theluckyone

Its obviously a special one off bike like Bou's. Quite remarkable! Note to self:- buy pink top and practice more.

If you've never been you must go, that applies to everyone. It is unique. If you've turned 50 you must go this year no excuses book it now. You must enter and hopefully you'll get a ride next year. I rode 6 times in my 20's and 30's on Fantics & Yamaha TY250 monos. I rode again in 2006 at the age of 47 on a 4RT and I struggled. I knew what to expect but the rocks just seemed bigger and more slippery. I finished all 7 times. Funny thing is I still think I've got one more SSDT in me ! Go on have a go, better to try and fail than to go to your grave wondering what if!

All my life I've tried to be a nobody but I even failed at that. Its easier to pull a piece of string along than it is to push it.

If I'm not mistaken the "Craig" of Craigs motorcycles cut his teeth on various off road bikes around Yorkshire whilst at the same time learning commerce from a very successful man, Mr Appleyard. I think you'll find the service "to customers who purchase bikes" from them will be as good as the two previous importers both of whom I dealt with and was happy to do so. I think I'm finally going to move up to a Repsol though. Why have milk when there's cream available? Hey Craig "Whens the test day?"

When I was younger during the summer I would sometimes ride 4 trials in a week, weds nite, thurs nite, sat & then sunday. I found the same problem, slackus dabbus. Its a concentration thing. My remedy was to compete a little less and practice concentration. Sammy Miller (my hero) in one of his books suggests that you haven't conquered a section until you've cleaned it 3 times in succession. So I would create a tricky section and ride it until I could do just that. Its amazing how many times the self inflicted pressure will get to you when going for that third in a row clean. Pro-Golfers use the 100 puts holed in a row routine (miss one and you're back at no.1) to practice the same discipline. Also are you dehydrating too much during a trial? This can affect concentration without realising it.

They are different to a two stroke. I have an 09 4RT and thought the new Gassers etc might be better so I bought a good used 280 Gasser. I sold the Gasser after about 9 months as I didn't feel it gave me any advantage except on trick riding stuff which I'm poor at anyway. I had kept the Mont and enjoy riding it even more now, as I know its still competitive. I tend to use bottom gear on nearly everything which allows you to roll the throttle off and on to maintain grip as opposed to the two stoke tactic of big gears drop the clutch in and out style. I always reckon that it took me 3 months to learn the new techniques and I had quite a few 5's learning. Rode a very muddy trial the other week, loadsa grip for a 4RT.

The mans right, if you want one, go and get one. Its better to regret something you've done rather than regret something you haven't done. You are unlikely to be dissappointed and any dealer in the land will px it for you if really don't get on with it. It took me 2 or 3 months to adapt my 2 stroke style to the 4RT so be ready to learn and enjoy the progress.

Welcome to the healthiest drug I know! I'm sort of the opposite to you, I've retired from trials 3 times and I bought my first road bike at 48 (a softail). I love my 4RT and I love my Harley. I can't see me ever not having both while health & finance allow. As they say... its all about the toys. Enjoy yourself, its later than you think. Ps I'm a rubbish spannerman but the local dealers are quite tame round here so somebodt else will give you nuts & bolts info.

If you buy a gasser nobody will say...."why did you buy a gasser?" If you buy a Sherco people might ask the question.... I don't think theres much to choose between them, its what suits you..try before you buy as they say. Good Luck

First of all welcome. Without knowing how old it is or how much its probably wrong to say I don't think it is a good starter bike. I would be looking at a 315 Montesa if I was starting out to own my first trials bike. Why? Because parts are available, they are reliable and still reasonably competitive, and if you want to get rid they're easy to move on . Also I think for my first bike I might not buy of ebay but scoot round as many dealers as I can to see what old stock they're keen to do a deal on. But whatever you do enjoy it, its the most fun you can have with your pants on.

I would say a 250 would be fine. After years of riding 250 trials bikes I had a season on a 125 in motocross. There is no comparison, the power delivery is so different to a trials bike. The best thing is not to get ahead of yourself too soon and make sure you ride the easy course at trials. If you buy a 125 I think you'll be looking to swap within 12 months.Good luck & enjoy.

I think you'll find it was already a five as he ceased forward motion when he stopped for a shiraz!!

I had a 2006 4RT loved it, traded in for a 2009 4RT loved that more! Its an easier ride than the 2006. I kept the 09 and bought a 280 Gasser as I thought I was missing out or maybe at a disadvantage. I,ve just sold the Gasser and I'm so glad I kept the Mont. I would buy another 4RT tommorrow if there was a new model. The only advantage the Gasser had was in tight dry sections where you need to hop about. We don't get that much dry weather here and it looks like hopping about is now just for rabbits. Save up and get an 09 onwards....

Welcome! I can recommend joining Horsforth, West Leeds and/or Yeadon Guiseley. Any of the these clubs will get you up and running. An easy way to be everyones new best friend is to observe at a few trials. This'll get you up to speed with whats needed. I use Swainey myself (sat am usually) as there is a bit of variety and you can make it as hard or as easy as you like when practising. Having said that Bumpy or Tong have a bit more open ground for your first few outings. I'm 53, I first rode at 12, I'm on my third comeback and have a plan to still be riding trials at 70! I love it.

Great riding, great vid, music ...yeah whatever mo fo but this wearing shorts on a trials bike is an absolute outrage! I'm sure you'd never see Martin Lampkin let himself go like that.

Remember its just a day out, don't be dissappointed if you don't finish first time, just regard it as the best practice and preparation you could have for next year. There is nothing like it, its fantastic. Also don't rush off after the trial, book a night in Richmond and go to the presentation its a good night out and a remarkable feat to produce the result so quickly. Ps Don't even think about riding the next day.

Hmmmm No stop.................good idea

Try spark plug check the gap

The story I heard was .....Fuji to ride preproduction model in the outdoors and Toni to stick with the standard..(well you know what I mean) 4RT to bag another title. Coincidence that Pidcocks are getting a bit livlier with their trials promotion? Is there any increase in dealer activity in Europe/Oz/States?

I bought some Wulf trials pants earlier this year, they are a generous fit if you buy the right size (ie next size up to what you think you are) and comfortable to wear and not too harsh on the wallet.

As a yorkshire man to an equally thrifty cousin I can't believe I'm saying this but.... stretch your purse wide open and spend

Having ridden The SSDT, The Scott and the Ilkley Grand National several times over the last 4 decades, (yeah I know an old git like me should know better)I can wholeheartedly recommend all three as fantastic experiences. IGN is run in March & you can do the clubman course which is same sections but only two laps. (I'll be riding so you won't come last). Try it before you get any older. Your life will be richer for the experience and you'll know if the other two are within your grasp.

I'd been thinking of fitting a case saver on the old bike ever since I got it but didn't get round to it until..you guessed it ..........chain snapped... trashed casing followed by a dent in me wallet. Swapped it onto the new bike and only last week chain popped off result no damage to bike or wallet. Good advice sir.