For my money the IRC is the superior rear tyre but I still use a Michelin front.
The IRC is softer and grips a lot better in slippery conditions and mud, however in drier conditions there is, IMO, less to differentiate them.
My only criticism of them is that since they got really popular they have nearly doubled in price however this is probably partly due to the importers/dealers I suspect.
Ref: Pirelli - I didn't even know they still made a trials tyre (do they make one??) they used to make a few - MT13 then the MT43 then the MT73. In their day they were OK and the MT73 was comparable with the old Michelin X1 W
They were cheaper, however they wore really poorly and lost their grip edge quickly whereas the Michelin's held on for longer and wore better. I guess that trials is such a niche market that for Pirelli to re-establish themselves against Michelin and IRC would be expensive with ultimately very little reward.
HOWEVER when IRC came along they were unknown to most people and as the poll suggests they are now the tyre of choice for many riders in the UK. SO I'm sure Pirelli could do the same if they wanted to.....
Agreed with Manchester 17, great club and run some great trials.
Also agree with getting boots, lid, gloves etc before practising - is soo much easier riding in the right boots as opposed to no boots or MX boots
Bike wise, you have a good budget so could choose pretty much anything make you want.
All have pro's and cons against them so here's my opinion in order of suitability as a start up bike.
Gas Gas TXT Pro 250 - best all rounder, best for a start up bike, very reliable, very forgiving, best engine and great suspension and easy to look after but you will need to keep up on basics like checking all bolts etc are tight. Not looked at pricing recently but with your budget I would expect that you could get a 2009 250 (with new tubular frame) if not the pre 2009 is the same bike but with a different frame. As a start up I would avoid the 280cc or 300cc as they are more pokey
Beta Rev3 250/270 - another great all rounder and great start up bike. IMO a bit front end heavy but very stable and very reliable (except for a known and continued problem for stators going) again price wise you should be fine to get a good 2008 (white) Rev3 which I think had the Keihin carb on. If you get an earlier model it will have the ancient and useless Mikuni carb on.
Scorpa SY250 - possibly the ideal start up bike (depending on what you like) has the Yamaha TYZ 250 engine which is super smooth, very forgiving, offers great grip and is very reliable. I personally find them a bit sluggish, but again as a start up bike this could be ideal. Later models have far superior Marzocchi forks on. My Scorpa knowledge is minimal in terms of problems etc so can only say based on bikes I have ridden. BAsed on your budget I'd expect you could get a very clean late model or an 'anniversary' special edition
Montesa 4RT 250 (4 stroke) - IMO, a horrible bike - big, heavy, noisy, waaaay too expensive to buy and run. HOWEVER its basically a Honda, with Honda engine and is easily the best put together bike in terms of build quality and component quality. Some people love them, others hate them. I've never owned one so can only say on what I feel on rides I have had. I struggled for grip everywhere on one, but other people seem to know how to make them work and grip. It seems that they are either gripping relentlessly or offer zero grip with nothing in between. Price wise, no idea cost around
My bike is coming up to 3 years old and will shortly need its first MOT.
Can someone please advise what I need to pass the MOT??
Do I need working lights, brake light? (god I hope not as all wiring stripped when bike was new) If so, is there a simple and quick fix to pressing the pedal and making the brake light work??
Obviously need a horn but can strap one on no problems
Guess the revised frame may make it more stable and help with rear suspension mounting etc. Rear suspension was an area that Raga is concerned about.
Rear master cylinder looks great, guess again it had to be moved due to revised frame. Hope it's out of harms way
Is that a Beta Evo silencer
So about 2ft more of rame, cut away plastics, different rear brake cylinder - wonder how much more they'll charge for that considering that the racing was
Hi, Is there any info on what they are / may be doing with these??
I spoke to a friend last night who was chatting with someone (who is getting one) yetserday at a trial and they said they had been talking with the dealer and it was going a totally new bike. i.e fuel tank like an Ossa, revised frame etc etc and with a
You can always soften - with flywheel weight, gaskets etc - if you find it too much, however I think (without knowing your riding style etc) that the Raga would be fine.
Jordi actually posted this pic on Facebook at Christmas.
Word is that around September time there should be a fully functioning bike and that possibly a top rider announcement - would have to assume it would be Raga but who knows.
Would also think that Tarres would not struggle for financial investment so could be a go-er.
Here's hoping! A new Ossa and a Tarres bike could ruffle some feathers at the established manufacturers
IMO the Ohlins shocks are brilliant. I went from a standard Gas Gas (with suspension I really liked) to a Raga Rep with Ohlins.
The Ohlins feels soooo much more responsive, is plusher and gives more feedback and feel.
If u can get an ohlins then do it. See if you can ride a bike with one on first though, ideally ask if u can adjust it to suit you as u may not like as much as I did.
however this is probably partly due to the importers/dealers I suspect. 
Rear Michelin Tubeless Tyre Out Of Shape
in General Trials Talk
Posted
Doubt it!
wasn't your first thought 'pump it up and ride it' rather than log on to TC forums?