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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Why Trials Riding skills are essential:

Patrick
The threes and grass are usually pretty vertical, this looks better:
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  #17  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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Down Hill
The first photo shows the position I get into going down some of the big dunes here in Saudi. Not on my V-Strom though. Wish I still had my XR for off roading.
Cheers
Ian
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  #18  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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And Trials training breeds the very best dirt bike riders in the world.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 08:34.
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  #19  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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Wish I would have got into it as a kid.
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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 08:34.
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  #20  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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Trial is a great sport (normally I don’t like sport).

Even if you use a very light bike you can transfer a lot of techniques to big and heavy bikes and it really pushes your limits. A few weeks ago I serviced my old trial-bike that hasn’t been used for years and it’s still running great. Hopefully it will be used a lot next year.

Many years ago:



Sidenote:
The polish guy (Taddy) who won Hare Scramble and and Iron Man is a trial rider.
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  #21  
Old 19 Dec 2007
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angles
Wow,
The slope looks even more slopy on the photo!!!!
LOL !!!!
Love and peace,
Dan




Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Dazzer has hit on ALL the important points. Perfect. I actually teach off road riding from time to time so I have some experience with begginers.
Small bike is essential to have fun and not get hurt straight away. XR250 is a good one and way more capable than nearly any BMW off road. I own an XR and love it. I also ride an '07 WR250R for more serious enduro work. Like this:

Why Trials Riding skills are essential:


Also, like Dazzer sez, you simply cannot get a clue in a 2 day course. Best to get a used bike and go out and ride, ride, ride. NOW take the course so they can tell you all the things you are doing wrong! Once you've spent a year or so doing some serious dirt riding you're ready to step up to a 650 single and start travelling. The bigger bike will take some work and getting used to. Don't be shocked at the weight, just learn to use all your off road technique to keep it pointed where you want to go.

Someone mentioned the UK and mud. Mud is very tough, even for experts.
Maybe do your dirt bike learning in Morroco? Most twins are not going to be real happy in any tough off roading and they can take a beating as well. Too big and heavy, especially when loaded up for travel. If you are happy to stay on road or maybe do only easy fire roads and the like, then a BMW GS, Vstrom, Transalp, Africa Twin could all work.
The twin or single dilema is a tough one and constantly discussed here. REally depends on you and you're needs. Best.

Patrick
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  #22  
Old 20 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
you won't be emerging in two days as David
Knight....
Quite happy being me, thanks .. David Knight .. ? Unless it comes with plenty of money ? Oh and better spelling .. and less errors and more time for riding?


The rest as you say .. but I think a beginner will pick up in 2 days training what they'd take a month of riding to learn from experience. The finer points will be easier of the experienced to learn from 2 more days of training ..

---- Corrected my post .. mutter mutter
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