Intotrials

Out of interest have would you be willing to share the advertised purchase price? If they are claiming its a 2012 when its definitely not (don't think a 200 version was available after 2006) then the price should be much more reduced in comparison. Below is an example of one advertised as a 2006 http://moto.zombdrive.com/images/gas-gas-txt-200-pro-3.jpg

If you opt for a modern bike don't fall into the trap of a large cc. No disrespect, though you maybe a very competent road bike rider, possibly used to handling large cc machines, trials is a totally different animal. Trials is about finesse and delivery of the correct amount of power at precisely the right moment whilst traversing difficult terrain in a small space. Unless you are a larger heavier person I would recommend a 125-200, certainly no more than a 250. The benefits of riding trials are numerous: Its one of the cheapest forms of 2 wheeled motor sport All the family can participate, there are even easy to ride electric versions these days suitable for young kids up to experienced adults. The bikes are generally simple to work on and relatively cheap to fix You learn bike control skills you never realised you were capable of There are lots of clubs that run local events with friendly like minded people who are always willing to help It keeps you fit and also your mind sharp (The fitter and sharper you are the better you will perform) The improvements you can make in a short space (especially so as a beginner) of time leave you feeling excited and exhilarated You can continually set challenges to match your ability It gets you out of the house (in all weathers) I could keep going with so much more but you get the drift. Good Luck!!!

No reply as yet, maybe you are right!

I did my first few events in a pair of secondhand military boots from the local army & navy store. My dad wouldn't spend the money on trials boots until I had got properly into trials and regularly competing. Even then I never owned a brand new pair, always secondhand, until I could afford to buy some my myself at 18 years old, and that was helped by sponsorship from my local dealer. To The OP if you are just riding basic stuff and not really attempting anything rocky or similar then you will get away with alternatives as the other posters have suggested. But the reality is, as all these things, trials boots are specifically designed for trials riding thus offer the best protection with the most durability and flexibility as possible. Personally these days I prefer to spend my hard earned cash on a decent pair of boots then go cheap on other items like clothing etc... Boots, especially comfy ones with maximum protection is a must for me, since most of my trials injuries have been bashed up feet from jutting rocks etc...

It seems the poster assumes that the front is tubeless like the rear.

The front tyre is not tubeless like the rear (hence the tyre lock). There will be a puncture in the tube, so you need to remove the tube then repair/replace it taking care when reinstalling that you don't pinch it as you lever the tyre back onto the rim.

Yeah, I have had confusing responses to my applications. Hopefully it will be resolved some point soon

Our very own from the UK - Katy Bullock - Trials and off road motorcyclist and stunt rider credited for stunt performance in many blockbuster films and also a contestant on the X-factor. Go Katy!! https://motivationalspeakersagency.co.uk/sports-speakers/katy-bulllock Just shows that great trials skills can play a major role in stunt rider development!

As turbofurball says, But it depends on your riding ability, weight and experience. People assume that more power is better, but in trials this is not always the case. In trials controlling the power and using it at the right moment is absolutely essential, the precision required is far more profound. People often get a larger cc bike only to find it runs away with them when under pressure riding sections in competition. If you are a bigish guy and have plenty of off road riding experience then a 250 would be better than the 125. But if you are pretty light weight and a complete novice to trials the 125 option maybe the sensible starting point. You can then easily upgrade once you feel you have gained some experience. Many MX riders come into trials thinking its going to be easy, cause its slow and the bikes are small... it comes as a bit of a shock to some when they actually go and ride proper sections, especially in competitions. Good luck!

There is always a trade off, totally waterproof tends to lend itself to uncomfortable. I prefer to wear a Gore-Tex type jacket, design specifically for outdoor sports. These tend to be the lightest and most comfortable and offer the best protection. However decent ones can be expensive and need some care to keep them in good condition. But I think its worth it if you are riding nationals/road trials where you go from being hot from exertion to cold from just riding along inbetween sections. I recently went on a hundred mile trail ride on my enduro bike there was a lot of road work but also lots of tough and technical tracks. The weather was awful and rained quite heavy, my Gore-Tex jacket was a god send! It kept me dry and warm but was light and breathable enough not to be too uncomfortable when I was really exerting. I paid over £300 for it and for days like that it was worth every penny.

