Intotrials

I'd be surprised if they chose to build trials bikes, I don't see there is any room in the market place for another brand starting out. If so it would have to be something very radical. But you never know! Interestingly I have heard rumours that KTM off road will be phased out and their off road section will be focused on the current brands Huskies & Gassers. Which would mean there would not be a "KTM" branded trials bike but will remain as Gas Gas. Would be nice if they updated the current gas gas trials bike though. I have owed gas gas's since the first water-cooled version back in the early 90's. I have a 2021 300 one now that is still a great bike but I feel is now a little dated and could do with some improvements.

There are some really light weight comfy full protection suits available these days, like totty says ^^^ that cover your shoulders and elbows in addition to back, chest and kidneys. I have an Alpinestars (cost around £150) version that I use for enduro, its so light weight and comfy, I now also use it for trials, especially so if the terrain is hard and rocky. I also now wear decent knee protection (my knees are shot) to try and preserve them from further damage. Again if you get the decent ones you hardly notice you are wearing them, until you crash and they save your joints from impacts! I think if possible go to an off road motorbike/cycle shop and try a few on. Its important they fit correctly to be comfy and also work correctly! I bought a Jitsie one offline a while back and selected the wrong size, although it was the one that was recommended for my build and size. I have since returned it for a better size fit, but to be honest I still prefer my Alpinestars enduro full armour one.

My personal gripe is the rules around marking, which has promoted inconsistent scoring in the sections. Not the observers fault, by any means. The rules are ambiguous and inconsistent, so it becomes confusing for observers on what is actually allowed, especially for those who are inexperienced. I think a stop and stop with foot down is fine, this helps riders to just settle and regroup to continue the section and is no big deal in my eyes. But reversing in my opinion, shouldn't be allowed, by this I mean purposeful reversing where a rider intentionally backs up. However, I appreciate that this can also create some ambiguity, especially when someone is stuck on a rock, tree root, log etc... and they are slightly rocking back and forth and the rear wheel is spinning to get the bike moving again. I guess though this for should be down to the observers' discretion especially if the rider is physically putting a lot of effort in to keep the bike moving. I've said this in previous posts; The world and the top flight at major championships is a totally different level to the one most riders are accustomed to. The style of riding is foreign and unattainable to most people, only for the select few very talented riders. Maybe its now that the sport requires a split - Extreme/Elite Trials (both indoor and outdoor) and Trials - with 2 sets of rules designed to be compatible with the style of riding for each category. Maybe in the extreme trials a rider can do pretty much as they please, reverse, cross path... within the section boundaries but are timed. In normal trials, stop is allowed however no reversing or re-crossing paths... On a good note, I think the timed sections in British championships is a step forward. Though after watching the last few rounds its obvious that either the sections require to kept at a certain length or the time extended slightly. The 1 minute is just a bit too tight, just a few seconds extra will make just the right difference.

The only common trouble I have ever had owning many water cooled bikes is the thermostat. Which is easy to bypass should it fail during a trial, if you carry something to bridge the connections. Other than that I did have a bike where the fan ran backwards, this caused no issue until riding down then road at which point the bike boiled quickly and seized. Not sure what the main benefits are of water cooled is over air cooled, other than I assume more consistent running temperatures and the water cooled bikes do seem more powerful than air cooled equivalents.

Unfortunately I have witnessed with my own eyes a top Spanish rider who competed a few years back be given a very harsh result on a section. Counter to this, a top British rider given, well lets just say... so long as the bike eventually got to the ends by one means or another, he got a favourable result. Don't get me wrong I have competed in the trial many times, the club, the volunteers and all involved should be commended for putting on what I still believe is the best trial in the world! I would just like to see the top riders back in the frame, and they should be encouraged to do so by their teams and sponsors... I'd like to see them have a fair crack at the trial with consistent observing for all riders across the board. I think it would also boost the prestige of the trial once more, and encourage the younger generation from all countries to give it a go, and/or even make it their goal to win it some day. Lets hope that Toni does decide to give it a go like he once mentioned 10+ years ago!

