Skill Levels

Classes

Champ
The Champ class is the premier category for the most experienced trials rider.  Sections are technically challenging and complicated.  They are designed to test the technical skill of the elite competitor utilizing the most advanced techniques.  This level is comparable to the National American Trials Council (NATC) Expert class.  Champ sections may include:

  • Obstacles up to 5-feet high (chest high)
  • Hopping the front or rear of the bike for setup
  • Available footing on both sides of obstacle.

Expert
The Expert class is for those riders who desire to compete in more technically challenging sections while minimizing exposure to unnecessary risk.  Challenges should not require spotters.  Expert riders should be able to handle competition and challenges approaching that typically seen in the NATC Expert Sportsman class.  Expert sections may include: 

• Accurate placement of front wheel, floating turns                                           and full lock radius turns
• Obstacles such as 36” logs square on, 24” diagonal logs
• Positioning or setup requiring hopping is appropriate
• Minimal but reasonable approach to obstacles
• Difficult off cambers turns
• Available footing on both sides of obstacles

Advanced
The Advanced class is for riders who know and can use advanced riding techniques.  Advanced riders should be able to handle competition and challenges approaching that typically seen in the NATC Support class.  Advanced sections may include:

• Obstacles up to 3-feet high (waist high)
• Logs 24” square on, 12” diagonal logs
• Turns that require clutch control
• Full lock turns appropriate on flat, but not on hills or cambers
• Limited setup prior to obstacles (12” between front tire                             and obstacle)
• Gaps less than one bike length
• Off camber turns and downhill turns allow some room for run off
• Available footing on both sides of obstacles

Advanced Sportsman
The Advanced Sportsman class is for riders looking for more challenge than Sportsman and less than Advanced.  The sections consist of the four most difficult Sportsman sections and the four easiest Advanced sections.  Advance Sportsman sections will include:

  • Designation of either “A/S = S” or “A/S = A” on the entry gate to indicate to the rider which line is to ridden for the section

Sportsman
The Sportsman class is for riders who have successfully met the challenges of the Intermediate class and do not wish to face the bigger obstacle challenges of the Advanced class. Sportsman riders should be able to handle competition and challenges approaching that typically seen in the NATC Clubman class.  Sportsman sections may include: 

• Obstacles up to 2-feet high (knee high)
• Sharp turns without clutch assistance
• Obstacles below the need to high center on skid plate
• Recovery time between obstacles

Intermediate
The Intermediate class is for the experienced trials rider who has shown ability well above the Novice class.  There is not an equivalent class in NATC.  Intermediate sections may include: 

• Logs at skid plate height (or slightly higher) square on,                                 and up to 6” diagonal crossing of logs
• Setup prior to obstacles of at least one bike length
• Off camber turns with room for safe dab
• Available footing on both sides of the obstacles

Novice
The Novice class is for the beginning trials rider.  Riders should understand the sport and are developing basic trials skills.  Challenges should allow for generous approach and recovery space.  First time competitors should feel comfortable attempting all sections.  Novice sections may include:

• Logs under skid plate height, square on
• Setup prior to obstacles of at least two bike lengths
• Flat or on camber turns
• Slight turns on mild hill climbs with straight downhills

Women’s Novice
The Women Novice class competes riding the Novice line.

Vintage (Novice, Intermediate, Sportsman)                                          These classes are for riders using air cooled monoshock or twin shock motorcycles with drum brakes.  Divisions for this class include:

  • Novice – Riders compete on the Novice line
  • Intermediate – Riders compete on the Intermediate line
  • Sportsman – Riders compete on the Sportsman line.

Offroad
This class is for riders who want to get the feel of trails using their off road motorcycle, typically riding the Novice line. 

MotoTrials in the SE United States