scottwitting

Recently had some thoughts along the lines of dragging trials marking into the 21st Centuary. Imagine the scenario... Riders have a profile/username/password (Trials Central logon?). Arrive at a trial and the entries system is all on a waterproof laptop/tablet where it is just a case of adding the rider to the event and ticking a box to specify the route they wish to ride and assigning a riding number. They could even have entered themselves the evening before and paid the entry fee via Paypal. Removes the need for dealing with paperwork/cash in a wet windy field... All observers have a waterproof tablet. Rider rides the section and all they have to do is tap his/her number and then the score to log it. Again, does away with soggy boards and pencils... All tablets have sim cards and are constantly sending live results to a central server. This would allow anybody with the 'Trials Central Live' App installed on their mobile device to view live results for that event. Riders queing for a section can see how they are doing. Observers having a quiet moment could see who's doing well on other sections. Results are instant once the last rider rides the last section. National and international events can be 'watched' by anybody anywhere in the world. Spectators taking photos/video of riders can instantly tag it to that rider in that section. Rider develops a history of results which they can look back on in future. The possibilities are endless! The obvious big stumbling point is that some of the places we ride are fairly remote and coverage for transmitting mobile data may be non existant. However, the observers tablet could still save the marks and dump it all once a data connection is established (back marker riding back with tablets from remote SSDT group, gets into data coverage area, results are uploaded, saving the intensive data entry process). Another draw back is relying on an electrical device which may fail so you'd still need to issue a 'back up' paper observers board. Clubs would also need to invest in the laptops/tablets and possibly pay a connection contract to a mobile provider, but this wouldn't be a huge cost and could be passed onto the rider (£1 a trial..). Potential to be quite profitable - gradually all riders would have a profile - 'Trials Central Live' would be the 'must have' app for all trials riders - advertisers would be very attracted by this! I don't have the IT knowledge or the time to progress this idea myself so will just take a small cut (5%?) of the revenue it generates.........

Like others I'm very intrigued and would love to own one for a week and ride a couple of club trials. Being brought up on petrol bikes myself I'm now getting my two boys going on electric and am very impressed with the 12.5 and 16 Osets we have. Price - if you could get a new one for around £3k I'd probably cash in my browny points with 'her who must be obeyed' and get one. At the minute it's be the same money as a brand new, heavily developed, factory model Sherco, so if I had the cash to spend, think I'd go petrol. Be interesting to see how the second hand market develops, guess this will depend on long term battery/motor/controller (what other bits is there?!) relaibility and replacement cost. I've been impressed with the Oset's ability to stand up to being washed quite agressively and, touch wood, I've had no electrical issues from doing this. How water proof are these? Could you fully submerge one for a couple of minutes, drag it out and ride away? In theory you should be able to. If so and you can just power wash off, spray up, charge up and ride again that would be a big selling point for me over having to keep on top of carb maintenance. Fit grease points in all the right places, suspension pivots and head stock and it starts to appeal even more as a low maintenance, simple clubman bike, especially if price comes down too. Would love to be able to jump on one in a few years time, when the lads are a bit more competent, and go for a play in the local woods with the two boys on their Osets without breaking the law. Wonder if the law will catch up once 'greenies' realise these can tear up tracks like a petrol bike? Riding style - once the Oset 24 is fully developed and in production then the gap from youth to adult will be just about bridged and there may be a whole new generation of rider that never even consider petrol and never have to learn the flywheel/clutch style of riding! Petrol will become the Pre 65 of now - spend £6k and 3 hours tinkering for every hour of riding..... The final test has to be some brave soul settng out on one in the SSDT. Could you have two batteries, swap quickly at fuel stops and charge the other in a support vehicle in time for the next 'fuel' stop? Would the bike have the range to get between fuel stops or road points where support crew could be waiting? The ability to withstand a full dunking would have to be a big benefit in this type of event. Interesting stuff!

Ha ha, not quite a Yorkshire man, don't have loads of spare time...........just tight! Indiction of folks making a quick buck out of a rule change!

