MOTOTRIAL sport
Also called motorcycle trials, or 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. It is a sport suitable for all ages and riding abilities, from 5 - 75 years and from beginner to professional.
In United States there are many mototrials clubs organizing competitive events and championship series. On a national level, mototrials championships are overseen by NATC (North American Trials Council). On a regional level, events are organized by local clubs and associations.
mototrial in socal
SCTA and our clubs, organize the annual SoCalTrials Championship Series in Southern California. Our Championship has 10 rounds (competitive events), held once a month from September through April, typically on Sundays, with an exception of double-day events (Saturday & Sunday).
Events are held on BLM and private land. Locations being McCain Valley OHV, Lucerne Valley OHV, Keysville OHV, Romoland and Cahuilla.
SCTA (previously called ATA - American Trials Association) organizes mototrials competitive events in SoCal since 1969 and hosts the oldest-running event in North America, the iconic El Trial de España.
Our typical regional event within Championship welcomes 60 - 100 riders. On about total of 200 riders will participate in our Championship Series.
motoTRIAL MOTORCYCLES
Mototrials motorcycles [or ’trials bikes’] are distinctive in that they are extremely lightweight (160 lbs), lack seating (they are designed to be ridden standing up) and have suspension travel that is short, relative to a motocross or enduro motorcycle. Fuel tank is small and riding range is about 20 miles.
Aside of mototrials competitors, trials bikes and practice is often utilized by competitors of other motorcycle sports (such as motocross or street racers) as a way to cross-train, as mototrials teaches great throttle, balance, and machine control.
There are several manufacturers & importers of trials bikes that meet the ever-strict California OHV Regulations:
Beta, Electric Motion, GasGas, Montesa, Oset, Sherco, TRS and Vertigo.
List of local dealers here. Most of them are SCTA Members and trials riders, and you can meet them at any of our events.
HOW TO CHOOSE A TRIALS BIKE
Choice of a machine is strictly subjective. There is no rule-of-thumb. Trials bikes come in 2T and 4T engines, some 2T fuel-injected, there are electric engines too. Some riders stick with one brand for life, others prefer to try range of brands over the years.
The best and easiest way to figure out what brand would suit you the most, is to come out to one of our events or practice sessions and talk to riders. Or join our Facebook Group. Everyone is always more than happy to provide a feedback.
why ride mototrial
Because it’s fun! If you are completely new to riding motorcycle, mototrial is the best place to start. Unlike other moto-sports, mototrial is not a speed sport. Its focus is on technique. The sport is physically and mentally challenging, but it’s not dangerous. Serious injuries are rare in mototrial.
If you are a seasoned rider or a racer, mototrial is a great way to cross-train and improve your riding. And improve it will! Guaranteed.
Best Endurocross riders and racers do come from mototrial background.
Mototrial is a family-friendly sport. Many of our members are spouses, parents ride with kids, or a whole family is riding and competing in our events. Mototrial Community is very friendly and mellow. Lots of riders are life-long friends who met thru the sport. Many riders started with mototrial in their 40’ or 50’, and keep on riding and competing in their 60’ and even 70’!
why compete in mototrial
Because it will motivate you to practice and become a better rider. Because it’s a great way to meet new people, to have a hobby. A great excuse to get out of the house every Sunday morning. A great way to enjoy outdoors, riding and camping. Excellent way to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle while having fun with it.
Mototrial events also have significantly lower entry fees compared to other moto-sports.
mototrial events
Event is an organized mototrial competition. Riders compete in one of the 7 Classes we offer in our Championship Series. Classes are based on technical difficulty only. Meaning riders of both sexes and all ages can compete in any Class and against each other.
Classes: Novice, Sportsman, Intermediate, Clubman, Advanced, Expert and Pro.
Event consist of a loop and sections. Loop is typically a single-track offroad trail featuring varying levels of technical difficulty, and is about 3 - 6 miles long. Section is an obstacle course along the loop. There are 10 sections total. Which you ride in 3 loops.
Sections include gates. Gates are specific to each Class and designate intended line for a rider to complete within each section.
Competitor rides through a section while attempting to avoid touching the ground with the feet. The obstacles in the section may be of natural or constructed elements. In all sections, regardless of content, the designated route is carefully contrived to test the skill of the rider.
mototrial scoring - zero is a hero!
In every section, the competitor is scored by a Checker or 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 “a dab”), the penalty is one point.
The possible scores in each section consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 5. If a competitor makes their way through the section without touching the ground with a foot, they earn a score of 0 (which is called "cleaning the section"). If they touch the ground once, they receive a score of 1. If they touch down twice, they receive a score of 2. If they touch the ground three or more times, they earn a score of 3—as long as they complete the section without stalling the motor, dismounting, going out of bounds, or going backward.
If the competitor fails to complete the section a score of 5 is earned. The winner is the competitor with the fewest points at the end of the event. Some events are also timed with penalty points assessed to late riders.
how to choose a class
If you are completely new to motorcycle riding, choose Novice class. Your sections won’t be difficult, in fact, the most difficult portion of your riding will be accomplished on the loop. If you have some riding experience on any motorcycle, but haven’t spend much time offroad or are not familiar with single-track trail riding, choose Sportsman class. If you have some riding experience, spend time on single-track trails, can confidently jump 2’ log and ride a double-eight in a single-car garage or parking spot, choose Intermediate class. If you have ample riding experience, spend time on single-track trails, can confidently ride or jump 3’ tall obstacle (think a kitchen table) coming from a full-lock turn, choose Clubman class.
Classes Advance, Expert and Pro require high degree of technical skills and it’s not usual for new riders to start in these classes. But if you are bored after your first completed event in Clubman class, by all means step up into a higher class.
so come and join us!
By now you are surely looking for SCTA Championship Series Schedule. And Event Registration.
But before you rush over there, be sure to check out what to expect at our event. It explains in detail what you will need and how the day goes. It will go great btw!