I like to take the trials bike, (2004 Sherco 290), on the trails from time to time, it a blast to ride as it is so light compared to the big dirt bike. I keep wondering though, am I doing something terrible to it? This is not putt-putt-jump-over-obstacle-putt-putt-putt, but rather 4-5th gear with lots of throttle, dodging trees, jumping whoops and things for about 6-12 miles at a stretch. The motor and suspension seem to be fine afterwards, but I just wanted to check. In any case then, just how much can one abuse a modern trials bike? Thanks for your input-

Trials bike engines aren't really designed for this type of use, so obviously it is going to wear everything out sooner than if you just used it for trials. That said, if you keep the coolant level topped up and the gear box oil and air filter clean, it will be a big help.

You could also get a 'one up' front sprocket and put that on for your trail rides, this will raise the gearing and your top speed a litttle and help to stop the engine from over revving so much.

Don't forget the effect on the brakes

If your little blasts include much sustained downhill riding under brakes, you will certainly be overheating the brakes. I've seen them overheat after only about a minute of serious downhill high speed riding. Blue discs, boiling fluid etc.

Braking into turns on the flat or only short downhills the brakes will be fine.

They still run ok after trials such as SSDT and the SCOTT which are slightly more testing then a 6-12 mile 'blast'!

I would bet that 80% of the Trials bikes sold never see a Trials section. Most are bought to trail ride. We do both, and trail ride ours all the time, anywhere from 2000 ft to 10,000 ft. The new liquid cooled bikes are actually better for it than the old air cooled ones were. Heck after riding a Trials bike on a trail, anything else feels like herding a Mack Truck down the trail. Like the others guys said, just pay attention to the maintenance.

Here's the Five Miles of Hell we ride near Moab, UT. It's one of the longest most challenging rides you'll find. Actually 8 miles across, and we ride it over, then ride it back. Takes 3-4 hours to cross it one way. Guys ride it on Enduro bikes too as you can see with the helmet cam you tube video, but it's not easy. We've seen the enduro bikes get so hot they boil over. We pick up a lot of broken Enduro plastic too. On a Trials bike though, it's just pure fun!

http://www.utahtrials.com/5moh/5moh.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTVFsmawOo

This group has a Trials bike with them, and even he's getting a workout on the 5MOH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gP-OCbf_NU

The only times I could see where the Enduro bikes would be better for trailing is in the sand, or on long fast desert roads.

Edited February 10, 200818 yr by Ridgrunr

I would bet that 80% of the Trials bikes sold never see a Trials section. Most are bought to trail ride. We do both, and trail ride ours all the time, anywhere from 2000 ft to 10,000 ft. The new liquid cooled bikes are actually better for it than the old air cooled ones were. Heck after riding a Trials bike on a trail, anything else feels like herding a Mack Truck down the trail. Like the others guys said, just pay attention to the maintenance.

Here's the Five Miles of Hell we ride near Moab, UT. It's one of the longest most challenging rides you'll find. Actually 8 miles across, and we ride it over, then ride it back. Takes 3-4 hours to cross it one way. Guys ride it on Enduro bikes too as you can see with the helmet cam you tube video, but it's not easy. We've seen the enduro bikes get so hot they boil over. We pick up a lot of broken Enduro plastic too. On a Trials bike though, it's just pure fun!

http://www.utahtrials.com/5moh/5moh.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTVFsmawOo

This group has a Trials bike with them, and even he's getting a workout on the 5MOH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gP-OCbf_NU

The only times I could see where the Enduro bikes would be better for trailing is in the sand, or on long fast desert roads.

What incredible fun on a trials bike. The guys with enduros would do better if they had trials tires.

Thanks for posting the links.

DFW

I had 5MOH kick my backside on my KTM 453 Enduro bike...thus my new-to-me Beta Rev 3

I can't wait to go back with the "right tools"