Hello,

I'm new here having just discovered and joined the site today, so let me start by saying that I live in Newnan, GA, I'm 42 years old,weigh around 140 (wet), run about 5'7" on a good day and have been riding some form of motorcycle for about 30 of those years. I used to do some recreational trail riding, never been a MXer, but have been riding mostly street for the last few years with some dualsport (KTM640)thrown in. I went to the Atlanta m/c show a couple of years ago and my daughter, miniposer, decided she just had to have a dirt bike so I bought her a CRF70 last year for her BD. She loves it although she has quickly outgrown it and is ready to move up to a bigger bike. Then mrsposer decide she didn't want to be left out so I bought her a TTR125LE a few weeks ago and dug my old XR200 out of the corner of the garage and got it going again. I knew I hung on to it for some reason. I think it is great for casual trail riding with the family and since I've had it so long it was basically free. Mrsposer has never even driven a standard shift car, let alone a m/c so she's just learning to ride but I think she'll enjoy it with a little more time and confidence. After buying miniposer her bike I built a small track in my backyard and then built a fairly well modified pitbike for myself so we could ride together after work. These events have rekindled my interest in off-road riding in general. I've had a casual interest in trials for years and have often thought about giving it a try but for one reason or another just never did. Since I now have the space to build a few obstacles and do some afternoon riding at home I've been thinking more and more about giving trials a try. I don't plan to get into competition but just play around in my yard for fun and improve my balance and overall skill level. Of course, who knows, I may get the bug and decide to do some events in the future if I decide I really enjoy it. It may even work out that the family might develop an interest too. Anyway, that's a brief history so you can maybe understand where I'm coming from with my questions. Now for the usual noob questions. I know you guys get tired of the same stupid questions all the time so forgive me. I guess one of the more common is also my main one. What bike to get? Remember, I'm a total noob so I want something with a soft, linear power delivery and good to learn the basics on. I also want something that's reliable and with good parts availabilty. I would like to keep it for while so I also want it to be a modern style bike with enough potential to allow me to progress as my skills improve. Now for the tough part. I don't want to spend a bundle since I'm just starting out and at this point not sure if I'll even stick with it. Also since I don't plan to compete anytime soon, if ever, it doesn't have to be the latest, greatest, cutting edge machine. I probably wouldn't be adverse to a early to mid 90s bike if it weren't for the fear of parts availablity problems.

With trials being what it is, as for as mass popularity goes, it seems like good used bikes are hard to come by. I can probably pick up a cycle trader today and find a good selection of used off-road bikes within a reasonable driving distance but I almost never see a trials bike listed. I've looked on motosoup and in the classifieds here but I'm just starting to look so maybe I'll get lucky eventually. So, I guess I'd like to know what bikes I should be looking for in particular. Then, if I find one what, other than obvious signs of abuse, should I look for? How do I go about checking a used trials bike out to make sure I'm not getting stuck with a pile of junk?

I would probably plan a trip to the TTC in the future if I decide that the whole trials thing is for me but for now I'd just like some advice on buying a good used all around beginner bike.

Thanks for any imput on this subject and I'm sure I'll make a pest of myself before long.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM A NEW MEMBER.

IF YOU CAN COME TO TTC THIS WEEKEND, WE ARE HAVING 2 ROUNDS OF OUR VINTAGE SERIES. THERE WILL BE OLD BIKES AND NEW ONES. AS OF LAST SUNDAY, DAN HAS A GG 200 FOR ABOUT $1800.00, VERY GOOD BIKE TO START OUT ON. ALSO A GREAT PRICE!! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.

DARRELL DAVIS

Welcome to the STRA. You'll be able to find good advice and good used bikes from our members. The guys with the real knowledge will be on shortly, so watch this space. We'll be at Newnan in September.

Welcome to the family!

I can't begin to tell you how much this sport and this group of people have ment to me and my family (son now 11, and daughter now 15) over the last 6 years. This is perfect for the family. Your daughter and wife can learn technical skills to ride comfortably, with confidence, and in control. For you, you'll learn tips and techniques that will improve your riding - whatever you ride. We have youth and womens classes. My son and daughter started out on XR50 & XR 70's. Any bike is welcome.

Most of all I want to let you know that the STRA has a great group of families and friends of every age and sex. It's truely a family atmosphere, and very open to everyone. Everyone is helpful, and supportive. The wife and daughter won't have to worry about getting run over by another rider either!

Watch our website, visit the TTC, and join us at any competition/fun ride. You wont regret it! There is a new group of Atlanta riders starting a local club...watch for the announcements on this sight.

