scorpa3

I wish!

They say it's a 2000 model, I wonder if they've just made it up to look like a 2006 with some of the tattiest junk they could find in the skip?

Spotted this on ebygum, could this possible be the most abused trials bike you have ever seen? Click here, be ready to cry!

Exactly the pooint I was trying to make, the second time mine packed in I thought enough was enough and part ex'd it against a Scorpa the very next day. I was speaking to a very well known Beta rider last year and he said that the problem was 99% cured on 2006 bikes onwards, however he still carries a spare one with him in the van to every event. Apparently.... The best cure is to change the whole ignition system for a non Beta part, these are available from any good dealer. But obviously not cheap and not a brilliant thing to have to do if you have a new bike.

I'd had Beta's for years too. The 2004 model was my first Rev3 after years of Technos which never once let me down. The Rev3 did... twice and although it didn't cost me apenny, as I said Lampkins were brilliant, I did loose faith in it. It's a horrible feeling when you drive to a trial, sign on, fill it up with fuel and...... nothing. When I asked around, every other person who owned a Rev3 had also lost a stator. It certainly isn't a fluke failure on Beta's between 2003 and 2005.

Same here on my new '04 Beta. Lampkins were brilliant, but TWO stator failures in five trials finished it for me. You're unlucky to get one go, and really unlucky to get another go. But it happens.

Ah haa a good excuse for a new local government department...... I can just see it now; Local Over Manned Motorcycle Off Road Facilities and Control dept. Civil Servant staff required- Head of Dept. Pa to Head of Dept Deputy head of Dept Head of Parking + five members of staff Head of Works+ Deputy head of Works + five tradespersons + three labourers + two Drivers + two Storepersons + one Forklift truck driver Head of Finance + Assistant Financial Officer Public Relations Officer Web Site Development Officer Police Liaison Officer Community Liaison Officer Race Relations Officer Health & Safety/Coshh representative Head of Admin + three members of staff to look after the whole lot listed above. Sorry to make light of a good idea, but this is just what would happen if you asked the local council to put in a bit of parking and charge riders for the chance to ride. Nothings ever that simple when you are dealing with these people. I work in a company just like this.

Do you have a link for that picture?

To be totally honest, any of the new 250 trials bikes are very impressive. Go for the one you fancy most. The biggest dilema facing potential riders at the moment is whether to go two stroke or four stroke.

There were a couple at the Midland Centre Group trial on Sunday. Both riders think the Rev4 is very good, one inparticular was saying that it was the most forgiving bike he had ever owned and gave him lots of confidence. He said that it just finds grip where no other bike can (for him) and Sundays trial was very wet and muddy. Only time will tell, but you don't hear many bad things about it so far.

Thanks Andy, that looks very good to me.

I don't think I can add anything else to this discussion, I'm certainly not a corporate law expert. It's possible that some of what I've said isn't 100% correct, I'm sure my opinion doesn't represent 100% of the facts. But in the case of our club, we have looked very seriously into becoming a ltd company. We run a number of very good trials at club, centre and National level. We have a monthly social gathering, a road bike run and two or three of Wrighty's guest speaker evenings- every year. The club has almost 100 members and has some money in the current account. I guess we are a typical trials club, so our research (probably) would apply to many clubs. Following the tragic injury of a compettitor in one of our National trials (who sadly died sometime later after complications in hospital) the ACU sent out one of their top solicitors to find the facts and prepare a case on our (the clubs) behalf, should the need arise. After collecting all of the facts, I was Clerk of the Course and route planner for the event, the Solicitor informed us that we had done everything correctly as a club and that it was likely that there would be no case to answer... it was a sad accident. At the end of the meeting with the committee, the Solicitor mentioned that it might be worth considering becoming a ltd company as it adds an extra level of protection for the club. So we started looking into the pros and cons of doing this. After a great deal of research, we couldn't see any real benefit for us, so we went back to the Solicitor and asked him to explain in more detail. Now that we had completed some research we were in a better position to ask the right questions and understood the answers better and basically in a nut shell it turned out that...... if an event; any event organised by the club, not just a compettition, has a permit issued by the ACU then we are covered by their very good insurance. If something goes wrong and a case is bought against the club, the insurers will fight it and pay up if they loose- there will be no cost to the members; the reason we looked into this in the first place. Someone else will have to talk aout the implications of corporate law as I don't know how this is effected by becoming a ltd company. As Ian says, it might make thngs worse. I don't know. Thanks for sticking with me on this. I'm off to ride in the Midland Centre Group trial now, cheerio. Pete Barnett Stratford-Upon-Avon MC&LCC

For those who were lucky enough to buy a Rev4, what was the cost?

You're talking about insurance pay out which is different to legal duties. for example, if a rider rode in a trial that was organised by the Ltd company, and the rider was killed by riding over a ledge that wasn't properly marked. The HSE would attend and the company could be found negligent. If this was the case then the Directors would be responsible and possibly one or more of its 'employees'. If that happened to me at my company and I was found negligent, I could end up in prison so I don't see why it would be any different for a club who was Limited. I agree, being a ltd company, a licenced offical or anything alse won't protect you if you break the law. But the main reason for clubs looking into becoming a ltd company is to protect the membership from the possible risk of being sued for damages due to negligence whilst running an event. We have consulted the ACU's solicitor on this point and he agrees that it is highly unlikely that a club membership would ever be required to pay for a claim because the ACU's insurance is very good and very comprehensive. Other governing bodies may/may not provide the same level of cover, so I can't comment on clubs/events from outside the ACU.

Yes, ultimately being a ltd company does provide extra protection for the club membership. However, if all of the clubs events are authorised by the governing body (In our case the ACU) and run accordingly, even if a club member is negligent, then the insurance will pay out. That's what insurance is for. Now, an example of where this would not apply is if the club organises an event or meeting outside of the jurasdiction of the governing body. For example a road bike run for its members. If a social permit is not arranged and no independant insurance is arranged, then IF a club member is found to be negligent and an injury or loss occurs, then the club would be liable and the damages would be spilt between all of the club members. We have looked very carefully into this and have decided that the best way to protect ourselves is to make sure we are fully insured at all of our events. The ACU's insurance is excellent and this will more than suffice. Why pay for something youreally do not need?

Nice one Just...... do you have a crystal ball?

Here's a picture of one with a trials front mudguard fitted.

Here's a picture of the 2007 model....... droool! Click here

It's on right now!

I don't know about painting the rims but I changed the rims on my Gas Gas for black heavy duty ones in a few years ago and was really pleased. The comnpany who carried out the work were Central Wheel components at Coleshill near Birmingham. They also fitted thicker stainless steel spokes which were nice.

I came from the 'Steve Saunders' era of trials riding, it was Steve who made me want to give trials a go. I'm sure there are others of a slightly older generation that would say the same thing about 'Sammy Miller' and others. But I would make a bet that 'Dougie Lampkin' has motivated more people to take up the sport than any other UK rider ever.

Thanks again Andy, that makes sense I suppose. I'll try to stop asking daft questions now. It'll become obvious when more people start to post their blogs. I was thinking about writing an online review of our experience in Spain trail riding and the new facility seem to be perfect for the job.... once I get used to the mechanics of the process. Cheers

If anyone would like to see the individual section scores, they can be found at click here