dav cc

The bottom line is - modern trials bikes are not designed to be ridden on the road. When trials first began a person would simply modify their road bike so that it would be possible to be ridden off road to a degree. Folk would fill up the tank ride to the event ride the course then ride home. These days, no matter what, a modern trials bike if made totally legal for road use would be un-practical to ride in trials competition. So there has to be a trade off one way or the other, else road trials will no longer be viable.

Why are the Spanish so good? Ans. Jordi Tarres, Toni Bou, money, support, factory backing, terrain availability, national support, riding technique ,breading. The list goes on... I guess when Tarres came along and changed the way trials was ridden, then followed up more recently with Bou trials hit an all time high in Spain. Lets face it, certainly here in the UK off road motor sport is very unpopular with the masses and often frowned upon. In Spain, in a lot of places you can pull up at the side of a road get your bike out and have a ride on the local (usually dry rocky) terrain. I even saw a clip where some Spanish lads filmed themselves riding on a beach wave break rockery area close by to a town. The local constabulary, rather than shifting the riders on actually stood there along with some local residents, watching and applauding the spectacle. In the Uk you would most likely have your bike impounded, prosecuted, thrown in front of a judge then fined with points on your licence.

A friend of mine who is really into his motorcycling came with me to a trials event once. He had seen clips of the world championship, indoor & out, and watched a bit of footage of the ssdt. On the way home from the event I asked him what he thought? He replied " Its a bit like cricket, boring as hell to watch unless you are a keen enthusiast and you can't really appreciate the skills unless you have a go yourself." So I asked him what he thought of the world championship? He replied " Yeah its amazing what these guys can do with a motorbike, but once you have seen one rider conquer the section its boring after that" Now I've rode trials all my life, I'm a huge fan of all the championships, from traditional through to X trial. So I was rather dismayed by my friend's response, after all he is a keen motorcyclist and quite open minded. But after a while it hit home to me that in fact he was probably just stating what the consensus would be from the majority of the general public. The fact is trials is a motor sport and unless you do it yourself a rather un-thrilling one, because in general motor sports are often perceived as speed related.

I rode in junior Kickstart on a twin shock bike, was doing really well until I went up a jump landed and the rear shocks snapped off the swing arm. The thing that upset me the most was I had done the jump both time in the heats and everything was fine. Then they asked if they could do a filming re-take of some of the obstacles, it was during this re-take when it happened so this is what you see on the tv. My father was extremely displeased and ended up having a "quiet word" around the back of the filming trucks with Peter Purvis and the production staff. Made no odds, they weren't interested in seeing an old "twin shock bike" beat the modern sponsored mono bikes that were new on the scene. Just saying... lol.

I'm going to throw in a bit of controversy now. Why would you want twin shocks back? I rode them all through my school boy days, the day the yam mono came out I chucked the old twin shock away and never looked back! I don't understand the appeal of riding old bikes..? I have had a ride on a few since and couldn't wait to give them back and jump back on my modern Gas Gas. The old bikes are under powered, heavy, awkward, brakes are rubbish and just generally uncomfortable to ride (other than when you are sitting down on them)! But I guess that's just me TIN HAT ON

One could argue that a taller rider will have more leverage and also able to move body weight further. There have been great riders of all statures, small, slim tall, heavy... Doug is a big bloke over 6' and strong, Jordi Tarres, average height? & slim,.... Toni Bou I think is around 5'9" ?? and obviously a strong athlete. But ultimately in trials unless someone is particularly small or extremely tall or heavy, I don't think it makes too much difference. Like any sport - Physical & mental capability, natural ability, technique, skill, and hard work! are the key ingredients. I quick thought regarding size in trials - Maybe like pro boxing a tall heavy athlete is stronger and able to physically shift more weight around where as a smaller lighter athlete is quicker and more nimble. Perhaps what makes Toni Bou ideal is he is like a super middle weight, powerful and fast .. just a thought.

What a lot of people don't take into account is the fact that more power is only advantageous if it is controllable, else its a disadvantage. The top riders need the power because of the sheer size of stuff they have to ascend from such a small take off. Where as a less powerful more "grippy" bike would suit the majority of trials riders.

