scorpa3

No doubt about it. In addition to my modern trials bike, I have a 1974 Cota 247 trials bike. The stuff we ride on these vintage bikes is WAY beyond the ability of a modern "trail" bike. The steering lock on a trail bike results in a turning radius that can't begin to compete with a vintage trials bike, not to mention the engine performance, low speed tractability, etc. I agree with you there, but don't forget that Gas Gas Pampera's actually have the TXT trials bike engine; they ride just like a large, top heavy trials bike. Which is the point I was trying to make- some trail bikes are much better suited to trials than others.

No, please don't get me wrong, I don't know the exact details of the case but that's not really the issue I was questioning. I was just wondering how I would feel if I ended up being fined for an event that I'd been an official at, when I was there as an unpaid volunteer.

Just picking up on the story about the Skelder Bank round of the Maxxis British MX Champs, where a number of officials made an error of judgement concerning a protest and were later suspended and fined (plus costs) for their error. I appreciate that we all agree to abide by the rules of the ACU and the National Sporting code lays out a structure of penalties including fines, so we can't complain if we make a mistake and end up getting fined..... But, is it a bit harsh to fine people who are unpaid volunteers?

Crikey, was that what the post really meant?

And even a Pampera is harder to ride than a proper trials bike...... sometimes depends who's riding it.There's plenty of enduro guys who could nail that no worries. Ha ha, I'm sure that you're right... especially the enduro guys who were half decent trials riders. The climb you see wasn't too hard, but to put it in context; the riders approached it from a full lock down hill turn. And I mean FULL lock. How often do you see enduros with turns that you have to do on full lock and remember... the idea of trials is to keep you feet up, not just crash on as fast as you can for hours. This section took a lot of marks, even from twin shock trials bikes. With some good riders having fives. And anyone who got up 'clean' on a trail bike was doing well. Yep.... lots of enduro riders would have made that look easy.

And even a Pampera is harder to ride than a proper trials bike...... sometimes

Believe it or not, finding the money (within reason) is the easy part. Finding the land is the tough bit. I've been looking in my area for ten years with no luck. One day some will come along.... I hope.

Apparently all you have to do it look at the front wheel and hop... like this

No seriously, it depends on how competitive you wish to be in a trail bike trial. Something like a Pampera will ride the section like a trials bike and give you an easy clean, where as something like an XR400 won't even get to the hard part of the section. The pictures below were taken in the Barrett LDT in 2004 and are of similar ability riders in the same section on very different machines. The Pamera The XR400 It's a typical case of horses-for-courses.

People do enter trials on BMW's, but it depends on how competitive you want to be.

I have a feeling they will both be 66mm dia but it is likely that the IT will have a different dia gudgeon pin. The It will also be tuned different to the TY. Does the cyl fit on the TY studs ok? If so, it would be worth a try just to see if it all fitted. Let us know how you get on.

The beauty of a DRZ compared to an XR is that it's electric start. That's the reason I went of the Suzuki. The Alp would be fine for a 6ft+ rider in LDT's as you spend a lot of time standing up like a trials bike. It would feel a bit more cramped in an enduro where you sit down a lot more. I guess the thing to do is have a sit on one and see how it feels.

Which do you think you will do the most? LDT's or enduros? The Beta Alp is one of the most competitive machines for LDT's along with Pampera's and Serrows. It's not so good at enduro's. On the other hand; Honda XR's and Suzuki DRZ's are good clubmen mounts for enduros, but not competitive in LDT's. I ride my DRZ400 in LDT's ok, but it's a bit of a handful in the tighter stuff.

Welcome

The Stratford-Upon-Avon Club run a round of the trail bike championship which is on 23rd September. This is knwon as the OK Supreme LDT and is open to any solo motorcycle which is road registered. It is excellent value for money as you are typically on the machines for four to five hours. The trial is aimed at machines such as Gas Gas Pamperas, Beta Alps and Yamaha Serrows, however many riders enter each year on Enduro bikes such as Honda XR400's. I usually ride my DRZ 400 Suzuki and only loose about a dozen or so marks. The OK Supreme starts at Blackwell Village HAll near Shipston-on-Stour and follows a 75 mile route around the Cotswold Hills which is navigated by use of a written road book and includes small roads, trails and quite a lot of private land normally unavailable to bikes. The competitive part of the event consists of 25 to 30 observed sections on route, most of which are ridden without inspection (So are suitably marked out being wide and straight forward.) I hope this helps to answer your question. Pete

I've had a couple of 315's and both broke rear spokes at some point. They are two piece, so are easy to change, but it is worth having a look. I often used to ride whole trials using 1st gear in every section. (Although it must be said, they were easy trials!) Kept second for big climbs and third for mountains.

Thanks for sharing this with us Addict, bad news but possibly a wise precaution. I have emailed all of my contacts to pass the word around. Pete Stratford-Upon-Avon MC&LCC

Now all is clear. You retired in 1971

Results. Experts J.Cowley 12 M.Hicken 15 A.Paxton 21 M.James 27 L.O'Reilly 30 Clubmen S.Baugh 9 C.Charleton 11 C.Pearson 11 P.Dearden 13 P.Barnett 13 Team Result. Stratford 1039 Dudley 1022 Bewdley 649 Kings Norton 185 Evesham 131 Leamington Victory 125 Championship Standings. Stratford 5089 Dudley 5059 Bewdley 3929 Leamington Victory 3722 Staff Moorland 1139 Kings Norton 1129 Evesham 829

I've got all my bikes insured with Norwich union, but the policy excludes use for trials competitions (and circuit racing???) It's worth checking for this exclusion beofre taking out the insurance if you only want to insure your bike to use in road events. Remember, all ACU clubs offer third party on the day Insurance for their road events. Clean(ish) licence and over 21 works out at

We haven't considered the WTC method yet. (remember the video earlier in the year?) Get to the hard part of the section, go straight on, around the back, up the footpath, through the car park, upto the top of the hill, then just squeeze inside the marker at the top. No need to do the turn at all

Ohh no, maybe it's another 42 feet of flooding here in the Mildands

Sorry Jza.

I have to admit I've been sniggering all day today at your description of the drop off in section one. "Big old gay dab" indeed

Nice one Ralph. I knew someone with some talent would be along to clarify the issue in the end.