michael_t

Here are 3 pages (just one example) from the trials forum on ADVrider (I'm MT007 over there as Michael_t was taken ) https://advrider.com/f/threads/bar-risers-or-high-handlebars-and-why-not.1298416/#post-34918641

There have been lots of threads on bar risers and it always seems to come down to regardless how tall you are … Dougie Lampkin is often used as an example the stock bar height makes for the best geometry (maybe if you have really long legs and short arms they might be needed but assuming you are of usual proportions). If you find yourself a bit cramped you might look at rolling your bars forward a bit. I'm 6'1" and another rider suggested this one day and I was surprised what a difference it made.

Hopping is all about getting the rhythm (like on a pogo stick) deep knee bends.

I doubt it... but it is tougher than it looks and is a good core work out. To be honest if I spent the amount of time it is going to take learning to ride it on the trials bike instead I would probably be better off as far as my trials riding goes... but it is fun to try something new and is a unique challenge, I have a new respect for people who can actually ride a unicycle - although a lot of them seem to be clowns ?.

A turning point for me was having the bars turned and putting the front wheel against a curb or rock in the driveway so I could push against the rock a little... it was just enough to allow me to better balance until my body got used to the balance point. I haven't come up with anything similar on the unicycle so just keep falling over until hopefully I get onto it... It does take a lot of time but once you get it it seems to stick with you so well worth the investment IMO :).

Hadn't really though of it like that and inn the video they actually do stop a few times on a log which would be super hard to do. I will say if the bike is moving it is WAY easier than when it is not and if the motor is running it is a bit easier than if it is not. I remember a guy driving a street bike into a parking lot one evening and drove in with no issues but when he got off the bike he was so drunk he didn't have enough balance to even walk straight … yes there was some heavy drinking involved but my point is a moving bike is much different than a still one as far as balancing goes

Sorry that I am just seeing this, I don't check here as often as I used to. My parents place is in Falmouth which is right next door to you and there are a few riders in Hantsport… hope to see you out at a few events next season. If you want to send me your email I can add you to the Maritime Trials Riders email list. Cheers, Michael

I do think working on static balance is a great thing as having a good sense of balance and core strength can only help with balancing your bike in lots of situations. I will however note that in the above examples - you don't typically put your front tire onto the top of an obstacle and balance before hoping up onto it you usually push your front tire into the obstacle just below the top and the pressure of the bike pushing forward against the obstacle really helps your balance... you could practice this as having the bike jammed into something is good to get used to and comes in handy. Riding on a straight log or narrow board isn't so much about static balance (as the wheels are moving) it is much more about focusing at the end of the log so you keep going straight, Can't really think of a situation were you wouldn't be able to turn the wheel at least one way... which is why it is really important to practice turning it both ways equally :). BTW … I bought a unicycle last week which is also a good way to work on your balance and core strength - and your ability to fall over and get back up again... over and over again.

I have really enjoyed my 2015 ST250 from new and have no plans to replace it anytime soon. The gas cap in the rear does need to be clean before you open it but not a big deal. The clutch sticks it has been sitting for a while but frees up easily if you rock it back and forth a few times in 4th gear (common issue on lots of trials bikes).

Can you imagine telling Usain Bolt to run in army boots because he was too fast and made the other runners feel uncompetitive. Does the fact that somebody can run as fast as he can really deter people from going out for a run with their mates? I really feel it is a sad state of affairs these days when young people give up sport at an early age because they figure they will never beat the best. I think we should put way more emphasis on getting more people out and enjoying giving it their best, instead of putting all the focus on one or 2 top performers. I have seen lots of cases where a second place finisher looks like he has just lost everything in life and the last place finisher looks happier than a pig in **** for being able to complete the race - In my mind last place finisher is often the real winner (and not just because it is usually me )

I wouldn't count on that ….

Worth noting that if you turn on closed captions (cc) with the little cc symbol on the bottom of a youtube video you can set auto translate to English - unfortunately the translations are not always that great but it is better than nothing if you are watching videos in foreign languages... even come in handy if it is a Scott talking - LOL !

My assumption would be that Yamaha would go with their electric not 4T and if I could buy one right now (for a reasonable price) it would certainly be high on the list. I'm surprised Sherco isn't more popular I really like mine and would buy another if I was buying one today but I haven't had the pleasure of trying the TRS yet.

Yep I would add that to my list... Almost got an EM before going with the ST250 but I had worked on a prototype electric trials bike with the local university and the no real clutch was a deal breaker for me.

If money was no object I think I would buy one of each and spend my days riding them until a favorite came to light... but for now I like to just dream about when that day comes. I am however extremely happy with my ST250 as it is more than capable of anything I want it to do and very forgiving when I ask it to do something I don't want it to - LOL!

Yep perfectly normal. My first attempt on a trials bike (after plenty of years riding other bikes) I went to change gears and not used to removing my foot from the peg to change gear I some how managed to go over the handle bars... still not sure how it happened but it was in the parking lot at the dealer so was more than a little embarrassing. I find that falling off is great learning but best done on soft ground watch any trials event and you will see experts falling all over the place... the fact that you didn't fall off was probably the scarier part, I find rolling around on the ground is often less stressful than staying on the bike. On soft ground letting your bike go will do it very little harm and often the best option after a while you will get a better feel for things and will fall off less and then start trying harder stuff which will lead to falling off more - All good fun

I find that putting it in 4th gear and rocking it back and forth with the clutch in (engine off) typically frees it up... but I like the Velcro idea.

Welcome... I have an X-Ride but don't ride it as much as my ST250. Some good insights can be found here: http://shercoforum.com/index.php?topic=86.0

Sounds like a great weekend! 17 hr drive from my house isn't in the cards for me... but maybe when I retire from my day job :).

Sorry to hear that... hope to see you back sometime in the future.

That makes a bit more sense, I actually have a cousin who lives in the UK and despite having a mint classic DB7 he trades in his newer model Aston Martin each couple of years for a newer one (I find it a bit hard to relate to him as well some days). From what I understand when Torrot bought GG a few years ago they totally changed the way they import/distribute bikes. Here in North America there is now just one importer/distributor for both the US and Canada and they handle both Enduro and Trials bikes. As I understand it they are Torrot employees compared to the old days when the importer was more independent and decided to buy a certain number of bikes and then move them through their dealer network. This is simply what I have gleaned from the internet and not sure if it the same in the UK? If it is true there are good and bad aspects to this approach but the bottom line is that it is different and for people used to having things a certain way it will take some time for everyone to figure things out... hopefully it will be better in the long run but my guess is (like any good company) Torrot will need to listen to its people closest to the customers if they want to truly succeed. Just my 2 pennies...

I'm confused you regularly trade in 911's, Margins are not an issue for you, You are looking to trade in a bike that is 6 months old for a newer model... but you are upset that you aren't getting a better deal.... and you are thinking that despite riding GG for the last 10yrs Beta would be better to deal with??? Maybe I have had a few too many pints but I just don't get it .

Yep the dealers are moving out the 2018 Montesas here as well - but no 2019 are being brought in (as far as I can tell) - not sure what that is going to do for resale if Honda stop selling them in North American dealers...

Just great that they were able to address it so quickly... nice thing about working with a small company eager to please their customers.

Actually that was the first internet rumor they had to deal with... which they did by posting a noise test on facebook showing the current version is quieter than a GG at idle and half throttle. It has been super cold the last few weeks but they will be bringing a demo down for the motorcycle show here in Nova Scotia the first weekend in March (indoor). Looking forward to seeing one in person.