You've got to feed it in slowly and smoothly with less clutch than you would on a 2 stroke. Keep the throttle as continuous as possible, i.e less blipping than normal. I call it the tractor technique. It takes a bit of mastering but once you've got the idea you will see what I mean. The problem arises when you get tired and you get a little more throttle happy. This is why most clubmen riders would be better off on less powerful machines. The more forgiving the power the easier it is to control and react to.

The 4rt is a great bike to ride, but it won't grip unless you learn to use the power smoothly. Its a totally different throttle control style, some folk just never get to grips (excuse the pun) with them and revert back to the 2 banger. The problem is you see the world guys - Bou, Busto and Fuji on them and think to yourself "well they make them grip"! Yes but they live on theirs! and the truth is how do their scores compare, on average,on the slippy muddy sections to the other competitors? Has anybody actually done the statistics?

The X11 has harder side walls and stands up to more abuse, but it doesn't quite grip as good as the more durable Xlite. But for the majority of riders the difference is negligible Its a toss up between cost, longevity and grip. The choice is yours but personally, I run around 3psi in the back, else you may risk it coming off the rim. If the going is hard, i.e rocks, I run around 4lb just to protect against punctures.

I think there a lot of clubmen on over powered bikes! I have a 300 gasser, I love the power delivery on it, smooth low range but powerful when you need it. I ride in the experts at national level and am reassured that the power is there if I need it, like for a big step that has no run up. But I'm knocking on a bit now so when I drop down the ranks (pretty soon) I would definitely drop down to a 250 as the power delivery is softer and less brutal but there is plenty for the average section. Going back to the 4rt, I spent a lot of time riding my mate's and comparing it to the gasser on the same sections. I found it gripped like a train provided you didn't spin it up. As soon as it spun up it was over. Where as the 2 stroke would bite again when you shut off the throttle. On one particular section (turn with a muddy steep climb) if you kept the power really smooth the 4rt just pulled like a train and went up like it was on tarmac. The 2 stroke you had to deliver the power in harder and let it spin to get up. But if you spun the 4rt at any point it just went backwards, game over. They are a great bike to ride, but I wouldn't have one for competition simply because when you are tired and lose that little bit of throttle control the 4rt bites you and all of a sudden it becomes like an untamed animal.

I've never ridden one but have heard the same thing

5 in the rear is too high for mud you only need 3-4 max the 4 rt, is a different animal, as you already well know. You have to be really smooth bringing the power in, then it grips like a tractor. Problem comes as soon as the wheel spins it's game over. Unlike a 2t which will bite again once the power drops, i.e blipping the throttle then shutting off, the 4 banger won't bite using this technique.

Though I agree, the benefit of having a "catcher" is a necessity at this level. How far a minder goes in "aiding" the rider during riding the section is ( has done for years ) often cheating. But if they can get away with it why not? Its up to the governing body to impose stricter rules if they feel its required. As for the "non stop" rule, well this is a joke and it seems the higher ranking you are the more stopping you are allowed! I guess Bou gets away with it more so if he "cleans" a section that other riders have failed to negotiate, a big cheer from the crowd and the observer may feel obliged to show some discretion regarding momentarily stops. There is an observer at my local club who shows no tolerance for stopping if its no stop rules. He is consistent with all riders regardless of who they are! I have watched many riders make a great effort to attempt a clean but momentarily stopping, rewarded with a 5 by this observer. In fact I 've been on the receiving end myself, its very frustrating, but I broke the rules. Its well known now that this observer regardless of protest will give you a 5 if you stop at any point. Everyone knows this now so they make sure that they ride continuous else face the consequences.

look closely at his right leg, he's either dabbing on a big rock or just about to I reckon

I don't disagree, I just think its a shame. I love watching those guys perform their art! But the majority of riders cannot relate to modern world championship trials, its become so elitist. I still believe that there is scope for them to compete in trials like the Scottish 6 days, Its just whether or not it appeals. I remember watching Albert Cabastany ride up a section in the Scottish, he just floated over the big boulders, it was amazing. I remember thinking, I wish I was there riding myself instead of just spectating. The Scottish used to be the most prestigious trials event of the year, much like the Open Championship in golf. In my opinion its important to try and maintain tradition and that the factories should consider contracting their top riders to compete in the Scottish 6 days in support of this. Though I do understand & appreciate that Its probably not cost effective or practical these days to do this.