This may well be the case at world level trials (my bold) where the style is different than most of us are accustomed to. But, its a combination of throttle, clutch, brake and body positioning - reacting in sync that makes a good all round trials rider. Learning to time all these so that you get the desired effect takes years of practice and skill. I guess the benefit of better clutch control is that if you miss time the throttle you can pick this up with the clutch. Try the thumb throttle and let us know how you go on, I'm interested to see if you do find a benefit. maybe with the modern style of riding where the clutch is heavily relied on may suit the thumb throttle.

It will never happen, well at least not until he retires from top level trials. 3 reasons, possibly more 1. The SSDT, though still in my opinion the best trial in the world, has lost its status and appeal to the world runners, and the style of modern riding is not as suited to the style of the event. 2. The cost & effort for a foreign team to compete in the trial doesn't warrant the prestige the trial now lacks at top level. 3. Though welcomed by most, the threat of someone like Toni Bou coming and winning such a trial doesn't appeal to the status quo. He would likely be heavily penalised at every opportunity while more popular regular top runners get away with murder as usual. (I have witnessed many times some very dodgy decisions given in favour of top popular riders) Shame really cause I would love to ride in a trial along side Toni Bou and would love it if he was able to attempt a win fair an square.

I put 50ml oil to 5 litres of fuel in my 2021 gas gas, however the recommendation is 70ml, but I find this causes excessive oil and carbon build up. But it depends on the bike make, its age and what the manufacturers recommend. Use a good quality fully synthetic oil for better lubrication, cleaner burning and a crisp engine response.

I usually take a stiff hand brush, spatula, sponge and a gallon of water so just before I load up the bike I scrap off all the thick mud, brush off the loose dirt and then just sponge where I can. This stops the van from getting too dirty and only takes ten minutes or so at the end of the trial/practice to complete. It also saves me sweeping up off my driveway the thick lumps of mud after jet washing the bike off properly.

Yeah, I get annoyed when people act this way. In general trials is a very safe and considerate off road sport that has little to no effect on the environment or the general public in the area. Unfortunately it gets stigmatised along with MX as being noisy and damaging. Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of MX and ride one myself but trials is totally different and the impact much less yet it shares the same disregard from the folk who simply just don't like motor bikes especially off road ones. Interestingly there is a woodland local to me that is popular with walkers and mountain bikers. On the odd occasion I've been on my petrol trials bike I have experienced abuse from many folk walking there even though I kept off the paths and trails and stuck to the more overgrown areas. I recently test rode an EM trials bike at the same venue and most walkers didn't even bat an eyelid.

As Pak Jeem says ^^^ I have used a heavy rubber mallet before now to give the tyre a good whack at the point its refusing to go on, this has worked, along with spraying on the WD40. Just be careful if you do whack it with a mallet that your head is well clear of the bounce back, trust me I've had a few near misses when not concentrating! You may have to just go a little beyond the 70psi, a little scary I know but if you do it as Pak mentioned it will be fine. I doubt you would need more than 100 psi or so, they do go with a very loud pop at that pressure when they finally go on the rim, and even though I know its coming it still makes me jump!

I just don't think Trials is entertaining enough for the general public. Lets face it, unless you are a total enthusiast then trials gets rather boring after the first half hour of watching it. Unfortunately its just one of those sports, and it's an off road motor sport at that, which is not popular to the wider audience, especially these days with all the environmental issues. We recently ran a local trials event at a small piece of rural land in the middle of nowhere. The vans were spotted in the field and some local residents made a big scene, plus posting on local media that there was an illegal MX event happening in the area. The land owner got so much abuse he reluctantly cancelled the next scheduled events. So, no I'm not surprised at all that trials is not popular here in the UK so attempting to run a world event which boasts huge coasts and tons of planning and logistics to mainly satisfy the minority enthusiasts makes no sense. Its a shame really, because I was looking forward to it, as I do every year since the early 80's. The fact that world trials has become so elitist doesn't help matters either. Only a very small minority (mainly the up coming young guns) can relate to what these top riders are able to do. Maybe there should be just an elitist limited world series and the rest of the time the top riders get invited to lower key events mixing with the "normal" riders.?

