Hi newbie here, done a bit of offroading and have decided I would like a go at trials. I have a a budget of upto £1K I've been offered a Gas Gas 280 2004, I know at the budget market it's more about condition but does anyone have any thoughts about the bike / suitability for a newbie.Specific things to this year/model I should know?

My mate has a 2004 250 which is a difficult to startand was told by someone that the 2004 250 was like that, is that true and does it apply to the 180 as well.

A 280 is probably too big for a beginner bud. Get a 125 or 200 tops, I wish I had as I`m now stuck with a bike thats has too much power .

The old 280 were horrible to ride, snappy aggressive and you will most likley regret it or throw loads of time n money to calm it down.

I had a feeling the 280 might be too much. A Beta 200 was advertised in clasified on here that is local to me so I am going to have that.

Thanks for your advise all.

i got a 280 for my first trials.

i wasnt happy about it but there weren't any bikes for sale in south wales at the time. and i wasnt gonna travel miles just to buy a bike.

my opinion? yes a 280 is a bit of a handful. once its up in the rev range and you start losing control, there is no stopping it, it puts you on your a***.

i got no intention of keeping it, never have, not even when i bought it.

its a 2006 that i bought to learn on. once i got the basics nailed, im going to chop it in for a MY 10/11