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Just when you were starting to redeem yourself That's what I was worried about No fun in redemption Had a bit of a go on the 4t today. Felt very much like my 290 as far as handling. I would have to sort out the starting technique I think. Quite enjoyed the feel of the bike, but didn't get chance to try out any big sections. Had intended having a good go after the trial, but I was away with the conducted route and after 5 and a half hours riding they finally gave in and went back to the start to find everyone else had gone home. One of the experts riding it today, so will be interesting to see how he liked it. I'll find out.

As the bike runs out of fuel they generally tend to rev a little. I would get your kill switch sorted out as soon as poss. Not a nice position to be in. If I'm upside down with my rear wheel wearing a rut in me, I like the idea of someone being able to turn it off quickish. I've mentioned before my experiences of shooting across a field with the throttle jammed open, trying to pull my plug cap off as (soaking wet through) it electricuted me. Didn't have the heart (or the wallet) to pull the clutch in and let it scream.

Love to have one, but my lad's next (not for a 4t, but that's not a bad idea). How do you reckon an 8 year old could handle one? Maybe something with a little less power would be better. Like a 4rt maybe

I bought some pro clean a few weeks ago. Worked brilliant. Rather than using the plastic squeezy trigger bottles it comes with, I thought I'd shove it in a spray bottle for the compressor. It seemed to be a success, putting a fine spray everywhere more effectively than the plastic bottle. I went to use it again this week, and there was a sticky mess around the outside of the alloy (presuming it's alloy) container. At first I thought maybe it was just leakage from the spraying, but....it's actually eaten about 20 pin prick holes through the container and leaking everywhere. So whatever you do, make sure you don't leave it too long, and make sure you get it off yer ally. Scary!!!

As far as I know they are

I've got a 2002 book knocking about somewhere as well if anybody wants it (as long as I can find it). Lasted much better than the bike did Free - if you want it.

I've got a 1999 parts book, a 2001, a 2002. and 2003 The four of those are the same (Code C108 - Twin Air Foam). I haven't got a 2000 parts book though. Edit that - just noticed the 1999 book is 1999-2000 so they are the same.

If you look at the ratios of Good to Bad, that should give you a better idea. That gives you in order of most problems to least problems: GasGas Sherco Scorpa Montesa Beta But, that's only a very small number of bikes, so not really a good guide Loads of other factors to it though. No real indication of the scale of each of the problems. This could have been 3 Scorpa big ends, and 5 GasGas rear brake levers (but probably wasn't). Of course it could just give an idea of the quality of the dealers who are prepping the bikes, or maybe even the type of riders that are riding them.

My lads riding the TY course this weekend, so I'm having a 'rest'. However, there will be a 4t at the Breidden Hills trial to have a bit of a go on, so I'm told.

Impressed? I was nearly dead by the end of it. Wish I hadn't cried on the last section, or the one before it, or the...... Had to literally peel my hands off the bar back at the van. Had a bit of a nightmare - just too chubby to hang on to it by the end of the trial. Mind you, having said that, I went over the bars on one of the first few sections, the observer bloke with the silly hat. And one observer nearly got it.... That were a lucky '1', a very lucky '1'. Cheeky sod, it was my only good ride all day.

If that's normal unleaded, I would try Super Unleaded or Shell Optimax before you start to worry too much.

Yep - fair one, although he probably wouldn't call me his mate in front of his mates, especially after my performance this weekend. I'm more an old fart that helps him and his dad mark out trials. I am however younger than his dad, which is good, although he is 67 and more athletic than me, which is bad.

Well used???? One of my first trials was there in 1977. They've shipped some rocks in, but there's bugger all you can do about the rest of it looking a bit worn. In my book, you've still got to ride the section on the day.

Haven't got an answer to that one, as it's not too clear what you're getting at Windlestone Think you probably opened yourself up for that torrent Gasserboy. Lad riding one today at the Chris Carter (Jack), sounded nice enough, nowhere near as loud as the 4rt, seemed to have the grunt once it's revving. Didn't get chance to see how it picked up from a standing start (too busy picking my bike up from stream beds most of the day). Sherco may have the advantage that they seem to have made it a fairly close copy of the 2 stroke. Is it the same frame modified? Mind you saw Sunt riding his 4rt nicely on a few sections today. Hard to tell either way at this point I think. I've seen the 4rt made to look very heavy, but I think that's a talent us old farts have. Sunt was making his look pretty nimble today.

Well I lost an absolute packet, and if anybody saw me they would probably think I was on the verge of death a few times. Probably a little bit on the hard side for me, I'll be well towards the bottom of the entry this time, but if they marked it out aiming at me it would be a sh*t trial for the top boys, so I think it was probably spot on. Bl**dy enjoyed it, and I wouldn't think anybody could have a bad thing to say about it. That really was a proper trial. Didn't even mind when Colley rode over me He did it well, lovely ride.

I feel like I've let you down I've boycotted the SSDT threads - sulking Maybe next year

I've always had Michelin's then tried an IRC. The grip did feel better, but my problem seemed to be punctures with the IRC - 3 punctures in 5 weeks. I never had a puncture on the X11. I actually enjoyed destroying the IRC riding it flat for the last 6-8 miles of the Lomax. Then bought another X11. Having said that, it looks like you've seen the opposite. I'll maybe try another one when this X11's dead (probably after the Chris Carter this weekend

Spoke to Graham today from David Jones - Newtown He's got them coming in this week apparently. Come on then - someone's seen them - first impressions, noisy, flat, quieter, gutsy. Give us a clue

Neutral on my 2002 GasGas 280 was almost non existant, but it's just as easy most of the time to stop the bike, so I wouldn't worry too much. I'm getting on for ****** more than your 16.5 stone I rode my 280 on standard settings. I've wound the suspension up a bit on my Sherco, only by about half an inch, but it did seem to be better. One thing that I did notice - I tried putting my forks right up to the top, thinking it would compensate in some way for my weight. I didn't think too much about it at the time, but - the last thing you want to do when the rear end is sagging, is to ramp the front end up. It handled like a chopper, and made me ride like a chopper No worries with your weight anyway

Full results. Apologies to whoever is hidden behind the title on the second page. Thats where I've converted it to pdf, not done by the organisers. I'll sort it later, but got to do some work now Thanks to the organisers for sending the results through so quick for us. Victory_Results_2005_ctr_s.pdf

Speak for yourself. Don't let him upset you Kinell. You just keep your headlight on.

Forgotten what the questions were now. Pretty sure I got three of them, the other one I couldn't find out. I think the one about getting to the final of the Sheffield indoor round. Had to guess it.

These are 'very' provisional results. The organisors are emailing the final and full results through for TrialsCentral. Dan Thorpe 2 (I think on furthest cleans by the look of it) Tom Sagar 2 Mika Vesterinen 3 Dan Farrer 6 Richard Allen 6 Liam Walker 8 Chris Pearson 9 Wayne Holdsworth 10 (Looks like you got your points chap ) John Crinson 12 Adam Norris 13 Aran Drachenburg 17 Guy Kendrew 20 Gary Jenkins 21 Rob Wrigley 24 Neil Bowden 24

I did similar, printed it on photo paper, superglued it to the mudguard, then varnished it. Lasted a few trials at least so far. I could do with getting hold of some sticker stuff to print on. That'd make it easier.

Some people had good 2002's. A lot had nightmares with them. The 2002 280 TXT Pro was my return to trials after 16 years. I suppose my bike doesn't get an easy time, but I spent around