zippy

OK here goes I am gonna try to stick with facts. Sherco 290 is actually 272cc with 5 speed gearbox Gas Gas 280 is 272cc with 6 speed gearbox Beta Evo 290 is 290cc with 5 speed gearbox? Now I will go with personal experience and opinion. I have a 2000 Sherco 2.9 I really like it but I hear it is a totally different animal than the 2007-2009 models. Sherco has Plastic fuel tank Gas Gas 280 OK I really have no experience with one of these but the 300's are more popular. Gasser has metal tank. Beta Evo 290 has a harder clutch pull than the others, and The rider I know with one has complained the gas tank capacity is a bit low. (many fill ups) Also the fuel tank is a welded in part of the frame, makes motor and radiator maintenance a little more difficult. In the short test ride I had on his Beta it felt well balanced the power was very nice and predictable, had very good low end (just a little throttle and it would torque it's way up) At higher revs would jump to the moon. ALL bikes require maintenance, the amount usually is directly proportional to how much you beat the hell out of it. All 3 of those models have linkage rear suspension so lubing that on a regular basis is a must. Hope that helps.

HMMMM..... Wonder if Wifey would allow me to fill that vacant Miata seat????????

Well that settles it for me 4 stroke = crash, I gonna stick with 2 stroke.

That would be the Composer Bach's wife.

That would be the "I ride TRIALS in shorts brigade" The possibility of Road Rash at 60MPH on a trials bike is much less than on a road bike. (No road trials here) And no where did I say that adults 18 and older MUST wear the proper gear, just that it needs to be brought to the attention of those learning to ride. I believe it is their choice whether or not to wear it, They should be provided with enough information to make an informed choice. Same goes for seat belts in cars. (May seem a bit hypocritical but 17yrs and younger should be required to wear seat belts and helmets, leathers and boots, just because 18yrs is the standard age of adulthood and therefore can make their own decisions concerning their safety.) I do agree with your discouragement of novices from getting the hot street bikes, as you are correct they don't know what they are getting into. I also discourage beginners from the large displacement street bikes. Yep I think money is playing a large part in the new testing. edit: fixed spelling errors and punctuation

Unless things have changed since I got my Motorcycle Road License 19 years ago, All we do in Michigan is take a 10 question paper test and a relatively easy road test. But you must have an automobile operator license first. It would be nice if more attention was given to the different dangers and hazards that motorcycles face and how to ride safely, as well as safety gear. (just love seeing the guys in flip flops, muscle shirt, and shorts with a helmet (just because the law requires it). Also would be nice of more attention was given to watching out for bikes during the Automobile driving courses.

Damn Right!!!

Cool Deano, I just wanted to know if it was "legal" for the event. The Grand National Points don't interest me. Thanks

OOOH OOOOH Does this Mean I could ride my 1986 Honda TLR200 Reflex in the Vintage Days Trial?

I am quite certain I know where most of the dirty I mean mud came from.....................Section One that just did not want to dry out and got worse as the day went on. That section had many many many 3's in all classes, I don't think anyone actually liked that section but everyone thought it was a challenge, and nobody threatened to hurt me so was a good day for me the Observer. I did have one Gentleman go for a swim in the mud, front tire went into a hole and he just laid over into the watery muck, and he just started Laughing. It was well worth it for me to stand and sit out there all day and watch everyone ride.

Pro Taper is the brand I use now, The model is the SE line (funny enough they are Seven Eighths Dia.) comes with bar pad, I bent one pair after having my bike land upside down onto the bars first from a height of about 5ft. They have a trials bend that comes in HI MID and LO. And are moderately priced, I am currently using the Trials Lo. Just my opinion

Just to make it easy for ya'll to waste some time: Bike Mania Bike Mania 2 Bike Mania 3 Bike Mania 4 Bike Mania 5

It has been mentioned that there should be more "Shows and Exhibitions". Although these are very entertaining they are not very effective to get people interested in the sport, either as a participant or a spectator. You go to a Freestyle MX Exhibition, you see guys on MX bikes doing HUGE jumps with crazy tricks and can sit in your seat and drink a You go to a Freestyle MX Competition and you get EXACTLY the same thing. There fore the show and Competition are the same. You go to a Trials Exhibition, you see some really great rider doing huge splatters, hopping the front and rear wheel over and around an assistant, long distance nose wheelies, long distance wheelies, Burn outs, riding across barrels set wheel base apart. COOL looking stuff. You go to Trials Competition, you see ribbon and markers, Different classes on # plates (newbies are now confused), only a small percentage doing the HUGE stuff, most are doing what appears as easy and moderate obstacles, You see really slow moving bikes, really technical and skillful riding. And to top it off you have to walk to see all the action, (might trip and spill the ) We need to somehow expose new riders to what a trials competition really is, and so far the way it has been done is, "Hey Joe, how about you come with me Sunday to a Trials event and see what this is about?" Some times it works, other times nope. And a lot of 35yr first time riders hate being beat by a 12yr old kid, (even if that kid has been riding for the past 6yrs)

