breagh

We're certainly spoiled here in Scotland but I would swap you the weather. I really wish I could give you some decent advice but I really don;t know what to say. As there's no Trials scene out there would a specialsed trials bike be needed could a Trail/Enduro style bike be adapted for basic trials use? I really don't know. As for your limited choice I would plump for the Sherco only because they're a bit more basic than the Gas Gas so easier to repair but that's just an opinion. As for riding my only advice is take it slowly and learn the basics. Hope it works out for you. Cheers the noo.

I beg to differ It's quite the opposite in my house.

Makes sense to have it in what most would consider the heartland to motorcycle Trials. Certainly best place to get a good attendance and a great atmosphere.. Might even get a passport and head down,

On a slightly wider note Trials has far too many classes which combined with multi route trials makes the whole scene a guddle. I know the ACU work hard to please everyone but it's impossible. Anyway I'm away to enter the over 53, clapped out air cooled mono , must live in Fife and have a dog called Breagh class in Sundays Trial. Just have to decide what route to ride now..

Hi Scorpa and welcome. Not many of these bikes around the Trials scene these day's. I've owned a 163 since late 06 and it's been the best made bike I've ever had and I've had dozens. It's totally stock and probably runs better than the first day I got it. It's done 100s of Trials and is my default bike for setting out events so it's had some stick. I've ridden ones that have been tweaked with lightened flywheels carb mods and different exhausts and they all ran worse than mine so I would say leave it stock if it runs ok,don't try to make it into something it isn't. Mine doesn't get much just the odd oil change and tape up the airbox where it joins the mudgurd to keep the mud out . Great bikes everybody should have one. Have fun.

I know I'm down for an Ossa 300 but mostly I ride a Scorpa 163. This is basically a trials bike with an old generator engine. Fantastic fun and you can actually open the throttle unlike on the 300 where you ponce about in high gears just of the tickover. Most trials about here are won by kids on 125s or worse on 80s but riders are not swayed by this fact and aspire to the big motors.

Hi laud, if I mind right years ago the clutch slave cyl got jammed in on my lads SY . Seemed odd at the time and the bike had no drive. Think it was something to do with the washer that holds the plunger in. Check this out before you start stripping things down but it sounds like your problem funny feeling it's caused by the poorly designed clutch arm. Cheers the noo.

I'm thinking that even if a 4rt did weigh about 65 kilos it would still feel much heavier than a similar 2 stroke. Nothing personal but didn't they try to ruin the the European trials industry by trying to get us all on 4 strokes a few years ago. Anyway I'll stick to the Ossa which I'll probably have to put in the wheelie bin shortly but it least it doesn't feel like I'm taking my gran on a date every time I go to a trial.

He was going well on the Vertigo ,sure Martin Lampkin said "never change a winning bike" though I don't know if he followed his own advice.

My feeling is most front wheel punctures are caused by high speed impacts between sections. Can't mind the last one I've had and most would say I've been around too long. Maybe I run a bit harder than most at 6 psi? anyway you can still ride with a front wheel puncture so no worries.

Don't think many trials riders are fooled by this I think most buy new bikes to keep maintainence down to a minimum.Frankly I couldn't tell the difference between any Evo beta and much the same goes for Gas Gas and Montesa.

I've already said you can't run a trial to please all abilities. It seems obvious to me that club trials should be there to bring riders into the sport and a bit of fun for the rest of the entry National/Centre trials should cater for experienced riders. Up here the 3 AMCA clubs really only run a beginners route with a few extra gates for the more experienced .Never really had a poor entry and always new folk at every event. Dead easy to run . You get a bit of stick though because as riders get better they want the trials stiffened up as they don't really get what it's all about.You've got to let them go,

Things aside I imagine Trials must be the biggest participant motorsport in the UK. I know no ones heard of it but there's a few thousand of us out and about every weekend.. I've said many a time there's plenty trials riders out there they just haven't heard about trials yet.