Being tight, I didn't fancy paying £20+ for a kill switch for my lads Oset so did a bit of research.... You can get one of these on eBay for £1.99. From China, but came within a couple of weeks. Maybe worth buying a couple or three to given you some spare caps. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371211083911?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_9710wt_1033 Problem is these are for a petrol bike, hence work the wrong way round. With the lanyard cap attached the switch is open curcuit, pull it of and it closes. Strip it and it looks like this inside: - You can buy a replacement button/switch that operates the correct way (i.e lanyard cap fitted holds the switch closed) on eBay for £1.47 delivered: - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371191647758?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=640333901191&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_2813wt_2439 A bit of soldering and you have one that operates the correct way: - This is then quite easily fitted (2014 Oset 16R) by pulling apart one of the bullet connections that goes to the 'tank' key, attaching bullet connectors to the kill switch and connecting it in series: - Spend another few quid on some cord and rings and you can make quite a good looking lanyard. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281525110613?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_104wt_960 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150627826450?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=450030365463&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_1472wt_1033 Sorted!

All part of the beauty of the sport! Learning to ride using a variety of techniques and knowing which one to use depending on the section/conditions is what sets good riders apart! I remember as a youngster marvelling at an old timer ride a Francis Barnet up a slippy climb at half the speed of all others, using only the throttle yet finding loads of grip and making it look like a main road! Bike feel, set up and body positioing all play a part, all hard to describe/teach, just what you develop with practice. Similar if you watch the top riders, seem to get everything just right and make it look very easy. You try the same approach and end up in a right mess! Personally, I think modern bikes lend themselves to being ridden using the clutch, watch any decent rider and they will ride with one finger hovering the clutch. But again different riders feel confident doing this to different degrees. No right answer. I also think new riders tend to be a little hesitent in certain situations which leads to trouble. Momentum is your friend in a lot of cases, but again this comes with confidence. No doubt there'll be a few more replies! Just remember - every five is a learning point and make sure you're having fun!

My eldest lad has a Oset 16 which we've just converted to LiPo. They really do make a big difference, shave about 8kg off the bike, bringing the bike/rider weight ratio much nearer that of an adult on a full sized petrol but also the charcteristic of the batteries to maintain voltage even at high current draw means the bike is very zippy (but can be easily tamed to suit the rider using the speed/responce dials). We went to an Oset cup round last year and I was amazed watching some of the older better riders playing about on some hills near the car park on LiPo'd 20's, amazingly zippy and the riders were fearless! I've no expereince of modern 50cc petrol bikes but remember my old Honda 50 and it never had the 'go' that these had. I'd seriously consider a second hand 20 and LiPo's. LiPo's aren't as expensive as they first seem if you do the research and buy what you need from Hobbyking and the bike resale value will stay quite high. I know they have to make the elec -> petrol jump some time but these electric bikes are so much fun and it's great being able to ride them on the local common without having to worry about the police turning up and taking away your bike!

Good upgrades! Also swapped brakes on my lads 16R. Went for Clarkes Skeletal, couldn't stomach the cost of Hope! Shimano are very good though. Also gone down the Lipo route, the weight saving plus the way Lipo's maintain voltage at high current draw really makes the bike much more zippy! Just fitted one of these fatter rear tyres. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=201298453286&alt=web It does seem to give more grip! Think it's just the same as this which is a bit cheaper- http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=141556969537&alt=web Great bikes, have fun!

Scunthorpe MCC run conducted trials for Osets/youngsters, usually with two routes to cater for different skill levels. Check their website or search for them on Facebook. The chap that runs them is Toyne Fox who has the local Oset dealership, Richtoy Motorsport in Winterton. Lincoln MCC have a 'dead easy' route on each of their sections at all trials which may be suitable. You could ride each section off so you only had to do one lap, I'm sure this would be ok. Both are very friendly clubs that would make you feel very welcome. Scott

As you may know they can't officially compete until they are 4. Our eldest is in a similar boat! Not sure of any clubs in your area, but our local club has a conducted route and are happy for Josh to 'play around' and have a go at the sections if he likes. We went to an Oset cup round at Post Hill in Leeds and they were the same. To be honest he may be physically able to have a go but he's not quite there mentally, he doesn't like queing and prefers to make up his own 'sections'! I think it's just good for him to be at trials and around adult riders. Don't think any club would mind him riding around as long as you keep an eye on him and don't let him crash into any cars! Aren't these little bikes great for getting them going young!? Wish they'd been around in my day!