I am walking very well now, still need to see the Doc for follow up appointment....So I have not been given the "All Clear" yet. I will be able to be an observer.........All I do is sit on my in a chair all day and watch people ride. Not so sure about "Building" anything yet......I can put up ribbon and markers, on flat ground anyway. (don't want to try climbing hills yet) But life is good............Should be back to riding soon, (soon is subjective and dependent on when the Mrs. will allow me )

Bike Mania 5 On Edit: well, I suck at the video game just as much as I suck at riding the real thing!! 20 levels 36 minutes and 17 seconds..........................Pathetic.

MOTA (Michigan-Ontario Trials Association) next event is being put on by the Bent Fenders club May 3rd. Bent Fender trials info. The club property is a bit on the small side, but this makes it VERY spectator Friendly. We also try our best to utilize what land we have to make a loop that reduces lines.

Biff, stop teasing me Hope it is this nice next weekend for the MOTA Bent Fenders Event.

And all this time I thought you just liked to grab my tail pipe!! Yep keep it simple, some gentle "reminders" should do the trick, no need to get really upset about it. Remember we are voluntarily participating in a sport that does expend exhaust fumes.........we all knew about the risk of exposure when we show up. Besides doesn't everybody love "Aue De 2-stroke"?

Go ahead buy from the US. Problem is it was probably manufactured in (insert other country of choice here) and imported to US to sell to US customers, but because you are in UK that US company will just have it shipped from (above mentioned company) right to your door!! Saves on the extra shipping and US company makes more profit off the item. US don't manufacture much anymore, I don't think we have much if any items that are manufactured from the ground up anymore. Lots of things are "assembled" in the US. I apologize for being in a rotten mood. I really need to lighten up.

I are slightly confused as to which part is two faced? I am allowed my opinions just as you are, my negative view point is part of that opinion. Or I can spout all day long what my opinions are, I am not forcing anyone to read them. I am not taking things away (as the "bullys" are) I am not forcing my opinions or wishes on others. So again which part is two faced?

And we get to this point because society has become "overly civilized" I explain: Most people are good and respect others. So those in charge get to the point where everyone has rights and should be treated with respect. Now these "World Powers" don't want to be viewed as cruel and arrogant, so they must find a humane or humanitarian type solution to these "bullies" of the world, because they are humans and deserve respect and their lives are important. Also the law enforcers have laws they must follow in order to enforce the laws........Problem is these "bullies" operate outside of the law and don't care what the law says. In these types of more extreme "bullying" lethal force may(and is) necessary. Now will it stop the problem right away. NO, but it will stop that "bully" from ever doing it again. Just me spouting my opinion and negative view point of the world we live in.

Ishy, You sure got some Perty hands!! OK I like the material seems stout enough and reusable. the wires seem totally great for use in dirt, and sounds relatively easy for rocks. Use whatever color for whatever class you like, we have not had a standard system in the US yet and I doubt we ever will. Use how ever many colors you need for the number of classes you have, the rest of us don't care because we have our own number of classes. This was all about the material of construction. Which seems good and durable. All the other "talking points" have been discussed at length and argument before and no resolution, so do what works in your area. Geez, I need to get more sleep I get awfully grumpy with just 4hrs sleep a day all week.

FanticMatze, Ya sure you could not ride one event and then make the trip to the other event the same day? You just don't sound committed to it. When the ground is full only way to go is UP!!! That weather must have been wonderful to get you to voluntarily practice downhill. Will see ya next time yer over here for a visit!!

hmmmm retire from what.............I am not saying there is no deal just that we need to negotiate.

Atom, that is exactly the word I was trying to think of...........Confidence... Thank you. Here in the US a bunch of things over the last 10 yrs or so have been "deregulated" or regulations eased. Which of course opened up for more "risky" business practices, easier for those "in the money" to make more money.........etc etc..... At least that is what I believe to be the beginning of the end. Wish I could get one of those "screw it up, get paid millions to retire" plans.