Why Everyone Should Ride Trials Motorcycle First: A Guide

Thinking about getting into dirt bikes? Maybe you already ride motocross or explore trails on an adventure bike. Before you jump on that powerful machine, consider this core idea: Why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first. It might sound a little counterintuitive, right? Trials bikes look different, lacking even a seat. But believe me, starting your two-wheel riding journey here builds foundational skills you simply can't replicate easily elsewhere. It's the secret sauce many top riders use, and it explains why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first for developing rock-solid control and confidence on any motorcycle. What Exactly is Trials Riding? Let's clarify what this specific motorcycle sport involves. Trials isn't about high speeds, racing against the clock over long distances, or launching huge jumps like motocross. It's the art of maneuvering a motorcycle over obstacles with incredible balance and precision, making it an extremely niche discipline. Think slow speeds, intense focus, and making your motorcycle perform balletic moves over logs, streams, rocks, and extremely tight turns, often involving 180-degree turns or more. The goal is to traverse marked sections without putting your feet down (dabbing) or stopping progress. It's all about finesse, observation, and control, not brute force or velocity. Trials bikes are purpose-built machines for this task. They are incredibly lightweight, often under 160 pounds, boast engines with strong low-end torque for instant power, and feature specialized, responsive suspension. That obvious point about the missing seat? It's intentional, forcing riders into a 'standing' position, constantly using body English and balance techniques to control the bike. The Unbeatable Foundation: Core Skills You Gain Participating in bike trials is like enrolling in a masterclass for motorcycle control. The skills developed are directly transferable and highly beneficial for almost any other form of riding, particularly off-road disciplines like enduro or trail riding. These skills explain why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first. Masterful Balance Balance is the cornerstone of trials. You quickly learn intricate balance techniques, holding the bike perfectly steady at near-zero speed (a track stand). You develop an acute sense of how minuscule weight shifts influence the bike's stability and direction. This highly refined sense of having the bike balanced beneath you is invaluable. It directly helps you stay upright in challenging off-camber sections on your trail or enduro bike. It significantly reduces the likelihood of needing to dab a foot for support, saving energy and preventing mistakes. Practicing static balance, pivot turns, and slow maneuvers builds deep muscle memory. Your body learns to react instinctively, making constant micro-adjustments to keep the motorcycle centered and stable, even on treacherous terrain. Pinpoint Throttle Control Trials riding demands exceptionally smooth and precise throttle application. You need just the right amount of power to lift the front wheel, maintain momentum over an obstacle, or find traction on slippery surfaces, but not so much that the rear wheel spins wildly. It teaches an intimate connection between the throttle hand and rear-wheel grip. This process teaches you to "feather" the throttle with surgical precision. This is a critical skill when dealing with slippery roots, loose rocks, or muddy climbs on any dirt bike. You learn exactly how the throttle input translates to traction, or lack thereof. Forget simply twisting the grip; trials transforms you into a throttle whisperer. This nuanced control helps prevent stalling in technical spots, ensures smoother power delivery in slow turns, and conserves valuable energy during demanding rides. Clutch Finesse In motorcycle trials, the clutch is far more than just a tool for changing gears; it's an instrument for controlling power delivery at minimal speeds. Riders constantly slip the clutch to maintain momentum without accelerating excessively, or to deliver precise, short bursts of power for hopping obstacles. Mastering the friction zone is fundamental. Learning this sophisticated level of clutch control is a game-changer for all off-road riding. It dramatically helps prevent stalling on steep, technical hill climbs and enables delicate, controlled maneuvers in tight woods sections or rock gardens. You learn to modulate power almost second by second using the clutch lever. This skill is pure gold when piloting a heavier enduro bike or adventure machine through tough terrain. You gain a superior feel for the clutch's friction zone and understand how to use it strategically for optimal control and traction. Body Positioning Secrets Because trials bikes are seatless and demand constant balance adjustments, you learn effective body positioning extremely quickly. Standing correctly and dynamically shifting your weight isn't optional; it's mandatory for success. You feel directly how moving your hips, knees, or shoulders steers the bike and maintains equilibrium. This heightened awareness of weight distribution is immensely beneficial across all motorcycle disciplines. It helps you intuitively understand how to weight the footpegs for maximum traction on climbs or descents. It teaches you how to shift your body dynamically to absorb impacts, clear obstacles, and navigate changing terrain. On any motorcycle, from a lightweight dirt bike to a heavy adventure tourer, knowing where and how to position your weight makes a massive difference in control and stability. Trials hardwires this essential knowledge into your riding reflexes. Reading Terrain Like a Pro Trials courses compel riders to constantly analyze the ground immediately ahead and plan their path meticulously. You learn to instantly spot the grippy line through a jumble of rocks or identify the subtle transition offering the best traction. You become adept at judging approach angles, obstacle heights, and exit strategies in fractions of a second. This continuous analysis