Coming Soon
Home > Forum


Author Topic: Any trials riders?  (Read 7654 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline VintageBlueSmoke

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 157
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #15 on: February 28, 2013, 09:35:09 AM »
What you see on TV and You Tube is trials at the professional level. At the local level it is much different and you could very well do it on a regular bike. Back in the early '90s, I went to an event to help the club (flagging, scoring, etc) and they had a beginner, intermediate and expert class but very few riders. I rode the intermediate class on an '87 KX250 and took 3rd. Intermediates did the same course as the expert except for the final obstacle. After the event, we were all goofing around and a did a single dab (more like my foot slipped of fthe peg) on that one.

The gap between the pro's and the unwashed masses is like the Superbowl to a empty lot tag game.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
08 Speed Bird Quad 110, 08 KTM 144, 04 Suzuki LT-Z400, 03 Gas Gas EC, 300,97 Honda CR144, 96 Husky Boy 50, 88 Husky 400WR, 86 Honda CR125R, 80 Can-Am MX6 400, 75 Husky 360CR, 75 Husky 175CC, 73 Penton Jackpiner 175, 72 Husky 250CR, 72 Husky 125, 72 Rickman-Zundapp 125, (2) 71 Bultaco Pursang Mk

Offline Coop

  • Global Moderator
  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 2183
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2013, 11:41:13 AM »
eprovenzano so far it hasn't been bad. All I have done is ride around in the woods beside my house a little though. Too much snow still right now. Maybe we can finally meet up this year and you can play around on it.

Vintage I agree, that was kind of my point about the terrain. I also agree most novice/intermediate stuff doesn't "need" a trials bike. But really you can say that about almost anything. You don't "need" an MX bike to ride novice mx, it can and has been done on enduro bikes. But it can be more enjoyable using the proper tool. Plus it's fun having different kinds of bikes haha.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline VintageBlueSmoke

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 157
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2013, 12:26:03 PM »
The guy that won the pro class in the event I was in also won the enduro in Kauai that same year. He was one of only 4 finishers and he was on his trials bike. Normally he rode an open class Husqvarna in the off-road events. Man, I wish I could remember his name. He didn't mean much to me at the time but over the years has been a big influence and inspiration to me.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
08 Speed Bird Quad 110, 08 KTM 144, 04 Suzuki LT-Z400, 03 Gas Gas EC, 300,97 Honda CR144, 96 Husky Boy 50, 88 Husky 400WR, 86 Honda CR125R, 80 Can-Am MX6 400, 75 Husky 360CR, 75 Husky 175CC, 73 Penton Jackpiner 175, 72 Husky 250CR, 72 Husky 125, 72 Rickman-Zundapp 125, (2) 71 Bultaco Pursang Mk

Offline Coop

  • Global Moderator
  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 2183
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #18 on: February 28, 2013, 08:51:30 PM »
Awesome.

I ride a lot with a guy who raced Blackwater in the 80's and talked with Mark Hyde when he needed bike setup advice. I always feel fast until I ride with him, then he puts my ego in check. He's pushing 60 and leaves me in his dust haha. In fact this was his trials bike. He has a 2005 Scorpa trials bike now, as well as a 2010 Gas Gas EC250, a dual sported 2011 Husaberg 390, and a 2005 BMW 650 Dakar. He likes European bikes obviously.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline ford832

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 1532
  • I PITY THE FOOL THAT RIDES A FOURSTROKE
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #19 on: March 02, 2013, 11:58:54 PM »
Trials bikes are by far the best fun you can have going slow I think.I've only ridden them a handful of times but had a blast every time.When I'm done with dirt,that's likely where I'll be.
The bike control you learn benefits every aspect of your riding so they say.I expect there's a reason almost all the top off roaders started on trials-and continue to ride them.Taddy,Knight,Jarvis,Salminen etc.
The coolest one I ever rode was one of these.All bottom end,I couldn't believe the torque and the brakes it had.Insane.

