April 7, 201412 yr As I sit here nursing yet another motocross related injury - broken collar bone this time , I,m seriously considering a change to trials and have a couple of basic questions 1) Is 55 too old to start ? lol 2) What is the ideal starter bike , I have a decent budget around 3.5 / 4 k on the basis that I,m conversant with both fitness and bike preparation this seems a good move to me but would welcome any thoughts / advice / info etc am based in the Heathrow area
April 7, 201412 yr Welcome to the most friendly form of Motorsport there is, and although to punish yourself with motor cross, you obviously love it, you'll find trials can be all consuming for your sport time....... Your questions, Age, as I approach 50, I still find myself getting beaten by gents almost 20years older than me, some of these having done what your doing and swapping disciplines and realising that they are good at trials, and competing and being very good... So age, as you have the bike know how and fitness, isn't a problem. Bike. A more complicated decision. Do you like 2 or 4 strokes, if it's 4t then you only really have two options,Beta or Honda. Is you like 2t then you have enormous choice. I would suggest going to watch at a competition, and looking to see what you like and what you don't to narrow it down. Once you have narrowed it down, go to dealers or ask riders and get opinions and, if you can, test rides. Easy from a dealer, but may be more differ cult from riders, but most will help out. Look out for, also, importers try out days. Yes you'll try new models, but a lot of the older models ride similar to the new. Other things to consider, you size, 10 stone and you could get away with a 125 or 200. 18 stone and think 280 or 300. I'm on a 280, so no guessing which way my scales point! Amount to spend. You can get a cracking bike for £2000-, and if it's first bike, I'd limit my spending to this until I'm fully committed. Trials bikes don't loose the same value as motor cross or enduro bikes, so you shouldn't really loose too much. Loads of clubs west London way, Hillingdon and Uxbridge to name one, but you also travel into Hants for Basingstoke and Alton clubs, so loads of choice. Welcome and enjoy, the choice is now yours to make!!! Edited April 7, 201412 yr by jonboy883
April 7, 201412 yr Author Thanks for that .... I,m 15 stone and 6 ft tall . would possibly lean towards a 4T as im on a TM450F at the moment but that's not set in stone my main concern 2T wise would be engine size ., power delivery etc
April 7, 201412 yr At your weight and height go 2t and anything from a 200cc upwards would suit you. Look at all the major brands, they all make brilliant 250's, the ossa is technically advanced, the sherco is good, as are the gas gas, beta and jotogas is getting good reviews from owners. New discipline, try a new engine type, go 2t, otherwise you'll always be comparing the two engines and performances, and may not enjoy yourself as much. It is however, your choice, and yours alone, so take your time, and get what you like the look off and what rides well for you.... Enjoy......
April 7, 201412 yr A riding buddy of mine told me once "if you want to learn how to race, you need to learn how to limp." Get healed up and get on a trials bike! At least when you get off on a trials bike you are only going 1-5 mph. Don't worry so much about power. In trials it is amazing what can be done with very little power and good technique. In trials we Do Not want to spin out tires!
April 7, 201412 yr Well I am currently making a return to trials after an 18 year lay off at the grand old age of 57, so, no you are not too old! At the moment I am am riding a 125 Rev 3 which fine for all but the the big hills. My riding gear seems to have shrunk in the past 18 years . The person responsible for this return is an ex British Championship sidecar motocrosser who himself has decided to hang up to motocross boots a few yrears ago. I am not a million miles from you over in Addlestone. You will certainly find trials a bit more friendly on the wallet! In our area we are pretty spoilt for choice and can ride an event nearly every weekend within a 50 mile radius. Sometimes 2 in a weekend if that way inclined
April 7, 201412 yr Author At your weight and height go 2t and anything from a 200cc upwards would suit you. Look at all the major brands, they all make brilliant 250's, the ossa is technically advanced, the sherco is good, as are the gas gas, beta and jotogas is getting good reviews from owners. Would a 280 /290 /300 be too much ??? In our area we are pretty spoilt for choice and can ride an event nearly every weekend within a 50 mile radius. Sometimes 2 in a weekend if that way inclined Sounds good , i would certainly be interested in riding most weekends any local practise areas ?
April 7, 201412 yr Would a 280 /290 /300 be too much ??? I'm gonna bet a soapy tenner, you buy a bike of that size, mainly on the basis that you think bigger is better and find out, like most do that in trials it isn't.
April 7, 201412 yr Go for it mate, your gonna love it. If you get chance come down to the Cotswolds and do a trial, ie, zona 1 mcc or a hawks mcc trial, great event and good bunch of guys. Cheers.
April 8, 201412 yr Oh, and I started at about 55-56 after not being on a bike for almost 30 years. Nobody told me that was too old. Remember, you don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stop riding. Cheers! Edited April 8, 201412 yr by thats_a_five
April 8, 201412 yr Would a 280 /290 /300 be too much ??? Sounds good , i would certainly be interested in riding most weekends any local practise areas ? Hook Woods is probably the nearest "legal" practice area, but riding most weekends you'll be pushed to have time for pratice! If I were you I would plump for a 200 or 250 of some description. You may find the bigger engined bikes a bit brutal for a beginner. A yam engined Scorpa would be a good choice for a beginner as they have a nice soft engine, but the power is there when required. My little 125 has plenty of power but lacks a bit of torque with my svelt figure on it and I find myself revving the wotsits off it on some bigger hills. Mind you the last modern(ish) trials bike I rode was a 327 Gas Gas back in the early 90s. You have to realise that trials is more about technique and throttle control than out and out power. You only have to look at enduros and see that a lot of the top riders started out as trials riders. Trials will certainly improve your riding skills Edited April 8, 201412 yr by petert
April 10, 201412 yr http://www.trialscentral.com/component/attachments/download/1220 Have a look at the above link, older riders and older bikes doing very well
April 22, 201412 yr Author OK Guys , been looking at bikes for a couple of weeks but have to admit that I,m confused with all the choice in my budget any help would be much appreciated thanks
April 22, 201412 yr I don't think you would go far wrong with a Beta 2T, 250, 290 or 300. plenty of good bikes around £3k and over
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