funtrials

What about using Simple Green to clean it off, guys?? Also, you said WD40 on the chain....don't you use the typical "chain lube" (PJ1, etc.)?? Keep yer feet up!

Say, what plug do you think is best for an '06 280 TxT Pro? Thanks!

Agreed. However, on a really tough trial (like the Scott, I'd suppose), I find that my biggest weakness (yours might be way different) is CARDIO....I am panting after many sections. So if, repeat if, that's a problem with you, then taking up a fun sport where you get lots of cardio improvement, such as basketball, might be something to consider.

The local trials guru says Michelins are softer....sounds like better traction to me. And he says they last longer...which eliminates the cost difference. A local age-group national champion who's been riding for years and years buys the Dunlops to save money. He runs 3-3.5 lbs. in the rear, due to the stiffer sidewall. I'm picking the Michelin, myself. If you're super-serious about trials you'll likely fork-out the extra bucks for the best. Most VERY serious local experts pick the Michelin.

LOVE THOSE UPDATES, GENTLEMEN! Keep 'em coming. I got into trials 33 years ago, and I've never heard of a yellow card! What is that exactly? Is it like a warning/penalty card in soccer?

One thing is that for a newcomer a bike over 260 cc's might be a bit too much, unless you are quite heavy. The GasGas "Raga" version (which I pine for myself) is likely not what you want. But the "regular" GasGases, in 250 CC, would be where I would start if I was you. CHECK ON SERVICE OF ALL BRANDS IN YOUR AREA, AS IF YOU CAN'T GET IT SERVICED LOCALLY YOU MIGHT REGRET BUYING A PARTICULAR BRAND! You success in the sections will be mainly dependent on these 3 rules: 1. Practice. 2. See rule #1. 3. See rule #2. Knee pads and TRIALS (not motocross or enduro!!) boots and a helmet are a "must".

Yes, that's a pretty good site...that's the source I first thought about: http://www.trialspartsusa.com/tech.html Too bad the factory doesn't have a site (in English) where someone could order EVERYTHING GasGas-related. That's a good suggestion for them.

That's great...but I can't seem to find it at all on Ryan's site...do you have the link to the specific page? Thanks.

I agree! JSE is a valuable resource on this forum. Keep up the great work, JSE!

For 45 years I couldn't do nose whellies to save my life, but last week I figured it out....I USED TWO FINGERS ON THE FRONT BRAKE! Boom, I can practically go over the bars now! Extra speed helps a lot, too. Also, weight back at first (arms straight), then move forward. Push on handlebars. I tend to bend my legs at the peak, to let the bike come up into me. Try higher rear shock spring setting, and dampening OFF, until you get the hang of it, and then go back to old shock setting. Also, just to get the hang of it, do this on PAVEMENT, as the front wheel grabs on pavement much better than on dirt. Unless you feel you'll crash. Did I mention TWO fingers on the brake!! (Maybe my brake isn't grabby enough, though.)

Thanks for the info! Great to see trials guys DOMINATE a go-fast type of event. If Keith (a great rider) can't make the finals then that says a ton about how good our other guys are, when you think about it. Glad to see Mich Lin helping the young riders again.

Wow, lots of great advice, guys! I just bought, yesterday, a used 2006 GG Txt Pro 280, and am on the list for a 2008 280 Raga ("probably coming in June or July to the US", the US importer says.) Thanks for all your input.

Good point. I think the FIM no-stop rule started in 1998, and while it was in effect the minders did seem to do SOME in-section "positioning advice", but they were mostly catchers, mechanics, in-section cheerleaders, supplies carriers, moral-support providers, etc. It's also tough to be right around a rider a lot when you have to almost run after him (over huge obstacles) in a section because he can't stop. Much much easier to be near a world rider when he can ride way way slower in the section (can take up to 2 minutes.) Before 1998, when world riders could backup (and currently in the INdoor FIM series) minders played a greater role than they do today, it can be argued. Hard for riders to look behind them.

(Sorry if I started a new thread.) Update: thanks for the feedback so far! This is my favorite web site now. I'm leaning towards a 280. So which scenario would be best, and why? (I'm around 200lbs., and hoping to ride expert sections like I did years ago...given months of re-learning the sport.) 1. 2008 280 TXT Pro. OR 2. 2008 280 "Raga" (new for 2008 & 6 pounds lighter!?), where I play around/experiment with the following: a. slow vs. fast throttle, b. flywheel weights vs. no flywheel weights, c. "retarding" the power (still figuring out exactly how that's done) vs. not. d. 10T (or even 9T?) front sprocket vs. standard 11T. Any suggestions are welcomed.

