Just collected new EVO 200 2010 ha ha! dead chuffed.......Can anybody reccomend good (including best price) insurer to get road tax who might just recognise Make model etc.
Just spoke to my current insurer (... broker called Aquote.. who had previosly insured my rev3 200 who in turn put the bis with Norwich Union..fully comp 85 quid last year I am ancient!....)
They went through usual stuff called the underwriters etc who came up with 165 quid and a lot of huffing about racing off road use etc. So is ther somebody out ther who wants to insure my bike against theft from most secure garage ever and maybe 500 miles a year at top speed of say 60 mph?
I would have thought that shirty would have called you by now to avoid all this bad publicity. It seems logical that one looks after one's paying customers before spending money on advertisingwhether it be directly or by sponsoring good riders.
Its a pain but you only get one head! It used to be that helmets were checked for acu approval however I think all motorcycle crah helmets have to be to a standard which satisfies all clipboards and insurance companies. In forty odd years of trialing I have been refused a start only once 2 years ago in France ..apparantly there is a date code which scrutineer there looks for I guesse the ideal being that straps etc get weak with age. I'm sure somebody has eaten the rule book and will give you definitive rqts.
Another nail in the coffin of trials then?.It is very difficult not to blame wa**ers ( please don't read this as walkers although they do thier share to shut us down). It seems that all most of us want is somewhere like kilkeney to go and have a quite ride ; trial folk are by and large quiet and decent citizens who go to work and pay thier taxes. This can be viewed as partly to blame for our lack of "facilities"..(united we stand divided we fall). I sometimes wonder why we can't be left alone and then I realise that control /legislation and the implementation of it is one of the biggest "industries" we have in our society (closely followed by insurance liability and litigation), it seems at times that the ACU is little more than an agent/enforcer of conditions for insurance companies. Why don't they earn that tenner we all pay them ? I have heard said. Personally like many trials riders I have come to the conclusion that Anarchy rules. However I have been in the situation of paying my taxes to employ a warden to prevent me from using a bit of "waste" ground before... it's not good for the blood pressure! Very bad news indeed.
Isn't all the showcasing at world rounds etc about telling us that these bikes are best for jumping off 8 foot ledges etc. let us know how you get on with your complaint nice to hear that sherco are offering good service we all know that beta offer excellent after sales service.
Why is it that nowadays we predominantly get ball chasing "sport" it even dominates news prgrammes . Kickstart did interest and inform many people that our sport exists.. ok it wasn't truly representative of proper trials but at least tv gave it airtime AND we ern't portrayed as speed freaks /nutters/wildlife killers etc etc. It would be interesting to hear from those past entrants exactly what the "deal" was to perform and any behind the scenes memories/stuff. It would be nice to think that the ACU was courting the tv companies with a view to improving the general public's awareness of trials as a gentlemans sport. Just to use an example of what I think would benifit all of us; A trials friend in southern france has a trials riding mate who is the mayor of the town..... because of fire risks all landowners have to keep woodland clear of dead wood etc..... the mayor has "brokered" deals by which my friend and others clear out the dead wood in exchange for riding the sections they just cleared of dead wood etc.The land is superb trials land (google Trials club de Falais probably spelled that wrong ). Relating this to Kickstart ... it seems to me that kickstart did a lot more for trials in the perception of the public than anything since and that it is perception that opens doors for us. Reading this over it really is a load of Bo***cks (frightfully badly composed sentiments old chap as Ralph Venebles might have put it) but then it might stimlate some conversation.
endorse /agree with everything the addict says I changed from a 4rts back to 200 betas (my missus rides as well) dead easy to ride but a big dssapointment re build quality and durability (spoilt by the monts?).. try before you buy.. I have to say I'm in the market for a new bike but there's nothing out there that I can ride well and that will last longer than 2 trials without some breakdown/adjustment or other niggle. I'm hanging on to see what new Sherco is gonna be like......may be nice to ride new ideas etc but will it be full of problems ?..what will service be like in this circumstance?...when will it be available? What is the price?.. or shall I just get more Beta 200's? Decisions decisions
might be running a bit weak..think its a mixture screw on that one so its wind it out to let more mixture pass primary jet. clatering clutch basket or primary gear/clutch basket probably normal but will improve if plug gap and mixture is right.. my beta clatters more when g.box oil is" thin".....there's a few thoughts that wont cost a fortune to try
Many commercial reasons to want spectators , for me trials is for doing, I got into trials for the pleasure of doing it and enjoying the scenery Like most I pay for privelidge of following spectacular events just becaue I'm nuts about trials. Over a forty year trials areer I've enjoyed it that way and can't see any reason to change it exept for money making purposes.
First time new post for me; I have a french friend coming over next year and would like to do a british trial with him whilst he is here. Can anybody reccomend suitable trials around end of March /April next year preferably two day with decent bit of interzone/riding twixt sections for older gents?
nobody has mentioned mechanical reliability...are we all well past all those main bearing faliures, corroded water pump housings, crappy light switch/kill buttons, stator plate faliures? I've been running 2 08's ..in eigteen months normal use I've had all these problems on both bikes. I read about built in obsolesence in a seperate thread I would normally expect to have new bikes every 2 years but having rebuild repaired all the above I'm reluctant to spend good money if these issues arn't sorted.... only saving grace so far as I'm concerned was sensible attitude of John Lampkinand his team
It sounds like maybe thats gonna change next year, The stop gets a five system worked for decades if you got too clever for local trials you could go & do regional or national trials, or special tests were used to sort out a winner.
