General Trials Talk

I got to thinking the other day, one of those rare occurrences, about the rear suspension. My question is this: If the shock is mounted direct to the swing arm (Scorpa, Beta) is the response faster? This is my line of logic: The links or dogbones need to move through its own pivot arc before compressing the shock resulting in "squish" of S amount. The direct mount begins "squish" immediately resulting in "squish" of S + a little more. Therefore the S + a little more will have more stored energy in less time. Or I am completely daft. (which is a real possibility)

I am new to the site and the sport and motorcycles in general . This being my first post in the general forum I would post some pics of my project. In October, I attended my first trials event and ended the day hooked on the sport and with a 1976 TY175 purchased from a fellow competitor in the parking area. After getting it home I noticed a few items that needed some attention so I began to dig in. As often happens with projects, a light freshening has turned into a full resto-mod. The work below has been completed with some help and inspiration from friends (thanks Jeff!). Below are some pics of my progress, hopefully you will find them interesting. If you would l…

Trying to put together some trials promo material (after talking about it for two seasons). Intent: exposure at a motorcycle show where Tommy A has done his demos. I want to address two common crowd comments: 1. That's neat but I could never do that. Focus will be on youth, beginner, and club level stuff to show what the sport is for the average human. 2. Thats neat, do they do that around here? Promo for the local club, schedules, contacts, etc. My intent is a short 10-20minute endless loop video, a couple permanent poster boards, and some single page handout/takeaway material. I took simple home video of Youth-beginner Nov club events. That can be edited by pe…

I ride in BC and spend time climbing logging roads even when I'm on a trials bike.... I've been told that 4 strokes are better at not overheating on long climbs, what kind of experiences do you guys have? I used to ride a GG280 and it would overheat after about 5 minutes in 5th, sometimes 1 minute! I really don't want a seat, I love trials bikes! Thanks in advance for any experience you guys can offer.

I'm fancying another bike, alongside the 4RT Can decide between Twinshock Yam or TLR or an Aircooled Mono Pinkie or RTL? I think the Mono may be more rewarding Prices seem all over the place though

Last Saturday I was due to take part in a local trial with the Waltham Chase club at a venue in the New Forest. I was to be riding my Beta 270 along with my lad on his TY80. On the morning of the trial, we decided to run the bikes up on my drive just to have a shake down and get my lad used to the bike again after not rideing for a while. My back brake seized and would not apply so a hurried hour spent trying to strip it and bleed it through proved fruitless so I dropped it off at Inchains in Ringwood for repair and I had resigned myself not to ride. When I was booking my lad on, I was offered a loan of a Sherco 250 as it's owner had a 'hangover from hell' and wouldn'…

All being well I'm gonna change my bike shortly and just want a quick heads up on what to avoid, currently got a Gasser and like it, mates got a Mont 315 and its nice but a little heavier so I kinda know what they're about (bullet proof?? lol) so any advice on what years or problems the following are prone to? Budgets probably around £1200 ish Beta Rev 3 - stators I know about - any years to sidestep? Sherco - don't know much about but they look nice!! Scorpa - Anything with the Yam engine is good as far as I know Gas Gas, early pro's were problems I think?? I'm a crap rider so the performance side of it doesn't bother me, I'll learn to adapt I'm sure, just don't wa…

Hi, i am after a thin Jacket for riding in, i was going to purchase a Hebo Windtex of ebay but someone else just got the last one!! Can anyone reccomend a simaler jacket to the Windtex, Cheers, Ben.

Thinking of getting some tickets for Sheffield on 7th January, yes I know its late but tickets are still available. I've never been before so don't know were the best seats that are still available are ! is there anywhere I should avoid ?

I have noticed on my Sherco 290 that even though it has a hydraulic clutch lever, the force required to operate it is similar to that of a cable system of old. Also, the bite point is only over a few degrees of lever movement and I find this unnecessarily difficult to control. I have looked at the design of the lever itself and feel this can be greatly improved upon. My question is does anyone know of a better hydraulic clutch lever that gives a wider degree of movement at the bite point and less force to operate? If not, I will design and produce one myself Thanks

So I've got an odd clutch problem. The bite point basically moves around, typically in, up to a point. After the clutch is let back out, the engagement point will gradually migrate its way back to where it was originally, as evidenced by the free play in the lever. Another way of saying this: set free play to ~2mm, pull the clutch in a bit, let it out, free play is now 6mm. Leave it alone for ~10 seconds and the free play is now back where it was originally set. I've put a master cylinder rebuild kit in it once already, and the problem seemed to improve, but it's now back to being as bad it was originally. I've got a new master cylinder coming. I don't see evidence t…

Hi, I'm a complete newbie here, so please treat with care I'm a bit of an oldie at 42 but have always fancied having a go at trialing although I have no prior experience of motorbike riding! Now that I have a little spare cash and a bit of time now that my girls are getting a bit bigger I've started thinking about getting a bike to have a bit of fun. I was thinking of spending about

Just reading there about the 290 sherco and a few stating it's not for a beginner, which makes me wonder, how do you define a beginner ? I've only been trial riding since April last year, done every trial near me since, I am still a beginner IMO, but a few of my mates have since started up, like just a couple weeks etc, I am, at this stage, miles better than them, but they are beginners, so how does one define a beginner ?? A month ? 6 months ? A year ?

Any one tried the new Domino's yet?

Just got back from Hawkstone, a fantastic day and result in all classes. Anyone know what fuel the HRC team use in the 4T? cus it's NOT neat petrol, you can smell some sort of additive.

With the lighter evenings now upon us, i wonder how often do people practise every week? We usualy go out between two and four times in the week, starting around 6.45pm and go home when its to dark to see. Some times in the summer we don't leave untill 10.20. If there isn't a trial we would do about 4 hrs on Sat & Sunday, our lads practise hard, we have catchers, and reqular trips to the hospital. We are lucky enough to have lots of lads with simular abilitys in our area, and this makes practise so much more interesting Sam Conner told us the top boys do about 2hr per day.

Hey all. Yep, as title, on Sunday I broke my Trials virginity and took part in my local club trial. I have had the bike for about 10 months but being from MX only used it a few times. So, with the season now finished and with my arm being twisted by a pal who rides trials I entered. And..........what a mega day!! Such a varied range of different people and bikes who are all up for the craic. Loved every minute of it. So much so, I have entered one this coming Sunday. Bit by the bug SEVERELY!! Haha.

hi there i rode in a trial last weekend ( Macclesfield club) ,they got a good entry of 140 so with no starting order the queues were big ,so big i had to take a photo of this one , thankfully it was on the last section by the way its not a gripe ,i had a great day and a good crack

I have been using an NZI Carbon fibre helmet for several years now. The bugger has developed a nasty odor that seems to be fermenting like a fine aged cheese. I have used Helmet deodorants and occasionallly wash it out but the smell comes right back. I would like to find a replacement liner for it if possible. Anyone have any experience with finding a liner to fit the NZI? I know there are several trials helmets that come with removable liners but no one seems to know if you can buy an extra liner. I may choose to buy a new helmet with a removable liner, but only if I can get spare liners for it. Any advise, ideas etc.....is welcome. Ride slow.....take chances.

Hello TC people can you help? I've done a search and I can't find the dimensions I need ? I canna seat my rear tyre back on the rim using the ratchet tie down method --that used to do the trick--( lost the ''touch''). What size is the bicycle inner tube that I could use instead ?? I know Steve Saunders gives the dimensions in his video but,typically, I can't find that either!! I'm off to search my video collection again.....Cheers ..Wayne