While I agree with most of your points I feel too many routes is not the answer. You've got to ask who are you running the trial for and if you're answer is everyone it wont work. You try to please everyone and it just turns out a compromise. We run trials for beginners and casual riders and basically ignore the more advanced types I really don't believe club trials should be used as a training ground for experienced riders . Trial really consists of only one easy route with a maximum of 3 extra gates for the more experienced. This way the new folk don't get intimidated. So my point really is don't try to run a trial for all abilities. As for getting new folk in .running entry level trials concentrating on the fun element seems to work

I feel riding Trials is so time consuming and people are just so busy these days it's hard to fit events in. If you ride on Sunday it's the whole day plus a few hours later in the week giving the bike a going over and washing the gear.. That's if you don't have kids if so add another couple of hours for each of them. As we're all aware the old 8 till 5 shift is a thing of the past work spills out over the weekend and nights now. I know at our club the guys you can rely on are the 40 plus brigade the ones that are free from heavy parental responsibilities, young folk with kids are a rarity they just can't fit a trial in. There's plenty riders around but a lot can't get out but I do think modern trials with multi routes and more classes than you can shake a stick it are how can I put it crap.

Osets are an area of Trials that I'm pretty ignorant to be honest. Richard Younie and Alan Drysdale are the 2 lads I know as keen Oset supporters. You'll get Alan at Drysdale motorcycles in Perth. The Oset trials often run alongside regular trials on a separate course so check the SACU site. As for our Lothian/Wobblers/Montrose AMCA events we've never really had enough interest to run an Oset route though I have tried. Still I would encorage any Oset riders to come along for a play. Pesonally 4 is quite young and trials is hard even or an adult to get there head round my wee boy (nearly 8) just plays on his at the trial he could probably get round but it would take the fun out of it.

Double standards old bean, go into any local woodland on a slope and you'll find it's some sort of improvised downhill MTB track. You put one wheelmark down and you're for the Tower even though moving tons of earth cutting trees and breaking up walls seems to be tolerated if you've a set of pedals. All this "digging" is usually accompanied by a wide range of litter just to top the whole thing off. Like yourself I like the old MTBs too but haven't fitted the optional shovel /axe carrier.

I don't know most us Scots up here are on a disability benefit of some kind so this could be a goer. Mind you as we're all all about clinically obese I think run time could be further ruduced hardly make it to the local chippy on the old EM.

Hi Cabby I don't think there's a problem as I don't think any electric bike would finish a decent wobblers trial on the one battery. Be fantastic for the first hour and a real workout for the next 4 pushing it off the hill.. Give the hill walkers a good laugh.

Tip I would give is regardless of the bike have it well set up. Controls', tyre pressures suspension carb etc just get it spot on. I ride loads of different bikes thers always give aways on most beginners bike like a loose grip loads of play in the throttle tickover to high/low just basic stuff that an experienced rider wouldn't have. Happy hunting.

I'm not familiar with the Falkirk area but imagine there's a few places where a wee play on a Trials bike will go unnoticed. Personally I would be discreet as getting permission is tricky for a lot of reasons. Not like you need much ground a grassy bank would be enough to practice the basics. No doubt the locals will have places they go so keep an eye out. Disclaimer The author in no way condones illegal practicing on this forum.

Hello Gordon got a few riders in your area that would certainly offer a bit help transports a big ask though? Some are regular TC users so might get in touch. I would suggest go to a local trial to get the lowdown we've one on Sunday but there's plenty more if you check the SACU website. Maybe see you around.

I really don't know how trials riders think. Vertigo have won the SSDT 3 times on the trot and the only Vertigo in the top 50 this year was Lampkins also there was no Montesas in the top 50 though Bou's won everything. Round here there's loads of Scorpas because we have a great dealer thats the way I go support the local guy it pays in the long run. .

Looks the part too, could this be the thin end of the wedge for petrol bikes? .

For sure it's an Ossa swingarm most of the frame too and plastics.