Trials bike for trail riding??

[EK]

I am considering a Sherco, Montesa or GasGas trials bike for trail riding. The trails I ride are primarily tighter trails in the woods. Here are a few issues that I am faced with:

1) Spark arrestor - as far as I can tell they do not come equipped with a USFS approved spark arrestor. What is available?

2) Fuel capacity. I go on 50-60 mile rides. What fuel mileage do they get? What is available for additional fuel carrying capacity?

Perhaps there are other things I should be considering for trail riding. Your experiences and ideas would be appreciated.

Eric K
'01 GasGas 300XC

 

[Patman]

Scorpa Long Ride! This is the bike for just what your planning to do.
HERE and HERE

I'm pretty sure Mike at the Tryals Shop can also take care of the spark arrestor issue for you as well. If you go with the Montesa the LewisSport has a FMF setup.

 

[yzeater]

From the second website:

The 2002 Scorpa SY features the smooth Yamaha 250 engine

They put an MX engine in a trials bike?

 

[Girlrider]

You can get Spark arrestors for all the bikes. It is a little, but pricey piece you hook to the end or have Stan Hensley in Colorado make you a big FMF one that is even more expensive. My Gas Gas only goes about 25 miles and that is pretty typical of all bikes. I would recommend the Gas Gas Pampera. It is the perfect, light trail bike with a seat. I have several friends now with them who love them. My friend in Oregon just wrote me and said they were trying to climb a big steep hill. Her boyfriend on a Yamaha 426 and another guy on a XR 650 could not get to the top. (It was a new hill they were trying to make it up and there was not much of a run to get any speed.) So my friend told her boyfriend to take her Pampera up the hill. He laughed at her and said it would not make it but guess what. He made it top the top. You can see it at www.gasgas.com. But if you really are looking for a trials bike then any off them are good.

 

[Patman]

Girlrider, do you have contact info for Stan Hensley?

 

[Girlrider]

His number is 719-545-6310. He left yesterday for Penn so you probably won't get a call back from him soon. You can find him at the national though.

 

[Patman]

Thanks! I fly out Friday, and will try to look him up.

 

[David Trustrum]

We carry extra fuel using flasks for camping stove fuel.

 

[EK]

Thanks for all the responses and ideas!!

David,
I like your idea of the fuel in the flasks. How do you carry/secure the flasks?

Thanks,
Eric K
'01 GasGas 300XC

 

[David Trustrum]

Depends on the bike, some you can tie it to the forks if you pop the quick release headlight off.

Hey!! Guess you could use one of those bicycle drink bottle holders. Or one of those water bottle holder bum bags joggers use.

Just if you get thirsty --think before having a swigg.

Best bet is what my friend does, that is tie it to the back of his wife’s trailbike.

 

[TexKDX]

On the fuel issue, you can get an oversize tank for the Montesa. Also there have been some tank bags floating around over the years that let you store the extra fuel bottles on top of the tank. Not sure of the brand or where to get them.

I went to using a small backpack with a waist strap for a few dual sport rides, and if you get a decent one (I got a Kelty Torrey, built in drink bladder) they are pretty comfortable. You can put plenty of camp stove fuel bottles in one of those.

There was a Monty on ebay a few months back with the big tank and SA; I think it was in Colorado.

 

[wayneg]

There are many options as far as attachable bags. Heres one from Ryan Young at http://www.maineiactrials.com/RYP Tank Bag.htm

I usually carry extra fuel in my camelback bag, and just don't carry so much drink in the bladder. We generally don't go too far, but want the increased fuel capacity to extend the time that we are out. I usually carry the fuel in a 1 litre Coke bottle as I know it only going to be in there for a couple of hours max. I usually fill the bike up and then squash the Coke bottle when I'm finished with it. I have never had one leak or rupture on me yet (fingers crossed :P).

I also have a proper fuel container that hold 2.5 litres of fuel. This was part of a combination container for a chainsaw, and is a good size and fairly solid looking. I just use a normal small backpack to carry this one around.

 

[wayneg]

Sorry that didn't sound too healthy - I meant to say that the fuel is in a seperate container to my drink when I stick it in my camelback pack. I have previously on experienced the unique taste of petrol when syphoning it out of my car once or twice. I managed to swallow a fairly decent mouthful of it, and I turned a funny green colour and keep puking for a couple of hours - no doubt the cancer will become apparent at some later stage!

 

[Patman]

I almost forgot, if you go with a Montesa there is THIS as an option to get you to 4 liters. I use THIS because it allows me to fill one bottle with bike juice and one for me. My bag is red and I use a MSR camp stove fuel bottle because it's made for fuel storage and I'm pretty sure I'll know which bottle is for who, even when I'm tired. Personally though if I could only have one bike I'd go with that Scorpa setup. :scream: EEK! What am I saying right now I only have one bike (Monty) but I do plan on getting a stablemate soon.