My wife brought up an issue regarding getting into the sport. , I live "in town" - well, village, but you know what I mean. Its an "urban" area, we have a back yard/driveway (pic below) that's @ 20 by 20 yards square, with some woods (not mine) adjacent - so not a lot of space to practice my trials riding skills! I've got a few cut logs up in the woods I can use, but that's about it. Suggestions?
Get the Bike From Mike , Take a couple of his riding classes , and then enter some events ... He can set you up to try trials relativity inexpensively , and you have FUN !! Then if the trials bug bites you hard and you get infected , Buy a newer bike and keep the Fantic for your buddies to try trials on !
Glenn
My wife brought up a couple of issues regarding getting into the sport. #1, Hauling the bike - if I do get a bike from Mike, I'll somehow have to cram it into the back of my Subaru Forester wagon! and
#2, I live "in town" - well, village, but you know what I mean. Its an "urban" area, we have a back yard/driveway (pic below) that's @ 20 by 20 yards square, with some woods (not mine) adjacent - so not a lot of space to practice my trials riding skills!
Looks like a Tryalsshop bike, mike Komer is well respected and knowledgeable so I would have no issue buying from him. I think he also carries fanatic spares
You're right on . The bike is at Mike's shop and he reccommended it to me. Going down to check it out in a few days.Seems like he has an excellent rep in the trials community as you're the second person to have positive things to say about him in this forum.
Seems the concesus is this Beta model is a bit much for a rookie like me. The shop owner seems to agree - Mike said I should try out this 1990 Fantic 250 -
I don't know anything about the bike, but Mike is a good guy, very knowledgeable and honest; I would trust his opinion. It's certainly worth a trip to his shop to try out that bike, and maybe one of the newer ones for comparison.
Thanks for the tip on Mike. I plan to get down to his shop this week.
I'm new to trials and am looking for a "starter" bike. A dealer who specializes in Trials bikes has a 1990 Fantic 250. Price is @ $1500US. He backs all his used bikes and rates this one as "7.75 Mechanical". I'm inclined to purchase from a dealer - especially a one specializing in trials bikes - rather than from an individual. How does this model stack up as a decent starter bike? What about parts availability? Any "issues" to watch for? The dealer thought that given my budget, size (big), and trials experience (zero!), he thought this bike would be a good one to choose. Comments?
I'm new to trials and am looking for a "starter" bike. A dealer who specializes in Trials bikes has a 1991 Beta Zero 260. Price is @ $1800US. He backs all his used bikes and rates this one as "8.5 Mechanical". I'm inclined to purchase from a dealer - especially a one specializing in trials bikes - rather than from an individual. How does this model stack up as a bike to start out on?
I'm completely new to trials and I'm looking for my 1st bike. As a fairly big guy - 250lbs, 6'1" - I'm thinking I would need a larger bike. However a friend of mine said that as a novice, I'd find a small bike much easier to ride and handle and suggested that I start with something like a 125. Is this crazy or is my buddy right? Would a good 125 really be able to haul me thru a section? Or should I shoot for something like a 250 - 300?
I'm new to trials and as with learning any new endevor, a good basic book always helps. Any recommendations on a book that shows trials tecniques and set ups for a beginner??
I'm going to check out a 2002 Beta. It'll be my 1st trials bike if I decide to buy. However, right now, my only means of transporting the Beta is in the back of a Subaru - either my Outback or Forester. Will the Beta fit??? How about if I remove the front forks and rear wheel - as suggested by "bambam_n_chunx"? Yeah, I know a trailer or carrier would be the deal, but this is what I have to work with NOW....so?
Current owner reports the following in answer to questions I put to him, based on Chuckindenver's suggestions:
"Oil is Elf, It's what is recommended,
I believe manual says to change the oil after 10 hours. I've only put about 3 on the bike since it was serviced. No change done yet. Ditto on the air filter.
Clutch works much better after warm up. I still don't like the clutch, but that is mainly due to this being the first bike I've had with a hydraulic clutch. Just never developed a feel for it. (Got the same problem with the rear brake, for much the same reason.)
