randyrat Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Hi..... I am itching to get into trials, and want some advice before I go on a spending spree....... I would like to ride competitively, but as I know nothing about the sport, what do I need to get started? Obviously a bike, but which would be a good forgiving starter....my budget for the bike will be about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpa3 Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Hi Randy, or should I call you Rat? Welcome to TC, you'll find that it's a bit quiet on here this week as the Scottish classic and six days is on and a lot of members will be there either riding or spectating. Things will liven up again in a while. To ride in an ACU event, which are the most common, you will need to join a club and then apply for a trials registration. Most clubs only charge a nominal fee, ours is just Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyrat Posted May 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Cheers Pete...will sort out the club/registration thing this week.. Seen plenty bikes I fancy, but what engine size should I go for? What's the most popular size? Also what bikes to avoid? I've read a few posts on here slating gas gas for poor build quality etc..... Nick...randyrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottt Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 (edited) Where about in South Cumbria? There a 4 local clubs the hold trials all within an hours drive of South Cumbria. I can help you with a few places where you can go to practise. Which Trial did you stumble across? If you read this in time there is another one tomorrow 11m start. Lakes grass track club, go to junction 36 M6, go straight over as though you were going to Kirby Lonsdale, then at the little roundabout turn left down the A6070 it is down that road just look for little flags and a field full of vans. Scott. Edited May 6, 2007 by ScottT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpa3 Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Cheers Pete...will sort out the club/registration thing this week..Seen plenty bikes I fancy, but what engine size should I go for? What's the most popular size? Also what bikes to avoid? I've read a few posts on here slating gas gas for poor build quality etc..... Nick...randyrat Nick, I personally would avoid 270/280/290/300's you will find that a 250 will give you more than enough power, infact the 200's are very forgiving and can be a big advantage in a wet muddy trial. It is often mentioned that Gassers need more care than other bikes but that's not to say you can't find a well looked after model for the money you have. Remember, buy by condition and not age. If in doubt walk away, there will be another along shortly. It's easy to buy a so called bargain and by the time you've put tyres, fork seals, suspension bushes, chain & sprockets and a mudguard on it, you might as well have bought a more expensive bike in the first place. When you see a bike which you like, post on here in the appropriate forum (Sherco, Gas Gas or which ever) and the members will give you a list of common faults to look out for and the approx cost of repair. There's a lot of good advice on here. Just don't be tempted to ask 'which is the best bike'? As it will just turn into a 'my bikes better than yours' row. I hope this helps. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
half a tire right Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 I'll suggest a late 90's Techno,I started on a 86 TY 250 and was hooked. When it came time to move up I tryed a Monty and loved it til I rode my Brother's 99 Techno,somthing about just felt right. I ended up getting a screaming deal on a very well mantained near mint 97 Techno. A buddy of mine has a 99 Gasser,though it runs great it's alway's needing,, What ever you decide on take a day and tear it down and clean and grease every pivot and berring and change "all" fluids no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyrat Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Where about in South Cumbria? There a 4 local clubs the hold trials all within an hours drive of South Cumbria. I can help you with a few places where you can go to practise. Which Trial did you stumble across? If you read this in time there is another one tomorrow 11m start. Lakes grass track club, go to junction 36 M6, go straight over as though you were going to Kirby Lonsdale, then at the little roundabout turn left down the A6070 it is down that road just look for little flags and a field full of vans. Scott. Cheers Scott....it was the trial out at Bigland on Sunday. I am in Ulverston, Cumbria. Was looking at joining Barrow and District....they seem to have plenty going on....unless you know of a better one? Practice areas would be great...I know of a field near Roosecote Power station, but I'm not sure that its "legal" to ride there if you know what I mean... As always....any information gratefully received Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyrat Posted May 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Hi Chaps... thanks for all the advice so far....its nice to know I won't be going in to it blind... Cheers...Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaver19 Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 Bootle run about 10 trials a year, excellent land on fell green and at po house. Barrow club really friendly hold some good trials. Westmorland motor club run a multi class round as do the others, they hold a few trials on there own land at lindale only about 20 mins drive from you as for choice of bike beta rev3 200 great starters bike you will ride it not the bike taking you for a ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalley250 Posted May 7, 2007 Report Share Posted May 7, 2007 I would look for a Gas gas JTR or JTX 250 i think its a 96 97 bike. I had one and it was the best built bike and least trouble ive ever had. The txt followed and the frames were poor rusting and cracking. The Pro only became good on an 04 so out of question in price. Mont are good but i never really rated them that good to ride. Beta 99 techno would be a good buy as its the last of the range prior to the Rev3 which came out in 2000 which had a number of issues until 01 model. Buy boots etc from Ebay but not your bike. As pointed out condition not year is the main issue with a trails bike or you will throw money hand over fist at a tired bike. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exiled yorkshireman Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Hello ratty Darwen mcc have a good begginers set (i know..i'm one) and Bolton do some 'easy ' trials too. Lancscounty have some fantastic venue's around the kirby lonsdale are but seldom do any begginers stuff. keep surfing t'internet and TMX. If youre not sure if its easy or not ring the secretary, as there's always a contact number with the regs. start on the easy stuff and work youre way up, i've see people try a venue that was beyond them and get put off so start low ..aim high ! also..in yorkshire there's no such thing as easy.....there's 'not as hard'...but never easy !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.