why did you choose your bike?

[BJ]

Hmmm

I'm glad i wasn't the first person to answer this one!!!

Maz.. I think you will find David is pretty accurate! But if you look at a TY "pinky" with fins and all you will see a striking similarity. just like a BA falcon motor and a Xflow from an XC.

What I can tell you is,,,,, The port work and pistons on the SY2T's is way off Yamaha production models from the late 90's. I did an extensive part No. check and what makes a SY2T a more modern engine than the TYZ is ongoing developement. And don't forget the last model has had a complete redo by Marc Colomer who has worked some new magic on the old dog. Rest assured the '04 is a 2004 not a 1994, the '06 is better and the '07.......... need I say

[gmcdesign]

How does one pick a bike to ride? My own perception is that the Japanese, particularly Honda and Yamaha make reliable engines.
But engines are just one thing. Certain trials bike manufacturers have a less than impressive record of reliable componentry. Frames that crack, shocks that fail, plastic that don't fit, dodgy electrics; the list goes on.
I never judge bikes by Championship wins and it seems neither do at least half the trial community. Otherwise we'd all be riding Montessa or Gassers.
Experience unfortunately is the only way one to become comfortable with one brand over another. I am new to the sport and so cannot recommend one brand. But at least you can turn up at a local trials event and talk to riders and get some of that experience before buying a bike.

Life's a trial. Trial's is life.

[KTMSprocket]

I've just started in Trials after quite some years rattling around on bikes. I decided to get into Trials so that I could ride alomgside my young son in the bush, but not on a crosser. I just want to hang out, and not race at all...

Paul, Don and Keith in their respective businesses have kindly given me loads of free and very friendly advice and then luckily Paul had a test day at Pacific Park quite recently. That allowed me (and my wife) to potter around on all the bikes from 15 up to 250+ in the Scorpa/Yamaha range.

It became obvious that although neither of us had ridden modern trials bikes, the 175 Scorpa/Yamaha bikes was a great starter. So my wife settled on that as a future purchase. Frankly I could tell that it would be fine for me to start on, but I also knew that the bigger two strokes would be the go once used to them.

So.....after sitting tight...out of the blue an opportunity came up to buy a Sherco 2.9 in very very good condition. I went for it....why?

Sherco is a trials specialist brand
That particular bike was cheap and good
I like the narrow motor in the frame
I wante dthe engine braking of the 2 banger
Already had a Sherco 50 Kid that my son can't kill....and boy can he kill bikes!!!
I liked the tidy exhaust silencer setup

Funny thing is, when I rode it in the backyard I flipped it after 20 seconds! I then realised that these 2.9's are enormously powerful and to be treated with respect by a newbie. Since that moment I decided to try to do a few minutes a day on the bike. Its worked and although I am still very much new to it, I already love the bike and can ride slowly and steadily.

With a euro heritage I have no issues with buying a bike from europe...in fact, other than brit bikes I like the euro ones. KTM and Sherco figure pretty strongly in our stable.

With the possibility that we may see a registerable modern trials bike in NSW...that would also be a big influencer though....eg. If I could ride a montessa 4 banger on the road in NSW it could certainly cause me to change bikes and thought processes.

[David Lahey]

Now for the Twinshock trials bikes

TY175B (1975) - It was the only proper trials bike I could afford in 1976 at age 17 and the reviews in Two Wheels and Trail and Track were very favourable.

TY250 (1974) - in 1995 I couldn't get parts for my very run-down TY175B and needed a bike to ride in the Twinshock Class at the Aussie Titles.

Montesa Cota 348 #1 (1976) - They are the world's coolest looking Twinshock trials bike (according to Cedric Van Heerden and David Lahey anyway) so I had always wanted one and in 1997 someone offered me a basket case 348 as part trade for a TM125 MX bike I was selling.

TY250B, TY250B, TY250B, TY250B (1975).... I'm sure you get the idea. Lots of TY250B basket cases were bought to make one nice one which was completed in about 2004. I had to have a nice one of these as they were what most of the legends rode when I was a youngster and I wanted to know what they were like to ride - and yes I reckon they are terrific to ride.

