What is Motorcycle trials?
Motorcycle trials, also known as observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participants around the globe.
Motorcycle trials is often utilized by competitors in other motorcycle sports (such as motocross or road racers) as a way to cross-train as trials requires fine throttle, balance, and machine control.
In every section, the competitor is scored by an observer (hence the sport’s name) who counts how many times the competitor touches the ground with the foot (or any other part of the body). Each time a competitor touches the ground with a foot (commonly called “dabs” or “prods”), the penalty is one point.
In addition to the world championship events, there are other major events, such as the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) and the Scott Trial.
Classic classes exist for vintage bikes. Classes include pre-1965 or pre-1967 motorcycles (typically British), as well as newer vintage events for observed trials motorcycles with two rear shock absorbers. In most cases, twin-shock motorcycles were manufactured between 1967 and 1985 and are typically Japanese or Spanish. A recent addition has been a class for air-cooled monoshock bikes, this covers machines up to around 1990.
Sidecar Trials
As well as the traditional solo motorcycle trials, there is a form of the sport on 3 wheels known as Sidecar Trials consisting of a driver and a passenger.
The competition is run in the same way as a standard motorcycle trial with the only exception being additional ways to be given a score of 5. This involves the passenger, who will earn the competitor a 5 if any part of the passenger’s body touches any terrain. The role of the passenger is to balance the sidecar and prevent the sidecar wheel from lifting which would cause the driver to re-stablise the outfit by using his foot (incurring a score of 1).
Sidecar Trials is predominantly British, however there are events run in Europe and Australia.
The British Championship is the highest level of competition, held over 10 rounds with 3 difficulty levels; Clubman, Intermediate & Expert, with the Expert class championship winner being named British Sidecar Trials Champion.
Long Distance Trials
Long distance trials competition incorporates a carefully planned out route for the competitors to follow and make stops at various locations incorporating places throughout many different countries, rather than one venue.
This takes place not only on the main roads but also steep, rough and loose surfaced hills and lanes. Points are given to the competitor for putting his foot down on the ground or falling off.
These trials can be expected to be completed within certain timescales and can mean not arriving at a particular section and or destination prior to an allocated time.Truck trials in Austria.
Not only modern motorcycles take part but vintage motorcycles and cars too.
About our club
We are an Amateur Motorcycle Association (AMCA) affiliated club run by volunteers.
We organise many trials events throughout the year in and around Launceston, Cornwall catering for all ages and abilities.
Launceston Motorcycle Club was formed in October 1989 by a group of local motorcycle enthusiasts meeting once a month to talk to like minded people. Over the years the club has organised many fundraising events supporting local causes.
With no local activities for people with off road machines and a fear of them loosing interest in the club, we decided to organise an ‘off road fun ride’ that proved to be a roaring success and a short time after the club became affiliated to the AMCA and has continued running trials.
We run a number of trials events through out the year catering for all ages and abilities including a 2 day camping weekend which is always a great social event.
Our Trials are becoming more and more popular and the unsung heros of the sport are the observers who give up their free time to stand out in all weathers to mark the riders and also the volunteers and committee who give up a lot of their free time to arrange our trials.
We also rely on the goodwill of local landowners who kindly allow us the use of their land, without their support we wouldn’t be able to run our events that so many people enjoy!
If you would like anymore information please don’t hesitate to contact craig@launcestonmcc.co.uk or pop along to one of our trials which are all free entry to spectators
