Giving Trials A Try: Beta's Way
T
rials riding is one of motorcycling's
most specialized sports. Hillclimbing,
ice racing and speedway racing might be
even more specialized than trials, but at
least trials riding is far more accessible to
the public. Trials bikes are affordable and
easy to ride, and you can ride them year-
round and almost anywhere. Probably
best of all, though, you don't need much
space to have a good time on them.
They are quiet, too, so you can even bop
around the backyard and your neighbors
probably won't even know it. Mine never
did. I used to do it all the time!
Trials riding is funny because it looks
so easy and it is, yet it's not. How could
that be? You're going so slow! Well, trust
me, it is hard to do—at least well—slow
or not. But that's what is so great about
trials riding. Sure, it's difficult to master,
but since "speed" is not a big part of trials,
the chances of getting hurt while you're
learning are slim. Plus, just the fact that
trials is difficult makes it that much more
fun, especially if you enjoy challenging
yourself. Several motocross and off-road
stars have credited trials riding with some
of their success.
The general goal of trials riding is
simple—don't put your foot down. If your
foot does touch the ground, that's called
a dab, and the rider with the fewest
number of dabs at the end of the day is
the winner. Of course, there is more to the
sport than that, but that's the gist of it.
If you have naturally good balance, then
you're off to a great start when it comes
to trials.
WIND
IN THE
P50
Trials riding looks easy but it's
not. It's indeed hard, but in a
very fun kind of way.
