That last sentence sure comes as welcome news Dan!
I'm supposed to receive a 2014 300 Factory this Thursday or Friday. This will be my first trials bike and, yes, I realize it's extreme overkill for a trials novice!
I would have been happy starting out with the 200 but could not find one new or used. The few used bikes that have popped up on Craigslist in the last couple months have been a late model GasGas 125 for $6K, a couple TY basket cases, an '12 Ossa for $5K, etc.
I ride a KTM 150 XC & Husqvarna TXC310R presently and when I went to KTMTalk in frustration to ask for suggestions a KTM and new Beta dealer in Wisconsin offered to sell me his 300 Factory demo unit for $7,200 OTD with shipping to Texas included.
It's supposed to have approximately 3 easy hours on it from being ridden behind his shop. From the pictures sent it looks mint except for a barely perceptible 3/8" scratch on the top on the silencer (which he disclosed verbally and followed up with multiple pictures to make sure I'm aware of it).
I was pleasantly surprised to discover there's a trials association in my area, NTTA. I have reached out to them and they seem only too happy to help me learn the ropes.
I'm also thankful to have Trails Central as a resource to learn more about my bike and trials skills in general.
Lastly I must comment on how impressed I've been with the trials community in general. Everyone I have spoke to over the last couple of months has bent over backwards to be helpful and welcome me to the sport. Most refreshingly their passions seem squarely focused on the comradery and the sport itself rather than on what brand of bike one rides or other inconsequential matters.
Sadly that mindset is rather uncommon today when it comes to other two-wheeled motor sports or endeavours. So as an outsider for at least a couple more days couple days, I big tip of my full-face Shoei MX helmet to the trials community for all the help I've received (proper trials helmet is on order).