If one were to take the precision of a tightrope walker and mix it with the power and technique of a competitive weightlifter and then throw in the showmanship of a sideshow barker, and pack it all onto a throaty two-stroke motorcycle, you would end up with an exciting sport that defies expectation every time you watch it.
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Motorcycle trials riding, often called observed trials or simply trials, is a non-speed motorsport that tests the rider's balance, skill, and concentration. The complex and, oftentimes, bizarre courses these riders take defy gravity and test skill beyond its breaking point. There are also two separate disciplines, indoor and outdoor. Indoor trials are completed inside stadiums or halls with man-made obstacles that run the gamut from concrete pipes and metal bars to stacked pallets and large engineered structures. Outdoor trials are conducted outside and use naturally occurring obstacles like fallen trees, rocks, ravines, canyons, and tree stumps.
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Rules of the game
Objective
To navigate a specialised motorcycle through a marked obstacle course (called a "section") without putting a foot down on the ground, stalling the motor, or going out of bounds.
Competition
It is not a speed race. The winner is the competitor who completes the event with the fewest penalty points.
The Course
Sections are laid out over challenging natural or constructed obstacles, such as boulders, streams, logs, steep hill climbs, and drop-offs.
Scoring (The "Dab")
A penalty point, known as a "dab" or "prod," is given each time the rider touches the ground with their foot or any part of their body.
0 points: "Cleaning the section" (no dabs).
1 point: One dab.
2 points: Two dabs.
3 points: Three or more dabs (as long as the section is completed).
5 points (Maximum Penalty): Failing to complete the section, stalling the motor, dismounting, or going backwards.
The Machine
Trials bikes are highly specialised. They are incredibly lightweight, lack a traditional seat, are designed to be ridden standing up, have very low gear ratios, and feature super-soft, low-pressure tyres for maximum traction and manoeuvrability.
In Closing
Motorcycle trials are often used by competitors in motorcycle disciplines like motocross or enduro to cross-train, as it teaches exceptional throttle control, clutch use, and machine balance.
