Trials on a dirt bike - Page 2

motojunky · 03-21-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VxZeroKnots

So does anyone else enjoy punishing themselves and their machine doing what it ain't supposed to?

I have an old XR250R that I pretty much haven't ridden since I started fiddling with the trials bike. Last week I had to do some car shuffling and had to use my XR (plated) to go and pick my truck up from where I'd left it. I figured that while it was out I'd take it back in the yard and try some of the log crossings and such that I've been doing on the trials bike.

I crashed on the 2nd log.

The XR has a very heavy clutch pull (short lever, aftermarket springs) that I can't operate smoothly with one finger. As I was approaching the log I had a little brain fart while trying to decide if I wanted to use the lever with one finger, or three (middle, ring, pinkie) like I usually do on that bike and ended up crossing the log with no grip on the left bar.

When I figured out what I wanted to do with the clutch, I was pretty impressed with what I was able to do using trials technique - and this on a bike that weighs 280 pounds ready to ride & has lousy dated suspension. With a fairly modern lightweight two-stroke, I think one could have a ton of fun.

BikePilot · 03-27-2012, 04:47 PM

I think a small bike like an XR100 or KX100 (gear it down, rev it out) would be better than a full size dirt bike, but it really depends on your local course. The few events I rode in the mid-atlantic were tight, but not real aggressive. The one course I've ridden in FL is less tight and oddly has steeper hills. I can blast the hills easily on a MX bike--more easily than I can on the trials bike, but can't always stay on the course with the MX bike

2whlrcr · 03-27-2012, 05:02 PM

I have competed in local trials on my 450 EXC. I geared it as low as I could find 12/52 and rotated the bars forward, so it was comfortable standing. I also had a trials tire on the back. I could ride our Intermediate line (second from the easiest class here) ok and didn't finish last.

But I've got years of actual trials bike experience, so that really helped. It was fun if I killed the bike, to keep your balance and use the electric start to keep going.

neilking · 03-27-2012, 05:35 PM

Mark_S do that same trail on a trials bike and you will never want to do it on your 450 again!

R55ert · 03-27-2012, 06:14 PM

Thanks for posting the link, looks way too cool.

I also have thought trials would be cool. Maybe some day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo83

Speaking of KTM. This 350 Freeride looks like fun for Trails and Trials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2eUucG4gwU

Sic Semper Tyrannis · 03-28-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikePilot

I think a small bike like an XR100 or KX100 (gear it down, rev it out) would be better than a full size dirt bike, but it really depends on your local course. The few events I rode in the mid-atlantic were tight, but not real aggressive. The one course I've ridden in FL is less tight and oddly has steeper hills. I can blast the hills easily on a MX bike--more easily than I can on the trials bike, but can't always stay on the course with the MX bike

I have an XR 100 the kids ride...and usually in a grassy field. So knobbies are not an issue.

What trials tires would you suggest. My youngest is fascinated with wheelies and going over mounds of dirt...so trials might be a natural for him!!!

I also have an XR250 that might be fun for me...

LucasLeader · 03-28-2012, 03:48 PM

I forgot about this thread. Similar interests I think. http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/943...hl__show%20off

CodeMonkee · 03-28-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_S

my son (exc300) and I (wr450) are recent trials rear tire converts (maybe 4-5 rides)

the idea of getting some trials training on our trail bikes is certainley appealing

we road up a hill climb on Saturday that would have been totally impossible for us on knobbys

This is what I got my Beta Alp for. Not that it would be magic on that trail - the ruts and some other areas would still be hard - but it would be easier on a 200 pound bike with low end power and heavy flywheel than with a 250 pound bike.

I would recommend a Rekluse; I found it made riding on trails like that significantly easier on my Husaberg.

I look forward to seeing how much better the soft Michelin on my Beta is than the Pirelli DOT trials tire on my Husaberg.

CodeMonkee · 03-28-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sic Semper Tyrannis

I have an XR 100 the kids ride...and usually in a grassy field. So knobbies are not an issue.

What trials tires would you suggest.