Rear tire goes slack over time, but more like a week than overnight.
Wheel bearings, fork seals, swingarm bearings etc. were gone over by Jacks Cycle ( of South Berwick Maine, specializes in trials) after I picked up the bike. Stu replaced one lower fork leg with a spare that had come with the bike, the replaced unit had had a crack welded in the axle area. Also de-goobered the rear brake. All looks fine by me.
The bike original petcock failed, the previous owner simply added a second one inline to the first and left the old one on. Stu asked if I wanted it fixed, but agreed with me the current system works fine as it is, so we left well enough alone. Tires are worn, but not worn out in my opinion. You HAVE to shut the gas off when the bike is parked, or there is a good chance the gas will leak past the float valve."
That's about it. Seems that the bike has recieved pretty good care. He sent me a short video of the bike - started on 2nd kick and sounds good.
Question : How much does this bike weigh? If I get it, I'm going to have to haul it home in the back of my Subaru wagon! Will it fit? How about removing the front wheel? Rear wheel? Got to get a trailer hitch quick! But first get the Beta
never had a stator issue, but know of those who did..ask these questions..
what type of oil was used in the crank case?
how often was it changed?
how often did they clean the air filter.?
avoid the Revs that were run with ATF,..lots of guys swear by it,..but it swells the clutch and makes it sticky..
Auto Trac was the oil to use...not ATF..
MTL or Elf is great stuff. ride the bike.,. and use the clutch..might be sticky at first, but should work good after warm up,
if it sticks and snatches..it may need some clutch work.
check the wheels...ask is the tires go flat over nite.. getting them to seal on the rim seal is a pain..
wheel bearings...fork seals///
ask about all those and when and how they were maintained...
lack of maint, is the biggest killer of any used trials bike.. check the tail section , look at the bike from the rear, make sure the tail isnt bent to sunday...new plastics can make a crusty turd look like a sweet ride...
I'm going to check out a 2002 Beta. It'll be my 1st trials bike if I decide to buy. However, right now, my only means of transporting the Beta is in the back of a Subaru - either my Outback or Forester. Will the Beta fit??? Anyone tried this?
I'm new to trials and am looking to find a good starter bike. Came across a 2001 (or maybe it's a 2002?) Beta 270. The fellow selling sent a short video showing him starting it on 2nd kick from cold after bike had been sitting since mid-June (this according to owner). However, as soon as he let out the clutch, engine stalled. Owner made the comment that "the clutch REALLY needs to warm up before it releases well. I will never like a Beta clutch, "they all do that"" ". I gather that the mods described in this "Beta Clutch Fix" Thread is exactly what this bike need, yes? So, is this Beta a good starter bike, even with the "sticky clutch"?
Here's a pic of the Beta and a link to the short video (hope I'm not overstepping the bounds here posting a link - ED can delete if I am). Cheers,
Looking to get into trials at the very bottom. Tried it back in the 60's when I was in college, entered a local club event on my '66 Ducati Scrambler strret bike. Did terrible of course, but had fun. Now I'm the one who's "in the 60's" and ready to get muddy again. So, looking at a 2001 (or maybe it's a 2002?) Beta 270 to start out with. Cheers,
I'm looking into getting into trials and wondered if a 2001 Beta Rev 3 would be a good bike to start on. Are there any "issues" with this year/model? What should I be aware of when I check out this bike? I'm new, so all of this is still a mystery!
. The bike is at Mike's shop and he reccommended it to me. Going down to check it out in a few days.Seems like he has an excellent rep in the trials community as you're the second person to have positive things to say about him in this forum.
How about removing the front wheel? Rear wheel? Got to get a trailer hitch quick! But first get the Beta 
How To Train In My Back Yard
in Trials Training And Technique
Posted
My wife brought up an issue regarding getting into the sport. , I live "in town" - well, village, but you know what I mean. Its an "urban" area, we have a back yard/driveway (pic below) that's @ 20 by 20 yards square, with some woods (not mine) adjacent - so not a lot of space to practice my trials riding skills! I've got a few cut logs up in the woods I can use, but that's about it. Suggestions?