Trials bike noob needs help

[george formby]

[QUOTE=Ocean1;1130494848][QUOTE=george formby;1130494414] Their MAY be an air cooled mono shock Fantic coming up for sale local to me.

If that's a 305/307 I'll register my interest right now.

Doesn't have radial finz, perchance?

If my mate is serious, no doubt he will ask me to post it here. He's a bit glacial making decisions. I'm trying to lead him towards a KTM Freeride, purely mercenary motives.

[F5 Dave]

. . .
The 2-3K price range is about my budget but would spend more for the right bike. I'd like something post 2000 and preferably 4 stroke. I've looked at 250 trail bike but I imagine the gearing will be too high for the real slow speed work I'm looking to do. . . .

ok here is my biased but searingly insightfull advice;

Trials bikes are almost like dirt bikes, old ones will require a heap of work & never be as good as something newer. You would be surprised at the difference between a pre 2000 & early 2000 bikes & again from say 2008 etc.

the slightly old ones hold their value but that is where I would look, over 5k. No chance of a 4 stroke, waste of time.

I went down the route of buying an old Beta 10 years ago & it was trouble. I spent time & money on it but I'm competent with a spanner. (It still goes to this day with a mate in possession.

Not because of the brand I'd happily buy a newer Beta. I then bought a GasGas 200 '00 & it was quantums better. Latter bikes I rode made similar advances, but the 200 I would recomend to anyone medium size or smaller, very easy to ride. Beta & Scorpa were great to ride.

[Night Falcon]

There a 2 08 Betas on TM one 2 stroke and one 4 stroke. I think either will fit the bill for what I'm looking for but which way to go? Pros and cons?

[F5 Dave]

Never any question in my mind. Why would anyone want a 4 stroke? Hmm maybe that is a question, but I'd buy the 2 stroke. 4s were brought in to appease emissions issues. 2s are easier to rebuild, lighter, more reliable & don't sound so dreadful.

[Night Falcon]

Never any question in my mind. Why would anyone want a 4 stroke? Hmm maybe that is a question, but I'd buy the 2 stroke. 4s were brought in to appease emissions issues. 2s are easier to rebuild, lighter, more reliable & don't sound so dreadful.

Thanks Dave, my preference for trail/adv riding is 4 stroke but realise I know zip about trials. What you say makes good horse sense to me. Couple more things to check out then it's time to pull the trigger

[Motu]

Modern trials bikes are a bit different to what I'm used to, but you need a 2 stroke, a 4 stroke isn't a starters bike. A 2 stroke trials bike takes advantage of the lack of engine braking, the engine braking of a 4 stroke is a big disadvantage. Throttle off and they stop.....!!!! , bugger. Weight goes on the front wheel....bugger. But they have traction, that's their good point. I've had a TLR200 Honda for about 12 years, although haven't ridden much the last couple of years. I like it because it needs an aggressive approach, although at my age I should be riding something that makes it easy for me, not extra work.

[Ocean1]

Why would anyone want a 4 stroke?

I'd buy the 4T, but I wouldn't be competing, I reckon it's a better trail/play bike. Be better still if you could get a longride kit.

[Night Falcon]

I'd buy the 4T, but I wouldn't be competing, I reckon it's a better trail/play bike. Be better still if you could get a longride kit.

Emailed the nz beta importer about the LR seat/tank combo, havn't herd back from them yet but definately want one. I'm looking at building it into a trials/adventure bike so no competiton stuff. sort of freeride styled but 1/2 the pruchase price and running costs. Not interested in speed; keeping it light and nimble with buckets of torque is my goal.

I'm sure either 4 or 2 stroke will be fine. don't mind sacrifing some weight for better reliability less maintenance. The problem is all the reviews are based on the bikes being used for trials competiton (go figure) so I'm not sure which is the best engine for my intended use....maybe the things that make a 4 stroke a poorer trials engine will make it a better tirals adventure bike?

[Shorty_925]

don't sound so dreadful.

Agree Dave, has to be one of the worse sounding motorcycles ever.

[Ocean1]

Emailed the nz beta importer about the LR seat/tank combo, havn't herd back from them yet but definately want one. I'm looking at building it into a trials/adventure bike so no competiton stuff. sort of freeride styled but 1/2 the pruchase price and running costs. Not interested in speed; keeping it light and nimble with buckets of torque is my goal.

I'm sure either 4 or 2 stroke will be fine. don't mind sacrifing some weight for better reliability less maintenance. The problem is all the reviews are based on the bikes being used for trials competiton (go figure) so I'm not sure which is the best engine for my intended use....maybe the things that make a 4 stroke a poorer trials engine will make it a better tirals adventure bike?

Did you track down an event, or talk to some local riders? It's very difficult to explain the difference but it's a large one, requires quite a different approach. 2 min on each would probably make the choice pretty obvious for you. Suggest you give John a ring to talk about those particular models, he'll give you the lowdown on care and feeding, and parts availability for the 4T, (the 2T won't be a problem).

Oh, neither will really compare with a freeride, but either will trailride OK, as long as you carry spare gas and don't flog them. Wouldn't be too hard to make a LR seat/tank either...

[ktm84mxc]

Sounds like you need a GasGas Pampera a Trials style bike with a larger tank and comfortable seat , it's a modern style TY.

[F5 Dave]

E. . .don't mind sacrifing some weight for better reliability less maintenance. . . .

Likely the wrong way around,. As with most modern 4 strokes the need to reduce weight & get power from revs has meant a plumet in reliability. Now I will put my hand up & say I haven't kept up with latest Trials but I'd place money on the 2 strokes being stone axe reliable & the 4s a bit dogey.

But give John (beta) a call on a telephone thing (after dinner, he has a day job) & he'll steer you right & talk the legs off you.


As for long ride, those tiny 3l tanks will last for ages, we've gone quite extensively into the Mungas & never hinted at running out. Have taken 1L camping ally flasks strapped on before, but never needed.

[Eddieb]

If you get one I could be keen on a trails trip through the 42nd or up Thompsons track at Te Aroha one day, it could be a laugh. I got a '94 ish Beta Techno 2t and although I've only ridden it a few times so far it's a barrel of fun.

[Night Falcon]

If you get one I could be keen on a trails trip through the 42nd or up Thompsons track at Te Aroha one day, it could be a laugh. I got a '94 ish Beta Techno 2t and although I've only ridden it a few times so far it's a barrel of fun.

perfect country for what i'm looking to do, might have to take ya up on that. I've watched a few videos of trials andventure style riding...those suckers can go almost anywhere plus it looked liked they were having a real blast. The attraction for me is high fun and lower injury risk; its a completely new (to me) style of riding that I could see taking off with lots of older riders (especially partially damaged ones). Should make for some interesting gopro footage fiquering out how to ride em!

[Katoomer]

I'm looking at getting into trials too. All good advice .Have talked to a few guys about 2 v 4 stroke. They all love their bikes either 2 or 4 stroke. The hours some of the bikes had done were huge. A Montesa 250 4 stroke with over 800 hrs on it with only a piston change done at 700hrs . A bit different to MX bikes.

Hope you don't have the trouble this guy had finding a bike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=mzcS_OGovCg