Call me if I can help...Charlie Patton ....423-322-5362

PS - I ride a 1998 Beta Techno 250...Its been a great bike and the importer, Ron Commo, lives in GA also. The bike has been solid and Ron's support has been excellent. I've been riding it since 2000 and have never ordered a part from Ron that he didn't have in stock.

Don't get hung up on big CC's, trials is all about technique.

Welcome,
I think the best thing to do is to come to an event or get together (this weekend at TTC is a good opportunity) and meet some of the folks.

Trials riders are some of the most helpful out there, strike up the conversation and they (we) will be happy to share anything we can to help you get going.

While the Trials bikes are certainly not as common or as close as the standard bikes, they are out there and with a little patience you can find some great deals.

All of the bikes are pretty good, and if you get a late model bike, parts availabity is fine.

As Charlie said, Trials is a great family sport, my son, daughter and wife all ride and it gives us something to do together.

Look forward to meeting sometime.

Oh, and by the way, we have an event in your town, and there are several riders right where you are at. I am sure ahamayfrank will be here in a second, and Ron Milam will not be far behind.

First off, I want to invite you north to Cartersville, to sample some trials motorcycles, some mild terrain and our hospitality... no obligation. We have motorcycles, gear, fuel, all the ingredients. Just load your gang up, drive up here to C'ville and ride sometime. We ride at the drop of a hat... I am usually the one to drop my hat first!

The rest is up to you. Call me to arrange an introductin to trials, and the most important aspect of our sport, our people. Call 678 431-2796.

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN JEFF AND THE C'VILLE GANG!! YOU'LL BE IN GOOD HANDS.

TB

In case you don't already know, you can rent bikes at TTC. This is a great way to try out some bikes without making a large financial commitment. I believe the current price is $110/day ... much cheaper than renting a jet ski at the beach!

Thanks for the welcome. I do plan to go to the Newnan event if work and other commitments allow. I mentioned it to mrsposer the other day and she would also like to go. She was disappointed that we didn't know about the big event at the TTC until after the fact because she would have liked to have gone to watch. She's seen Tommy Ahvala's demonstrations at a couple of motorcycle shows here in Atlanta and really enjoyed watching. Since she's just starting to ride (TTR125LE) with only about 4 hours of actual ride time (never used a clutch before)I don't think she's ready to give trials a try quite yet. Miniposers kinda in the same boat. She's gotten pretty good at blasting around the yard trail on her crf70 but she hasn't gotten much experience on varied terrain yet and has never used a clutch. In fact I can't even talk her into standing yet. I've tried to explain the benefits of standing in certain situations but I guess she's afraid to try it. I guess I'll get her to eventually, and then she'll see for herself how and why it works. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, that while it may eventually become a family thing, for now I'm on my own as far as trials is concerned. Once I get a bike though mrsposer will probably try it out around the yard and then we'll see. At the moment I'm just looking for an afternoon playbike for myself.

Jeff, thanks for the invite. Are you a helpful dealer or just a helpful rider? Either way it's sounds like a generous offer. My only problem is that I have vey limited time to do something like that. I know it probably sounds dumb but I'm very family oriented and I don't usually take much time for myself. When I'm not at work or working around the house I'm usually doing something with the family and it's difficult for me to find a whole day for myself. That's one reason I got the family into riding, so I could do something I enjoy while also spending quality time with them. I'll definitely keep the offer in mind though and if it works out I may give you a call. When do you normally do this sort of thing? I'm not sure of mrsposers work schedule but I could probably talk her into it sometime, even if she only came along to watch and learn.

quote:

Originally posted by DARRELL DAVIS:
ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM A NEW MEMBER.

IF YOU CAN COME TO TTC THIS WEEKEND, WE ARE HAVING 2 ROUNDS OF OUR VINTAGE SERIES. THERE WILL BE OLD BIKES AND NEW ONES. AS OF LAST SUNDAY, DAN HAS A GG 200 FOR ABOUT $1800.00, VERY GOOD BIKE TO START OUT ON. ALSO A GREAT PRICE!! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.

DARRELL DAVIS

Does anyone know if the GG 200 is still available? If so, do you know any of the particulars such as what year, condition, etc? And would the 200 suit my needs as a beginner bike? It seems that I've read mixed reviews with some saying that they're great and others saying that the larger engined (non-pro)bikes are more forgiving and "lug-able". From what I've been reading, I'm kinda leaning toward a Beta or a pre-pro GG but the 200 is also a consideration and the price mentioned above is in line with my budget.