What is Motorcycle Trials?
By TMX Archives on 20th Jun 05
It may not be a speed-based sport like motocross but trials is still one of the most skillful and spectacular of all motorcycle sports. Riders need incredible balance, throttle control and skill to negotiate tough hazards or 'sections', such as rock piles, stream beds, twists and turns over tree roots and hill climbs. The name of the game is not to lose marks incurred by putting your feet on the ground, falling off or riding outside of the section markers. The winner of a trials competition is the rider who finishes the event with the least number of marks lost. Events can be run over anything from a single-lap course of 50-plus sections to three or four laps of the same six-to-10 sections in smaller, more confined venues. Some of the longer, single-lap events include roadwork to get between some sections so for these events competitors need to road register their machines and make sure they stick to the letter of the law. Because of the relatively low-speed nature of trials, where grip and engine torque is more important than outright speed, trials bikes have developed into highly specialised machines. At first glance it's fairly obvious that trials bikes are not designed for comfortable touring. The low slung - almost U-shaped - seat is a clear indication that sitting down is very low of the list of priorities for trials riders who stand on the footpegs for sections. The engine has an incredible amount of torque and super low 'crawler' gears so you can motor over tricky obstacles, get traction through boggy mud-holes and simply move at a low speed without having to worry about stalling. As with motocross machines, trials bikes come in a range of engine capacities that cater for all ages and riding capabilities, from youngsters taking their first steps on a 50cc machine to adult experts on full-sized mounts. Kiddies can begin riding in competitive trials events from the age of six before moving up the age and size-restricted youth divisions into the adults. Because trials riding is not as hard on the body as motocross and enduro competition, many riders compete well into their pensionable years - ain't that right, grandad! Every weekend, up and down the country, there are plenty of club trials to choose from and, because of the nature of the sport, all rider abilities can be catered for. Unlike motocross where everyone races the same track, the severity of trials sections can be tailored with different 'ins' and 'outs' and some of the harder obstacles bypassed for less competent riders. And many clubs also run events for just novices and beginners, providing a great entry to the sport in a pressure-free environment with riders of similar ability. The great indoors - Arena trials Most people's experience of trials is limited to lycra-clad maniacs riding over outrageous obstacles on Sky Sports. Arena trials is a relatively new version of the sport that's gaining popularity at a rapid rate. Arena trials takes the more spectacular elements of outdoor trials and brings them indoors and onto man-made features such as huge piles of railway sleepers, purpose-built waterfalls and concrete slabs. Originally events for just pro riders, indoor trials are beginning to spring up for club riders all around the country.