Which Bike

[mospeed]

Hi all, I'm a complete novice with no trials bike experience.

I do have years of bike riding experience, riding an R6 on the road and Iv'e had a play around on my sons moto x bikes in the past. I'm 49, short and fairly light (about 11 stone after eating all the xmas food).

I won't go on and bore you, but I'm looking at 2 bikes fairly local. (south coast) most appear to be in wales, midlands or north, so here's the dilemma.

I either spend a day travelling and spend £120 on fuel or I look locally.

I have seen 2 bikes, both at the same address, locally. They are a gasgas 280 TXT Pro 2002 model, and a Beta Rev 3 2006 model. The beta needs rear wheel bearings, but I'm more than capable of changing these.

The beta is approx £300 more expensive.

Would the gasgas be too powerful for a beginner.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

I'm fit and active, ride a mountain bike for pleasure with my son (trying to keep up with him).

I'm getting too old for mad sunday blasts now and just want a bike to play around on with the possibility of joining a club in the distant future.

I could afford either, although I'd prefer to spend less if possible, as I have no idea if I will even be any good on a trials bike. If I take to it, I would be happy to spend a fair bit more later.

I can ride my R6 at a fair rate, but I know that trials is a completely different ball game.

Just dying to get a bike and go have a play......

Any advice.................. Thanks

[the addict]

Being honest, any trials bike will be a handful if you've not ridden one before, the R6 will count for nowt as will the mx bike. Trials is fantastic fun, cheap, a very sociable sport and once hooked you may never leave. I've had an 06 Beta and it was a good bike to me, the Gasser? not had that year so wont comment. The Beta may leak petrol from the carb, its an easy sort if if bothers you although its not a running issue, and they are prone to stator failures (not all) Buying a well used second hand bike like anything is Russian Roulette, if you know anyone who already rides take them along for a test ride and to spot any mechanical issues, or hopefully you will have enough replies on both bikes (pro's and cons) to make a good judgement yourself.

A 200 would be a good option although rare, 250 next, the 270-300 can be quite lively lol.

Edited December 27, 2014 by the addict

[steve_earle]

The Beta will be your best bet, Very strong & well built, Easy to calm down. I had one the same, Lovely bike.

You don't want an 02 280 Gas Gas Full Stop.

I know these bikes they have been at our club so they are honest.

Grab the Beta you will not regret it.

If your riding down south give me a shout if you need any help.

[mospeed]

Thanks to both of you for the opinions/advice.

I thought the Beta would be the better proposition, but as I have no knowledge other than what I have read on the web, thought it best to get some advice.

Thanks also for the offer Steve, I'll keep you posted on what I get, but would love to meet up with you, as your'e fairly local I guess, being a Bishops Waltham member.

I'm in Portsmouth.

Any more advice or tips of what to look out for would be great.

Thanks Pete

[the addict]

Pete, check the site glass on the side of the casing to make sure its not milky, ask how often the clutch oil is changed and general maintenance. Bearings are easy to sort as you know as are headstock and suspension. Rear shocks can be expensive so make sure it works ok and adjusts.

Edited December 28, 2014 by the addict

[jrsunt]

See if you can find a montesa 315r of a similar year. Honda build quality meant they were bullet proof and 2004 was the last of that model so the gremlins had been ironed out. Anything from 2001 would be best

2002 was the 1st year for the gas gas pro and they had real issues in the gearbox, chances are its all been changed so I'd ask to see receipts. The betas are better, but as said before, they were prone to electrical failures.

happy hunting

[mospeed]

Just a quick update. Have put a deposit on a 2004 sherco 125. Can't wait to collect it. Hope it doesnt disappoint. Thanks for the advise given. I'm sure there will be plenty more questions from me. Thanks again. Pete

[mospeed]

Hi All. Just a quick update. Picked up the Sherco on new years day. Went out for a good few hours yesterday, in some local woods.

What a blast. Riding my road bike makes me grin, but playing around on a trials bike is probably even better.

I have to admit, respect to all of you who can actually ride with some ability. I had some ideas of what I thought I may be able to do, I was rubbish....

However, I had a great time and I can only get better (I hope).

Had to go back to workshop to inflate tyre, which strangely went down, leaking around rim. Put air in and I was back in the woods again.

Note to self.... Take foot pump in future.

Got lots to learn, and I'll be back out again tomorrow with that in mind.

I doubt that i'll ever be great, or even good, but its going to be brilliant fun learning.

Thanks to the guys who gave me the advice. looking forward to getting loads more advice and hopefully riding with some of you in the future.

Happy days ahead.

One quick question, is it true that Sherco's all suffer from what sounds like top end rattle at low revs, as this is my only concern.

Guy I got it from recently changed rings and small ends, and included the old ones as proof, but it does seem to rattle, any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Pete