First Trials bike

[Crisis management]

I need some advice....
I'm wanting to buy a cheap (and I mean cheap) trials bike to learn on as I'm enjoying the off road riding I'm doing but the KTM isn't really set up for learning low speed skills.
From looking on Tardme there are always older bikes coming up for sale and the likes of a TY250 seems reasonable to me. I have no problem with older bikes as I do all my own mechanical work but I don't know any of the bikes to never buy and if there are any specific parts of trials bikes that are more critical than "normal" bikes.

Any advice and suggestions appreciated....and if anyones got a trials bike for less than $1000, I may be interested!

[Motu]

With your low price range you would be looking at an old Twinshock,which is not a bad thing.You will learn more on one of those than a modern trials bike - kinda like going fast on a gixathou.....anyone can do it,but it doesn't mean you are a fast rider.To ride the same lines on an old bike will require a higher skill level than on a modern.

If you are quick you may be able to get a cheap early monoshock,they are in no mans land between Twinshocks and Moderns,and so are not really in demand.But there is now a new class called Aircooled,which will bring back some of those early monoshocks - a mono drum braked TY250 would be a good one,you couldn't give them away a few years ago.

A trials bike that has been used for trials will look pretty beat up,but will be well maintained - you should be able to distinguish between a rough bike where everything is seized and broken off,and one with a dinged tank,ripped seat....but everything works perfectly.Rear shocks are the most important thing to look at,if they are stuffed,you will double your investment.They will be soft - you can nearly (but not quite) bottom them out by just pushing down on the seat....they will rebound with control,not just bounce straight up.Real trials tyres are important - someone who doesn't use it for trials will put anything on.You want the real thing,good tread,soft sidewalls and soft tread.You should be able to twist those knobs nearly 90 degrees with your fingers.

[trustme]

Owned the same TY250a twice , blardy good fun little bike . wish I still had it.
One day the Cota 250 will roar back into life, one day.

[Crisis management]

Can I borrow that un-used Cota then Trustme??? joking.....

Thanks for the replies guys, so far the TY250 seems to come up reasonably regularly and I will hang out until a cheapish one appears somewhere close to me.
Motu, thanks for the pointer about the suspension, that seems to be the only expensive bit to look out for then, everything else can be fixed with wire and duct tape.

If you hear of anything, let me know.

Ta.
Iain

[Motu]

You could go to a trial....seeing what they do will either get you more interested,or put you off completely.Often there are bikes for sale,or just talking to someone will give a lead to a bike for sale.I'd much rather buy a trials bike from a trials rider than a farmer or someone who just uses it as a play bike.

My Trials calender loads as gibberish,so don't know when the next one is.But I often get emailed before an event,so will post the next event if I get it.

[Motu]

There are quite a few early trials bikes on TM at the moment,pick of the bunch would be this TY250.....that's the mono drum brake aircooled one I said to look out for.Stump up another couple of hundred or so and get something you can't moan about.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-206210765.htm

[Crisis management]

Thanks fo that Motu, I have it on my watchlist but am having to be very constrained with how much I spend and don't want to insult the guy with a ridiculously low offer at this stage. It certainly looks like a reasonable buy and if I was a bit more flush with cash I would own it by now....anyone want to buy any children?

I will just have to take my time and wait to see what comes up.

[F5 Dave]

My only comment is spend as much as you can. A well spanked Euro trials bike will be a source of multiple repair sessions & spare parts (Sadly the Yam parts can be real expensive). I bought an oldie Beta (aircooled, but disc & mono) & it took ages to sort it. Then when I rode some newer bikes I had to sump up & find some more money. Around year 2000 gets a quantum leap in ability of bike.

Sell something, these bikes are great fun & you won't regret it.

[K6K]

I'm also wanting to get a trials bike in the near future...does anybody know of any trials clubs in the auckland region? I'd like to go to watch an event in the upper north island sometime.

[Motu]

There is no club as such in the Auckland area - it used to be the Northern Trials Group,which may or may not be still going.Up until a couple of years ago the Classic and Twinshock trials were put on by Auckland riders,and still are to a less degree.Hamilton and Tauranga have good trials events.

Next trial is run by the Hamilton M/C on 5 April.It's round 2 of the Aircooled series,at Arthurs Rd Te Pahu.

[K6K]

Just found on the Hamilton Motorcycle club pages that there is an event on the 22nd of March. Listed as:
HMCC Trials Champs Rd 2 Mar 22nd
@ Howletts

I don't know where "Howletts" is! Anybody here know? I will try to contact Hamilton M/C Club to find out as I am quite keen to go have a look.

[carver]

Thanks fo that Motu, I have it on my watchlist but am having to be very constrained with how much I spend and don't want to insult the guy with a ridiculously low offer at this stage. It certainly looks like a reasonable buy and if I was a bit more flush with cash I would own it by now....anyone want to buy any children?