Is the Beta LiPo or lead acid batteries? What about the Mecatecno? Great build quality and LiPo from the start. If you're at all serious you'll soon go down the LiPo route with the Oset to save a load of weight and improve run time. This will cost you a few hundred so maybe better to put that towards the dearer Mecatecno in the first place. I'll be in this boat in a few years with our boys. Unless Oset go LiPo it'll be Mecatecno.

Hi gwhy, Thanks for the advice. I also posted on the Facebook Oset page and Ian replied yesterday. He suggested checking the fuse/fuse holder for poor connections. Prior to this I had only checked for continuity across the fuse at each end of the fuse holder wire and this suggested it was ok. However, when I removed the fuse one blade was very crusty and the holder had slightly melted. No spares, so I cleaned it up as best I could, back together and hey presto, problem gone! It is obvious that the poor connection was enough to severely limit the high current flow, causing the motor to 'steal' the power to the controller and it to shut down, hence the cyclic, juddery nature of the problem. Kicking myself for not properly checking the fuse sooner, but it's sorted now! Thanks again for taking the time to give me the good advice. Cheers Scott

He's not big enough for the T20 yet, I agree they are a better bike than the Oset 20, mainly due to the lithium batteries. So if Oset don't go LiPo before he's big enough that's what I'll go for, otherwise you spend the same money/more buying an Oset and then converting it to lithium. The 16 R that's hiding in the garage attic has a much softer throtlle responce than the 12.5 he's become accustomed to, which is quite vicious, but it's taught him good throttle control, to the point where he can deliberately wheel spin off! I'm worried the 16 will be too soft for him, even on the highest setting!

Having electrical problems with my lads 12.5 and need some expert advice! Here's the story so far.... The problem is that the drive is very weak and juddery and only a small amount of load on the rear wheel causes it to stall, i.e no torque. My initial thought was the motor brushes. Bike is a 2011 model and has been well used so would make sense. I've had the motor to bits before to do bearings so I set off down the route of checking these. However, I decided to direct wire the motor to the batteries before stripping it - this resulted in the motor spinning up nicely and with loads of torque so I didn't progress the motor strip. I've examined all connections and can't see any that look dodgy. Reading on here suggested throttles are often the cause of problems. Also suggested it is possible to disconnect throttle and short the connections to the controller to spin the wheel up. Despite trying to link all three terminals I have not managed this(?). I stripped the throttle, it did look a bit worn and I did seem to be able to spin the wheel without the lack of torque by playing around with the throttle in bits. Thought I'd solved it - £25 on a new throttle - still the same.......... Reading on here suggests potentiometer can cause problems. Disconnected this as suggested - still the same. The relay provides the live feed to the controller when the key is turned, suspected faulty relay so I linked this out and problem remains. With the key switch on I've measure resistance through the system to the motor connection. Live has no resistance, earth has about 58k ohms with throttle shut reducing to zero when you give it full throttle, kind of what you'd expect if the controller ramps current to vary speed. No clues from this. I'm running out of ideas, tending to think it may be brushes like I originally thought and the direct wire test provides such a initial kick that it masks this? If not then there's only really the controller.........big bucks...... Anybody had similar problems? Any advice on what else to check? Anybody got any reference resistances to test for? Help! Only saving grace is he's just about ready for a bigger one, a 16 Racing is top of his Christmas list and he's been a good boy..........still need the 12.5 running for his little brother though! Cheers Scott

Hi, I have a 2011 Sherco 290 that I've owned for just over a year. The guy I purchased it from had done all three of the above (slow throttle, head gasket and retard timing) to soften it. I've reset the timing and gone back to fast throttle and find it nice to ride (now I've learnt to tame it a bit....). Oil - 450ml of Putoline GP10 is what I use. Be careful when replacing the drain screw, the threads have been stripped in mine and I'm now on a slightly longer bolt that just nips.......engine strip to do a helicoil repair.......... Replaced flywheel side crank shaft seal which seamed to make it tick over a bit better, was 'hunting' slightly before. Have had to replace the gear lever shaft return spring as it broke, not too expensive, but clutch off job so took a couple of hours. Nothing you can do to prevent/check this. I found this preparation guide (http://www.splatshop.co.uk/2010-2011-sherco-preparation) quite useful, I know it's for the 11/10 models but most will apply. The bit about mud protection, especially the rear shock is good advice. Mine also had a fuel tap fitted, I'm told that without one vibrations from transporting the bike can cause the pump to pass and flood the carb. Manuals can be found here - http://www.sherco.com/download-en.html Have fun.........