A friend of mine owns a Gas Gas that won't even start unless you do this first! Then it kicks up first try.

I do exactly the same and its produced good results!

Probably worth contacting a reputable gas gas dealer for all the spec - John Shirt Motorcycles But I use : Putoline light gear oil 75w - 400ml for the gear box and change this out every half dozen rides or so (depending on hours use) Putoline MX9 fully synthetic 2 stroke oil - 60 to 65 ml per 5ltrs of fuel

I think its more about riders being able to mess around at their own leisure in the section, all while large ques are developing. Its annoying for both riders and spectators when a rider is stationary for a long period of time whilst deliberating what move to make next, then also allowing reversing which makes (in my opinion) a mockery of the section just adds to the annoyance. Trials is not Enduro and should never be focused solely around time, but introducing a time limit is a step towards keeping the riders moving through the sections. On consideration I'd keep the 60 second time limit then add an optional 10 seconds grace at the cost of 1 mark to give the riders a chance to get through the sections safely.

You are quite correct and it was me who was mistaken, reversing is feet up is permitted now! Thank you I still stand by my opinion that allowing reversing is a poor decision, though the time limit element does stop them messing about in the sections which is good.

The organisers ought to make their minds up and clearly define what rules apply, then those rules should be adhered to with no exception regardless! Personally I think allowing reversing again is a step backwards (no pun intended). In the rules you are not allowed to cross over your previous line, going backwards you are doing just this. Yes, generally the best riders continue to win as things tend to even out over the course of an event.

I understand your point but I don't think its quite the same. If its "no stop" its difficult to visually define a stop especially when the riders are say flip turning etc... But if someone stops and reverses, its easier to see them actually going in the opposite direction. Don't get me wrong there will always be the ambiguity, but someone physically pulling the bike backwards is easier to spot.

Yes, that's my understanding, though I could be mistaken.

Stop permitted makes sense for these types of trials, trying to define a "stop" these days is difficult enough without the added pressure of observing the major championships. The time limit is a good idea, though speaking to some of the competitors they found the time a bit tight and really rushing through the sections. Maybe they should increase the limit from 60 seconds to 80, or perhaps keep the 60 with an added one mark penalty for anything 10-20 seconds over time? As for going backwards, this is a real gripe of mine and I witnessed many riders blatantly going backwards quite a way. A rider takes a back wheel hop and the bike moves a miniscule amount backwards is not gaining an advantage. But when they back up a few feet that's another story. There were only 5 riders in the main class, what does that tell you about how the sport is going?

Why are they so noisy also? gas gas have always had a reputation for noisy clutches, but they work well and operate really light and smooth so you sort of get used to the noise. The new TRS are not only heavy but execssively noisy, its very annoying!

How old was the bike? if a brand new bike comes with a faulty component then it surely should be replaced at no cost regardless of whether its a competition bike or not. I understand that competition bikes get lots of abuse when ridden so it would be a financial nightmare for manufacturers unless they limit warranties. But a brand new bike that has done virtually no hours, and and a major component fails, then surely there should be no argument?

In my opinion they need to work on reducing the weight. Most of the other manufactorers are producing bikes around the 67-68 kg dry weight mark. I've had a couple of them now and really enjoyed their performance and didn't really notice the weight too much, until I got tired or had to hump them around. Getting on in age these days I haven't got the fitness or strength any more so a lighter bike was welcomed when I renturned back to a modern 2 stroke.

As faussy says I think you get a months warranty. But any reputable dealer should replace a faulty CDI on a brand new bike! a little bit of damp should not affect the CDI unit, they are designed to be robust enough against water ingress! These are off road competition bikes that are meant to be useable in all wet conditions. If you are getting no joy from the original dealer it may be worth speaking to someone like John Shirt who can advise you on how to proceed.