Trials Training And Technique

Is it just me (rubbish older novice) or is grip reduced by cold weather on a trials bike? I was out yesterday and on admittedly, very soft ground I could barely move forwards, never mind anything resembling a tight turn without the front washing out, even on level ground. 4 psi front and 3.5 psi rear. Michelins.. The bike is a 2016 250 Beta Evo 2T so I can't blame the bike at all. I'm finding it very frustrating, any confidence I had is literally slipping away. Also, long steep slippery descents, what gear do you guys use? I'm using first going down, clutch engaged and as much front and rear brake as I feel comfortable with... Feel like I'm banging my head…

Found a local car park where I can practice during this virus lock-down. There's a flood drain opening built in to the side of the bank just off the tarmac, the wall of which is about ~2' 6" - ish or so. Not done drop-offs from that height so here we go... Did 4 or 5 and finally landed both wheels together. Not sure why that put more force through the pegs but because I was standing too far back it jerked the front of my foot sharply upwards and I've effectively sprained my right ankle, not too bad hopefully . Left was OK thankfully. I should have learnt from watching Guy Martin's Great Escape, where he did the same, landing after a jump. Have now realised…

What is the best trainging dvd to buy for beginers?

I've the basic full lock turn technique on hard grippy surface down, but on a slippery surface like hard pack dirt covered with loose dirt I keep getting into trouble with the front wheel pushing, sliding on the dirt, enlarging the turn. So I am wondering what's the best technique: keep the bike as straight as possible and lean it in the turn as far as possible? Or anywhere in between. Weight inside / outside peg? Inside / outside bar end? Weight or un-weight the front wheel? Anything else? Thanks. DC

Hey guys, I get a lot of different advice from different people at the trials clubs I go to. Watching people at trials I've noticed ways of riding vary a lot. Just curious, how do you guys generally ride a trial? I know a lot depends on conditions, but some guys only really use 1st gear, some experts I've watched are going round on a 300 in 3rd slipping the clutch. Some guys use no clutch at all, others use it for everything. Some people squat and hang off the bike, some people have a more neutral position. There are fast guys, and slow riders too. I'm too early on yet to have developed a way of riding, but I think I need to practice in 1st gear more, really try to get…

Thought I would share this 'top tip' with my Trials brethren which has been helping me recently. If I find my concentration going towards the end of a practice session, I'll start 'self-minding', ie talking out loud to myself about what I should be doing as I'm doing it. Curiously I find it most effective when I adopt a thick Yorkshire accent, specifically that of Martin Lampkin. "Come on Dougie! PerFECT! You've got about two inch. ForWARD!" Etc. it also helps that I practice alone so no one can hear me. Give it a try!

When a rider needs to front or rear wheel hop, is there any time that a bunny hop is a better option? Meaning you're hopping the whole bike toward a more advantageous spot vs just front or rear wheel moving?

I guess this isn't really a Montesa question in general. I have a 06' Montesa 4RT, I am a beginner, started to do figure 8, using two flags, as I get better will move them closer, my question is this, where the bike idles high, I have my index finger on clutch and front brake, as I go through my process, all I have been doing is using the clutch and front break a tad, NOT USING THROTTLE, is this correct? Or should I be using throttle? Thanks Philip

Just started to get the movement of hopping the front end. I use my knees, rear brake, bend forward, compress the forks and straighten knees on the rebound while slightly pulling one side of the handle bars up. This works fairly well, the frnt gets to move, but not very high. I was told to use the front brake before compressing the forks....I have tried this and it messes me all up...is this the correct technique I should be trying to do or just keep with what works for me...kind of new here, so I want to be on the right path. Thanks Tman427 Sherco 2.5

I've just purchased a very decent condition Gas Gas Contact JTR160 trials bike to try and learn the sport on. I've made some feeble attempts to learn with my Honda TRL200 but find the 4-stroke with the engine braking throws me off. I do not have that issue now with this 2 stroke. I've been a checker at a local event for the last five years so I understand the concept of trials. Watched tons of YouTube videos, too. My question is, how to begin from scratch? If you were just starting out, all over again, what would be your plan of attack and how would begin to practice? Thanks.

I rode to the edge of my property to do some trial riding to break up the monotony of practicing in my back yard and came across a couple of logs at a steep angle to the trail. There isn't enough room on the trail to hit them perpendicular. How do you cross them without kicking the rear end out from under you or stepping down to pivot turn over them?

I had a weird experience today. I had to go down a very steep grade about 4/5m tall with a short run out and got a severe calf cramp trying to stay on the rear brake. I wonder how far above the peg is considered ideal? I may need to lower my pegs as my brake pedal can't go up any more. Thank you.

I might regret asking this but..... I was watching a you tube vid the other day of some guys green laning and they were really struggling with a long hill climb, ground was dry but steep and heavily rutted, tree roots etc and while they were struggling it looked like something I would climb up on the trials bike easily (and I'm crap as!!) This led me to wondering why its so hard on a trail bike/enduro, the tyres are as good if not better (wet grass, mud use etc) so is it the additional weight, the gearing not being as low as on a trials bike or is it the frame geometry and physical size that prevents you trickling up finding the grip? I've done a little bit of greenlan…

Any tips for when you're riding and feeling like you're not progressing? Last few times out I feel like hell on wheels- not the good kind.

Is anyone offering training suitable for beginners in the north east? I asked at Warden Law and they said someone used to do lessons there but they haven't seen them for ages. I'm just looking to speed up my progress since I've missed the summer with bike faults. I've got about 6 hours experience on a trials bike so I'm a total novice. (I'll hopefully get a few more hours tomorrow at Warden Law, if I'm not too stiff after Fridays fall - I hesitated twice, on and off the throttle when I realised I had no idea what was over a hill I was half way up, flipped it and didn't land too well.)

Hi all, I know alot of these types of problems have been discussed but not seen any about this particular issue. Been riding for a few years and just getting back into it after a bit of a break. As long as i can remember i have always struggled with pain/cramps in my clutch hand after a couple of laps of sections. Hand obviously just gets tired and then becomes really weak usually meaning i struggle to pull the clutch in! Gets sore around my wrist and just feels like theres no strength in the hand at all. Any ideas what the problem is ? Or a solution? Other than manning up... Cheers

hi,does anyone know if there is "trials holiday" i can go to?.thats everything[bike/accom/land etc].do remember reading something in t&mx news many years ago!.i work abroad a lot of the time,so would like to fill in some time whilst back.thanks for any help-billi

I'm on the look out for a DVD containing a few pointers on what I should be doing when riding. I've tracked down a few useful websites but I'm after something with a bit more content & tips to help me improve. I've been riding about a year, so I'm trying to make the step up from beginner. I've seen the Ryan Young DVD advertised; but at

Like most young riders, My skills lie in flying up big rocks, hopping about and taking on stuff that generally requires more gonads than skill. However Fun this might be, I really need to improve on the basic stuff like finding grip. Does anyone have any tips (no matter how basic) for making the bike grip better in slippery conditions? All the best Tom

I believe that Jeremy Magrath (7 time Supercross champion) eats lots of protein, when he can. I've seen Marc Colomer (3 world titles, counting indoors) being fed pasta in a section, by his minder. I believe pro body builders (not sure how relevant their program is to trials success, though) eat protein, protein and one more thing (...oh yea, now I remember: protein!) :-) One poster here said a good BALANCE (good word for trials anyway) between carbs and proteins helped him. I'm about a 40/36/24 ratio of carbs/proteins/oils in my diet. Your suggestions? What's the diet of a pro rider?