I will just have to take my time and wait to see what comes up.

how much do you want for the children?

[Crisis management]

I might have known you would show up Carver! Unfortunately it was one of those throw away comments mate. My daughters a bit old for you and not in this country, my son's your age but probably wouldn't appreciate the gay boy life style.
Mind you, he is well involved with extreme sports so you may be able to exchange stories...

[Ktmboy]

There is no club as such in the Auckland area - it used to be the Northern Trials Group,which may or may not be still going.Up until a couple of years ago the Classic and Twinshock trials were put on by Auckland riders,and still are to a less degree.Hamilton and Tauranga have good trials events.

Next trial is run by the Hamilton M/C on 5 April.It's round 2 of the Aircooled series,at Arthurs Rd Te Pahu.

We have a trials area @ The Kawsaki Sandpit, Woodhill. Guess what..Its FREE.

Just rock up and sign in and you can play on the rocks, pipes tyres etc all day.For nought!!!

Its got some good tech bits and the plan is to have a bike available at a reasonable hourly rate for folks to trial(yes, theres the pun). Then you can decide if you like it or not before buying a bike, or just use ours when ever for practice.

This should happen within the next few months.

[PeteJ]

Iain, give me a yell about taking a bike to the Sandpit (see post above).

Cheers

Pete

[carver]

I might have known you would show up Carver! Unfortunately it was one of those throw away comments mate. My daughters a bit old for you and not in this country, my son's your age but probably wouldn't appreciate the gay boy life style.
Mind you, he is well involved with extreme sports so you may be able to exchange stories...

ok, il raise the price!

[peachy]

organise trials in the Auckland area. they have quite a few.


I'm also wanting to get a trials bike in the near future...does anybody know of any trials clubs in the auckland region? I'd like to go to watch an event in the upper north island sometime.

the Waitamata club and another which not sure of will try find out, and some classics. Have to talk to someone up there. If you are still interested.

[Badcat]

hey - i'd be really interested in watching an event - am keen to get a bike and have a bash.
if anyone knows of something (even quite small) - i'd appreciate a PM...

Ken

[peachy]

hey - i'd be really interested in watching an event - am keen to get a bike and have a bash.
if anyone knows of something (even quite small) - i'd appreciate a PM...

Ken
You will enjoy it, and such a range of ages of people who ride trials. You get the adrenaline rush, brain working and exercise. lols
I will try and get a calendar of the Auckland events.

[Badcat]

You will enjoy it, and such a range of ages of people who ride trials. You get the adrenaline rush, brain working and exercise. lols
I will try and get a calendar of the Auckland events.

no - let me know - i love a day out!

ken

[carver]

no - let me know - i love a day out!

ken

what you ride dude?

[Badcat]

about to buy my first one i think.
looking at a couple as we speak.

k

[carver]

about to buy my first one i think.
looking at a couple as we speak.

k

i want a 315R

i might sell the TY once its done

[peachy]

no - let me know - i love a day out!

ken

Forgot to put the entry fee is for the bikes spectators are free of course lols. If any one else interested. Just ask for details.

[Badcat]

thanks peachy. maybe see you on sunday!

ken

[carver]

Forgot to put the entry fee is for the bikes spectators are free of course lols. If any one else interested. Just ask for details.

my TY has no forks, wheels, exhaust on it, and im trying to get the head bearings out.

it needs so much work!

[peachy]

thanks peachy. maybe see you on sunday!

ken

You will enjoy it, sorry not going to be there on Sunday so far. If you start riding and go to some of the competitions will definitely. Next one hopefully, as there is a training day coming up. Which is always i have found good. practice and learn new skills. thats in just over a month for hamilton. Will post when have some info on Auckland for you. Have a good time. lols take care.

[peachy]

my TY has no forks, wheels, exhaust on it, and im trying to get the head bearings out.

it needs so much work!

If you want just p.m when you ready to go. Looks like I will be riding before you will. Well giving it a good go anyway. Hope it all turns out well with fixing it. What happened.

[carver]

If you want just p.m when you ready to go. Looks like I will be riding before you will. Well giving it a good go anyway. Hope it all turns out well with fixing it. What happened.

its a 86, its just a big old slug, it was handling like shit, so i wanted to improve it.

nice classic bike, i hope to turn it into a bit of a weapon

[peachy]

I could do all the quote stuff but at the moment takes me to long.

there are three more auckland trails coming up this years probably more if they have training days or open days.
Waitamata club are running them.

Yes like one of the guys mentioned woodhill has a trials area open Wednesday to Sunday and you do have to sign in. I know earlier this year? they had a open fun day where people could go up and have a go with sections setup etc or a ride around.


