Noob to Trials. Which should I look for in a first bike?

[Sting32]

Originally Posted by pecos

Is there a specific year range that one should stay in? Or is buying a trials bike really about getting the latest model for what your budget is?

Pecos,

Really hard to say, because of a big question mark for us to fill in, from YOUR side.

Are you going to try to compete? Do you have money? is this just a "think Ill do it" sort of to say I got one? see what I mean?

Lemme try to quickly tell you a story which might enlighten why I axed all that...

in 1972, I think it was, My family discovered trials, and well my pop loves anything where being clever or practice makes you better than just spending money on going faster parts etc, like MX was. But for at least a year, might been 2, dad rode novice in RMTA, on a brand new then, suzuki 250 enduro, that big hulking SOB, that had been sort of adapted for local races and hare scrambles, and he modded a little to make more trials friendly. Ok, so you know he was "INTO" it, it was something he decided we'd do ya know, not baja one week hare scrambles and what not, then trials... Trials.

But it was when Wiltz Waggoner and another big name rider at the time, happend to watch him ride a section, while my mother was near them, and Wiltz looked at the other guy and said, I think that man rides that thing pretty good, but would make a better rider, if he would get a real trials bike..." (or something very close to that) That week a bultaco sherpa-t appeared in crate form in the garage...

So you see, I'm relating a couple things. you can buy any bike and compete on it, but compared to the tanacity of my dad, I dont believe you would show up at a tank battle, with a Mashette? Month after month without feeling like what a waste of time, I'm getting my @ss handed to me all the time. 2, But if your just going to "discover" the trials behind your house, and explore, then hell, any bike will be good for that, older the better for having fuel capasity.

New bikes are not this drastic, but the benefits of modern designs, just dont take but, well lets just say a year for a new rider, to appreciate.
Maybe over simplified, but 90% of us normal people bowl with the house balls, or shoot pool with house sticks. I have my own cue, but without time and energy & practice, I dont shoot any better with it or the house sticks. But there was a time, I could...

What I have most of my friends that I get started do, is get almost any bike that is from 2000 or up, get started get some basics learned, then every so often they will ride my newer bike. like I say, after about a year of lots of practice, not once a month riding... they can feel the difference then they usually go find a newer bike.

Best thing I like, most of them buddies probably lost less than a few hundred dollars at most when the sold the bike, some bought so well a priced one, they actually broke even, eventhough it was a couple years down the road. (PS: Not including maintenance & parts they bought over this period, but saying the main price when they gave it up, you know...).

It does help to have friends with same bike and models too, for sharing or learning how-to's on maint and repair, and spare parts.

[larryk]

More cowbell - I'd find a club event in your area and talk to some folks there. Good chance they will let you try their bike and it's also a good place to find a used bike.

my opinion - 2 stroke - at least 250cc
If you spend $3,000 you can get a pretty nice bike.

[More CowBell]

Thanks guys. This is all kinds of good info. Still looking and thinking, I dont like to jump into anythink too fast. Plus Chirstmas has got the money tied up rite now.

[More CowBell]

I got a 98 Montesa Cota 315R. It hasant been running for a few years. I got it for $1000. Today I pulled the carb off (man that was easy) to clean it, but it seemed fine. I cleaned the filter and pulled the plug. I sprayed a little WD40 in the plug hole and ran the kick starter a few time, feels fine. Tomorrow morning Ill get some premix and a new plug. Wish me luck.

[Sting32]

That should make you a pretty nice bike to begin your trials career on.

[More CowBell]

getting some time on it this weekend

[Twin-shocker]

Originally Posted by More CowBell

I want to buy a used trials bike and I’m just not sure what to look for. I started riding dirt bikes on a Honda 50 when I was 5 years old. I’m now 46. I ride street, dirt & dual sport, and I was even into Fast50s racing for a few years (some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike). My question is this: what kind of trials bike do I look for? From some of the research I have done, I think I want a year 2000 to 2005 and to spend around $1800 to $3000. I’m not too sure what size engine to look for. Should I look for 2- stroke or 4-stroke? It looks like 4-strokes cost more money. Is it worth it to go with a 4-stroke as a first trials bike? Let me know what you think.

You need to be looking at either a 315R Montesa, or a Yamaha engined Scorpa. Other make bikes of that age will very likely be in poor condition, and are also nowhere near as reliable as those I have mentioned.

[Sting32]

Originally Posted by Twin-shocker

You need to be looking at either a 315R Montesa, or a Yamaha engined Scorpa. Other make bikes of that age will very likely be in poor condition, and are also nowhere near as reliable as those I have mentioned.

