pete_scorpa3

For a year or two we had the ridiculous system where- a feet-up stop was a one one foot-down stop was a two two feet down stop was a three one dab was a one two dabs was a two three dabs was a three bounce sideways whilst moving was a clean bounce sideways whilst stationary was a five go backwards feet up or down was a five Try explaining that mess to a 'first time' observer five minutes before the start of a trial! In all the time I rode under this system, I was never given a two for a stationary dab. No wonder the ACU decided to go back to either stopping allowed or full non stop. Only my opinion but I believe that all trials should be non stop, (although I prefer to ride stopping allowed) we would quickly learn to accept the fact that a stop is a five and would ride accordingly.

With plans for the 2012 Classic Show well underway, here's a shot of Rons bike I took at the 2009 show.

Well known Cotswold trials rider Jon Bliss turned up at my last trial with a new Montesa 4RT in the back of his estate car. He dragged the front forks out of the back so that they were hanging over the rear bumper, put the front wheel in, pulled the rest of the bike out and that was it. Drew a crows of spectators who couldn't belive he'd got it in there with just the front wheel out.

The Osets are brilliant if you want to throw the bike in the back of a car and just get out and go! The build quality is very good but the battery life can be a limiting factor. My 3 year old runs out of energy before her 12.5 runs out of power but the 6 year old often uses every amp just finishing a trial on her 36v. I swear by them for very young riders, you have control over their speed and can build it up gradually as the rider improves.

It's a few years since I registered a trials bike, but all they did was check the engine and frame numbers and measure the ground clearance. Ten mins later I was on my way home with a tax disc and a reg number. I can see how the 'not for use in trials' clause on the insurance will give problems though! Pete

I did in the end.

Boots are also a good idea. I let the kids get away with trainers if they are riding in the back garden but they always wear their boots if we are going off road proper.

I was considering doing this on a completely different machine. I know every frame is different but I was wondering what the ideal head angle is for a trials bike?

I don't know if the Sherco is the same but in my Scorpa rear wheel I simply removed the tubless valve and fitted an inner tube. There's nothing stopping me refitting the valve in the future (once I manage to stop the rim tape leaking!)

This looks like it just might be a good LDT bike. At the moment there's nothing to beat the Pampera's, Alps and Serrows in this type of event. Look forward to reading the road tests!

The Wulf Trials helmet is quite small, it's worth trying on. The girls wear pushbike helmets if they are playing around in the garden but a proper lid when riding 'real' off road. Many will say they prefer a full face lid, but the eldest found she rode into things as it restricted her vision. A full face does give better protection!

I bit the bullet and bought new ones for my kids, first the 12.5 for

With any 7 year old trials bike... Buy by condition!! Any of the top five (Gas Gas, Sherco, Scorpa, Beta or Montesa) could be a baragin for

I did email one of the earlier listings from a hotmail address to ask if he'd end the auction early for cash, (not serious) but heard nothing at all back. If he's not taking money off buyers, how does the scam work?

Be very careful that it runs cleanly, as mentioned above, the 2004 Rev3's had a terrible reputation for faulty stators, I had a new 250 in 04 (and also a 200 for the lad) and the 250 had two stators replaced under warranty!

See John Collins' take on the subject from a few years ago HERE

Check with the land owner before you start washing bikes at the venue, some would really take offence. The Environmental Department would not look on this favorably and the land owner might get into trouble.

YBR125 custom http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Yamaha-YBR-125-CUSTOM-red-DAMAGED-REPAIRABLE-/170707378655?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item27bef3e1df

I've often wondered the same thing for trail bikes. If money was no object, what would the ultimate road legal 'off road' bike be like? If only money was no object

Same. Short run of weld sorted mine out.

Excellent info, thanks.

How does the automatic clutch work Sam? Is it suitable for trials use? There was talk of a trials kit for the T ride. This included removing the starter and fitting a heavier fly wheel, do you know if these ever became available?

This smacks of a 'hijacked' sellers account. The genuine owner of the account may not have even known someone was listing under their name! It's entirely possible that ebay may have contacted the real account holder and they has a shock.