do trial bikes have a conventional clutch operated by a lever on the handlebars, or is it a centrifugal clutch? also how many speeds does the transmission have? and as far as the brakes go, where are they located? it just seems like it would be really hard to do the things they do on trial bikes with the same control setup as a normal motorcycle
When I had a Bultaco Sherpa T a hundred years ago, all the controls were in the normal places (although that bike did shift on the right). I'm pretty sure that that still holds true. I used to turn the shift lever up high, so as to avoid hitting it on rocks. That was pretty standard procedure. And their gearing tends to be pretty tight for 1st-3rd, with 4th and 5th used strictly for riding between sections. I miss that thing. It was back in the '70s when everyone had old VW Bugs. I used to ride right over a friend of mine's, no sweat. I can't believe the stuff they can do today. Did you know Roger DeCoster was the Belgian National Trials Champion before he ever set foot on a motocross course (assuming people even know who he was.)?
trials bikes have a hydraulic clutch , located on the handlebars, but only require one finger. ( 'cuz its hydraulic). one of mine is a 5 speed, ones a 6 speed. they have disc brakes front rear. hydraulic also, requiring only one finger on the front. the controls are the same as a conventional dirt bike, (with the exception that the shifter is further forward to prevent accidental shifts) but much more precise. only the 50cc bikes have a centrifugal clutch.
I second the answer given by McGuyver. Hi answer is spot on. Hey irkt, My first car was a 1964 1200 cc Volkswagon Beetle. I remember Bultaco brand of motorcycles along with Montessa and Ossa. I watch a very young kid tearing up the track at Red Bud during a two day riding school. The teacher was Gary Bailey and the kid was David BaiIey. At the time Gary was riding a Bultaco with a side car due to a broken right leg encased in plaster. I met, talked with, and shook hands with the great Roger DeCoster at Red Bud in Red Bud Michigan during one of the National MX races.
