Why I say learn the dirt first

Submitted by TrialsRider on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:01

General

This is Josh Josh a year before he took the rider training corse.

same rock, different angle

Submitted by TrialsRider on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:07.

jesus that fricking cool

Submitted by Ixecapade on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 02:41.

jesus

that fricking cool

Dancing, playing with my pony and playing with my lady.
Work hard, play hard
Life is sweet... very sweet.

Too busy catching to photo :(

Submitted by TrialsRider on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 11:46.

Was out with a few friends yesterday, practicing and preparing new sections for the National Trial I'm hosting near Arden on August 22nd. I can't wait to show you pictures of the new rock face we cleared. Jonathan English is the first and only rider to have ridden it so far and it's roughly twice as high as the one pictured here, so high and vertical that no one has climbed up or down on foot. Truly astonishing what these motorcycles can do with a skilled rider on board and I highly recommend you spectate an event if you get the chance.
As tradition dictates; being the first one to ride it, the new rock face will be named 'Jonathan'

Dirt first

Submitted by Jeff in Kentucky on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 03:11.

Let's say you are cruising along on the pavement, roll onto some hidden sand or diesel fuel, and start to slide one or both tires- if you started out on dirt, it will be no huge deal to stay upright.

Crashing on dirt is usually less painful, unless you burn your leg on the exhaust pipe. You do not get the huge high speed slide for hundreds of feet on a surface like sandpaper, with two ton Tony's (cagers) coming fast toward you.

Second best is starting on pavement by renting or buying one of the new Piaggio three wheelers, with 2 front wheels that lean like a regular motorcycle, and they have an automatic transmission so you learn only steering and braking first. Any dufus can twist a throttle on a straight road. Later switch to a two wheeler bike to learn manual shifting.

Also take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) beginner or experienced classes, to learn the proper methods instead of the crap you just come up with as you go.

Learning in the dirt isn't an

Submitted by WeaponZero on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 13:38.

Learning in the dirt isn't an option for a lot of people. I grew up in South Florida where there was no place you could legally ride a dirtbike off-road. Nobody owned one because everything was all urban and the only "wooded" areas around were the swamp land of the Everglades which was protected. Unless you live out in the suburbs or country, learning on the dirt is simply NOT AN OPTION in the world of today.

For the spacial challenged

Submitted by TrialsRider on Sun, 03/21/2010 - 00:04.

I know one guy (Expert Rider) who actually gave up Trials because he lives so urban it became a problem, he's into Parkour now.
If you're interested in taking up Trials riding and have limited options: Firstly I recommend a 4 stroke machine, because they are very quiet and virtually smoke free. The beauty of Trials is that it takes very little space and conducted responsibly, offends few in the process. That's the main reason I gave up motocross, and I even have 400 acres to play in.
Secondly it is vital that you hook up with ( or start :) a local club, it opens up a world of possibilities ! I rode for years with several Florida 'snowbird' Quebec riders and they highly recommended Florida as having a very active Trials association.
Dedicated Trials riders are not a bunch of irresponsible yahoos, they are small in numbers but varied in age from teens to 70+, come from all walks of life and networking with these guys is the way to go. For example; this coming July 10th. I know where I will be riding, I will join 30 or more friends, riding the waterfront of downtown Parry Sound. In conjunction with the annual Motorcycle Rally held there, the city of Parry Sound very graciously allows our club to host an Observed Trials Competition, right on their shoreline and walking trails, normally reserved for bicycles and hikers throughout the rest of the year.

No Dirt

Submitted by Jeff in Kentucky on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 20:22.

My home town had an abandoned trolley bed and abandoned canal towpaths to ride on, and once in a while I would ride on railroad track service roads (probably illegal).

Here in Kentucky, there are hundreds of miles of abandoned mine roads in the east and in the west. Our small city has a mountain bike trail on some city property, that would be good for someone practicing sliding on dirt with a mountain bike before getting a motorcycle.

We used to pour water to make ice on pavement, to slide our bicycles sideways in the winter. I guess in Florida you could get a small bike to learn on, and pour sand on a parking lot to practice sliding. You would want an older used bike, to not scratch and dent a new one.

I think the Piaggio three wheeler is the best for a beginner- it leans like a regular motorcycle, but does not do the 2 mph drop to the pavement with poor clutch control that is typical for a beginner.

Do you have the piaggio 3

Submitted by eon on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 23:31.

Do you have the piaggio 3 wheeler? I do and I can assure it does 2mph drops just as easily as a 2 wheel bike. And at 538 lbs dry and a 31" seat height, it's hard to stop once it starts to go over. While it is entirely possible to learn on one (I did) it is far from being the perfect beginner bike you make it out to be.

For the record I have not dropped it but it's been close at times. If I was any shorter or weaker it would have gone down. I have had a low speed low side that scraped all that nice plastic. Repair bill, $2100. Think on that before recommending as a good first bike.

to put some perspective on eon's numbers

Submitted by TrialsRider on Sun, 03/21/2010 - 01:57.

my 4RT is 165 lbs wet and the seat height is 25" without a rider compressing the suspension. It tops out at around 10 mph in first gear and can turn in just a little more than one bike length. I crash lots, but seldom break anything other than my pride.

three wheelers

Submitted by Jeff in Kentucky on Sun, 03/21/2010 - 03:00.

