G'day all!

[GeeBee]

Thought I might just say g'day.
Been away from the dirt scene for a Looonng time, however having been out to the Tassie Titles the other weekend I'm thinking it might be high time I got back there.

So, hope to pick up a few things here by throwing a question or two at the panel.
I did own a 125 Cota for a while maybe 20 years ago.......but it wasn't fast enough or noisy enough for me back then.
Reckon I've mellowed out a bit now, and think I've still got what it takes.


Suppose a good start would be:
Do you think it's all too late to begin (Again) at 50??
Thanks and hope to hear from you.
GB

[Trango]

Welcome back Gee Bee. Do not see any reason why returning at 50 would be a problem. The grading structure in trials would allow you to ride at a level that suits your fitness & ability.

[David Lahey]

Welcome GeeBee.

Whatever age you are is the perfect age to start riding again. You'll have a ball.

David Lahey (49 years old)

[GeeBee]

Thanks guys,
All I have to do now is decide on whether to go Twin Shock or something modern......I might start a new thread for this one.
Oh, and having just spent "quite a lot" on restoring my old Z900, convince the wife of the need to buy one.

[richardr]

Hi Gee Bee,

You're never too old to start trials or coming back to trials. I got back into trials 18 months ago, competing in Clubman class . . after an absence of 30 years and at the age of 57 and I LOVE IT!! Bought myself an 18 month old BETA 270 and I find it is a wonderful bike (for me). Had a Mick Andrews Ossa way back then, but I like my BETA much more.

I am having more fun and enjoying the comraderie and social atmosphere of trials as well as challenging myself on the sections than I ever did when I was younger.

You won't regret starting trials or grtting back into it!!

Richard

[David Lahey]

As Richard said a modern bike will feel amazing to ride if you haven't ridden a trials bike for a while and you will probably want to ride things that would have been almost unthinkable when you were young. The modern bikes weigh around the 70kg mark, the brakes and clutch are very light to operate and the low centre of gravity makes balancing a breeze.
Very easy on the body. The popular modern bikes amongst older riders starting to ride again seem to be the Beta Rev 3 200-250-270, the Scorpa SY250 two stroke and the (Honda) Montesa Cota 4RT. Even though all the modern bikes may look very similar to your eyes at this stage, they are all quite different to ride so have a good ride on whatever you are thinking of getting before you decide what to buy.
The old (Twinshock or Classic) bike option is for people who might want to ride an old bike for many different reasons. Some are purely nostalgic. Some are hot rodders who love to develop, improve or personalise their bike. Some like the challenge of riding old bikes in competition with riders on modern bikes as a form of handicap. Some like the reduced severity of the sections usually set for the old bike classes as a form of risk management.
Good luck with your wife. Getting fitter is usually a pretty good reason to ride trials if you need to invent one (and it is true).
Regards
David