the artist formerly known as ish

He he like asking't mill owner for a raise

After thoughts on the topic, maybe I was a bit negative, heck if someone can raise some sponsorship and give prize money at events more power to them, but a surcharge on entry fees to give a bit of cash to the higher ranking riders is a sure way to get rid of lower ranking riders in my opinion.

My point has nothing to do with what a bicycle may cost, but the fact that millions of people ride bicycles and can relate the name of Lance to bike racing, go to a mall and ask 100 people who is Lance Armstrong and what is his claim to fame, and also ask the same question about Adam Raga. Yes I can see how you could muster up enough sponsors for a cycle race, but have you put on a trial and tried to do the same ? Well trials isn't spectator friendly outdoors, but will sell indoors should draw thousands providing the countries top riders attend, just a minute! it was done two years in a row call, the promoter of that and ask him how profitable it was and will he be doing it again. The world championship has been on the go for 30 years, has spectator participation grown ? rider participation? sponsorship? NO!! why ? The corporate sponsor won't touch trials, the public won't pay to go see it, all that is left is the club rider, how long do you think they would stick around if entry fees were raised so half of what they paid to enter an event was given to the best rider in the club each event, most clubs the same rider would be taking home the spoils every weekend. If you can put on a series of events over the year, giving a purse of like you state above, draw spectators, riders and break even at the end of it, then I will definately be interested, talk is cheap, show me how it can be done in trials. I know the local MX track can draw 30,000 spectators to see the countries top riders, but trials is not MX is it, nor is cycle racing.

How many people recognize the name Lance Armstrong, and how many people recognize the name Adam Raga. How many bycycles are sold per year in the USA, How many trials motorcycles are sold per year in the USA. If earning money is so important,get a job that pays, because there isn't any in trials.

Same to you Vinnie, it'll soon be May

Trials the poor mans motor sport, should the poor man pay more extra fees for one or two who may or may not make it ?. Was trials ever intended for anything other than a good days sport. Why did Octogon pull out? I think because there is no return on investment in this game, loads of posts on other topics about getting more sponsorship and $$$$ into motorcycle trials, well the reality of it is! the majority of the worlds population don't care two hoots about trials, will not spend $$ to/or go see it, even when free. Trials was a lot stronger in the past when many more could compete at top level needing a lot less to be able to do so, the beer pocket industry can't sustain the champaign taste of the top few, is the answer to milk the beer pocket for more?. The few sponsors that do inject what they can into trials are within the industry in one way or another, I think the best way to increase sponsorship is to increase participation at club level, to increase sales. I would like trials to return to a sensible level that it can sustain, not subsidize the few at the top who are taking the majority of what little there is. I know I have posted an harsh reply, and it will not go down too well with some, but why is it the low man on the totem pole has to come up with the funds to help a few who are taking the sport further away from them, and once milked to extinction will drop it like an hot rock.

Tha never seems to be short of fertilizer, that's for sure.

So it's a Munchcycle

I'll gi thi 500 quid if thi let me borrow it for a week in May

That is if they are not closed this week for rumor repair

I went along to my local Honda dealer Bob Lamphere's and got the stock mudguard they had to order it, even asked if I wanted red or white. So I would think it would be possible for any Honda dealer in the US to order one, the front cost me around $50.

I just spent all weekend looking for an holiday tree, unfortunately the don't sell holiday trees in Oregon, just Christmas trees.

I noticed the Dabster was concerned about the British champs entry fees, he must have a large set bubals on order from Santa :hat:

Loan it to Kinell for a week

I think it is clear those who prefer a certain set of rules will always argue in favor of those rules. Getting club riders, observers,and bike sale numbers up at club level should be the main objective, at this time it's hard to move that used bike on so you can buy a new one, unless you don't mind taking a big hit in the wallet. Been tried...... stop while foot down 1, stop while feet up 1. backing up legal, backing up not legal, stop with foot down 5, stop at all 5, hopping sideways legal, sideways not legal, sections timed, sections not timed, **** observing I'm off pub My point, having ridden in the UK for many years all the trials were fully observed, turn up get your number ride the event. In the USA, turn up, observe all morning, ride the afternoon, or go out in groups of four and score each other through the sections, very inconsistant scoring, what would you do in the UK if you had no observers? One good thing about the USA, for a country this size, I'm not aware of any clubs in the US at this time who are not all on the same page regarding rules, so why is it so hard for the UK to pick one set and stick with it ? Maybe the ones deciding what observing rules are used, should be the ones doing the job.

t'other side

I have just what your mate needs, will take plenty of stick and keep going strong. 97 Beta techno used by an old lad in our club to come out and help clear sections and watch events, never trialed, excellent condition, the seat pad just is bolted to the regular stock fender bolts. Runs like a clock $1800 will meet you at Pendleton if your interested.

Only first class award I ever got in a center trial, was a snow trial, TLR 250 with a pereli on't back. Are you getting soft Perce, you must of ridden sheps farm in the snow and ice

Best reply I have seen in a long time, no bull just an honest answer why a three is worthwhile, if I was going to change a system so a honest three was given three and a paddling ride should be given more I would think twice about changeing it given BB's answer.

That is just what was done, and the result of is the mess we have now. Bradford boxing day trial, plenty of good riders, plenty of tight techncal sections, most of the spectators watched the hill climb, funny the only full no stop section in the trial was the most popular to spectate. [Q]most wanting full no stop are over forty [Q] I did a poll on Todo Trial and TA when Andy was web master asking what age are you? most of the riders were over 32. I edited the age from 40 to 32, forty was not correct.

I asked the FIM a question on the same lines Stu, "when making changes to trials rules, does the affect it could have on the clubman get taken into consideration" the answer was! "we are supposed to take the clubman into consideration, but in reality we don't" Some clubs have seen the light and done what is best for thier club members, I'm a clubman and want to go ride my bike on a weekend and have a bit of fun. I'm sure the paying punter is worth more to factories, importers, dealers, than the the sponsored rider in the long run.

My point is the FIM keep changing the rules to try and solves problems in world championship trials, most of these problems don't arise at club level. Stu is correct in wanting all clubs to be on the same page, but I don't think he is correct in useing the FIM rules to get them all on the same page. I have found over the last few years the FIM have had a meeting at the start of the new year and often rule changes are made, so clubs all have the 05 AGM and decide to go along with the FIM rules, only to find in two month time those rules have changed. I think looking at which clubs are doing well and what rules they are using is a better indicator for clubs than trying to follow an ever changing set of FIM rules. We can all go watch world championship trials and still marvel at what they can do on a motorcycle, without having to copy them to the letter on rules, cater for the majority not the minority.

Does the yellow extension cord lead to a 5000 watt generator buzzing away at the back of a tree. If so which poor bugger is going to cart it to the top of the mountain, only to find he forgot the five gallon gas can. All this extra expence and work for a few people who would argue the fact the electronic button was pressed before the front axle crossed the start line. The truth is the FIM doesn't know what next seasons rules will be. Motorcycle trials is nothing like world championship trials, the more you try and make the two the same, the result will be less participation in both.

Sorry Lane, I must of got it wrong

Hi Dave, I was in the market for a spare, one reason is to keep a good tire/tyre for trials events, and also have a spare on hand for a quick change if needed. I could of bought the same style rim, but checked the Mont rim first to see if it would fit has it doesn't use the rim band, only had one real problem trying to seal a rim band and it was a pain in the anus, so when the Mont wheel fit I used that, now my kids 80 came with small wheels and I installed full sized, leaving me without a spare. I don't slam/ride hard stuff like the young riders hitting big steps etc (age thing) so my rims usually stay in good condition.