I just go out and ride trails on the Tango, with a little balance practice and tight maneuvers around trees thrown in - low risk, but helps keep my head on the right way
The old Tangos are all over the place here, this is a new shape one ... often used by small-plot farmers with a big rack on the back to avoid having to get a 4x4 or tractor up a mountain for small jobs, or by teenagers in rural areas (along with Derbi 50cc bikes, lol)
Had a fun ride today, had to clear a bike-shaped hole in this downed tree ...
... and then decided to try and find the limits of what 9hp and 105Kg can get on 50/50 tyres. Photo angles are weird, this is about 1 in 4 uphill including some ~10" steps, loose baby heads, and ruts. It was work (where a modern trials bike would just skip up it easily), but it got me there with only a bit of scraping the frame
I have a pair of Thor brand Enduro / MX elbow pads that only attach to my forearms (biceps are then covered by part of my body armour), and some skate bowl ones that are simple neoprene sleeves that stretch a lot, with padded caps on the elbow joint, which provide much more protection to a smaller area. The third type of elbow protection in my arsenal is the CE armour built into most of my bike jackets.
I can't say I've ever worn any of them while riding trials, though - if I feel like being careful I might cover my arms but that's about it.
I bet the Thor Enduro / MX pads (or similar) could be found in your size if you need protection there, Americans come in large sizes
Good point about the 309, though there's hardly any of those around here (at least that I've seen) ... I suspect he'll have to buy another 310 and use this one for parts, it's pretty rough
When it's dry and cool I keep going back to stretch-fit jeans, dry and hot is long shorts to avoid heatstroke, if it's a little wet then work trousers (they dry very quickly), and if it's very wet here it's a thunderstorm and not good to be out in in general, lol
I have a pair of Jitsie proper trials trousers and they're just form-fitting and not super skin tight, but also not very comfy. My other half pinched my MX trousers, but they were good for wet weather in the UK that whole one time I wore them.
I started on a 125, and would happily have that same bike back again now, lol. I weigh 170.
Definitely get one bike to try it if you don't have an opportunity to borrow one first ... I went in with years of gentle off-road motorbike experience, and it was still tricky to get to grips with the realities of trials. Realistically, it might not be for you for some reason.
Is that cumulative altitude, or lowest point to highest? Because if it could make it up 4000 feet on a charge that's impressive, 2000 up and 2000 down less so.
Still, if there's a lot more in there to come it's a promising start
I've been super busy, stacked up with work, sorting the house, taking care of a new puppy. So the old trials bikes are on the back burner for this winter ... instead I've been getting out on my other half's Rieju Tango. It's fab, basically it feels like riding my old DT100 back in the day, just with fuel injection, electric start, etc.
They're just basic farm bikes, but agile enough for the tricky trails (though I need to add a skid plate, hand guards, and more aggressive tyres). What I like about it is that there's no faffing around with mixing the fuel, or messing about with the idle because of the weather, etc, just hop on and go.
I might get one for myself when finances allow. My other half loves it too, she's even said I can have her Pampera if I like!
Funnily enough my Spidi trials helmet weighs more than my LS2 enduro helmet, but I get what you mean about the weight - I have an ADV helmet too, and with the flip-down sunshade etc it's heavy ... similarly, trials boots (like the Forma Boulders) are more flexible than ADV boots, but they still protect your shins
Still, it sounds like you've got just the right bike for your needs! Is there a local off roading club? If you can find other people who ride trials it's a quick way to improve your skills, even if you're only heading out on trails and having a bit of fun
I had a Tenere 660 too, really didn't like it (too top heavy and vibey ... the dash was really nice though), the 4Ride is a bit out of my price range but I have two of it's competitors, a Pampera 250 and a Tango 125. Neither are trials bikes, but more like extreme trail bikes - trials bikes are more light and nimble than a 4Ride (though with less range and harder to handle at speed) I also live in mountains, and off road ADV bikes just wouldn't make it off road here, so a lightish small trailie really hits the spot!
I'd really recommend an enduro helmet and full height boots if you plan on riding anything more technical than unpaved roads though, especially if you're going to more remote areas. I have a fibreglass LS2 helmet and Forma Boulder boots, both have been good and the latter saved my shins from many injuries and exhaust burns.
I hope you enjoy your new bike, post up photos if you go on any adventures
It's a pity downhill MTB shocks aren't rated for the weight of a motorbike.
If it was me, I'd be thinking of remaking the linkage (namely, drawing up a pattern and getting a local machinist to knock it up), or going to twinshock. A system without a linkage might put some interesting strain on the mounting points.
Please post photos - these projects are always interesting to see!
lockdown rules apply !
in General Trials Talk
Posted
Luck has nothing to do with it, I literally moved house to a place where there's good motorbiking to be had