pete_scorpa3

The importers and the dealer were brilliant when I had stator problems, it's the manufacturer that I can't forgive. They allowed a known problem to continue for more than one year and that's unforgivable in my opinion. The second stator went within six trials and I couldn't believe it so I kicked and kicked to try and start the bike until I broke a bone in my foot that has hurt for four years now. I tried the new Evo and really love it, but the pain in my left foot when I started it reminded me of those damned stator problems.

Two stators in six trials from new on my '04 and I'd had enough. I'd been a fan of Beta's until then. It wouldn't be so bad but 2003,2004 & 2005 models had the same problem.

Ohh surely they'd never have done anything like that........ would they?

And what is worse than that, (and it really gets my goat) is the politicians involved with the whole farce acting suprised at his welcome home. We could all see what was going to happen, why couldn't they? Unless they didn't care maybe? Yep, a Gov of a max sec prison has it as part of his/her kpt (what he/she gets a bonus for) to get the cost down to

As woody said. No problems with our local tester, just make sure the rear number plate is 100% legal on the day. Pete

Daughter no1 has almost grown out of hers but daughter no2 has her eye (and feet!) on it. PS I've photoshopped out the stand

Push bike inner tube between the tyre bead and the rim. You do have to be quick to pull it out as the tyre inflates otherwise it gets caught and you have to start again but with practice, this works really well. I've still got the same push bike inner tube after ten years or more.

Don't feed the TROLL!

It's a shame that this thread has gone from observing rules to ACU bashing.

Yes it probably does take more courage for observers to give a five for stopping, (instead of last years 1) but it's a damned sight easier to explain the rules to a new observer five minutes before a trial starts. At club level, its definately the worst part of putting on a trial.... finding those observers. One thing's for sure, if we all go non stop I won't have to use so much boundary tape marking out a section just so that the top lads can't bounce into that six inch gap for a better line! Pete

Unless the trial has a really long lap, one tankfull will do for the average club trial. Mix up and take five litres and you should be able to do two events. Turn the tyre around, it won't do any harm. Tyre pressures as you say. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Pete

I think I'm correct in saying that there is no official use of Kilkenny, the council/Police just turn a blind eye in the hope that it will keep riders off other more sensitive areas. The plonkers will get bored and go somewhere else, in the mean time perhaps you could go up to Aggs Hill instead? Although you do get similar types up there sometimes. But at least it is bigger and there are places that a MX bike can't easily reach where you could ride for hours on a trials bike. Don't even think of confronting them, I've come across people who would stab you in the high street for less, never mind in a quarry on the hills.

Last years rules where a stop was a 1, a dab was a 1, a stop with a dab was a 2, a stop with two dabs was a 3 etc etc was completely ridiculous. There was little of no consistency to observing under these rules (at club/centre events at least.) The decision to go back to anything goes was a sensible one on the part of the ACU as in most cases that was just what was happening anyhow. If all trials end up non stop, at least we will all be rinding to the same rules and that has to be a good thing.

I think the Scorpa SY125 four stroke would cope with this very well (and there are probably some others too). But all of the 2t's would struggle as their cooling systems are not designed for this type of use.

Surely a stop is either a five or unpenalised under current versions of the rules?

My Daughter and I went last year and she met Becky Cook which made her very happy, but my goodness it was cold!

The trials practice area is a bit overgrown at the moment with nettles etc. The owner would appreciate any riders up there at the moment to flatten it down a bit. He'll charge you

If you give them a call they will be more than happy to confirm the details.

In our non stop trials, I've often heard riders say 'that's not a non stop section' when they really mean 'to ride that section non stop I'm going to have to have a dab to get the bike around that turn!' How many times do you see someone hopping and bouncing and reversing to line up a turn, only to drop marks when they over balance, when they could have had a safe one, turned the bike and been away. With non stop, it will make us all think a lot harder about carefully placed dabs and making the most out of them. The best riders will still be the best riders. One rule for all is a good idea!

In last years OK Supreme Long Distance Trial we had one route. You would think that a trial set out for trail and enduro bikes would only need one route wouldn't you? Eleven riders (from 120 entered) got around for ZERO! One rider had a slow special test plus he dropped a single dab and finished 17th....... on ONE! Far too easy you say. Actually most riders found it a challenge and some lost over 100. For them it was too HARD. This year I will be setting out two routes. And this is a trail bike trial where the machine is a limiting factor.

The Midland Centre s seriously considering a return to all trials at Centre Level. Plus, now the Novogar rounds are going non-stop, so hopefully we are going to end up with just one set of rules at last!

I'm afraid that, as much as I'd like them to be, single route trials will never become the norm, there's just too big a difference between the top riders and the rank and file. Even on our B route, where no-one hops and bops their bike around, last week the winner was on seven and the last place man was on 98. Imagine asking all of the riders to ride the same route. You either have more than one rider on zero or you completely demoralise the beginners/wobblers. I understand that years ago we only had one route and everyone rode it, but back then the machines were more of a leveller.

Best advice is to go and have a look at a local trial to see what you like the look of. Where abouts are you?

As Andy says Plus- You will need proof of your address, such as a water bill etc. There's a good chance that you will have to go back for an inspection with the bike. If it passes their inspection, they will issue you with a tax disc there and then. Before you spend any money, check that you can insure the bike and then get a letter dating it from the importers. Some charge for this letter also. Pete

Have you still got yours Mick?