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline beaner

  • Junior
  • **
  • Posts: 35
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #20 on: March 03, 2013, 01:20:29 AM »
I've worked our club's trial (a round of the national championship) for the last few years. There's no way you could do this one on a motocross bike. It looked like so much fun I borrowed a bike to try it, and I hated it. It wasn't what I was expecting at all.

Last year a local supplier brought a bunch of OSET bikes for the kids. There was one 4 year old that was tearing the place up.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Ontario, Canada

Offline ford832

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 1532
  • I PITY THE FOOL THAT RIDES A FOURSTROKE
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #21 on: March 03, 2013, 02:15:03 AM »
It's certainly not easy,good riders just make it look that way and maybe make you think you could pull it off too.After my first ride,I debated selling my KTM to buy one.I'd have one now but with a bike,snowmo,quad and other junk,I can't justify another toy.When one of those goes though....
Besides,Dougie Lampkin likes them,that's good enough for me...


« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

Offline Coop

  • Global Moderator
  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 2183
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #22 on: March 03, 2013, 12:14:26 PM »
Great videos ford.

It is definitely a lot harder than it looks. Just messing around in the yard on logs and big rocks in my side woods was an eye opener haha. It's going to be fun though.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline SachsGS

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 1235
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #23 on: March 03, 2013, 03:32:34 PM »
Here on the west coast I would take my trials bike to gnarly areas where there was a huge "tree canopy". The trees would block out the sun so there was very little underbrush and I would spend hours tackling stuff only a trials bike could handle. It was a lot of fun.

I would also take my trials bike exploring into environmentally sensitive high alpine areas. If I was really careful, particularly braking, a person would be hard pressed to find a single mark left by me. ;D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline eprovenzano

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 617
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #24 on: March 04, 2013, 01:30:59 PM »
Coop this may be one of the best thing you've acquired to keep you on two wheels...   I know you have some back issues, but I was thinking this may be a lot easier on your back.  I assume the bike is lighter, and I don't think you'll have that same pounding effect on your back.  Now that's not to say you are going to clear every obstacle you try, and that you will never fall again...  :P  but it may allow you to keep riding, while your back recovers / heals a little bit more... I'm just glad to see you on two wheels, even if it has a weird looking rear fender and seat...   :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline Coop

  • Global Moderator
  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 2183
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #25 on: March 04, 2013, 08:36:16 PM »
 :D Thanks man.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline EJ

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 400
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #26 on: March 04, 2013, 10:30:16 PM »
Trail is really popular in Europe.  :) This is a local trial boy from near my area (just over the border in Belgium, I am from Holland..);







« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »

Offline eprovenzano

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 617
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #27 on: March 13, 2013, 01:38:23 PM »
So Coop where are the vids of you working the trials machine???  By now I'm sure you're running 5 pounds of air pressure in the tires, have mastered the bunny hop, and can balance the bike for hours without dapping a foot...  I keep checking YouTube for your vids, but can't seem to find any....   :P
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125

Offline Coop

  • Global Moderator
  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 2183
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #28 on: March 13, 2013, 02:37:42 PM »
Keep checking, it will at least keep you busy  ;D .

The snow just melted last week and then today it is snowing and 20 degrees again. So I haven't had the chance to do much riding yet unfortunately.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
- Mike - Don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive.

Offline eprovenzano

  • Professional
  • *****
  • Posts: 617
    • View Profile
Any trials riders?
« Reply #29 on: March 14, 2013, 03:14:11 PM »
OK I'll keep looking I'm sure I just haven't put in the correct search criteria...   ;D

I haven't even attempted to awaken my bike from its winter slumber...  l installed the new plastic and seat cover , but the weather is still to crappy to want me to get out there...   :'(
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by ' »
Eric Provenzano
2019 KTM 300 XCW TPI
2000 KTM 300 EXC (Son's)
2001 KTM 380 EXC
Sold 1991 KDX 200... fun play bike
Sold 1999 KX250
Sold 1999 YZ125 (son's)
Sold 2001 Yamaha TTL 125 (son's 1st bike)
Sold but never forgotten 1974 Honda Elsinore CR250M
Sold 1974 Honda Elsinore CR125