My First Time Riding -- What Do I Do?
Don't try to jump over a car on day one.

Figure of 8s: Spend hours doing tight turns on flat ground. This teaches you clutch control and balance.
Full Lock Turns: Try to turn the handlebars until they hit the stops while moving slowly.
Static Balance: Try to stand still on the bike with the engine off (or on) without putting a foot down.
Clutch Control: Trials is 80% clutch. Learn to slip the clutch to control speed rather than using the throttle.

What Techniques to Learn First?
Master the basics, and the big obstacles will come naturally later.

The Trackstand: Balancing whilst stationary.
Wheelies: Not for showing off, but for lifting the front wheel over logs or rocks. Learn the "compression" technique (pushing down on the forks and leaning back).
The Double Blip: The fundamental technique for getting over obstacles (one blip of throttle to lift the front, a second to drive the rear wheel over).
Braking: Learning independent front and rear brake control is vital for steep descents.

Competition or Not? What to Know?

Don't be afraid to enter a competition straight away! Trials competitions (Trials) are incredibly welcoming.
The System: You ride a "loop" of "sections". Each time you put a foot down ("dab"), you get a point. The goal is the lowest score.
Classes: There are classes for everyone, from absolute beginners (often called "Sportsman" or "Novice") to experts.
Why Compete? It is the fastest way to learn. Watching other riders and trying specific lines improves your riding much faster than playing around in a field.

Bike Setup and Settings!

A poorly set up bike makes learning twice as hard.
Tyre Pressure: This is critical. Rear tyres run incredibly low pressures—typically 3.5 to 4.5 PSI. The front should be around 6 to 7 PSI. Yes, that low!
Suspension: Set the "sag" for your weight. When you stand on the bike, the suspension should compress evenly. As a beginner, softer suspension is generally better as it is more forgiving.
Chain Tension: Keep it properly tensioned; a loose chain can snap or derail during tricky manoeuvres.

Hydration -- Avoiding Cramps

Trials is deceptively physical. You are constantly doing squats and using your core.
Hydrate Early: Drink water before you ride, not just when you are thirsty.
Electrolytes: Because you sweat heavily in trials gear at low speeds, you lose salts. Use electrolyte tablets in your water to prevent arm and leg cramps.
Eat Smart: Eat bananas or magnesium-rich foods to help muscle function. Keep energy gels or bars in your pocket for long trial loops.

Ready to Start?
Trials is a sport that will teach you bike control skills that stay with you for life. It is challenging, technical, and endlessly fun. Find a local club, grab a helmet, and keep your feet up!

Trial motorcycle ready for a beginner training session

SwissTrialAcademy

Trial Performance Coaching in Switzerland: We offer trial performance coaching for levels starting from Beginner to Expert level rider. Our coaching days are done across Switzerland and we use video coaching to show you directly what you do well and what needs improvement.

Coach: Louis Gys
Active Swiss Elite rider, 20 years old, experience as a junior basketball coach, competition experience in Switzerland, France, Belgium and at European Championships.
Languages spoken: English, French, Dutch, German.

Coach: Tim Gys
Active rider, 50 years old, 35 years of experience, trial coach for Honda Belgium at age 18, former test rider for various magazines, former S1-class rider, riding experience in Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Languages spoken: English, French, Dutch, German.

Our goal is to help you improve your trial riding technique so you can enjoy trial riding at any level.
Our proven approach, refined over more than three decades of riding and coaching experience, will help you make real progress in your sport.
We will run coaching sessions across Switzerland with a maximum of 6 riders per coach. We use video and instant playback so you can see what you're doing well and where you can improve.
Throughout the day, you'll receive individual coaching on a range of riding techniques.
After the training day, you'll get exercises to practise at home so you can keep developing your skills.

Key information:

Coaching days start at 10:00 and finish at 16:00, with a one-hour lunch break.
One coaching day costs CHF 100 (VAT incl)
A package of 6 coaching days costs CHF 500 (VAT incl), progress will be monitored over a period of 6 months.
For Junior riders age from 8 to 18 years the individual coaching day is FREE if they are joined by a paying rider.

My First Time Riding -- What Do I Do? Don't try to jump over a car on day one.

Figure of 8s: Spend hours doing tight turns on flat ground. This teaches you clutch control and balance.

Full Lock Turns: Try to turn the handlebars until they hit the stops while moving slowly.

Static Balance: Try to stand still on the bike with the engine off (or on) without putting a foot down.

Clutch Control: Trials is 80% clutch. Learn to slip the clutch to control speed rather than using the throttle.

What Techniques to Learn First? Master the basics, and the big obstacles will come naturally later.

The Trackstand: Balancing whilst stationary.

Wheelies: Not for showing off, but for lifting the front wheel over logs or rocks. Learn the "compression" technique (pushing down on the forks and leaning back).

The Double Blip: The fundamental technique for getting over obstacles (one blip of throttle to lift the front, a second to drive the rear wheel over).

Braking: Learning independent front and rear brake control is vital for steep descents.

​Competition or Not? What to Know?

Don't be afraid to enter a competition straight away! Trials competitions (Trials) are incredibly welcoming.

The System: You ride a "loop" of "sections". Each time you put a foot down ("dab"), you get a point. The goal is the lowest score.

Classes: There are classes for everyone, from absolute beginners (often called "Sportsman" or "Novice") to experts.

Why Compete? It is the fastest way to learn. Watching other riders and trying specific lines improves your riding much faster than playing around in a field.

Bike Setup and Settings!

A poorly set up bike makes learning twice as hard.

Tyre Pressure: This is critical. Rear tyres run incredibly low pressures—typically 3.5 to 4.5 PSI. The front should be around 6 to 7 PSI. Yes, that low!

Suspension: Set the "sag" for your weight. When you stand on the bike, the suspension should compress evenly. As a beginner, softer suspension is generally better as it is more forgiving.

Chain Tension: Keep it properly tensioned; a loose chain can snap or derail during tricky manoeuvres.

Hydration -- Avoiding Cramps

Trials is deceptively physical. You are constantly doing squats and using your core.

Hydrate Early: Drink water before you ride, not just when you are thirsty.

Electrolytes: Because you sweat heavily in trials gear at low speeds, you lose salts. Use electrolyte tablets in your water to prevent arm and leg cramps.

Eat Smart: Eat bananas or magnesium-rich foods to help muscle function. Keep energy gels or bars in your pocket for long trial loops.

Ready to Start? Trials is a sport that will teach you bike control skills that stay with you for life. It is challenging, technical, and endlessly fun. Find a local club, grab a helmet, and keep your feet up!

SwissTrialAcademy

My First Time Riding -- What Do I Do?
Don't try to jump over a car on day one.

What Techniques to Learn First?
Master the basics, and the big obstacles will come naturally later.

Competition or Not? What to Know?

Ready to Start?
Trials is a sport that will teach you bike control skills that stay with you for life. It is challenging, technical, and endlessly fun. Find a local club, grab a helmet, and keep your feet up!