Thinking about trial

[Leo]

I'm thinking about buy one used trial bike to play around and improve my techniques...


Can I ride it on regular trails with minimum confort?
What mileage I would expect with this soo small gas tank?

I saw some Sherco and some GasGas...Any better?

Any internet nice place to find more info?

thanks

 

[kaos]

Technical trails are great on a trials bike. After the initial "uncomfortable" rides that will let you get used to muscles you don't use, you will find the agility and lightness a lot of fun.
Outfitted with the hebo fork tank you get a decent amount of ride time,generally 4- 5 hours with breaks. And likely all your body wants to handle.
If finances allow get a 2-3 year old bike from a intermediate level rider. They generally don't kill the bike with huge splatters etc,and tend to be serious enough to perform proper servicing .

 

[Coop]

Trials bikes are great fun. You won't be sitting down (no seat) so I'm not sure about comfort. But I take mine on trails sometimes and it's great practice.

Plus I can practice techniques in my yard. It doesn't take much room.

 

[Boom Boom]

Trials Central has any and all info you will ever want.
For more trail riding I would go with Beta or Gas Gas only because they have a 6 speed vs 5 speed for Sherco and Montesa. Not any faster just a nicer gear spacing for trail use. 4th in the Gas Gas and Beta are great hill climb gears.
When I do trail riding I carry two metal fuel bottles (quart each) in a back pack and can cover the same distance a enduro bike with 2.5 gal tank.
Boring unless riding more challenging stuff.
Get ready for a major leg work out.
You will be surprised just how fast you can make a trials bike run thru tight single track...
The brakes will not tolerate long hard use.
Any deep water needs crossed on the rear wheel.
Easy to ride wheelies for miles.
Buy one and have fun.

 

[sevenfourate]

Any deep water needs crossed on the rear wheel.

All good advice above.........

Im 'confused' by this one though ? Presumably the front brake and water dont mix.......why ?

 

[GasGasDreamer]

I'm thinking about buy one used trial bike to play around and improve my techniques...

yes, by leaps and bounds

Can I ride it on regular trails with minimum comfort?

why ride regular trails?
its when you ride in the 'trials' areas that you get the skill.

What mileage I would expect with this so small gas tank?

after 3 hours of trials riding [one tank] you will be done physically.

Sherco and some GasGas...Any better?

GasGas of course.

Any internet nice place to find more info?

google , trials central, searchtempest [search all craigslist]
they hold there value

if I could get any bike I would get an Ossa Explorer
http://www.ossamotor.es/EN/models.php?idMoto=339

 

[swazi_matt]

I think it has more to do with the position of the airbox than the front brake

I had a montessa and it was good fun, but i did not have enough time to ride two bikes, i also figured i should rather try to do the trials drills on my enduro bike.
Unless you can get a seat (montesa has one) it is a real workout, if you think you stand alot on an enduro bike, 5 mins on the trials bike will show you how often you use your seat
Still miss my trials bike

 

[GasGasDreamer]

Still miss my trials bike

it's okay to show the pain....
but she'll never really understand...

 

[rosco]

The reason you want to carry the front wheel through crick crossings is the trials bikes have such a steep steering angle. The front end will tend to want to tuck in when you hit water or deep snow. This is a 2012 Gas Gas 280 econo that I have for sale. It has the extended range tank and the quick detach seat.

 

[c337b]

I put a extra fuel tank on my GG280 for extra range

http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=350

 

[Leo]

thanks for all responses guys.

 

[sevenfourate]

The reason you want to carry the front wheel through crick crossings is the trials bikes have such a steep steering angle. The front end will tend to want to tuck in when you hit water or deep snow. This is a 2012 Gas Gas 280 econo that I have for sale. It has the extended range tank and the quick detach seat.

Thanks for the explanation.

Id love a Trails bike too.......Bearing in mind i have a venue used for both training and Competition events literally 1 mile up the road from my house. If i get something road registered i can actually ride it backwards and forwards from my house. For the ease of being able to have a go - and as and when i fancy it, along with helping bike skills makes complete sense......


Your bike looks killer. Infact if i was 3000 miles nearer id have made you an offer

 

[Boom Boom]

All good advice above.........

Im 'confused' by this one though ? Presumably the front brake and water dont mix.......why ?

Very low air intake and if you just drive thru modest deep water at speed your boots and legs will funnel water directly to the air box.
Just ride a wheelie and all is fine.
Newer Shercos have air intake where most hold fuel so not a problem with them.
Also as commented the front could tuck pushing thru the water....just easiest to carry a wheelie doing stream crossings.

 

[Leo]

at least, look funny

 

[Leo]

I like this kind of trail...

http://youtu.be/GFero9goWz8

 

[thumperflipper]

I picked up a very old beta 250 for super cheap about 6 months ago, play with it in the back 40, can putt around 1/2 mile per hour. Couple of basic trials skills I learned so far on the Techno: one, keep my balance at a standstill, and two, really use rebound to lighten the front end to cross logs and start wheelies. Suprisingly, those skills IMMEDIATELY transferred to my enduro bike. Suddenly I was riding very technical terrain smoother, smarter, and much more relaxed on the enduro bike.
Of course you are standing all the time on the trials bike, so now standing all the time on the enduro bike is no big deal. So not just great cross training, but great for conditioning. Your throttle and clutch control also become very precise. You just thought your timing was good before.

If anyone is trying to decide whether to buy another enduro bike, my recomm is keep your gasser and buy a trials bike.

 

[sevenfourate]

I picked up a very old beta 250 for super cheap about 6 months ago, play with it in the back 40, can putt around 1/2 mile per hour. Couple of basic trials skills I learned so far on the Techno: one, keep my balance at a standstill, and two, really use rebound to lighten the front end to cross logs and start wheelies. Suprisingly, those skills IMMEDIATELY transferred to my enduro bike. Suddenly I was riding very technical terrain smoother, smarter, and much more relaxed on the enduro bike.
Of course you are standing all the time on the trials bike, so now standing all the time on the enduro bike is no big deal. So not just great cross training, but great for conditioning. Your throttle and clutch control also become very precise. You just thought your timing was good before.

If anyone is trying to decide whether to buy another enduro bike, my recomm is keep your gasser and buy a trials bike.

Exactly what i wanted to hear. Thanks !

 

[GasGasDreamer]

^^+1

My skills jumped dramatically just from loading it into the truck when I bought it. They are that good.

 

[Boom Boom]

^^+1

My skills jumped dramatically just from loading it into the truck when I bought it. They are that good.

LMAO.....I liked that.
FYI, I have had trials bikes for over 35 years.
I must be buying the wrong brand, I have loaded many bikes and my skill level still sucks.

 

[Leo]

That's what this tread resulted