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Stuart, Welcome! There are a few clubs around your / our area. My own club is RRND (Reigate Redhill North Downs) see our website - www,rrnd.co.uk This details whats On, where, Bikes for sale etc. We run a club trial each month - details on the website and an evening trial in the summer months - you just missed June's! Our next club trial is at Hook Woods which is an awesome venue - but as its a club trial we dont do the mega sections there!! As I mentioned there are several clubs in the area - Horsham Riders, Bognor, Thames, Worthing - to name a few and all hold events within an our of us (I live near Caterham). Google them for their websites or try the links from ours. Bikewise I would say a 250 is probably about right - but don't discount the 200's - especially the Beta. Go more for condition than age - but come along to a trial and have a look and try a few. I have a Beta Evo but thats probably a bit expensive for you. There are a few dealers nearby, all very good and reputable in my experience: Gordon Farley at Guildford, Merlin at Horsham (Mike Husband) or JAM at Farnham (Ian Allaway). There is a trials practise facility near us - The Old Quarry at Betchworth. www.theoldquarry.co.uk They can hire you a bike and offer practise sessions. It is run by the Thomas family and their son Luke is a great rider and nice guy. They normally run practise sessions on Saturday or Sunday if there is no trial at their land. Give them a ring (and say that I sent you - might get a discount then!!) Good luck and hopefully see you at a trial soon. Eric

Scoobydoo - without being disrespectful, can I ask what level / class you ride at? A lot of Expert level riders around our area (South East) went the four stroke route and have now gone back to 2-strokes. However, the 4-strokes are popular amongst those riding the clubman route (at least in our club anyway) which is possibly to do with the more straightforward sections and riding in the 'non-stop' mode. I rode a 4RT for a few trials, which was kindly loaned to me for a while, and whilst I loved the engine she was a bit of a heavy old girl at the end of a long day. I am interested in the Beta 4 strokes, but found the 300 was a tad fierce on the initial takeup when I tried one?

Si, I have had Rev 3's and now an Evo. I always use ATF in the gearbox - but change it fairly regularly. The front brake should lock up - there are lots of other posts about brakes - may need new pads / bleeding or not having the adjuster in too much on the lever as it can restrict the flow of fluid. Can't really advise on the shock - that one needs someone to look at it I would guess. Stick with the recommended coolant as the Revs did have a habit of eating the casings. Other than that you should be good to go! Enjoy it as they are a good all round bike. If the bike sounds loud it is worth the few quid to buy a repacking kit for the rear silencer box from Lampkins. Cheap and easy to fit and worth the effort. Also Lampkins are really helpful with any questions that you might have. Give them a ring. Good luck. EC.

I should phone and get them to check whats on the shelf before you visit - my local store (Croydon - Purley Way) said they had it in stock - but alas no. When they checked the local stores for me, none of them had it either!!

Thanks Victor - that should do the job nicely and cheaper than the

Jeez, that looks like a new tyre that you have 'modified' for your tests??!! Don't tell me it was a brand new tyre - you could have tried it with one of my old ones! I will gladly swap my old ones for some new ones if you wish to carryout further tests on part worn tyres?

I can only echo what has already been said. I have bought bikes, boots and spares from Mike without issue and would recommend him. As already mentioned why not just pick up the phone and ask, although Mike might be riding the French 4-day this week...lucky boy.

RRND Club Trial at Hookwoods Trials Centre Sunday 27th June 2010 Now that England have qualified for the next round in the World Cup, and will be playing Sunday afternoon, please note that the RRND Club Trial at Hookwoods next Sunday will start at 10am, (rather than 11am). Hopefully, we can all then finish in time to get back to watch the game. Assistance in taking down, so that everyone can get away would be much appreciated -volunteers please make yourselves known when signing on. Details of venue on RRND website. Thanks.

Hi, How long have you had the bike, and has it always run like this? If it has suddenly worsened - have you changed anything? If so - what was it? If not then I would try the following (apologies if you have already tried some or all of these..) Clean the air filter and re-oil. Try again. If the same, strip and clean the carb. Use carb cleaner, remove the jets and give a good blow out with an air line. Take note of the jet numbers whilst you are in there. Reassemble and try again - also note the needle position whilst you have it all apart. If things are no better check your jet sizes - I dont have mine to hand but they are on here in various posts - or better still ring Lampkins for advice. They will send you out their recommended sizes and are very helpful.

