FailMaster

Thank you to all who have commented and offered advice so far. I’ve not been able to get out much recently so wanted to get back out before I made any more comments. I’m coming back with a much more positive outlook than I had when I first posted asking for advice. To answer with some of the spec: my 125cc is a 2015, I’m running sprockets at 9/48 and I usually weight around 10.5 stone. I have been kicking myself for ages thinking I’m just not improving but as it was pointed out to me, there’s definitely been a huge improvement in how tight a turn I can make and my balance is improving all the time because as much as I haven’t been able to follow the lead of the guys I ride with, I have been doing my own thing and I think that’s actually going to have helped hugely now I’m starting to put things together. Thanks to everyone’s input I’ve been ignoring the sounds and techniques of everyone on their 250/300’s and playing around more with my own bike, using the techniques suggested I’ve managed a few longer hills that I wouldn’t have ever entertained when I first wrote this…..it’s still very basic and beginner but for the first time in ages I feel like I’ve actually made some real progress. My learning style is definitely - ‘know the theory of what to do and then put it into practice’, rather than ‘just send it and hope for the best’ so having the knowledge of how to attack things specifically with my 125 has been absolutely amazing! I’ve been able to think about all the advice given and I feel like I’m going out there with a new found confidence. honestly, it’s made such a difference to me. I can’t wait to get out and ride again. Thank you.

I have definitely been under-oomphing quite regularly - and suffering the consequences! Nothing that actually involves needing to lift the front wheel but some hills and obstacles that involve the bike ‘climbing up’ (if you will). I'm suspecting I’m not giving it enough throttle and then controlling the speed/power with the clutch. I do get to ride a 250 on occasions and definitely find it easier on hills. (Again only easy, beginner trial style hills really). I think I may have a touch of RPM anxiety so that low end power really does help in that area. Thought to quote, maybe I just need to learn to wring the snot out of it. Do you then roll the throttle on more and hold the speed/power back on the clutch on the 125? Obviously the 250 needs a little throttle and a little clutch to get up and over basic things, but should I Rev the 125 higher and then hold the power on the clutch to get that similar pull from it? (Say for trying to get up across and over a rideable rock slab). I’m probably overthinking it all but following what my fellow riders are doing is not quite working. Plus riding for most of them has become second nature so dissecting the basics seems alien to them. it’s lovely to have a group of folk to ride with but everyone is definitely a much higher level than me so they’re often jumping up stuff and attempting things that are waaaay above my level.

I’m really struggling with the sport and it’s taking me so long to get to grips with the basics it’s starting to get embarrassing. One thing I am noticing as I ride with peeps on 250 and 300cc bikes is that I have to ride my bike differently - I’m just not entirely sure what to do! What advice would you give someone riding a 125 that would differ (or even that’s the same!) as the larger CC. For example: my friends 250cc will just track up a (not particularly steep) hill with a smidge of throttle, my 125 would need more oomph at the bottom or it would be touch and go if it made it up.

Although you’ve probably found someone by now, I though I’d add my two penneth worth. I’ve had one experience day like has been mentioned above, very much riding sections without much input as to the finer details of riding. Still a good day but not quite what I had in mind when I booked. From that I phoned around to find out what sort of training others offered and I was impressed when I visited trials day (trialsday.com) in Staffordshire. I learnt loads in one day that has really helped me to improve my riding - and it’s helped me to see where I’m going wrong and correct it. The guys there are very knowledgable and really helped us to progress, alter bad habits and really concentrated on form and explaining how everything worked at each of our level, I’m very much a beginner but my OH is riding to a higher standard so needed completely different input. We both came away feeling much more knowledgable and with things to practice to improve our riding. (We booked together so it wasn’t quite 121 but near enough) I will definitely be booking another training session in the future, once I’ve got a fair few more hours in on the pegs.