I'd like to see more of the top foreign contingent taking part. Back when I rode there would be a long list of the top riders in the world riding and this was an opportunity to ride along side and against them. Its a shame that the only real challengers for the title are from domestic riders. Make no mistake I'm quite patriotic, but I'd prefer to see all the world's best riders compete in the world's best trial. I've heard many rumours & comments, especially when Cabastany rode that the observing was inconsistent and biased in favour of "home" riders. Whether or not this is true, the six day seems to have lost its appeal to the factory riders. Is this down to the factories themselves or the riders not wanting to compete in a "traditional" style trial? Ok so going back to the O.P. I think Doug will be hard to beat, but Brownie is finding his form and confidence again so I'm sure will be hungry for the title. Aside from these 2 there is a long list of riders that have a realistic chance. Jack Price & Jack Sheppard both are as good as anyone on their day, but can they pull out the stops for 6 days when things get tough? I hope so, It will be nice to see some of the young guns giving the "oldies" a run for their money.

Personally I'd agree with faussy regarding the engine of the 300 gas gas. I've ridden most modern bikes and I like each one for different things. So in my experience the best trials bike is not available because it would be a combination of all the best bits from each bike. My personal preference order at the moment: 1. Gasgas 2. TRS 3. Beta 4. Montesa 5. Vertigo 6. Scorpa 7. Sherco My order is based on ride ability (how it performs and feels), build quality, reliability and cost in that order.

I've done my fair share of observing also and I can see where you are coming from. I've sometimes really enjoyed the task but also been there when the weather is against you and you are on the receiving end of disgruntled riders! Yes some folk don't offer sincere thanks, and you know they are just going through the motions. But appreciation can be shown in more ways than just a quick thanks as the competitor rides away. When I walk a section I always make an effort to engage in conversation with the observer just to show them that I appreciate that they are there. Especially if it means standing there in the cold for hours. Just some acknowledgement is all it takes sometimes, there is no excuse for ignorance!

Some great names listed there folks! But if you think about innovation, Its my opinion there are only 3 stand out riders (at least from the early eighties onward) Eddie Lejeune - perfected and/or improved by the likes of Michaud, Saunders, Tarres & co... Jordi Tarres - perfected by and/or improved by the likes of Colomer, Lampkin, Fuji, Raga & co ... Toni Bou - copied by the likes of Raga, Cabastaney, Fuji & co... & the rest of the current generation These three riders changed the style of riding for their generation and each taking trials riding to a new level. All the other great riders either followed the current style or improved on it.

It seems this type of behavior is across the board these days Consideration, appreciation and politeness is a rare commodity. I don't know whether its a current generation thing or what? I was brought up to be polite, appreciate things and above all - always consider other people! Like its already been mentioned, it costs nothing to polite and considerate, yet some folk are ignorant of others and often take things for granted. Some folk just think its their god given right to be served by others, selfishness is rife in society these days and it saddens me to see it. Great post hencam!

No offense To James but @ 30 years old, he has probably made the best decision for financial security. I, in his shoes would get what I can because time is ticking and there are a host of young talent snapping at his heals. He's not likely to challenge the top five riders in the WTC and as for the domestic scene I would assume GAS GAS would be preferred to be represented in their own championship by their No 1 rider. Especially since there is a few good young British GAS GAS riders that can make a real challenge for the British championship now.

He was! And the terrain was perfect for him, in that it was fraught with big steps that were do or die. If you want to close the gap to Bou, then big steps is not the answer, as he proved this weekend.

Yes it was a great venue in general. The only real negative (well small quibble) was that quite a few of the sections, being man made were much the same, big steps which were mainly either five or clean. Don't get me wrong its very spectacular and impressive to see the likes of Bou and co ascend what looks impossible. But being a traditionalist I like to see a more natural terrain that is tricky and shows off the subtle skills of a top naturally talented rider also. Often its not the big stuff that takes the marks off Bou and co, but the tricky testing parts that require silk like throttle control and millimetre precision and timing. Well done to the organisers for putting on a great event!

Yeah, that's where I got mine from. I just ordered the largest tube and it has lasted me a good while. hope it does the trick for you