Thanks Mike - shame that we will miss riding at one of the nicest group venues of the Year. Mind you - those rocks were icy enough last year so I dread to think what we could have been in for!

BetaBonkers - why do you feel that? I have had several Beta's (Rev3's and now an Evo) and have to say that a properly set up Mikuni gives no problems or cause for alarm. Lew - if you felt happy on the 200 then stick with that. I love the 200 and think it a vastly underrated machine. It depends on what level you ride and personal preference at the end of the day, but don't feel 'intimidated' into buying a 250 for the sake of it! Enjoy whichever you chose - they will both be lighter than the Mont

Welcome to the 21st century Barry

Dabster - know better? You can take the man out of teaching ..........

Aaargh - no it wasn't!! That will teach me to try and be helpful...

Yep, very helpful and been araound a long while. Ian Allaway is a nice guy and to see him in a sidecar has to be seen to be believed.

Try the front page - Beta Evo link....

I would love to try one, but living here in the South East they appear to be as rare as hens teeth! Does anyone know of any 'darn sarf'?? Seriously, I am considering one, but without being able to try them then my money is going nowhere at the moment!

Not sure where exactly you are in Kent, but the Old Quarry at Betchworth (formerly known as Don Barretts Pit) is worth a visit, and they organise training as well. Always ring first though in case there is an event on when you plan to go. http://www.theoldquarry.co.uk/ PS. RRND have their Xmas trial there on Sunday 28th Dec if you fancy a wobble around, or a walk around to see what it is all about.

Firstly, congrats Steve on taking a deserved win - many more to follow! Its a shame that something couldn't have been arranged (dates wise) to make the Peak and the Hillsborough events happen on the same weekend - thus giving two great days for no extra travelling? I did enjoy the one round that I rode - Hillsborough - I thought that it was an excellent event and made better by seeing lots of faces that I hadn't met for years. Must try and do more of them next year -missus willing!

With all due respect to DonD I think this says more about trials being 'all about the rider' rather than 'all about the bike'.... The little Scorpa's are great little machine but remember that the engines are still modified trail bike engines, whilst the SY250 is a 'proper' trials developed engine and machine. I think the issue is more relevant to what sort of rider you are, what you are intending to do with the bike (trail ride or proper trials) and what sort of rider you hope to become ( maybe looking to improve as a trials rider from novice to inter/expert?). If the latter then I think the SY25o would be your best bet. I had Scorpa's for three years (SY250's) and like all machines they are very reliable if looked after. No issues with the suspension, the Yamaha engine is pretty bulletproof and there are some great tips on the Birkett website if you look for the document on preparation for the Scottish. (John Lampkin also has a similar one for Beta riders..) As a bike I always thought that the SY250 was very forgiving - they grip well - and flatter one's ability! As with all bikes it is far better to try one at a trial, as what suits one person will not suit another! There are plenty of good bikes out there (second hand) and as I mentioned earlier it is perhaps more important how well a bike has been looked after rather than what make it is, when considering second hand bikes of similar asking price/age. The Beta and Montesa ranges all have good build quality and if looked after will give years of good service. The Beta 200 is a great little bike and very underestimated in my opinion.... Hope this helps!

So, are you saying that Doug is the missing link......?

Don't be too hasty....are you sure its not just ATF in the gearbox rather than 'oil'? Water ingress normally causes white emulsion in oil rather than pinkiness? Maybe others will confirm this. Certainly check the system but I wouldn't be rushing out to buy bits unless I had made sure.

Sensible wording which probably means it will get ignored, but maybe not if enough people sign-up. I have. Please take a couple of mins to do the same.

Cheers Paul, Off on two weeks hols tonight - so it will sit in the workshop until we get back (at least I hope it will still be there when we get back!!). Will follow up your recommendations when I return, and thanks for the info. Eric

Excellent - thanks for that. There will be two very happy people if I can get it going - and one of them will be my daughter!!