[TrialsRider]

Talk about cheap helmets reminds me of my uncle who died from head injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident. ( and yes, alcohol was involved ) One of the last things I said to him, as he proudly showed me the cheap deal helmet he had just purchased, was ” how much is your head worth ? ” At that time a top of the line Bell Star in white cost around 90$ and he paid less than 30$ My most recent helmet purchase was 190$ for a plain white, open faced Trials helmet and my next helmet purchase will be to replace my full coverage Shoei street helmet. Once I actually find one I like, quite frankly I don’t care what it costs.

[TrialsRider]

You’re a big fella, heres’ one that kicks ass in all departments, and it’s the same weight as what you ride now ! Pack your charge card and head for the coast … the other coast.

[TrialsRider]

If I was selling a street bike and saw someone ride up on a real nice bike to ask for a test ride, I would be inclined to allow it, based on how well they rode their own ride. While yours is out of site, it helps to know theirs is parked there, ( assuming it’s not stolen ). Or even better, I would ride along with them on theirs. If some kid arrived riding shotgun in his friends pickup truck, no helmet, looking for his first bike, no chance, too many people are inclined to ‘see what she’ll do’ and that is NOT what a road test ride should EVER be.

I have often let people test ride my dirt bikes, even when they’re not for sale. Never just prior to my riding in a competition, but very possibly right afterwards. On two occasions it was a bad idea, but for the most part not a problem.

Since this will be your first motorcycle ever and you are buying used, be ready to buy it as is where is based on the how well it starts and idles. BTW starting and idling, sights and sounds are often far better indicators of the motors fitness, NOT what she’ll do at top speed !!! Every bike I purchased new was paid for before I started it.

[TrialsRider]

I like what you say “But the real best way to learn to ride is to ride dirt bikes…”
Is that a Suzuki TC90 on your blog, always nice to see the model and vintage info on bike pics, helps people to realize they don’t start at 250cc.

[TrialsRider]

Relative to their size no BMW can be considered top heavy, just big! Those Bavarian engineer’s go out of their way to keep it low and even their traverse mounted 4’s have the cylinder heads tipped forward for that exact reason. I really love the look of the 70’s chrome tank side bikes myself. Biggest problem purchasing used BMW is; they maintain their value so well you will find yourself paying the original list price or better to acquire one. I had to pass up 2 in estate auctions that went for far more than I considered their worth.
Any bike requires tons of maintenance to keep them right, even just to keep the mice out of the air box. Crash bars are an obvious must if you plan to learn on a Boxer twin, you don’t want to grind those heads off learning.

[TrialsRider]

The best riders work on their own machines. Remember to change the front fork oil, it might have rarely been done.

[TrialsRider]

… thicker than electric tape and it won’t float around on the adhesive goo Cork also works, but nobody has it laying around any more.

[TrialsRider]

… that’s why I didn’t lay claim to the next tag challenge. I’m anxious to post; ‘Your motorcycle in the middle of a river’

[TrialsRider]

Occasionally I have started out solo and caught up to some other bikes. If we are cruising at close to the same speed, I take up the formation position and make use of the ‘safety in numbers’ theory. You can tell by their lane positioning if the others are experienced riders and appreciate your company, or if your presence makes them uncomfortable.

True story One of my most memorable early experiences was riding my little full knobby dirt bike on highway 35/115. ( headed for the Mosport race track weekend). I found myself being overtaken by a string of several dozen biker, bikers, they were less than friendly with my existence and continued to pass me in side by side formation until I was eventually forced onto the gravel shoulder. Being on a dirt bike riding gravel was no big deal but I was slightly ticked by such rudeness, ( also being very young and in hindsight totally foolish ) I saw my exit coming up ( damn, a left turn ) I panicked and powered on, passed the lead dozen or so choppers still riding on the gravel and made my left turn in front of the whole bunch at my max speed. Thank god they were on enroute to Peterborough and didn’t take pursuit, I was one nervous little fella for a while, looking in that mirror and realizing what I had just done. …I must have graveled a few of em’ pretty good !:i

[TrialsRider]

Most sport bikes are designed to carry a 100lb. gf carrying a clutch purse. … in total discomfort. That’s why the pillion seat and rear footpegs are mounted incredibly high Even the K100RS was designed for 1 up, just as the RT was designed for 2 up. You can still pull warp speed on the RS, but your passenger nearly blows off

[TrialsRider]

I’m thinking those Cabot Trail uphills would be better riding the motorcycle, but I still wish my dog and I could join you

Yes, Quebec is full of bikers, motor sports are possibly 30% more popular in PQ than in Ontario right across the board. You are totally safe with the bikers, it’s the minivans you have to really watch out for.

[TrialsRider]

I find Trials easier on the back than street or other dirt bike riding, because you are standing and moving around a lot. When my back hurts, which is often, I take 2 Motrin and go for a ride, seems to help until the next day and then you can do it all again

[TrialsRider]

Assuming that you are buying new and looking at a future acquisition, it should become less and less of a problem, as I read; within a very few years emission laws in North America will follow current European standards by requiring catalytic whatchamacallits and improved fuel economy across the board, so without a doubt FI is on it’s way for everyone That should save you from pulling over twice a day to re-jet your carbs, because yes, modern FI is smart enough to adjust on the fly. ( which is actually at idle )

BTW: with carburetors your bike won’t quit from altitude change, it will simply not achieve peak performance and in the worst case scenario that would imply harder to start. Also; if your start point is 6000 and ceiling is 10000 that’s like from high to higher and your carbs could be jetted accordingly.
…If you come down to sea level we’ll recognize you as the smokey bike that keeps stopping at the gas pumps. …or the really hot bike that never stops for fuel

[TrialsRider]

So I take it that’s not you in your avatar, pulling that beautiful high speed wheelie at the track ?
…glad to have you on

[TrialsRider]

Motocross, enduro, scrambles, flat track, ice racing or just riding fire roads, they are all about going fast, it doesn’t matter if you drag your feet or flail all about, it’s all about blasting. If speed is the thing that does it for you pick one. ( I started out that way )

Now if you want to totally amaze yourself at what a motorcycle ( and you ) can do, traverse the most incredibly rough terrain that you can imagine, develop form, technique and get some total body exercise while riding with great people that are there to help you instead of stoning you to death in the next corner and to boldly ride to where no motorcycle has gone before, Trials rocks. ( wish I had discovered that much earlier ) With 400 remote acres in the Canadian Shield plus another 20 acres of Rural property and living 15 minutes from a new motocross track, I still don’t feel the urge to get back into Motocross. As much fun as it is; go fast dirt biking requires ten times the fuel, space, gear, agitates the neighbors and trashes bikes at an accelerated rate.

Cross training from Trials does work. Last years #1 Canadian Professional Roadracer rides Trials ( when it does not interfere with his track racing schedule )

[Author]

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