Old ('ish) Dog here to learn new tricks

[Autostream]

Another Ben here, just got myself a well used but not so old Sherco 2.9 and joined OMCC.

Been pondering Trials on and off for years, but know little about it. Driving reason for getting into it finally (besides misplaced impulse) was to improve my balance.

Just traded one of these...


For this...


i could barely touch the ground on the 2004 950 with 215mm of suspension travel, the 990R has 265mm and I have to slide my butt to the side of the seat to touch the ground.... now you probably see why I need to work on my balance.

Here's the new toy..


Some of my escapades can be found
http://autostream.smugmug.com/
and...
http://www.youtube.com/user/BEENAUTO

You'll find me often over at http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32 known as Autostream there too.

[Betaman]

Welcome aboard Autostream.
You will find your new ride will help you in bucket loads with your balance problems.

Go and read the coaching manual-available on the front page of Trials Australia under the pull down menu titled "trials info". It's a good read for anybody getting started.
Especially if your trying to balance a 200kg behemoth.

Even better get yourself a copy of Ryan Young's Trials Training Vid from the Hell Team or Trialzone....it'll get you started even faster.

[Autostream]

Woo Hoo

Wish I'd got into this years ago.

[kembro]

Welcome Ben,
Nice bikes.
How does the 990 go compared with the 950?. Are they smooth to ride, do they buzz the hands at all?
Just got a V-Strom for some adventures, not quite as capable off road though.
I have used the Ryan Young DVD's and can also highly recommend them. Probably just get the first one, as that will keep you learning.
Cheers

[Autostream]

The 990 is smoother and snappier than the 950, I had a standard 2004 950 with 225mm suspension travel, the 990R has 265mm and rides much better. Pretty smooth, no hand buzz, but I suspect the Strom would be smoother.

I have both Ryan DVD's, but thing that helps the most is 10 minutes lunch and after work in the carpark just doing slow 8's etc and practising the real basics.

I just need to make up the hitch for the pairing to be complete....

[nevgriff64]

Hi Auto..

Nice photo of you climbing that hill mate..

Thanks for the ride of your bike at the trials compound.. Very different from anything i`ve owned and looking forward to joining the madness when I have my own..

cheers Nev.

[Autostream]

As you said Nev, as a motorcycle rider you make a good photographer.

[Autostream]

All I can say is, be very weary buying an ex A graders bike.

[nevgriff64]

Very, very nice Auto and congratulations on the new bike..

Did you manage to take it out today and if so, what are your thoughts on it?? Advantages/disadvantages between the 2 stroke and the 4??

[Autostream]

Very, very nice Auto and congratulations on the new bike..
Did you manage to take it out today and if so, what are your thoughts on it?? Advantages/disadvantages between the 2 stroke and the 4??

Hi Nev,

Keeping in mind these are the ramblings of an unfit novice with about 2 months experience..... also keep in mind the 290 Cabestany was quite highly strung and not regarded as a learners bike as far as power delivery etc went.

Two completely different bikes, not bad/good, just different, with the 4T being much more like the bike bore enduros as far as power delivery and use of controls go.

The 4T is much easier to ride smooth slowly.
4T is slightly heavier top and front, but not significantly in a noncompetitive novice kinda way.
4T tends to stall dead like the big 950/990 if you get it wrong, none of this down to zero rpm then recover like the 2T's do.
Engine respone is slightly different, probably due to more mass on the 4T, but I did not take long to get used to it.
Engine braking on the 4T is throttle controlled due to the low gearing, let go of the throttle and the back wheel slows, or locks up with the engine pretty much instantly.

With the 2T I found you tend to apply throttle first to get the revs up, then regulate the clutch to control your launch....with the 4T I tend to use more throttle control, but cover the clutch.

I can't really hop either wheel properly, but seem to be just as good, if not better on the 4T as I was on the 2T.

I can see it not being too long before get it wrong and grab a handful of the torque and traction sending the bike up and over some obstacle... without me attached.... it is very capable in that aspect.

To my mind, I think the 4T is better for my intention of improving my skills on the 990 as the two bikes respond similarly.. even if one is about 130 kgs heavier and has probably 80 more Hp.

Maintenance will be a little more complex, but valves don't need doing very often and oil change is straight forward enough (I did one for the hell of it).

I like the no smoke, no premix and smooth quiet idle, but it can be a bit of a shit to start until you find the technique.