For a heavy bike and or heavy rider, where you may ride any distance on pavement, I suggest the Pirelli MT43 which is DOT rated.The non-DOT rated tires apparently will not last very long (i.e., more than 50 to 100 miles) on pavement, especially for heavy bikes/riders.

That is what I have on my Husaberg - I often ride it on pavement to the trails and I have found it a good compromise. I run a Tubliss and run as low as 6 PSI with no real problems except it being a little squirmy at speed on pavement.

The Dunlop D803 is what some enduro racers use for messy rides and I am given to understand it is softer than the MT43, not suitable for pavement, but harder than the Michelin Trials Competition tire which I have on my Beta.

2whlrcr · 03-29-2012, 05:29 AM

I use 803's on my trials and enduro bikes. I've also used the Pirelli. I would not recommend the Pirelli on a real trials bike, but they work good on a trail bike. And are the only choice, if you're going to do extended road riding.

I've used my 803's on the road, but they are very squirmy and do wear quickly, but if you keep it under 50mph they will last for awhile. Trials tires on enduro bikes, seem to keep on working no bad how the knobs look, until you start tearing them off. Here's one of my old tires....

VxZeroKnots · 03-29-2012, 07:16 AM

DocRogers · 04-15-2012, 06:02 AM

...if only they would bring it into the US

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo83

Speaking of KTM. This 350 Freeride looks like fun for Trails and Trials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2eUucG4gwU

LucasLeader · 04-18-2012, 03:58 PM

http://www.fxbikes.com/
This company needs to blow up in the US so they get more affordable and I can go pick one up at the local dealer. It would be an awesome substitute for a scooter than you can also take into the hills for some fun after work.

03-27-2012, 04:47 PM	#17
BikePilot Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa Oddometer: 10,901	I think a small bike like an XR100 or KX100 (gear it down, rev it out) would be better than a full size dirt bike, but it really depends on your local course. The few events I rode in the mid-atlantic were tight, but not real aggressive. The one course I've ridden in FL is less tight and oddly has steeper hills. I can blast the hills easily on a MX bike--more easily than I can on the trials bike, but can't always stay on the course with the MX bike __________________ '09 Buell XB12XT, TL1000S, H1F, M620, CR250R, DR250SE, XR650R, Cota 315R Summer 2009 Ride Report http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...1509c&t=507038 Summer 2008 RR. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367703

03-27-2012, 05:35 PM	#19
neilking Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 371	Mark_S do that same trail on a trials bike and you will never want to do it on your 450 again! __________________ 74 TY 80 and 250 86 TY350 86 TLR200 95 Sportster 1200 00 Monty 315R 11 Beta 250

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03-27-2012, 05:02 PM	#18
2whlrcr gooligan Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Oddometer: 4,307	I have competed in local trials on my 450 EXC. I geared it as low as I could find 12/52 and rotated the bars forward, so it was comfortable standing. I also had a trials tire on the back. I could ride our Intermediate line (second from the easiest class here) ok and didn't finish last. But I've got years of actual trials bike experience, so that really helped. It was fun if I killed the bike, to keep your balance and use the electric start to keep going.

03-28-2012, 03:48 PM	#22
LucasLeader Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Chico, CA Oddometer: 276	I forgot about this thread. Similar interests I think. http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/943...hl__show%20off

03-29-2012, 05:29 AM	#25
2whlrcr gooligan Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Oddometer: 4,307	I use 803's on my trials and enduro bikes. I've also used the Pirelli. I would not recommend the Pirelli on a real trials bike, but they work good on a trail bike. And are the only choice, if you're going to do extended road riding. I've used my 803's on the road, but they are very squirmy and do wear quickly, but if you keep it under 50mph they will last for awhile. Trials tires on enduro bikes, seem to keep on working no bad how the knobs look, until you start tearing them off. Here's one of my old tires....

04-18-2012, 03:58 PM	#28
LucasLeader Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Chico, CA Oddometer: 276	http://www.fxbikes.com/ This company needs to blow up in the US so they get more affordable and I can go pick one up at the local dealer. It would be an awesome substitute for a scooter than you can also take into the hills for some fun after work.