NoTraction

So can you just ride around then? I’m a total beginner and have no idea how it works. Do you not have to compete in some way?

So… After much info gathering and helpful advice from you lovely lot on here, as of today I am the proud owner of a really nice 2008 Beta Rev 250. Hardly a mark on it, comparatively speaking, don’t even know if it has ever been trialled in earnest, it certainly hasn’t by the last owner. I’ve been in touch with my nearest club (Oxford Ixion) through their Facebook group to enquire about how to get going having never ‘done’ trials before, at least not properly. The guy I’ve been in touch with suggested I just enter the trial they have next Sunday via the ACU website and just turn up and do the easy route. Thing is, I have nowhere to practice prior to then and I wonder if that’s a bit ambitious having only ridden the bike up and down the drive twice! Oxford don’t have a practice ground I don’t think so there’s nowhere I know of that way to go and play. I can join Milton Buzzard in Milton Keynes and then I guess use theirs though, they are the next nearest club. I’ve never even been to a trial yet, never mind ridden in one. Would it be ok to just turn up and ride or should I get used to the bike first? Don’t really want to a) bend it, b) bend me, c) make a tit of myself by putting the cart before the horse! My last experience was on a ‘trials day’ where I put a Gas Gas 300 through a fence (should never have been on anything that lively with my experience). Is a proper trial the best place to start? I don’t know what to expect. I should add that although I’m new to trials, I’ve had bikes for nearly 40 years. I might be over thinking it. Would be grateful for advice!

Cheers Chris! Exciting times! 😀

That’s brilliant, great info there! Thank you! 😀

Hi Chris, Thanks for your input yet again. I have, however, finally agreed a purchase on a bike this afternoon! It’s a 2008 Beta Rev in really nice nick from the look of it. Can’t say too much more until I get my grubby mits on it physically but it’s sensible money and I’m pretty excited about it. Hopefully I’ll have it early part of next week

I hope this is the right place to post this.... I'm in the market for my first trials bike for many years (53 now), I've never done it competitively and want to take it up. I've been watching the classifieds like a hawk the last few weeks and am agonising a bit.... I've pretty much decided I want a Beta from what I've read but the agonising part is the price difference between an older Rev and a newer Evo. 15 year old Revs seem to be priced anywhere between £1400 - over £2k in some cases which seems steep for an old bike whereas I've seen much newer Evo 250's for between £2 - 2.5k. To be honest, I was hoping to get going on about £1500 to see how I got on, ideally with a 200cc bike. 200's are thin on the ground and the difference between what sellers are expecting for an older 250 and something half the age makes me think I should up the budget. I'm sure 'Lockdown Frenzy' has a part in it but I don't know what used values were like before. So, question is. Is the Evo a much superior bike and worth me investing more to start with? Whatever I buy I will keep if I get on with the sport. I'm honestly not trying to be a tightass, but you start out with a budget, need to watch the pennies a bit.... I've been advised to buy the best I can but then I have to keep a lid on it but it seems the difference between older and much newer is 'only another few hundred quid!' It'd be great to hear from Beta owners who have experienced both to help me make up my mind what to do. Decisions decisions.... Thanks in advance.

Thanks, I’ll check them out 👍

Good Evening I’m in the process of getting into trials and have been sussing out what clobber I need and working out costs. Boots, thinking of Forma Boulders, I used to have Forma Raptor MX boots and liked their fit. Helmet, well I wasn’t going to go overboard initially, maybe a Wolf Sport or Spada cheapie to get going with. What I’m wondering about is trousers - I’m not bonkers about spending over £100 on a pair of skintight multi-coloured leggings really, not yet at least but that’s what comes up when I search ‘trials pants/trousers’. I’d like some knee protection as well which they don’t look like they have generally, my knees aren’t great and I would like to protect them. I’d like to upgrade as I go but initially need everything so I’m trying to watch the pennies a bit. Just want something suitably protective and comfortable and preferably a little less ‘bright’. Suggestions welcome please!

Thank you. Ixion is my closest. I knew about Milton Buzzard but not the other two, I’ll check them out. Bike wise, as suggested by Chris I’ll just buy the newest and best I can find for what I want to spend, guessing it will end up being a Beta Rev. Time to focus on getting a suitable bike, my questions have all been answered. Thank you all for your wisdom and advice 🙂

Thanks Chris. I definitely don’t have that budget for now, too many toys already! But it’s interesting to see well used bikes 15 years old for sale for £1500 - £2k and yet there are bikes maybe only 3-5 years old for around the £3k mark. Obviously the newer ones are better value, but are the overpriced bikes actually selling? I would guess a lot of them are hanging around for a while. I’ve got my eye on a couple of Betas and will be making tentative offers when I get back from holiday if they are still for sale….

