it .... Disclaimer : I didn't look too hard on YouTube and …

i know this is in the wrong place but why cant i subscribe to show forthcoming events for humberside hawks on the evenys page all i get is invalid username or password

The FIM minimum weight limit got me wondering, what is it makes a trials bike manufacturer a success AND commercially viable. Greeves, Bultaco, Montesa (original) Ossa (original) Merlin, Mecatecno, SWM, Aprillia, Yamaha, SWM, Suzuki and probably a few more that don't immediately spring to mind all went bust or pulled out of trials despite producing decent and in some cases WTC winning bikes. What went wrong? why did they fail? What lessons can the newer manufacturers in the sport learn from others past failings?

It was the announcement that Dabs was not riding the SSDT that prompted me to think about this. I started off road riding on old bangers that we had to get along the roads (at risk of prosecution) to get to where we could ride them. I had been to motorcycle events (MX grasstrack and road racing) from about the age of 3 and read MCN and MCW and MCM about as soon as I could read but despite reading about trials and watching the Scott had no interest about taking part when I bought my first trials bike. The reason I bought it was to get along the road to my off road areas legally. It was only after some time and because of someone I got mechanical help from (who already…

I'm sitting here looking at all that snow, with nothing better to do than ponder the unanswerable questions of the universe and have been wondering why 3 + infinity = 3? What's behind that concept of allowing unlimited dabs and still only getting 3 points? I know that it's just always been that way, but why? Isn't the idea here to get through the section without trying to get any points? Seems like at every event, there's always a section or two that guys can't get through without paddling through the entire section. Can't even pretend they were riding the bike. I mean come on for heck sakes, I try like hell and manage only 3 dabs, scoring a true 3, while another g…

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How did people arrive at their current choice of bike or bikes ? I bought my TX300 Aprilia twinshock as there aren't many about. For twinshocks I'm not really that keen, it's more the social side of the event and catching up with old friends. So I try to buy bikes I didnt own at the time like the Aprilia. The TRS I have is my second one, I'd had a few Gas Gas pro's and I still think they are a very good bike but I wanted a change. I've had Betas before and find them difficult to ride, lots of people ride them well so it's not the bike. Tried a 4rt a couple of times but can't ride them, maybe if I stuck with it but I dont want to spend months learning to rid…

As said , I should have put my boots on and not rushed out on a break for a quick play with only trainers on , fluffed the kick and jammed my leg in to the kick start , cracked my shin and am now paying for it . The Boss has veto'd any fun . Luckily she is out tomorrow ! http://

This is very much just a personal observation, but I'd be interested to hear how it resonates with others. The last "regular" trial I went to was a bit of an exercise in frustration - I was (knowingly) riding a grade at & above my abilities because I enjoy a challenge and I don't care about placings. I ride for self-satisfaction. That 2-day event saw me really struggle in parts, taking voluntary 5's on a couple of sections. The second day I dropped down a grade which at least let me ride every section. Last weekend I went to my first Gate Trial. Lot's of fun - more fun than I think I've ever had at a comp. Last lap I decided to go for maximum points (1…

That of all the brands, it seems like TRS riders are the most likely to go full "power ranger" with the TRS clothing? Do they come cheap with the bike or does the bike attract a certain type (like with BMWs). I'm a tart and I'd like a shiny new TRS RR but I don't think I could bring myself to wear the kit too... But then I'm a fat old man.. Thoughts? ?

last year there was photo and results from sheffield indoor why is there non this year???

On friday, I will have

when off road race bikes starting going 4 stroke a 250 2 stroke was allowed to compete with 450 4 strokes and they were considered equals, like wise a 125 2 stroke competes with 250 4 strokes, why are trials 4 strokes 250's, when we've been riding 250 & 300 2 T's, then we are expected to step down to 250 4T's. isn't that abought the same as steping down to a 125 2T? Sure Tony bou's bikes are way trick with over bore and super light. Montesa can't even sell them here in the US, there are too many good 2T's still being produced, I guess I'm just mad that my favorite brand, Montesa no longer produces a bike I want to buy, and now wont even import their bikes to the US.

Does anyone know why trials bikes are designed with the air intake at such a low level under the seat. Is it not possible for the airbox and fuel tank positions to be reversed so the air intake can be up above the water and mud levels near the headstock. Is it just because in spain and italy where they are made it is not a problem they need to worry about. In the uk water and muck getting in the airbox is probably the main cause of engine wear. Common sense says put the air intake up high but would this affect carburation Mark T

well snow still stopping us !!! so tv it is !! when flicking around over the last few days i found the X GAMES ! with travis flying around on all sorts of stuff as we all will of seen over the years . So my question is WHY NOT TRIALS !!! Not big enough To good To slow ??? indoor is a real show !!

I rode the Classic Experts poorly last week, had to get the spanners out about 10 miles from the start, kick the bike a bit. but had a great laugh. So why do I ride trials ?, for . Sorry Mark.....

Hi Im looking at a bike with knackered steering head bearings. I wondered how easy they are to replace beta 4t 300 2008 and why they would go in the first place, is it a sign of bad maintenance or a bike model defect?

I’ll keep this short and sweet. I ride a Beta Evo 200 (2020), have been riding trials around a year and am getting on pretty well I think, at least it’s all coming together and I’m falling off less than I was! Riding Sportsman routes with scores usually around the 20-40 points mark, sometimes better, sometimes worse depending on the venue. At my regular Thursday morning practice I had a go on a new Gas Gas 250 and immediately obstacles/logs on flat and slopes were crossed more smoothly/less jerkily and, weirdly, a tight camber turn on a slope I’ve been struggling with was easier, did it second go! The Beta is less powerful, lighter and has a tighter turn. Y…