How Many?

[buls4evr]

Originally Posted by Gham

This is disappointing to hear,I am older (55) and was looking to enter the trials scene here in Michigan.
I am a fairly competent street rider and have ridden dirt bikes on and off for years although none in the last 15 or so.
I am sick and bored of street riding and some of the Trials people I met at an informal event seemed pleasant enough to look into checking it out further.
I have even gone as far as to inquire about a bike although as yours,it was an older vintage model.Something that if I liked the competition well enough I could probably sell and upgrade without being out much.From everything I have heard your fairly spot-on with your description of the scene but having never been to an actual sanctioned event I didn't know about the novice line being that difficult.

Oh and after you buy one, and don't like trials, they are impossible to sell. They want the latest and greatest instead. So yes, you can travel 2 to 5 states away to ride but most people would not. ITSA has great events....In Tennessee or MO. The original question was what is it that keeps people out of the sport? Excessive travel to compete on a vintage bike is really one of those things . MOTA thinks vintage bikes are neat but does not foster them at all and they really don't want you beating their little boys and girls and wives in the beginner class.

[2whlrcr]

I thought original question was how many trials bikes are sold in the US?

[Gham]

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

I thought original question was how many trials bikes are sold in the US?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're correct

I got sidetracked searching for the answer....sorry

[amcross]

Originally Posted by Gham

Thanks,I wouldn't give up on anything I wanted to do that easy and yes I plan on attending their first event next year.I was just a little concerned about riding a class thats challenging but not well beyond my skill and fitness level.
I'm Detroit area so Wis./N.Ill. is a bit of a stretch but nice of you to suggest it.

Gham, Glad to hear you won't give up that easily!

I *LOVE* how TI handles the frustration mentioned so harshly here. They have youth sections that are ridden only by the youngsters -- ridden in the AM before the regular classes begin. Then Novice is focused on the newcomer rider who is able to do some simple basics.

From what I understand, WOTA events -- at least those I've chatted with numerous TI riders about (not attended one yet) -- have their beginner's class very similar to our novice class at T.I. If you'd like to hear one novice's viewpoint on my first summer competing trials, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read the several event reports I've written. Just a bit of background -- I rode trials for a season and a half 21 years ago. I've never been a dirt bike rider, but do have a good amount of street bike time. I don't take kindly to "hurt yourself" or "scare yourself" sections or particularly loop for novices...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=835359
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=823274
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=830818
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831014
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=839232

and the final one -- Round One, 2013 of T.I. series...
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840673

[ADW]

Originally Posted by Gham

Thanks,I wouldn't give up on anything I wanted to do that easy and yes I plan on attending their first event next year.I was just a little concerned about riding a class thats challenging but not well beyond my skill and fitness level.
I'm Detroit area so Wis./N.Ill. is a bit of a stretch but nice of you to suggest it.

Gham, check your PM.

[Gham]

Originally Posted by ADW

Gham, check your PM.

Thanks!

[workerant]

The gang I ride trials with are mostly older ex-racers too. At 41, I'm one of the young'uns. We're always trying to lure younger riders to our Sunday play dates.

Our riders are on a roughly-50/50 mix of modern and vintage bikes. We all know each other pretty well so there's always a lot of bike-swapping going on.

Originally Posted by lamotovita

Buls4ever,
Trials clubs in your area must have a very different makeup than here in the west. Here the clubs are predominately older riders, many of which are old racers.

[2whlrcr]

So how many trials bikes are sold in the US each year?

[thegraydog]

[lineaway]

My two cents. Trials bikes in the USA has always gone in spurts. Unfortunately always too low of numbers. 75-76 was good. 82-83. (SWM, Fantics) 1985 was cool with disc brakes and mono. 91-92. 95-96 were good years. `98 the 315 was killer. 2001 all bikes jumped ahead. 2005-2006 were good. Pretty much down hill from there, due to price and small numbers!
Just too many models, FOR SUCH A LIMITED sport!
If I was a betting man, I would say 1995 was the best year!

[thegraydog]

Excellent perspective. How many, in 1995?