develops your ability to read terrain almost subconsciously. You start seeing optimal lines and potential hazards you never noticed before while riding other types of bikes. This heightened awareness helps you anticipate challenges on trails or enduro loops, allowing for smoother, safer, and faster progress. Being able to quickly assess grip levels and choose the right path conserves physical energy, a critical factor on long or difficult rides. It also significantly reduces the chances of getting stuck, falling, or crashing unexpectedly due to unforeseen terrain features. Trials vs. Other Disciplines: A Quick Comparison To better understand the place of trials, here's a comparison with other popular forms of off-road motorcycling: Discipline Primary Focus Typical Speed Key Skills Emphasized Bike Characteristics Trials / Bike Trials Obstacle negotiation, precision, balance Very Low (Walking pace or slower) Balance, throttle/clutch finesse, body position, line selection Ultra-lightweight, no seat, torquey low-end power, specialized tires Motocross Racing laps, jumps, high speed High Speed, cornering, jumping technique, aggression Lightweight, powerful engine, long-travel suspension Enduro / Hard Enduro Timed sections, varied terrain, technical obstacles, endurance Variable (Low to High) Technical skill, endurance, navigation, machine preservation, ability to tackle highly-technical sections Lightweight, durable, good suspension, lights Trail Riding Recreational riding on natural terrain trails Moderate General bike control, trail awareness, endurance Versatile off-road bike (can range from enduro bike to dual-sport) Adventure Riding Long distances, mixed surfaces (pavement & off-road) Variable (Moderate to High) Endurance, navigation, handling loaded bike, basic off-road skills Heavier, luggage capacity, comfortable for distance, capable off-road This table highlights how trials uniquely isolates and refines low-speed control skills, making it an ideal training ground before tackling the higher speeds and different demands of other disciplines. Why Everyone Should Ride Trials Motorcycle First: The Crossover Kings Still questioning why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first? Examine the backgrounds of top riders in the most demanding off-road disciplines, particularly hard enduro and EnduroCross. You'll discover a prominent commonality: strong trials backgrounds. These physically-demanding terrain disciplines require riders to overcome incredibly difficult obstacles, similar to trials but often at higher speeds and with greater consequences. The precision, balance, throttle/clutch control, and line-reading skills honed meticulously in motorcycle trials provide these athletes with a substantial competitive advantage when competitors tackle highly-technical sections. Let's look at some prominent names whose successful career paths showcase this surprising influence: Graham Jarvis: A true legend in hard enduro, Graham Jarvis started riding trials at a young age. Many experts attribute his seemingly effortless dominance on extreme terrain directly to his world-class trials skills, allowing him to conserve energy and find grip where others struggle. Taddy Blazusiak: Before conquering EnduroCross and hard enduro, Taddy Blazusiak was a top European trials rider. He openly credits his trials background for the explosive power delivery and pinpoint precision that made him nearly unbeatable indoors and highly competitive outdoors. Billy Bolt: Another contemporary hard enduro star, Billy Bolt, also comes from a high-level trials background. His incredible bike handling skills, particularly his ability to maneuver the bike in seemingly impossible situations, are a direct result of his trials training. Jonny Walker: A consistent top competitor in hard enduro events worldwide. Like Jarvis and Bolt, Walker's exceptional bike control stems from years spent mastering the finesse and balance techniques essential in trials riding. Manuel Lettenbichler: Following in his father Andreas' footsteps (another trials-influenced hard enduro racer), Manuel combines youth and skill honed partly through trials riding to compete at the highest level of hard enduro. Cody Webb: An American standout known for pushing the limits in extreme enduro and EnduroCross. Webb's foundation is firmly rooted in trials, which provides the confidence and skillset needed to attempt and conquer obstacles that seem impossible to the average motorcycle rider. Colton Haaker: Multiple EnduroCross champion known for his aggressive style and incredible technical bike skills. Haaker also dedicated significant time to practicing on trials bikes, refining the precision control essential for indoor racing success. Hard Enduro Gun Tim Coleman: Tim Coleman represents another example of riders leveraging trials experience. Athletes like Tim Coleman, often referred to as a hard enduro gun, demonstrate how these foundational skills translate into competitive success. His development on places like Tim's family farm likely contributed. Geoff Aaron: A multi-time US trials champion who successfully transitioned to become a force in EnduroCross and hard enduro. His achievements highlight the direct link between trials mastery and success in related, more popular forms of off-road racing. The pattern is undeniable. These elite athletes cultivated their fundamental feel for motorcycle control within the demanding, slow-speed environment of trials. It equipped them with the essential tools—balance, precision control, traction management—to excel when the terrain becomes extraordinarily difficult in other motorcycle sport disciplines. Benefits Beyond the Pros: What's In It for You? Okay, perhaps you don't aspire to conquer the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo or win world championships. So, why should you , the average rider, care about starting with or incorporating trials practice? Because those very same foundational skills dramatically improve the experience of riding any off-road bike, making it more enjoyable, safer, and less intimidating. You will become a fundamentally better technical