The Piaggio 250cc three wheeler is probably best for a beginner, because it has less power and a lighter engine. I do not have one, but it is probably harder to drop than a two wheeler at slow speeds, and all scooters have a lower center of gravity than a motorcycle. In addition, there is no shifting to learn while also learning how to turn.

Two wheels on the back is like driving a car with a smaller front end. There is no leaning, unless one of the back tires raises off the ground.

great training video

Submitted by TrialsRider on Wed, 06/09/2010 - 23:21.

demonstrating how to use a skid plate

So a Question for You, TrialsRider

Submitted by JackTrade on Fri, 06/11/2010 - 14:02.

That I've always wondered about since I first watched "On Any Sunday"...does one buy a trials bike, or does one make one?

I've never seen one at any of the dealers I've been to (hell, I've never seen one period, but I live in an urban area)...are they actually sold "out of the box", or do you buy a dirt bike and modify it? If so, what kind of mods do you do, I mean besides removing the seat? ;-)

too many are parked in a basement near you

Submitted by TrialsRider on Fri, 06/11/2010 - 17:56.

Hard as anything to come by, the sport is popular in Spain, Italy, UK and apparently catching on in Japan. Dealerships are extremely rare and many of the bikes are Distributed directly to Rider/Resellers that actively compete in the sport. Modern Trials bikes all start out as single purpose machines intended for the purpose and only a few Vintage Trials bikes were modified from street or enduro bikes. The only mods required to a straight from the crate Trials machine is to remove the horn, lights and engine restrictors that are sometimes installed, strictly for the purpose of export regulations.
The motorcycle ridden in "Quantum of Solace"

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

That is identical to my bike, except his had a fake tank and seat added.

Riding a Street Bike On Dirt

Submitted by Max on Sat, 06/19/2010 - 14:54.

This is a good article on how to handle a street bike on dirt. http://max-metal.com/riding-tips/riding-on-a-gravel-road/

Max

Speed is good :)

Submitted by TrialsRider on Sun, 06/20/2010 - 01:24.

Not sure I agree with all points in that article, but the hint on carrying a little more speed is right on. Same applies to riding on rocky river beds. But; "Off-road riders hug the fuel tank with their legs to better feel and control the bike." Not since I was a kid ...gripping the tank on a Beta Evo would be like trying to hold a pencil between your knees. and; "use the rear brake only" ...maybe on a flat track or speedway bike, I one finger my front brake thx.

Nice bike on your avatar Max, are the mufflers on the other side ?:|

This trials stuff looks

Submitted by WeaponZero on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 00:59.

This trials stuff looks interesting to watch but not at all like my idea of a good time. More my idea of a spectator sport than something I'd care to try myself.

Just think of it as walking the dog ;)

Submitted by TrialsRider on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 01:56.

Then Imagine being able to ride up and down anywhere on rocks like this at 3 mph to places most people can't get to other than on foot or by hiring out a White Water Rafting tour.

Ottawa River at low water

considering i have to travel

Submitted by WeaponZero on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 02:46.

considering i have to travel well over a hundred miles to find any place that looks anything remotely like that i don't see that as being a big deal, lol.

Everyone think their way is best...

Submitted by LanceD on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 03:29.

I know many excellent riders (a few of them MSF instructors) who learned on pavement and have never ridden on dirt. In fact, they assert that dirt riders are (sometimes) harder to teach because they think they already know how to ride and have to break some habits that are dangerous on pavement.

No, I'm not trying to disparage dirt riding. My point is that one way is not the only way (or even necessarily the best ) and education is everywhere ... it's up to the individual to take it in.

I know what you mean

Submitted by TrialsRider on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 11:18.

Every time I get in a traffic jam, I have to resist the urge ;)

I'm starting to feel like a trick Monkey

Submitted by TrialsRider on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 23:53.

Between the reactions I get from here and elsewhere I think I must be some kinda .01 percentile.

I read today in my motorcycle owner manual the following:
" By selecting a Montesa Cota 4RT as your new machine, you have placed yourself in a distinguished family of owners and riders. " ( ...I like the 'distinguished' part, way better than bizarre, strange or anomalous ;)
" The Cota is a high performance trial motorcycle utilizing the latest trial technology. This motorcycle is intended for competition use by experienced riders only. This new trialer was designed to be as competitive as possible. But motorcycle trial is a physically demanding sport that requires more than just a fine racing machine. To do well, you must be in excellent physical condition and be a skillful rider. For best possible results, work diligently on your physical condition and practice frequently. "

Is this not exactly what should be written on the first page of a 600+cc crotch rocket manual !

Try Trials, you'll like it ;)

"Is this not exactly what

Submitted by ranette on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 12:29.

"Is this not exactly what should be written on the first page of a 600+cc crotch rocket manual !"

I laughed when I looked at my Ducati manual for the first time and read something along the lines of "gently release the clutch while simultaneously applying the throttle".

Imagine actually trying to learn to ride that way.