The first motorcycle was designed and built by German inventors. it was essentially a motorised bicycle.

In 1894, the first motorcycle available for purchase. Many bicycle manufacturers adapted their bicycle designs to accommodate the then new internal combustion engines. As engines became more powerful, the designs outgrew the bicycle origins. And the number of motorcycle producers increased. So did the types of motorcycles- street bikes, dirt bikes, choppers bikes, cruisers bikes, naked bikes, sport bikes, touring motorcycle, underbones, motocross bikes, supermotos, trials motorcycles, dual-sports, endure, adventure touring, etc.

Of all the types of motorcycles, trial motorcycle is less known. Trial motorcycles are distinctive in design and build; extremely sleek, short & lightweight, lack seating since they are designed to be ridden standing up and have a short suspension travel in comparison to a motocross or enduro motorcycle. There are no street motorcycles which resemble a trial bike. These are purpose built machines to negotiate extremely tough terrains or obstacle courses. Major manufacturers of trials bikes are Gas, Beta, Sherco, Montesa Honda Bike, and Scorpa.

Like any other type of motorcycling event- MotoGP, Superbikes, Motocross, Endurance Racing, etc., motorcycle trials is also an event. ‘Motorcycle trials’ is a non-speed event held on both natural and man-made obstacle courses. The event can be held both outdoor or indoors. Riders have to ride through the course in a designated route without putting their feet down. The total distance covered can be measured in meters- the focus is on the rider’s ability and bikes agility unlike other motorcycle events in which the focus is on speed and distance.

The possible scores in each section are 0, 1, 2, 3, or 5. The score is zero points if a rider goes through the section without touching the ground with a foot. Score zero is also called “cleaning the section.” The score is one, two or three, when a rider touches the ground once, twice or thrice respectively— as long as the section is completed without stalling the engine, dismounting, going out of bounds or going backward. A rider gets five points for failing to complete the section, sometimes called “a fiasco”. The winner is the competitor with the least points.

Trial bike events are very popular among auto enthusiast in UK and Spain. ‘Trial des Nations’ is a world indoor and outdoor championship event. British rider Dougie Lampkin has won seven world outdoor titles. The current outdoor world champion is Antonio Bou of Spain who is also the current indoor champion.