I've never competed in a trial before but I've been pottering on mx, enduro and 80's Fantics for over 30 years now so I don't consider myself a "beginner". With this in mind what is the most suitable bike I can buy for under a

errr... a 1980s Fantic maybe seeing you already have it/them?

nope, sold em. Sorry to see them go but 3 less "projects" now.... need to change my username I think !

Worth having a look at a Beta Rev3 200.

My lad had one back in 2004 (he was an adult sized 15 year old) it was very easy to ride and had more than enough power, it was good at finding grip in the mud and didn't suffer the stator problems that my 250 Rev3 did that year.

Edited February 11, 201016 yr by Pete_Scorpa3

you'll not get a definitive answer, ask 10 riders you'll get 10 different opinions

as a 40+ returner to trials myself with a

many thanks for responses so far.... Tony I like your answer as it seems the Sherco 290's are very good value and I would get a later bike than a comparable Beta or Gas Gas.

Maybe asking for a definitive answer was a bit of a stretch but maybe if I ask what bikes were mostly winning in 2001-2004 ? Also, there have always been bikes of every genre that everyone at the time would want if money etc were no object.... what were these in early 2000's ?

If you have a look around on the TC classifieds, TMX and ebay you will get an idea of what you could get for your money. All of the bikes are good, its all about preference. My mate got an 03 montesa 315 for

I'm thinking that if the UK economy was based on trials bike sales then we would be in far better economic health than we are now....Take note Mr Brown (username OneEyedWobbler). I've lost track of the number of bikes I've watched or bid on or contacted the owner only to find they are sold ! I think that Montesa was one of them ! I had 3 bikes for sale last week and they went within hours and I had dozens of calls and emails each wanting to buy straight away.

So if anyone knows of a post 2002 Rev 3, Sherco, Gas Gas, Montesa etc for under a grand that isn't sold then let me know !

Immaculate Sherco 290cc as new.This is on trials central adds i've not seen one in such good order it's a bit over 1000 pounds but looks good. try and get a 290 sherco 04 i had one and it was very good.

Definitive answer...

Any 200 cc two-stroke. In my opinion, first choice is a 200 Beta Rev3, followed by ???. Chewy has one for himself and his missus and they swear by the 200cc motor (granted, theirs are Evo's).

Why? Simple... plenty of usable power, grips in mud better than bigger engined bikes, light and flickable.

End of story

Any 200 cc two-stroke. In my opinion, first choice is a 200 Beta Rev3, followed by ???. Chewy has one for himself and his missus and they swear by the 200cc motor (granted, theirs are Evo's).

Why? Simple... plenty of usable power, grips in mud better than bigger engined bikes, light and flickable.

What I said.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you need big engines to ride in trials.

The latest 290 Evo and the like are fabulous, but

The mont 315's and the Scorps/ Yam are easy riders with a bit more guts than a 200, all good!

A Sherco 290 is a terrible bike to start out on. me mates had em only for a couple of months as way to powerful for novice/inter.

Edited February 12, 201016 yr by smalley250

Try a few bike first if you can before even considering one to find what YOU like, as its like asking what wine should i buy.

Not quite, as all wine tastes like gnats p*** - at least there are some good trials bikes...

As stated in above and previous posts, a 200 is your best bet and that really means a Beta as the best option. It's ridiculous to buy a 290/300 whatever and then try and tune it down, it's a waste of effort, trying to get it to run right with whatever changes you make is trial and error and it is still a big engine after all that. The 200 has the correct power characteristics as standard.

Trials is not all about power until you are on much bigger expert level sections. A 200 will happily pull a 17 stone rider up anything at novice/inter level. A big engine and too much power will just give you a miserable time in the sections.

All excellent advice so thanks everybody.

I have decided to look for a Beta 200 Rev 3 but they are a bit thin on the ground so will probably up my budget to 1200 or so.

And as for the wine, I find that you can't go wrong with Baron Phillipe Rothschild's Mouton Cadet.

Unless anyone else has anything to mention then I'll consider this matter closed.

Thanks again, and special thanks to whoever runs this fantastic site as the speed of responses has been FANTastIC (must change that name).