May 30 ,31 & 1 WMCC – Trials Champs Rd 2- Onewhero havent got the details yet. Is the next one.

Tomorrow Sunday 3 may is the North Island Champs 50 mins from Tauranga No4 Rd will be signposted closer, heaps of riders, and nz top 2 included will be a great day, spectators welcome.
Ken will pm more info. as heaps of hamilton and b.o.p ones.

[peachy]

I could do all the quote stuff but at the moment takes me to long.

there are three more auckland trails coming up this years probably more if they have training days or open days.
Waitamata club are running them.

Yes like one of the guys mentioned woodhill has a trials area open Wednesday to Sunday and you do have to sign in. I know earlier this year? they had a open fun day where people could go up and have a go with sections setup etc or a ride around.


May 30 ,31 & 1 WMCC – Trials Champs Rd 2- Onewhero havent got the details yet. Is the next one.

Tomorrow Sunday 3 may is the North Island Champs 50 mins from Tauranga No4 Rd will be signposted closer, heaps of riders, and nz top 2 included will be a great day, spectators welcome.
Ken will pm more info. as heaps of hamilton and b.o.p ones.

[Crisis management]

Just to drag this out of the dim past...I've now got a TY250 and need to find out something about it, anyone know where you get service info and when the next trials event is on that a complete n00b can attend?

Ta Iain

[Motu]

What sort/year TY? There is a trial this weekend at Tuakau...Lapwoods property,what we used to call the Mini Farm.It should be sign posted - off at Bombay to Puke,left to Tuakau...farm on the left at the bottom of the S bend hill.Nice,but narly sections.It's the Alan Reddie Memorial Trial.

Alan was the guy who basically got the Twinshock scene up and running in the Auckland area.He always put on a good trial...we didn't know how much he did for trials until we lost him.

[carver]

Just to drag this out of the dim past...I've now got a TY250 and need to find out something about it, anyone know where you get service info and when the next trials event is on that a complete n00b can attend?

Ta Iain

sweet, be good to meet ya, il have the book of mormon on the front

[Crisis management]

What sort/year TY? There is a trial this weekend at Tuakau....

I've just found out....1985 TY250SN monoshock, so air cooled class I think? I will try and get down on sunday but it will depend on what I can wiggle out of doing around here...I won't bring the bike, just come and have a look at this stage.


sweet, be good to meet ya, il have the book of mormon on the front

I'm not sure I'm ready for this......

[carver]

I've just found out....1985 TY250SN monoshock, so air cooled class I think? I will try and get down on sunday but it will depend on what I can wiggle out of doing around here...I won't bring the bike, just come and have a look at this stage.



I'm not sure I'm ready for this......

got me gas gas 300!

[Sidey]

its a 86, its just a big old slug, it was handling like shit, so i wanted to improve it.

nice classic bike, i hope to turn it into a bit of a weapon


My friend, making an 86 trials bike into a weapon is easy. Sell it and buy a 2008 one! :killingme The 86 is a sow's ear. No silk purse will you create. A 2008 has water cooling, progressive shock with 185mm travel, long travel forks with the right damping, disc brakes that work whether its wet or not, an engine that pulls from lower, revs higher and makes more torque and power everywhere. A light clutch etc. It will weigh 15 kg less. The list is endless. And you don't have to spend dozens of fruitless hours in the garage! :brick: Go ahead, sell one of the children or something! :rofl:

[Sidey]

Hi Guys

You can stop wondering how to find Trials in NZ now. There is one thing MNZ is good for, and that is their website. Go to: http://mnz.co.nz/trials.aspx
and scroll down till you find the names, phone numbers and email addresses of Trials organisers throughout this fair land.

Ride on brothers. Sidey.

[pete-blen]

I have just picked up a 77 Montesa Cota 348...
I wanted one way back when but ended up buying
a new KT250 as they were like half the prise..
So when I seen this one on TM , I couldn't help myself..
clean it up.. new carb/shocks/fork springs.. And have
go at a few trials in the twin shock class..
There seem to be twin shock events every month in ChCh..
lots a reproduction parts being made for the TS bikes now.

[george formby]

I have just picked up a 77 Montesa Cota 348...
I wanted one way back when but ended up buying
a new KT250 as they were like half the prise..
So when I seen this one on TM , I couldn't help myself..
clean it up.. new carb/shocks/fork springs.. And have
go at a few trials in the twin shock class..
There seem to be twin shock events every month in ChCh..
lots a reproduction parts being made for the TS bikes now.

I learned to ride on one of those..

[pete-blen]

Turns out its a Malcolm Rathnell replica..
he was the Montesa factory rider of the day..
Montesa made a few between mid 77 to mid 78.