Thanks for the tips and info. It all leads back to the Beta!

Thank you Chris! As you said to me before really …. Decision made. Just curiosity getting the better of me. Advice taken, modern bike it is 😀

How do you find the TLM and the Scorpa? Is parts availability ok for the TLM?

What older bikes are you riding?

Good Evening folks, I’m looking to get into trials as mentioned in other posts and am currently bike shopping. Initially I was looking for a twin shock as it reminded me of my youth and an old TY I once had. But, to be honest, the prices are a bit off putting and I have a budget to stick to so had decided to find the best Beta 200 or 250 I can for what I want to spend. But I keep finding myself attracted to the air cooled monos, cheaper than twinshocks generally, a bit more up to date I guess but with a bit more ‘soul appeal’ than some of the modern iron. I’m a sucker for a classic bike and don’t mind a bit of tinkering. Would there be any disadvantages to buying something like a mono TY or Fantic (or Aprilia or Montesa for that matter) when it comes to the practical side of doing trials? Would it hold me back from learning I don’t think I’m going to be hopping around on the back wheel or climbing vertical rock faces anytime soon so I’m wondering if it would matter at entry level. Anything I should consider before going that way?

Hi Bigkid Sounds like a nice bike. Could you send me some photos please? Let me know if you prefer WhatsApp or email. Thanks Hugh.

Thats the main problem Chris…. I didn’t study the prices ‘pre-COVID’ and so I’m trying to work out what is a decent buy and what prices things should be realistically. If only I had an understanding of what ‘real’ prices looked like before the last couple of years silliness (on everything sports or leisure oriented, not just trials bikes) then I’d probably have a better idea on what things are worth. Still, thats where we are! So, I think I’m going to just look for the latest best condition 200 or 250 I can find thats within my budget and get riding, theres plenty of time to look for a classic to tinker with later on when reality kicks back in and prices settle down a bit. There’s a TY 250 mono just come on ebay today that looks a right heap to be honest, at least certainly well worn and a bit rusty. The guide price? £2250! Another planet…… I appreciate your advice and taking the time. I’m off on holiday tomorrow and hope to get something soon after I get back so I can make a start 👍

I’m just under 13 stone…. Do you find the 125 has enough power? To be honest, I’m getting brain ache thinking about all the options and working out what prices are fair and and which bikes are overpriced…. I just want to get a bike and get stuck in! I’m probably over thinking it, it’s starting to do my head in a bit……🙄

Thanks for the info guys

Fair point!

Hi, I’m new around here and about to take up trials in my early 50’s. As explained on another post I’ve had bikes all my life, once had a TY175 briefly but never done nothing competitive. I’m torn between getting another TY, either a 175 or a 250 mono or going for a used Beta Rev as they seem more abundant and the prices are maybe a little less silly (although all prices seem a bit silly since lockdown!). I don’t really want to spend more than £1500 or so at present until I see how I get on with it if possible. Question is, ideally if I get a Beta I think I would want a 200 from what I have read as I don’t want a bike that’s OTT for my novice capabilities. But they are thin on the ground, however there are loads of 250’s around. Is it worth hanging out for a decent 200 to come along or would a 250 be just as good with a few ‘calming’ modifications? I’m feeling my way at the moment and there’s a lot to learn and consider so any knowledge on his would be great! Thanks.

Thank you. I’ll keep my eye out! 👍

Hi rr62, Thanks for the run down, that’s really helpful. The only TY175’s I’m seeing at present seem to be well over £2k which seems a bit steep but that’s probably me remembering what they used to cost! Seems to be a sellers market on older trials bikes generally (assuming they are actually selling for what they’re asking). I’m trying to keep an open mind as I’m not seeing a lot for sale that looks like decent value either in older modern or twin shock bikes - and I don’t want to pay the through the nose if I can avoid it. I think I would be happy with either of the TY’s, or any of the bikes you mention, or maybe even a Beta 200 if one comes up at a decent price. Not classic, I know, but I read good things about them from a rideability perspective. I do really like the look of the Montesa 315……are they reliable/parts available?

Seems I’ll have to just bite the bullet if I want a bike - Can’t really justify the cost of a new bike until I know how I’m going to get on with it. Still, unless they drop in price again suddenly it’s all relative I guess…

Thanks Chris I’m seeing prices for 13-15 year old bikes at around the £15-1800 mark. What sort of prices were they going for before the madness started and everything went bonkers? Just trying to get some sort of perspective. Can’t believe the prices of old TY’s they were cheap as chips a few years back…