floored

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I'm experiencing the same problem. My 04 300 has been fine putting around, but on the 2 longrides (higher speeds too) I've done, I blew out the coolant. My fan has been working well, so my guess at this point is that the head is warped.

Thank you all for the replies. Unfortunately, I'm not having any luck finding a good used Scorpa 4stroke that isn't priced almost as new. Anyone know if a 2stroke will be OK to start for now?

I've been looking for a bike for a beginner (200lbs) who'll never hit the big stuff, and thought a 200 would be perfect, but there aren't any good ones around. Since it will be used mostly for following the beginners(6-9yrs) around, I'm wondering if a 125 2 stroke ( or the Scorpa 175 4 stroke) would do? At least that way if it gets to be time to upgrade, the bike can be passed down to the kids?

So I pulled the head the head this weekend, and unfortunately discovered that it had been pulled before. Not that it should be a problem, but whoever did the work before put a few marks in the mating surfaces. Fortunately none of the damage was where the seals ride (but close), so I used a razor blade scraper and planed off the burrs. Anyway, I put her back together and got a few hours out yesterday without any problem. So here's hoping it sticks, touch wood. Thanks for all the help and advice. -Andrew

Trials? One word, starts with "N", has 2 letters. Any guesses? Maybe the 400.

Hey Iain, I'm new to it like yourself, and I'm finding this site to be a great resource. The other thing I'm finding very helpful is a nice local club, so if you haven't found one, do. Anyway, good luck and enjoy. -Andrew

Thanks for the Specs and advise everyone. I've ordered the rings, but the distributor is away until Tuesday Feb. 20th so it'll be awhile before I can update as to how things work out. Here's hoping I'll be posting good news!!!!!!!!

My boots

MPM, thanks for the good...ish news. Here's hoping I didn't cook it too bad in trying to get it out of the bush! I stopped and topped it up with water twice, but it took a lot on the second stop. Magicmat, the fan seemed to be working fine (except when the water got below the switch). When I said that I'd that I'd checked the coolant the day before, I'd actually checked the whole cooling system. Knowing that we were going for a long ride, I'd thought it'd be wise. I never thought to check the "O" Rings . Anyway, thank you and I'll let you know how it goes. By the way: #1 - Anyone know the torque specs for the head bolts? #2 - I don't know how the "O"rings come (dry or packed in light oil). Do I use them how I receive them, Dry them, Lube them or use some blue gasket seal?

Yesterday I took my newish to me Pro 300 for it's first long distance ride, and paid the price for it. Early on I saw some signs of coolant smoke, but had presumed it was overflow hitting the exhaust( I'd just checked & topped up the coolant the day before so I figured it was just returning to it's normal level). Eventually I stopped halfway up a long climb after putting on a smoke show. Upon closer inspection it became clear that the head was leaking from a small spot close to the brake reservoir. So.....since I'm new to all this (and the contemplation of working on ones own bike) what should I do now? #1 - Just try new interior & exterior "O"rings and hope for the best? #2 - Suck it up and send the head & cylinder to the machine shop for flattening, since the localized leaking and lack of overflow from the rad are good signs of warpage? #3 - Take the bike to a mechanic and let them rebuild it outright, and also see if they can find any possible causes?

After trail riding dirtbikes for a year, myself and two friends have recently picked up Trials bikes in the hope of becoming better riders. My friend who rides a KTM 525EXC, got a 2004(?) Scorpa 250 and seems quite content. My other friend who rides a Kawi KLX250 first got a 1996 Beta 250, but quickly upgraded to a 1999 GasGas 321. Lastly, I got a good deal on a 2004 GasGas 300 Pro. Of the three of us, I'm by far the one who is having the most trouble. Even though I've mellowed it a little with a "slow" throttle, it still bites me when I stumble on the throttle. The other issue I'm having is that on the really slick stuff I seem to have way more trouble getting traction. Apart from my lack of skill, I also feel that the outright power, light flywheel and geometry are contributing to my problem (place my friends could climb on their bikes, they couldn't on mine). After riding the lower displacement bikes I think I'd be happier on a 200, and possibly a different brand. Now as for my friends, they are both seemingly comfortable with what they have. Even though the 321 is bigger than mine, it really seems to suit my friend. Although I haven't ridden it yet, many others have commented that it is a much more Friendly bike to ride than mine (Heavier flywheel, Not as highly tuned, Geometry not designed specifically for hopping). I think I should also mention that my friends are naturally better riders than me. They are more confident, and more apt to try sections that I won't, or will hesitate on. So that may also contribute to why we like the bikes we do. Good Luck