Hi Ralph cat get much further darn souf than NZ Remember well when you lived and rode in Wessex ctr. and the SSDT>s we did together abiding memory was sitting in Roy Careys trailer having a cuppa after corryarrick pass and you parked a rather scuffed Fantic next to mine ..Gary Marshman looked up and asked why I had my rear suspension so low .we all realised link bolt had come out and the ensuing stressfull ride via trotters to parc ferm and pems guys throwing bits at me. Anyway Rappers not quite far nough south to fill you in on S.west ctr trials which as you say are pretty damm good. We in Wessex ctr' keep prety busy but have to say I feel we are out of touch with standard of sections elswhere (up north) this reflects generally in our ability to cope with them when we visit. Having had agood time with last weeks forum I'm off tomorrow to europe for six weeks trialing holiday.
I think this is why french courts have stopped Adrien Prato from selling all but one model Xispa as I heard it told. The two guys who (one assumes) own the company were regulars in ssdt dammned if I can remember thier names though.
If you change the rules to give a three for stopping there will be arguments (Niggles) about that so it still won't go away. I have been a regular observer at ssdt since I stopped riding it and have been kind to all and sundry generally speaking.
For those who don't understand the reason for no stop from an observers perspective it is time.. just do the arithmatic
...get to the section (average of 1 hour) + 270 riders X minumum of 2 minutes @ no stop rate plus arrive at section 1 hour before first man due plus clear up the litter after back marker has given ok to leave and occasionally have a chat with a local or the landowner goodwill costs time more than money (they don't need your money!) get books back to office fettle/refuel your bike put used section markers and assorted litter away.....I can assure you 10 hous is an average day at one rider every 2 minutes.
I have had disputed kind marking (on the basis of being fair to all competitors) from two riders during the last 10 years both who were leading the trial both professionals both instances would have certainly been a five if one of the stricter observers was in my seat at the time or I had marked to the book just for them ... both instances have upset me. The only consolation to these instances is that the other 270 riders 6 days a week one week a year have been pleased to say good morning and thanks.
In summary you'r dammned if you do and you'r damned if you do'nt seems to be the conclusion observers have to make.
No doubt these "revalations" will invite another load of criticism from cynics who think that trials are organised and run by a bunch of *unts. It is a niggling problem and it won't go away. However it could be a lot less of a problem if we realise we are a minority sport in world dominated by self interest and greed........we are very lucky thanks to loads of hard work by unpaid volunteers to be in a position to niggle in the first place.
As I said in an earlier contribution to this topic there are methods available to competitors to minimise this problem even though you have agreed to abide by all the rules which goodness knows are many and open to interpretation. For the obsevers I note that those who have contributed have said that they mark in a certain way.. they're doing thier bit to help you all you need to do if it's that important to you is get to know who is marking you.
One other comment regarding support tent/van/truck ....marvelous provided they dont take up all the car park (vis. west end at fort william). What riders need is simply availability of spares like clutch casings ,water pumps and stuff you cant afford to carry as spares. from memory I had to retire from Reeth trial years ago when I stripped the thread on rear wheel spindle when adjusting chain for 2nd day....to have spares around like that that is invaluable. The importers should as a matter of service to those who have bought from them provide a presence at classic trials such as this even if it is one of thier sponsored riders.. at the end of the day it's the punters who are paying. I had a spell riding Mont 4rt couple years ago and Adrien Prato ( A French Importer) always made even old codgers like me feel like a million dollar prima donna with excellent hospitality and service from out he back of panel van with a box trailor on the back. Just the right level of respect for his punters.
I reckon most riders prefer no stop , I wouldn't like to organising 200 riders over 3 days if they all want to mess about hopping & repositioning etc (it all takes time.) It seems the real issue here is interpretation of the rules. Part of the game is being aware of the observers interpretation which is bound to vary from one observer to the next . Like Rappers I have been around in our sport for a long long time. The most profound change I have noticed in all this time is the attitude of riders; 40 years ago every decision taken was by a human doing (or even being) and we grew up with this in mind. I often suspect that those guys who complain about dodgy decisions could avoid them quite easily by simply recognising they are being marked by a human and not a machine. simply a good morning and watch for when the pencil is used is all it takes to get a notion of how you need to approach any particular section. Clearly this issue is excascerbated at classic events because the riders arn't familiar with the observers and they have made an extra effort to get there etc. I have rarely come across an observer who has a sharp pencil for some and not others.....although the tempmtation and opportunity is there in multi day events....another reason to get to know the observer even if it is a self interested one. To summarize more understanding and less whinging would be better for all concerned.
did somebody mention me? all info ref kiongswood mcc is on site either google it or try www.kingswood mcc.co.ouk we're having a bit of a lull at mo,emt holidays etc practicing is always a problem I just ride events nowadays it's less hassle there are plenty of folk who do practice locally it's just a matter of latching on.
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Just collected new EVO 200 2010 ha ha! dead chuffed.......Can anybody reccomend good (including best price) insurer to get road tax who might just recognise Make model etc.
Just spoke to my current insurer (... broker called Aquote.. who had previosly insured my rev3 200 who in turn put the bis with Norwich Union..fully comp 85 quid last year I am ancient!....)
They went through usual stuff called the underwriters etc who came up with 165 quid and a lot of huffing about racing off road use etc. So is ther somebody out ther who wants to insure my bike against theft from most secure garage ever and maybe 500 miles a year at top speed of say 60 mph?