ChrisCH

Chinese engineering is one of two things; cheap and a bit poor or world class. Their domestic market is growing and no doubt for trials bikes as well as other automotive markets. The Canadian website has some odd choices of photos but the components look OK. Perhaps this bike is worth a look? There are a lot of Chinese bikes in the UK in the small road category, scooters, mopeds and suchlike. Most of the ones I have seen are not really than much cheaper and are not really all that good in terms of build quality. i would think the main issue is spares and after sales. It will take (in my view) a few years before the Chinese bike can build up a decent dealer network and spares service. The UK market is well served and there are lots of very good machines to choose from. I can see the USP of electric start is one advantage though - my missus would like that! 200cc four stroke? Not sure.

If the towbar gives a maximum weight that is the maximum even if the vehicle is OK for more- it is the lowest figure in either case. I think you are making the right decision to get a trailer. Have a look at the Dave Cooper folding trailer. http://www.davecooper.co.uk/trailers/trailers-for-bikes That is a good item if you are short for space. Dave does some other basic trailers at a reasonable cost as well. I would strongly advise you to avoid the mistake of buying a secondhand trailer off eBay or similar. Very few people sell up for any reason other than the trailer is worn out. By the time you have replaced the wheel bearings, tyres and lights you will have spent more than a new item. The other option is a goods trailer and the extra faff of strapping the bike into the cargo box. In my opinion it's worth getting a wheel bracket for the front wheel if you go that route, they are easy to fabricate or you can buy one ready made for purpose built trailers like the Franc. Most small goods trailers will store stood up on the tailgate to take up less space. Don't forget your [legal] speed will be reduced when towing and you cannot use the outside lane on a motorway. Your van insurance should cover towing at no extra cost, just double check (some insurance companies consider a towbar as a "modification" and you need to tell them you have one fitted).

Check the car/van manual. Some vehicles have a higher agreed nose weight limit for the tow bar. In practice it is unlikely that there would be a mechanical failure, however the insurance and legal issues are relevant. Personally I would be more worried that the bike came to some harm and the insurers wouldn't pay out on that. The issue with these bike racks is that the weight of the bike is so far back and it limits what other load you can put in the vehicle. That's why there is a risk of grounding over speed bumps or similar. It is still possible to buy the rubber assisters for coil springs that were once a popular item for caravan users. These might be helpful but I have no personal experience of them even though we sell them. I agree with turbofurball, make sure there is adequate lighting and a lit number plate to avoid hassle. If you are using a rack at night I would be very tempted to put outside markers on the bike as well so the extra width can be seen front and back. Again it's the bike that I care about - you don't want to have some idiot bend the front wheel for you. A trailer is a good idea if you have space to store one. You can get ones that have a front panel that drops down like the tailgate and makes it long enough for a bike or pair of bikes but still gives you a trailer for other uses. Dedicated motorbike trailers really only do the one job. Trials bikes are so light compared to a road bike that you can carry them on anything. I just need to figure out how to tow the Beta with my Suzuki GSXF.

Do you need a FIM licence just to practice? There are lots of places in France where you could spend a day or so riding some great terrain (near you I am sure). There always seems to be a lot of people with crossers and quads in the forest dom. when we visit.

I have just bought a (registered) Beta Rev 3 (old one) and added it to my road bike insurance through Bikesure. https://www.bikesure.co.uk/ Cost? Nowt. Just an adjustment fee. Would have been free if had left it until my renewal. There is a £450 excess on theft. (Road bike Suzuki 650) The quote from MSM (two riders) was 114 TPO and 156 TPFT. The difference as best I can see is you are not covered with my road bike policy for competitions. As best I understand it the ACU covers competition use (RTA only) but you need insurance for the tax so the bike is legal for the road. Will get the MOT in the next week or so. I bought an EVO horn off ebay and it works OK. (Will take it off once MOTd) I have ordered a number plate for the test as well and found a little bracket (again ebay) to bolt it on that comes apart to take off the plate after the test. It also struck me that if the road bike was out of action the Beta will keep my NCD running. Win win.