Dougie would have been, maybe, 10 minutes back on time at that point and didn't look as light on his wheels! Not sure about Jonny.

Dabs was 2nd to Bridge End and was riding with bags of confidence, my money would be on him for the win.

Thnks for the advice feisty4. Very useful. Think you're right dadof2, oh well, despite what their Mum thinks they wont dissolve........

We're heading out to watch the Scott on Saturday. Any advice on the best place to watch with two young children (1 & 3!) - Good parking, short walk, no really steep banks for watching. Oh, and nice sunny weather!

Thanks for the advice, seems like it is going to be possible. Three bikes wont be the norm, our two boys are just young so it'll be one bike plus a couple of Osets for a few years. I just have a normal licence, obtained in 1998. However the extract below, taken from https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car suggests you can tow a trailer greater than 750kg provided the car plus trailer weighs less than 3,500kg. That's how I interpret it any way. We have a Mondeo estate with a max loaded weight of 2,275kg hence if I work on (3,500-2,275) 1,225kg as max trailer weight I can't go wrong (or am I missing something?). Mondeo maximum train weight is 4,075kg i.e. greater than 3,500kg so that should be ok. Empty trailer weighs 570kg giving 655kg of load capacity - more than enough for three bikes (even if one is my Dad's 350 Royal Enfield!). Licences held from 1 January 1997If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can: drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg

I'm considering buying an Ifor Williams BV84 (8' x 4' x 5' high) box trailer for transporting trials bikes. Has anybody got experience of using this size trailer? Is it possible to fit three full size trials bikes in? Cheers Scott

Yes indeed, massive congratulations to Emma, nobody can argue she hasn't put in the hard graft required to be the best in the world. Long overdue and very well deserved. However, lets not forget Becky Cook! We can proudly boast we have the top two ladies in the world. I may be wrong, but it appears Becky is not quite as well supported as Emma (Is Becky a full time pro rider?) yet she never gave up and her determination snatched a win in the third round that took the championship down to the wire! Great stuff, long may it continue. It's very encouraging to see the number of girls/ladies getting into trials, you seem to see more and more these days. Lets hope having the worlds top two can inspire a few more! (Although not too many, we still relay on a few trials WAGS as observers.......)

Didn't get any pics of Doug's bike but had a good look round it at a section on Fri. Apart from plastics/graphics looks identical to the factory Gas Gas bikes that Brown/Haslam were riding. Noticeable difference between these and the 2014 Gassers was the radiator, factory lads were running a deeper radiator with hose connections in a different place and the thermostat in a much better location (top right corner) instead if the vulnerable looking lower left jobie on the standard bike. Only other difference was Brown/Haslam/Shirty were all running heated grips! Never seen this on a trials bike before! Dougie didn't have them though, being a tough Yorkshire lad.

Regarding the commnet "my fan has stopped spinning on its own accord, with a gentle tap it spins fine though! (which is annoying) is fan knacked?". I recently had to replace the thermostat on my 2011 290. With hindsight I had similar symptoms, having to tap the fan to get it going and it needing the bike to be hotter and hotter to cut in. It seems these fail gradually, not cleanly cutting in but starting to act as a resistor. Indeed when I removed my old one and tested it in the kitchen with a battery and a pan of water on the hob the resistance crept down as the water reached boiling. Connecting the fan in saw it blip slightly every now and again. When the new thermostat arrived a similar test saw it cut the fan in cleanly at much lower temps, just as it should! If you are experiencing this I would suggest testing/replacing the thermostat.

Anybody else seen the riding number list for this years SSDT? http://www.ssdt.org/images/stories/2014Documents/2014%20Riding%20Published.pdf Dougie (130) is down as riding a '0'. Is this just a very unfortunate typo, or a tactical move to keep under wraps what he'll actually be riding? Will this new Vertigo get it's first outing........?

Thanks twinshock & woody. You're right you can only insure a bike that is registered in your name. Hence I was only left with one real option - be added to my Dad's policy as a named driver. Fortunately this was quite possible and only cost £25 for 'admin'. I was wrong, his insurance is actually with Footman James. Cheers Scott