I have tons of Duke Video (google them) and TrialsTV.com DVDs on world rounds....far superior to youtube videos...but not right up to the minute like youtube can possibly be. I LOVE those trials DVDs! Minders can give advice all day long (at least they seem to on the world rounds I've ridden and watched at, and on the DVDs.) They largely seem to give "in section" advice (while the rider is actually riding) for rear-wheel placement, since riders don't seem to like having to look down at their rear-wheel. Martin Lampkin in-section quotes while Dougie is actually riding: *"Inch left!" *"This is where it all happens...come on boy!!" (at the toughest step at a Donner USA world round.) *"Big effort!" *"Look up!" *"110%!" *"Two tires left" (and then Dougie complains he doesn't want to and then Martin yells "TWO TIRES LEFT!!", and Dougie complies.) Sometimes Martin's commentary is more enjoyable to listen to than it is even to watch Dougie! I swear to god I saw, at the CPTA Canadian world round (1991?), a minder for Steve Saunders (who shall remain nameless) actually loudly direct Steve to back up while in the section (legal then) TO ACTUALLY TOUCH THE MINDER'S FOOT with Steve's rear-wheel, to help in getting traction to launch at a big step and to help in not going backwards over a large ledge! It was shameless. Probably not Steve's "fault"...maybe just an over-zealous young minder? Minders have been known to distract the observer in order for the rider to reach down (illegally) and remove a pesky rock. In 2008, I think some of the top riders use 2-way in-helmet radios to communicate in-section with their minder(s). Todotrial.com has pictures of the Spanish nationals where that seems to be taking place. I love it! Fuji seemed to be the first to use them? Fuji is a class-act. Yes, they wait, usually, for their minders to catch up, so that the minder can advise, and "catch" them if needed. I'm maybe too old to be an effective minder, as they are often seen RUNNING through sections while scaling massive rocks.

Are the Hebo gloves thinner and therefore more "responsive"/sensitive and offer a better "feel" in the sections....and therefore better at keeping your score down (a bit), but the trade-off is that they need to be replaced more often than a real thick long-lasting glove that is not as sensitive in the sections?? Or are they just made of an inferior material/workman-ship, and don't offer better "feel" in the sections? Also, just how "light" of a glove is best for trials? For instance, should we wear motocross gloves...or just what? Just wondering.

I'm also going to be buying a new helmet, but I'll be going to my local shops and actually try them on to see one that fits just right. I'll likely not buy one over the net...but if you're willing to send it back for a better size then I guess that's ok. But SHAPE of that brand (as was mentioned) might be an issue, relative to your unique head (that being more important than having to get a certain brand of helmet?)....so if the helmet(s) don't feel very very good, then keep looking until you find one that fits very very well.

Thanks for the feedback so far! This is my favorite web site now. I'm leaning towards one of the two following scenarios...any feedback would be helpful (I'm around 200lbs., and hoping to ride expert sections like I did years ago...given months of re-learning the sport.) 1. 2008 280 TXT Pro. OR 2. 2008 280 "Raga" (new for 2008 & 6 pounds lighter!?), where I play around/experiment with the following: a. slow vs. fast throttle, b. flywheel weights vs. no flywheel weights, c. "retarding" the power (still figuring out exactly how that's done) vs. not. d. 10T (or even 9T?) front sprocket vs. 11T. Any and all ideas are welcomed, as "I'm a newbie...again"! Thanks.

Speaking of the S3 brand, someone on this forum mentioned trailendurodirect.com, so I checked them out. They have a good number of S3 products, if you have the money for high-end parts. They have the most Gas Gas trials accessories that I've seen, so far, (I'm not affiliated with them in any way whatsoever, BTW), but I'm just now getting back into the sport. I didn't know that so many trick parts existed. They also have, at, they admit, very high prices (carbon fiber is expensive!), JT7 brand parts from Jordi Tarres. I wasn't much aware of that brand. FIVE HUNDRED pounds for a carbon fiber airbox is a lot (you can buy a whole used bike for that, no!?), but if I REALLY get into trials, and have money sitting around, I'll consider carbon fiber parts. They have a chain protector, to protect left boot from the chain....I'd never heard of that.

Ya dun good! I'm jealous.

The USA's #3 rider (Florin - a great rider) got 42 TIMES as many points as Smage!? Either it's a typo, or the 17 year-old Smage is on his way to becoming a trials GOD.

I've never seen a trials rider where that much gear. Maybe you could slow down just a bit on the trail between the sections and do away with some (just some) of the gear. Lighter weight will help you ride better in the sections. If you ride on ROADS between sections, at high speed, well then I guess I can see why all the gear. Our trials club recommends: helmet, boots, gloves, knee guards. They also say to consider elbow pads. That's all they recommend. I remember US national champ-class star Keith Adams (who was later age-group national champion) used to ride in TENNIS SHOES!....probably for the lighter weight, possibly better "feel" on the pegs, and more flexibility in the ankle area while riding. But, uh, I DON'T recommend tennis shoes! :-)

You sound determined, and I'm confident you'll find a solution. I, myself, when I happen to get to the point where I'm ready to either cry, or shoot the bike, or sell the darned thing, take it to a qualified mechanic to have HIM solve the problem....that's when his fee is well worth it to me.

Good point about resale. But just say if resale was no different on the 3 sizes, THEN which one would you have bought? Thanks.

Good responses, thanks. Keep 'em coming! I'm surprised to see *all* responses so far are the 250. I was thinking expert class would mostly be 280/300 recommendations, but I guess I was wrong. Too "jumpy" (especially when low traction sections), is that the problem with the 280/300's? I'm around 200 pounds (and Dougie's height), so I weigh more than most folks, so would a 280 be better, or not? Whar about a 300 with the slower throttle? I do understand now that the 250 would be a very very viable choice...thanks for that.