Observed Trials

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Observed Trials (or "motorcycle trials" or "observed motorcycle trials") is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the UK and Spain, though there are participants around the globe.

Observed Trials motorcycles are distinctive, in that they are extremely light weight, lack seating (they're designed to be ridden standing up) and have suspension travel that is short, relative to a motocross or enduro motorcycle.

Characteristics

The event is split into "sections" where a competitor rides through a natural obstacle course while attempting to avoid touching the ground with his feet. In many local observed trials events, the sections are divided into separate courses to accommodate the different skill level of riders, who compete is skill-rated classes.

In every section, the competitor is scored by an observer (hence the sport's name, Observed Trials) who counts how many times the competitor touches the ground with his foot (or any other part of his body). Each time a competitor touches the ground with a foot (commonly called "dabs"), he is penalized one point.

The possible scores in each section consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 5. If a competitor makes his way through the section without touching the ground with his foot, he is given a score of 0 (called "cleaning the section"). If he touches the ground only once, he is given the score of 1. If he touches down twice, he is given the score of 2. If he touches the ground three times or more, he is given the score of 3, as long as he completes the section without stalling the motor, dismounting, going out of bounds or going backward. If the competitor fails to make his way through the section he is given a score of 5 (sometimes colorfully called "a fiasco"). The winner is the competitor with the least points at the end of the event. Some events are also timed with penalty points assessed to late riders.

There is a world indoor and outdoor championship, as well as indoor and outdoor "world cups" (Trials des Nations). British competitor Dougie Lampkin is notable for winning seven world outdoor titles in the 1990s and 2000s. Previous observed trials greats include Britain's Sammy Miller (1960s), Finland's Yrjo Vesterinen (1970s), Spain's Jordi Tarres (1980s and '90s).

In addition to the world championship events, there are other major events, such as the Scottish Six Day trial (SSDT) and the Scott Trial. Also, countries worldwide have national championship series.

Major current manufacturers are Gas Gas, Beta, Sherco, Montesa Honda, and Scorpa. In the past there have been many manufacturers, from countries such as Spain, Japan, Britain and Italy - see List of motorcycle manufacturers.

Classic classes for vintage bikes - typically British (pre-1965 or -1967) exist, as well as a twinshock vintage events for observed trials motorcycles with two rear shock absorbers. In most cases, twinshock motorcycles were manufactured before 1985 and are typically Japanese or Spanish.

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