trialtrial Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi everyone - so I am a total noob to trials. And not much more experienced with enduro either. Really I am just a has been road rider, starting to get out in the dirt. But really I just want a light bike for poking around the hills of west coast BC, Canada. Right now I am doing it on a 95 Suzuki DR350. Its great, but a bit clunky. I dont bash around, I dont jump, I just put-put on the old forest roads and easy single track, exploring for lakes, waterfalls, etc etc. The appeal of a trials bike is too great to resist. So for a second bike I found a 92 Beta Synt, in really nice shape - driven by a little old lady, etc. etc. For about $1600CDN (1200 euro?) - we pay a little more here cause we live on an island. BUT I am a big guy - 6'2" 240lbs. Some of its even muscle. So maybe its too small for me - I dunno. So whatcha all think? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bent_boot42 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hey, I am also a total trials newbie. Just got a bike last Sunday But it is AWESOME... go for it! I also live in BC (near victoria, you?) so I can relate with the price being steeper than south of the border. I got a 2004 Sherco290 for $3000CDN and am very happy with it and it doesn't feel like too much bike (I am about 6' and 190lbs). I also have a street riding background, the last few years on a couple CBR 600's and before that a street legal Honda XL250R. I have been fixing up another ($300)XL for the dirt but just couldn't resist a trials bike The terrain these things can handle (with very little help/skill from me) is amazing and wicked fun. I did a lot of research on different makes/models of trials bike and I basically came to the conclusion that $2500 was about the minimum for a "good" semi-reliable used bike that is at least semi-modern and therefore most capable (old twin-shocks being too much work for a newbie). I saw a really nice and prettty dang new gasgas 250 for $3500 but have heard the GG is a bit finicky on the reliablilty and was just too much out of pocket for me (even though a good price on the bike). There is also a Scorpa 250 on usedvictoria for $3500 but there are so few scorpa's around you may have trouble finding parts/mechanical expertise/etc. for them. Where do you usually ride your DR350? would you ride the trials bike there too? link to the beta add? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialtrial Posted May 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Looks like we are neighbours - I am in vic too. Used vic has the Synt: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1992--Beta--Synt--260cc_14828458 I spoke to the guy, sounds like its very well maintained and in good shape. Looks that way from the pics too. I might go out and see it before the long weekend. Not too sure - I am very much on the fence. I go to sooke (Tugwell, Boyds, etc.) and shawnigan. Just poking around on the logging roads and old fire roads, seeing whats up. Lakes, waterfalls, old mines, plane crashes, hikes to mountain tops, etc. Basically I'd ride the trials bike on pure back country stuff, but if there was a chance of being on pavement, I'd ride the DR350. Its plated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telecat Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Miles away but I can say that if the SCORPA is a "blue" one it'll have the Yamaha TY250 engine. As well as being ideal for what you want to do spares should be easy for the engine. Most of the rest of the bike should use pretty generic parts. Just don't break the frame!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bent_boot42 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Ya, the scorpa is a blue one... here is the link: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/2006-SCORPA-250CC-TRIALS-BIKE_14833404 and here is that GG that I liked (but couldn't afford) http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/2005-GasGas-300-trials-bike_14768319 That Synt does look in pretty good shape... get off that fence! Go get it .... seriously though, take your time with finding the right bike (but don't be on the fence about trials) I have been up to Shawnigan (only once) and never to Tugwell or Boyd's (or etc.). I want to go check out Tansky Main soon (never been there either), have you been? If/when you get a trials bike let me know if you would be up for showing me around Tugwell, etc.? Is your DR350 your road bike too, or do you have another bike for the road? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialtrial Posted May 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Well the Synt sold last night - that's fine. I need to think about this a bit. I haven't been to Tansky yet - I tend to like finding things versus track riding. Regardles, I will go just to see it. I'd be happy to take you to the other areas. We are up at eng river this long weekend, but the following weekend we'll probably ride up to the reservoirs. I really want to see Leech falls. We are a couple of noobs, so we just put-put along, not much for single track, but happy to try things as long as we wont break anything. If this works for you, PM me and I'll give you my email. Yeah, my DR350 is the dual sport model, licensed for the street. Although I rarley ride on the street. I have been hit by too many cars. I tend to like being out in the middle of nowhere so the bushes is just fine for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bent_boot42 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Too bad about the synt selling. I guess you don't have the budget for the $3500 bikes? Thanks, it would be great to see the other areas (and not get super lost trying to explore by myself). I will try and get my XL250R ready for the weekend following may-long, so that we are on similar machines... the trials bike would make me want to do crazy single-track stuff but the XL should want to go where you and the DR would. (PM sent) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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