MX tyres are rubbish on rocks they are way too stiff and also put down less tread contact area, basically a trial tyre moulds around obstacles where a mx tyre just bounces off. If I put a trials tyre on my enduro bike it transforms it especially when doing anything slow and technical. Trials tyres are so much better for slow technical stuff but not as good at high speed or high impact.

Liking the MX/Enduro tyres on the TL. My very first trials bike as a wee lad (way too small for the bike) was a TL125. I just used to tear round the local woods and fields on it, I'd have loved those tyres back then. Me and my mates were obsessed with "spudders" the bigger the better!

This is a common error we all make at times and a misconception. Our natural reaction to danger is to tense up and hold on for dear life, a difficult instinct to overcome! I still do this when riding moto x, then end up with arm pump which makes things ten times worse. Just like in any sport that requires some sort of grip, the key is to hold on firm but relaxed and pace yourself so to enable good timing. We have all had those moments where everything just feels effortless, this is when we are at one with the bike and all the above is timed to perfection. This is what we are trying to achieve when we practice. We are attempting to develop the skills so it all becomes a natural instinct that over comes the fear factor - confidence. I remember a few years back riding in a national event I came across a tough section I was on the hard route and there were some real big names riding. At this particular section there was a gathering of some top riders all pacing up and down the section trying to determine the best route. It was tough, no one had even got through it to the ends so far! I was very nervous but felt I had a chance of getting through it in my mind. Somehow I just relaxed and went for it, the bike was floating under me seemingly in slow motion. I knew at that point that this was one of those moments you get once or twice in a life time. I cleaned the section to a massive round of applause and some shocked faces (mine included). The point is I didn't really think about anything other than my intended line, I just let my natural (years of training) grooved in instincts control the bike. It felt effortless but in reality I was working hard on the bike to stay one with it. This is probably what sets the better riders apart from us mere mortals, in that they feel this way a lot compared to our very rare occasions. But keep practising and don't be scared to move far more than you think you need to. Then soon people will be watching you and thinking, wow he makes it look easy! Good luck

The biggest and most common error I see (especially with beginners) is ridding too stiff bodied. You have to learn to become one with the bike, counter intuitively you need to move more to achieve this. This starts from the feet up, don't be scared to let your feet move around on the foot pegs. Keep your knees supple allowing your legs to bend easily, allow your body to shift weight in all directions - up down, forward back, side to side... don't be embarrassed to stick your bum out to achieve this! keep your arms flexed not dead straight! and your grip firm but relaxed, the handle bars should feel light and you should be able to move your upper body around with ease but feel still in control of the steering and the bike. If you watch footage of top riders, especially some of the old stuff from the 80's 90's which you will be more able to relate to etc (before the advent of the modern Bou technique), you will see just how much movement these guys do in order to stay one with the bike! Watch people like Thierry Michaud, Steve Saunders, Jordi Tarres... and watch how they move on the bike. If you can get someone to video you riding a rocky section, then try and compare this with a better rider riding the same section. You will be surprised that in reality the reason they "float" over stuff with ease is because they are shifting their weight, using their legs and arms whilst at the same time timing this with power delivery and suspension reaction. In other words they actually use more effort to make it look easier but use this effort efficiently. This is why people who have ridden other motorcycle sports but never trials are surprised at how difficult it actually is when they first attempt it. When I coach people I always get them to exaggerate the required movement on the bike, just so they get a sense of what they need to do. 9 out of 10 people I have to shout at them to flex their legs, as the most common mistake is straight stiff legs! Just try and imagine your legs as part of the bike's suspension, because that is exactly the role they play when riding trials!

Yes, you have made some very good points. Riding at speed requires additional skills and this is something I'm still learning. I'm way past my best in trials but my enduro and mx is very slowly (old age) improving, though I often wonder if is more my courage than skill. I just can't build up the courage to hit the big jumps, the fear of crashing (which I have done so many times) on jumps prevents me to commit and I always back off, just can't help it. There's a table top on a track I get to ride that I have never cleared, every time I come round I try to convince myself to go that little bit quicker, but as always I just back off slightly and end up just short every time. Then some kid comes past me flat out and just whips over it effortlessly with no fear! Every discipline (especially at the top levels) requires natural ability and specific skill sets, regardless. Much like running in athletics, speed training helps if you are a long distance runner and vice versa, long distance running helps if you are a sprinter. But to be the best, focus on the required specific skill for that particular discipline is crucial.