jonboy883

I'm aware I'm coming into this thread late, but at 6'4" and 220lbs, I thought I'd contribute my thoughts also. i use a 250 and it's fantastic, does everything I need, in the class I ride at, vets and clubman! i occasionally practice on a friends Beta 200 and that is great at everything also. The 300's I've ridden seem to knacker me within a couple of hours as they ride you, not you ride then. I can't bully it enough at my standard for it to be fun, but I can bully my 250 or the 200.

If you are totally new, best way to get going is to find a more experienced training partner and start with follow the leader session around a small off road circuit, e.g around a wood or along a stream bed etc. This way , you see lines, body position and hear what the other rider is doing throttle wise. As you get a bit better then start to create sections and then practice. do not start out on your own, you'll get demoralised too quickly, won't learn as quickly as you will from being given advice and the danger if you do something wrong. where are you in the country?

In the picture, is that oil leaking from the site glass? has the seal for the site glass is weeping, they will weep both ways when power washing. I hope this is the simple, possible, problem. good luck.

Remember, dialling 101 will take you to the force where your dialling from. So if your buying one in Kent and dial 101 it'll go to Kent police, who won't have a clue what that reference relates too! Any concerns call Gloucester Police with that reference number! You don't want to get stung cause you've dialled the wrong force.

On older bikes, as yours is, I'd hazard a guess, the fall has dislodged one of your spade connectors. We all change a lot of the consumables, but cheap spade connectors deteriorate over time but we never check 'em. Get the tank off and have a look and feel. Pull and check each one, looking is never the same as feeling!

Hello, and welcome.... you have, Shaftesbury &DMC , local to you. Blackmore Vale , also local. ringwood MCC & LCC , run some really good trials just down the A338. XHG Tigers, most of their trials are around Blandford/ Poole area. lots of choice near to you, a few practice areas, including XHG Tigers ground. enjoy yourself!

Let us know how you both get on....

Another quick tip: When signing on, see the riding numbers of others riding your route through the sections. Have a chat to these guys and seek advice, most will want to help and encourage and many, I'm sure will walk you through the routes and advice you where you should go. as you improve you can choose what advice you listen too according to your developing ability. most importantly, enjoy yourselves........

I just get the message restricted site come up.......any ideas?

Does anyone know why Tom is not riding this year? I know he is a fan of the SSDT, but no ride this year. Not sure if it's his sponsors or enduro commitments. anyone know?

Get on your trials bike next time, that'll slow the trip round your yard abit! A Ducati round the yard is never recommended.

Am I one of the few that remember the T&MX published during the week of the SSDT when they had oodles of photos from signing on and scutineering. Piccies of riders with their specials, mods they'd made and bizarre riding kit. even if you didn't go you still felt you'd got all the gossip and seen the various things to take your eye. Now, a couple of photos and a paragraph of script if we're lucky, and then 10 pages about some MX event that no-one has even heard about before. The only way to get the interest back, is to show people what the week is all about and what they miss by not going there!

That second clutch lever, I've always heard it called an idler arm, as in, clutch idler arm. when and if, you need parts then I think this is what it's referred to as.

You also have closer than Walthan club, Ringwood MC & LCC. then there's XHG Tigers , a Bournemouth based club riding around Dorset, and you have the Blackmore Vale club from North Dorset. All good clubs putting on good novice friendly trials. pop into In Chains at Ringwood, if Kevin from Ringwood club is there he'll sign you up is a jiffy!

I agree, discount the TL, lovely but underpowered. Now Fantic or TY? Is it a mono TY or twinshock. The mono's smooth power delivery and geometry would make a great starter bike! However if it's the twinshock go for the Fantic! just my thoughts, having owned both over the years.

The place near Salisbury on the above comment, I think, has now gone, unless they've moved without me noticing! Also try "Wobbly Will's" website, Will is active with the Alton club in Hampshire, but his website is national.

If your after twin shock, they do have the occasional mono however, try The Twin Shock Shop at Sidmouth just outside Exeter in Devon. good range of bikes on the website! In Chains at Ringwood occasionally get one in, but Nigel there who is active with the Ringwood Club has a few cards with details of bikes he knows are for sale etc, for their customers. Also worth a call.

Beta have on the their website, that's beta UK, courtesy of John Lampkin, a download section, for spares and catalogues with exploded diagrams etc and this should tell you how it's put together. as for cause, have a look, compare to pictures, and if in doubt, give them a ring, they will be able to help and supply you the right parts. Welcome to the club, it wont be long before you'll have to get one too, to "ride alongside" your son. The bug will get you.

I stand corrected, as I knew I would, Alan it is!

Isn't that Wulf sports starting out history. someone else could confirm that, but if that is my memory being correct, then yes Wulfsport are still around offering well priced good clothing.

Just thought I'd ask, nice job, I'd be interested to know how you think the ride is when finished.

Quick question. Have you extended the rear wheel hangers with the new welded in plate or is it just a replacement. I was wondering why you'd increase the wheelbase! cheers, Jon.

Sports direct or mountain warehouse do a Karrimore waterproof, breathable jacket, various colours, on sale at the moment at about £20. I use one and would recommend. also consider the golf jacket and trousers, set is about £30, and also really good.

Nice clips, happy times...always more fun with friends.

I sometimes feel that a £1 surcharge for all riders and then at the end of the trial, the observers get this divvied up surcharge to use would help the situation sometimes. this however may cause the saying Thankyou issue to get worse, which there is no excuse for, as some thick skinned, people without manners, may say Why do they need to say Thankyou as the observers are getting Paid. Basic civilities and politeness cost nothing and reflect as much on the person using them as the message being delivered!