{monty python: Holy grail movie line, VOICE on} "He's already got one!" {/end voice} See his pictures above your post?

LOL

[val4215]

Where do you find these bikes.
I ve look at E-bay and craigs list but nothin.

Thanks

[Sting32]

Originally Posted by val4215

Where do you find these bikes.
I ve look at E-bay and craigs list but nothin.

Thanks

Val, give us more specific 'where you at" info, some of us can send you links? Craigslist is a crap shoot, just like anything else that is seasonal (rv, bbq related, et al). Some months have some bikes, some months dont have much... Finding trials club websites near YOU, is another good source. Older but probably good list of clubs is found http://www.trialsclubs.us/

But, as for Craigslist, If you have firefox, I use a site that lets you scan more city lists at once from craigslist, it is called http://www.crazedlist.org now you can NOT use that site with anything but firefox I think, I know you cannot use Internet Explorere. BTW, Everytime I post that site, others chime in with 'easier" setup and use sites, that I always forget to make note of... Hopes are they will here too... but I like this one, as it is fast, has lots of options... Your Mileage May Vary.

I search for "trials" in colorado-kansas-oklahoma-missouri-nebraska-and some selected 'lists" in texas with this site. I also use same site for finding ANYTHING, in what I refer to as "driving distance" after looking at the lists and picking AKA I pick the where, then change search terms so easily... On my driving distance example: so like searching misouri, I uncheck eastern mo lists, like st louis & a couple others, as it is less than likely I would travel there, but again you do it how you want to with crazed list.

[val4215]

I'm in SOCAL lookin for a first time trials bike. Been riding for many years on and off, thought that trials would help me sharpen my lack luster style.

[Sting32]

Originally Posted by val4215

I'm in SOCAL lookin for a first time trials bike. Been riding for many years on and off, thought that trials would help me sharpen my lack luster style.

Go edit your profile, put in a location, least maybe nearby city or area? get a tiny bit more specific, some say so-cal is LA south, I dont know? Im in Kansas, so when I say central ks, that narrows it down a lot.

Ok, if that isnt doable, I say GO to that website (clublist from my earlier post), I showed you and find the club near you, http://www.socaltrials.com seems to have a nice website, but I have no idea if that is next to you, or 400 miles away...

members usually hear about bikes forsale before anyone else, EDIT: since we're mostly friends, we hear people say things, like "I'm thinking if I could sell this bike, right quick I could have that new one...." etc...

as most are keeping eyes and ears open for themselves, friends, or even just this, a new person wants to join in on the fun, needs to find a bike...

[motojunky]

Originally Posted by val4215

I'm in SOCAL lookin for a first time trials bike. Been riding for many years on and off, thought that trials would help me sharpen my lack luster style.

Trials has helped me take lack luster to a whole new level!

[Willie B]

My son and I have ridden trials for about 10 years. Prior to this I competed in GNCC for about 6 years at a very competitive level. No matter what you purchase, the first thing to think about would be the quality and durability of your choices. Secondly, given trials in the US, consider purchasing something that has parts availability. All of these bikes are built over seas and most don't have a credible parts and service network.
I've been through gas gas, beta and scorpa but finally landed with the Sherco. The Sherco is an awesome bike, has always been on the cutting edge of development, has a huge following, promotes young up and coming riders and the US distributor attends all the national events with bikes, parts and service. I currently have 3 and sadly don't get to ride them as much as I would like. You can ride a trials bike in your yard for hours, riding up and down stairs, over the picnic table, on the pool furniture, etc.
When purchasing a used bike, check the bearings and pivots because most trials bikes use needle bearings instead of tapers or ball bearings for obvious reasons. With the bikes low center of gravity, they are prone to ingest water which isn't great for main bearings and the like. They are easy to work on and rebuild, but I stress to make sure you source parts availability before purchasing something. I prefer the 2 strokes for their lightness, maneuverability, lack of radiating heat and simplistic serviceability. Find the local club and attend several events, but register and ride. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do on a bike, but the most rewarding and it will bring your riding skills forward light years. The trials community is filled with an abundance of wonderful people. I've made many new friends over the past years while riding trials, and you can't be an impostor on a trials bike. The proof is definitely in the pudding.
Enjoy

[Twin-shocker]

The best engineered and most durable trials bikes are those made by Honda, and these are probably the best choice for a beginner especially if a used bike is being considered.