fantastic Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 I've never competed in a trial before but I've been pottering on mx, enduro and 80's Fantics for over 30 years now so I don't consider myself a "beginner". With this in mind what is the most suitable bike I can buy for under a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 errr... a 1980s Fantic maybe seeing you already have it/them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantastic Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 nope, sold em. Sorry to see them go but 3 less "projects" now.... need to change my username I think ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_scorpa3 Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 (edited) Worth having a look at a Beta Rev3 200. My lad had one back in 2004 (he was an adult sized 15 year old) it was very easy to ride and had more than enough power, it was good at finding grip in the mud and didn't suffer the stator problems that my 250 Rev3 did that year. Edited February 11, 2010 by Pete_Scorpa3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybroad Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 you'll not get a definitive answer, ask 10 riders you'll get 10 different opinions as a 40+ returner to trials myself with a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantastic Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 many thanks for responses so far.... Tony I like your answer as it seems the Sherco 290's are very good value and I would get a later bike than a comparable Beta or Gas Gas. Maybe asking for a definitive answer was a bit of a stretch but maybe if I ask what bikes were mostly winning in 2001-2004 ? Also, there have always been bikes of every genre that everyone at the time would want if money etc were no object.... what were these in early 2000's ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricky dicky Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 If you have a look around on the TC classifieds, TMX and ebay you will get an idea of what you could get for your money. All of the bikes are good, its all about preference. My mate got an 03 montesa 315 for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantastic Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 I'm thinking that if the UK economy was based on trials bike sales then we would be in far better economic health than we are now....Take note Mr Brown (username OneEyedWobbler). I've lost track of the number of bikes I've watched or bid on or contacted the owner only to find they are sold ! I think that Montesa was one of them ! I had 3 bikes for sale last week and they went within hours and I had dozens of calls and emails each wanting to buy straight away. So if anyone knows of a post 2002 Rev 3, Sherco, Gas Gas, Montesa etc for under a grand that isn't sold then let me know ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgy Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Immaculate Sherco 290cc as new.This is on trials central adds i've not seen one in such good order it's a bit over 1000 pounds but looks good. try and get a 290 sherco 04 i had one and it was very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ourtea Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Definitive answer... Any 200 cc two-stroke. In my opinion, first choice is a 200 Beta Rev3, followed by ???. Chewy has one for himself and his missus and they swear by the 200cc motor (granted, theirs are Evo's). Why? Simple... plenty of usable power, grips in mud better than bigger engined bikes, light and flickable. End of story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_scorpa3 Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Any 200 cc two-stroke. In my opinion, first choice is a 200 Beta Rev3, followed by ???. Chewy has one for himself and his missus and they swear by the 200cc motor (granted, theirs are Evo's). Why? Simple... plenty of usable power, grips in mud better than bigger engined bikes, light and flickable. What I said. Don't be fooled into thinking that you need big engines to ride in trials. The latest 290 Evo and the like are fabulous, but Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 The mont 315's and the Scorps/ Yam are easy riders with a bit more guts than a 200, all good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalley250 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 (edited) A Sherco 290 is a terrible bike to start out on. me mates had em only for a couple of months as way to powerful for novice/inter. Edited February 12, 2010 by smalley250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Try a few bike first if you can before even considering one to find what YOU like, as its like asking what wine should i buy. Not quite, as all wine tastes like gnats p*** - at least there are some good trials bikes... As stated in above and previous posts, a 200 is your best bet and that really means a Beta as the best option. It's ridiculous to buy a 290/300 whatever and then try and tune it down, it's a waste of effort, trying to get it to run right with whatever changes you make is trial and error and it is still a big engine after all that. The 200 has the correct power characteristics as standard. Trials is not all about power until you are on much bigger expert level sections. A 200 will happily pull a 17 stone rider up anything at novice/inter level. A big engine and too much power will just give you a miserable time in the sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantastic Posted February 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 All excellent advice so thanks everybody. I have decided to look for a Beta 200 Rev 3 but they are a bit thin on the ground so will probably up my budget to 1200 or so. And as for the wine, I find that you can't go wrong with Baron Phillipe Rothschild's Mouton Cadet. Unless anyone else has anything to mention then I'll consider this matter closed. Thanks again, and special thanks to whoever runs this fantastic site as the speed of responses has been FANTastIC (must change that name). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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