Having not ridden regularly in trials for the past 20 years I was wondering what people’s thoughts are on when and what the biggest changes in bike design/technology have been? I continued to follow the sport so I’ve seen the bikes change but having not ridden them I have no idea of what impact these changes have actually made to the way the bikes ride. During one of my odd rides a few years ago I was talking to the dad of one of the guys I started riding with and he commented about how much better the bikes were, easier to ride and easier to do more on.

 

I’ve read a lot of the posts on here about which bikes of various ages is best etc which are very interesting but I was wondering if there have been any step changes in the last 20 years. Has suspension technology suddenly jumped forward or has it been a gradual improvement. I notice everything runs 4 pot brakes now are they a lot better than the older 2 pot ones? Based on the main advantages of bigger brakes in road racing I struggle to see where they are of benefit in trials! Have there been any big changes in makes/models, where they got smaller, lighter or easier to ride?

 

I know these are almost unanswerable questions but I thought I would ask anyway! 

The whirlpool throttle has saved a lot of awkward moments as have decent disc brakes.  And chain spray is so much nicer than boiling oil.

Have a go on one!Then lift one into the back of a van or onto the back of a car and you will see the difference!

I realise they have got a lot better over the years. What I was really think about was years ago the lightweight Spanish bikes were a massive change, more recently we’ve had the mono, which also saw the start of disc brakes, then water cooled with hydraulic clutches.

Has there been anything like that over recent years? For example Beta went from the Zero, to the Techno, Rev 3 and now EVO. Looking at them they are obviously different. GasGas the engines appear to be largely the same from the first water cooled bikes through to early, mid 2000’s but there were a series of what look like relatively small frame mods.

Was there anything where one make suddenly moved the goal posts and everyone else followed or was it just all of them making small improvements year on year?  

 

micm, I might bump into you in the next few months. I was thinking of joining Normandy or Hookwood club. 

Have a go on one!Then lift one into the back of a van or onto the back of a car and you will see the difference!

 

Or crawl out from underneath one that's landed on you and count the number of ribs broken :-)

I realise they have got a lot better over the years. What I was really think about was years ago the lightweight Spanish bikes were a massive change, more recently we’ve had the mono, which also saw the start of disc brakes, then water cooled with hydraulic clutches.

Has there been anything like that over recent years? For example Beta went from the Zero, to the Techno, Rev 3 and now EVO. Looking at them they are obviously different. GasGas the engines appear to be largely the same from the first water cooled bikes through to early, mid 2000’s but there were a series of what look like relatively small frame mods.

Was there anything where one make suddenly moved the goal posts and everyone else followed or was it just all of them making small improvements year on year?  

 

micm, I might bump into you in the next few months. I was thinking of joining Normandy or Hookwood club. 

The gassers have had similar engines since late 02 with the first pro models but with slight changes every year, cant improve on perfection lol

Bikes seem to have rear suspension now... Can't see that catching on - Why would they need that ?

From like before 1995 or a bit earlier even:

 

Suspension is 1000x better,

Weight lower,

Power

Better tyres?

Clutcher are more usable

Good liquid cooling with fan

Excelent brakes

 

 

From around 2000ish:

Reliability less

Less weight

Engine much more powerfull, and other character.

Cluch very precise, but also easily affected and wrong

easier to stall the bike

 

 

I think, as a GG owner, the PRO model (2002) was quite revolutionairy, and is comparable to other makes right now. Gas gas engines nowadays are bassically the same with some minor changes, it still works competitive.

The models before from 1996/1997 and especially the editions from 2000/2001 where very reliable and great bikes for novice riders up to experts.

Edited January 8, 201610 yr by crazybond700

What about 4strokes?

 

They have moved further than most of the 2strokes

Yamaha TY 250 mono the bike that changed trials?

you said past 20 years, so that is since the Beta Techno and Yamaha TY250Z era

Since those bikes

Bike mass progressively reduced (approx 15 kg difference to 1995)

I think that four pot front brakes in about 2000 was the biggest "step change" in performance.

Suspension technology progressively improved - a big difference from 1995, but not a step change

Engine response has become progressively faster, not a step change

Step change in ease of significantly changing the motor performance characteristics by the owner with introduction of programmable fuel injection with 4RT in 2005

Same for engine ignition map change via handlebar switch being a step change, but probably not important for 99% of riders

 

Probably 1 of the last big steps occurred when Sherco entered the market in 99 with a significantly smaller/narrower motor than anything else available, compare the size of 1 with the same age gas gas or montesa & the difference is quite noticeable

Put 15 kilos on your back and wd-40 on the brakes and that will git an idea.

The best way I've heard the difference described and it sums it up perfectly for me is that you feel like your standing IN a modern bike rather than ON an old bike.

Edited January 9, 201610 yr by paulmac

Nothing has changed in trials the last 20 years. You still have the rest of the world trying to chase four Spanish riders!

http://www.trial4fun.com/news/trial-history-flashback-1995-trial-der-nationen-piestingaustria/

Edited January 9, 201610 yr by lineaway