Your comments about modern trials could be used to "brush" all modern motorcycles, yet consumers are still able to get buyers guides & reviews that helps them decide what to look at. (eg: If they go look at a KTM they know it needs to ride well for them off the floor, because the linkageless suspension's tuning is best left to GODS. Suzuki DRZz have proven to be very reliable & good bang for buck, but lacking (power, weight, handling) as compared to other more "Race Bred" bikes. Etc....) I've read (and I'm finding out) that for traction the GG Pros really want you on the back wheel with the front very light. The Pros also are known for clutch issues (something about swelling plates). I've read chat about Beta carbs......etc... My point is that there are things that could be shared that would help in selection. Someone coming from bicycle trials might find the GG Pro geometry & handling closest to what they're used to, but other cyclists may be intimidated leaning that far back. Someone without mechanical aptitude may sacrifice ride qualities for reliability. Basically, they may use your info to narrow the field, and your descriptions will also give a clue as to what they should be looking for (in themselves and their bike) when looking at and riding the bikes. Telling them to go try as many as possible is good advice, but without knowing what to look for it may be useless.

Coming from Dirt and Dualsport, I'm amazed by how mysterious Trials bikes are made to be. With other bikes we talk of "quick turning", "revy", "grunt", "stable at speed" etc..... But when others come looking for info here, the differences don't get listed?! Are there no things particular to each brand or model?

Thanks for the help everyone. From what I'm hearing, I think I'll try and get the 200. In case you're wondering why I got the 300 as my 1st bike - it was a really good deal and I knew that if it was too much, I could get my money back out.

Got out for my second Trials ride ever on my 2004 GG300 Pro today. Even after fitting a "Slow" throttle I wasn't able to relax. I tried a 2006 GG200 in the parking lot, and imediately felt comfortable. Considering how much better I felt I'm thinking of getting it, but I don't know if it'll haul my fat A**. Thoughts?

Yep! There's nothing like watching a good Montreal Kid turn a team around!

PeterB, Growing up in Canada, siping a tire for traction in the winter has been around for as long as I can remember. Once upon a time good tire shops used to do it as an extra service for customers. Now winter tires already come siped. Considering trials riding and it's need for traction, I'm surprised it hasn't already been tried! Too bad it's too late to patent it. Here is a quote from a local tire shop site to explain: "Looking to improve your traction on snow, ice or in wet weather? Consider tire siping - a process that cuts tiny slits across the tread of tires.

I whole heartedly agree that Habs fans are the worst, but that's because we've been spoiled by successful teams that had heart. As you know Leafs fan are just easy to please, and the Canucks represent everything that is wrong with hockey today ie: if you throw lots of money out for talent it buys individuals, not a team. Truth be told, I've become disenchanted with what Hockey (and many other sports) has become. Real heart barely exists anymore so I'm not inclined to pay a weeks wages to take my kids to a game. Anyway.......this could get ugly, so I guess it's time to change the topic. So Steve.....Bob Masse is a local rider eh? I've heard he was on the island. If you're speaking with him, you can let him know that my wife and I own one of the flooring stores (Hence Floored) called Ganges Floor Coverings. Perhaps if he has some time, he can help an over biked rookie. Later - Andrew

Sorry Folks, I grew up in Montreal where the only real hockey team worth mentioning is!

Totalshell, We have more in common then we thought. Since SSI has the most moderate weather in Canada, everyone it seems is trying to retire here. Unfortunately this also includes many Americans running from Bush, so their currency drives up the price of our housing. With a median age somewhere around 45, it is over 10 yrs older than the rest of our country. Otherwise, Salt Spring & the rest of the Gulf Islands are considered by many to be paradise. Surrounded by Pacific waters with Orcas, Seals & Salmon, it is an outdoorsperson's playground.

tilertrialler, I would have to agree with you. I'd hoped to find a good 200, but they don't exist (within 1000Km of me anyway). The reason I then ended up with the 300 was that it was a really good deal, and a lot of what I've read suggested that many of the 250s to 280s were actually more snappy off the bottom. Things I read about the 300 were "smooth off the bottom" and "good for old fat guys". Considering I'm 210lbs, it sounded like a good 2nd choice. If worse comes to worse, I should be able to sell it for more than I bought it. Now as for all the other great suggestions, thank you. If I understand you all right: -weight way back (very light front end, almost wheelied) with heels down -knees bent for lower centre of gravity -lots of clutch slip -very light throttle To help with it all someone just told me about a "Slow throttle", so I'm ordering that. Any thoughts on Siping the Tires?

No apologies needed, but if any are due they should be from me as it took a bit of searching to find you. Near as I've been able to find out, you're between Leeds & Bradford. Most notable for someone like me might be the song that talks of dying from exposure for being without a hat, or that you're not too far from Shipley home of the "Calender Girls". What else can you tell me? For those like yourself that don't know Salt Spring Island, it is the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands and is a 30 min ferry from Vancouver Island. It is also about another 20 min drive to Victoria (the capital of BC). SSI is well known for its Lamb and residents Randy Bachman (the band the Guess Who) and Robert Bateman (wildlife artist).