TY250D (1977) - bought in 2001 it was almost immaculate and if I didn't buy it, it would probably have be used as an AG bike or a paddock basher ridden by some kid who wanted an MX bike. I don't like the flower power styling but it is a great bike to ride.

Montesa Cota 348 #2 (1976) bought in 2002 and had hardly been ridden since new and was a very nice example. I've yet to fully come to terms with riding it but getting close after years of making it easier to manage in sections.

OSSA Mick Andrews Replica (1975) - The name says it all. Magical Mick is a bit of a legend at getting bikes to work well and the styling is quite luscious.

KT250 (1975/76) - bought as 2.5 basket cases in about 2001 and has turned out to be much better to ride than I expected once it was fully sorted out. I bought it because of the great styling and because Jeff Gough won A Grade one day in about 1976 on one with only one rear shockie (the other was too bent to move) and the bike survived with flying colours. The legend of Kawasaki toughness is true!

Bultaco Sherpa T 1968 M49 - bought in late 2005 and totally unrecognisable as a trials bike. Lots of work to get it ready for competition. It is one of the legendary models developed by Sammy Miller before he parted with Bultaco and he won countless events on M49s in the late 1960s. I thought it would be novel to ride such an old bike in Twinshock class against 1980s model bikes and it certainly was a novel experience. I was also intrigued about how it would compare ridden back to back with the OSSA Mick Andrews Replica which came out during the M49 model run.

Bultaco Sherpa T 1978 M198 (250cc) - bought as a basket case in 2006 and not restored yet. I wanted the Sherpa model with the steeper steering angle and didn't want the 325cc engine. I think the M198 is easier to ride in sections than the 325 but relatively rare so I am very happy to finally have one. It should be ready for competition for 2008.

Yamaha Godden Majesty 250 (1981) - NOS frame kit bought late in 2006 and being finished at present. What can I say? Yamaha TY250 running gear in a frame designed by Mick Andrews and John Shirt. It is the bike that Yamaha could have built if they had listened to Mick Andrews instead of to their marketing people. A bike that does all the things the TY250 does well (steering, stationary balance, motor performance, clutch and brake action) combined with up-to-date (for 1981) ergonomics, suspension and ground clearance. Will be ready for the 2007 season.

That's the end and yes that's right - no HONDAS. Just think - if I rode a HONDA twinshock, they are so fantastic that I wouldn't have anything to blame for not winning except for my riding ability!

[CLARKY]

Hi there

Gas Gas 300 Raga , I went for the gas gas because I had only ever had Yamaha , Fantic, Montesa & Scorpa bikes ,
Love the gas gas & would not go back , There is more maintance to do thats for sure but the performance out last the maintance ,

For me it has s%&t lots of power & is light as ,
But saying that it is not a beginners bike .

Bikes I have had

Ty 175
Fantic 245
Mont 310
TYZ
TL 125 ??????? Why ;<)
Ty 250 mono , still have
TLR 250 twin , still have
Mont 315/ 1997
Mont315/ 2000
Scorpa / 2002
Scorpa / 2003
Gas Gas 2004 Raga ,

Cheers

[greybeard]

Hi, got a 1971 250 Sherpa T back in '74.I've still got it and it now sports an Alpina Tank/seat.I go bush on it.Also a 1976 Montesa Cota 348 bought in 1980 because it was the best at the time,still ride it too.I have been eying off the modern bikes,but,I'm too old to learn new tricks.I guess I'll Cota around for a few more years.
Cheers

[S.E.Lucas]

I wanted a trials bike and the first ad for one I saw was a beta so I rang about that but it was sold and he had a sherco 290 there so I bought it. Didn't know anything about it but it was a good decision I think

[N*A*M]

i got a 94 beta techno in yellow and black so i could be like takumi narita

[DIESEL DAN]

I got a GasGas because Mal said if i didn't he'd feed me to his dogs
Hungary looking dogs those!

Nah, I got a Gasser because Mal and Jill are great folk, live real close and provide exceptional backup.

[wazzawood]

In Canberra every man, woman and child has a sherco. So i got a Gas Gas. Then someone else got one so i sold it and got a Scorpa (there was a few scorpas in the club at that time but i had reliable information that they were on their way out).

I judge a bike purely on its looks.