rider, regardless of whether you ride an enduro bike, a dual-sport, or an adventure machine. Imagine confidently handling that tricky rock garden that used to cause anxiety on your regular trail ride. Picture smoothly floating the front wheel over unexpected logs or effortlessly maneuvering tight, uphill switchbacks on your adventure bike. Skills developed through trials progression make these scenarios manageable and even fun. Improved control translates directly to fewer mistakes and crashes. When you possess superior balance and refined throttle/clutch finesse, you are less prone to errors. Those frustrating small tip-overs, stalls on hills, and moments of panic happen far less frequently. Riding trials also builds immense confidence. Successfully cleaning a challenging marked section, even a simple one initially, provides a huge sense of accomplishment and self-belief. This newfound confidence naturally carries over to your regular riding activities, encouraging you to explore more challenging terrain. Furthermore, trials forces you to think strategically about riding. You start analyzing obstacles, visualizing lines, and figuring out solutions to physical problems presented by the terrain. It's a mentally engaging process that sharpens your focus and decision-making abilities on the bike. Plus, let's state the obvious point: mastering these skills is incredibly fun. Learning and refining techniques on two wheels is always rewarding. Trials riding is also an excellent low-impact workout, particularly engaging your core, legs, and improving overall stamina, even without covering long distances. Crucially, because typical trials speeds are very low, the consequences of mistakes are generally much less severe compared to motocross or faster trail riding. This creates a safer environment to push your technical boundaries and learn intricate control without the high risks associated with speed. The Physical and Mental Demands While speeds are low, don't underestimate the physical exertion involved in trials. Maintaining balance, constantly shifting body weight, and precisely manipulating controls requires significant core strength, leg strength, and endurance. Many riders are surprised by how physically taxing a focused trials practice session can be. Holding static balances, hopping the bike, and controlling it through awkward positions builds functional strength relevant to all motorcycle riding. It's a different kind of fitness than riding for hours at speed, focusing more on anaerobic bursts and sustained isometric control. You'll feel muscles working that you didn't know you had. Mentally, trials demands intense concentration. You must focus completely on the immediate obstacle, your bike's response, and the subtle feedback from the terrain. Planning your line through a section, anticipating traction changes, and executing maneuvers requires significant mental energy and problem-solving skills, making it a very engaging activity. Getting Started with Trials Ready to give this beneficial discipline a try? Getting started with motorcycle trials is often more accessible than you might imagine. Naturally, you'll need a trials bike. Look for used models, as they are often well-maintained by enthusiasts and significantly more affordable than brand-new bikes. Popular brands include GasGas, Beta, Sherco (including brand-new Sherco trials bikes), Montesa, TRS, and Electric Motion (EM). Finding suitable places to ride is important. Search for local trials clubs or associations in your region (searching terms like "trials club [your state]" or checking resources like USA Moto Trials can help). These clubs often maintain dedicated practice areas with varied obstacles and host events catering to all skill levels, from novice to expert. Sometimes, riders gain access to private land, perhaps even a family farm setting, perfect for practice away from crowds. The required riding gear is somewhat simpler than for other disciplines. A good helmet, sturdy motorcycle boots (trials-specific boots offer more ankle flexibility, but robust work boots or MX boots can suffice initially), and gloves are essential. Durable pants like jeans or specific trials pants work well to start; full MX gear isn't necessary due to the lower speeds. The emphasis should be on focused practice rather than speed or covering ground. Short, deliberate practice sessions concentrating on specific techniques (like static balance, slow figure eights, front wheel lifts over a small log) are highly effective for trials progression. Finding even a small backyard area with a few obstacles can provide hours of valuable practice. Don't be intimidated if you see highly skilled trials riders practicing nearby. The trials community is generally known for being very welcoming, supportive, and happy to offer advice or pointers to beginners. Just approach someone and ask questions; most riders love sharing their passion for this extremely niche motorcycle sport. Conclusion So, why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first boils down to a simple, powerful truth: it builds the absolute fundamental control skills essential for proficiency and safety in nearly any off-road motorcycling discipline. It meticulously teaches balance, throttle and clutch finesse, dynamic body positioning, and precise line selection in a way that faster forms of riding simply cannot replicate. Whether your ultimate goal is to compete in hard enduro alongside riders like Graham Jarvis or Billy Bolt, to become a more competent adventure rider exploring scenic backroads, or simply to boost your confidence and reduce crashes on local trails with your enduro bike, dedicating time to a trials bike offers immense benefits. It develops an intuitive feel for motorcycle dynamics that pays dividends across all two-wheel riding. Making the decision to start with or incorporate trials riding might just be the single best investment you make in your overall motorcycling journey. Give it a try – you might uncover a whole new aspect of motorcycle sport to appreciate and truly grasp why everyone should ride trials motorcycle first for a solid foundation.