heffergm

I'm a pansy, I can't kick it over otherwise. I'm ok with this in the grand scheme of things.

Apparently my technique is good, because I've never had an issue. As mentioned, get the piston to TDC... it'll be easy to find because the kicker will be easy to push until it gets there. Then foot on the kicker to set it, stand up and a nice sharp kick along with most of your body weight. I basically figured this out because I simply don't have the leg strength to start the bike with my left foot still on the ground in most cases. And because I had a Beta 300 that had monstrous compression. The 250 is so much easier to start.

Fair enough. I wasn't really thinking total novice.

I wouldn't... I'd have left along with JC, May and Hammond, knowing that it's only downhill from here for the next unknown number of years until someone else with a great idea to revamp it comes along. Things move in cycles... such is life.

It's definitely not normal. My 250 pro (2014) always starts second kick (cold, choke if required based on outside temp, or hot). 'Always' in this case means over the course of ~100 hours or so. I'd change the plug, pull the carb and clean it, then say a prayer (in spanish). Failing that, or if you've already done so, I'm short on ideas.

Yeah, it looks really well designed. I think had GG not put this travesty of a transmission in my bike (although to be fair, it's only 4->5 that feels like a 2spd rear end), I wouldn't even consider changing. But they did, so I am... because transmission aside, the GG is the best thing I've ridden.

Yeah, I think the 1/2 throttle comment is just, well, wrong. No one rides a 270 at half throttle all the time I suspect he just means a constant small throttle opening. The only time my GG 250 (or any other bike I've ridden) sees half throttle or more is on the loop or clearing some non-insubstantial obstacle, and then only very briefly.

I'm not really sold on the idea that there is such a thing as overuse of the clutch on a modern bike. But in any event, if you think your throttle control is bad, set up a section to ride. Ride it how you'd normally ride it. Then say 'NO CLUTCH', and ride the same section and force yourself not to use the clutch. Also, make sure the bike is running well. A dirty carb will cause the bike to want stall as the revs drop, which will really over-emphasize your clutch use if you're compensating for it. A good running bike should be able to creep along in first gear with no clutch and barely any throttle without stalling.

Bueller? Bueller?

What did you think of the TRS compared to your GG? (or do you mean you rode Stu's GG in FLA?)

If you're motocrossing it, mix 50:1.

Unless you were told that the barrel and piston were new (which obviously they weren't) what information were you given that makes you suspect dishonesty? Plenty of people aren't mechanics and aren't going to be able to tell a buyer with any certainty the condition of the motor internals (and even the ones that are good mechanics probably aren't in there poking around often enough to say so either).

Sell the 250, buy 300, save giant headache.

What year and model

I use Renthal's, medium compound: http://www.splatshop.co.uk/renthal-trials-grips.html I don't use grip glue. I just use two winds of electrical tape on the bars (only because I like a fatter feel on the bars, no other reason... feel free to skip the tape), then put some gas inside the grip, swish it around, dump it, then push the grip onto the bars. Been using the same method since about 1997 The grips most likely have nothing to do with you getting blisters by the way. If they're on your palms, you're most likely holding on way too tight, or you spend all day washing dishes and have fragile skin... more time on the bike will solve the latter as you build up some callouses, relax to solve the former.

Yeah, but one is gross blue and yellow and the other one isn't...

Every top extreme rider bar one or two that are coming up now (Wade Young springs to mind) has a trials background, or they're outright trials champions at some level. Cody Webb was NATC trials champion I don't know how many times, Graham obviously competed at the world level (and has already won the SSDT more than once), etc. etc. The list goes on. I'm sure they'd give good showings at the SSDT...

You might be the only one in here that actually owns one Guess we'll find out...

Top gear has been awful in the past and will be (perhaps now is) awful again. No huge surprise.

Given the weirdness, followed by washing and complete failure, I'd venture to guess a bad/loose/frayed connection somewhere. But as mentioned... it's new. Call the dealer and demand satisfaction!

You should try my GG next week. It's amazing.

Yeah, that was quite the surprise performance

Too bad Johnny was laid up this year. I'd also like to see Cody come in having actually prepped for Erzberg (he did not real training and finished second, being busy with engineering exams at university). In any event, Graham is amazing. I hope he keeps going for a good while... he certainly seems up to it physically, which is quite the inspiration for 40-somethings like me

At some point everyone lost the plot. That show was epic because of Clarkson, Hammond and May. The end.

Interesting. I'll definitely use that as an excuse to ride it again