OSET
As we are writing this, we are entering into our fourth week of lockdown with a further three looming in front of us; not an ideal situation — or is it? All of you reading this will have heard enough bad news day in and day out for months now. So why not some good strong positive news to lift the day and, most importantly, the morale? Riding is on the back-burner for the majority of the two- and three-wheeled trials community. Unless you live on spacious open land where there are no neighbours to complain, then you are stuck ‘spanning’ your machine in the garage instead of riding. However, this isn’t the case for OSET or other electric-powered machine owners.
No drama, no noise, no smells and no need for larger spaces have allowed riders to use this time as an opportunity to embrace our sport. Riders all over the world have cottoned on to this, and the OSET phones have been lighting up for technical help for people pulling OSETs out of garages and garden sheds, while our dealers have been reporting great machine sales.
10,000 HOURS
As Malcolm Gladwell said: “It takes 10,000 hours to become a world-class expert at any given activity that you set your heart on”. The fact is that’s 20 hours a week for ten years. With seemingly endless hours to spare at home, more and more children and adults alike are using the time to improve their riding techniques. These riders come from a wide range of disciplines but are all using motorcycle trials to take them a step further forward. When we are young, we absorb information like a sponge; it’s a fact. Elliot Smith, my younger brother, who is the youngest of the Smith family at ten years old, is an example of this hypothesis. Elliot lives life on the limit for the majority of the time, and has an obsession with a load of different sports and flits between them at a significant rate of knots. Football, Tennis, Skateboarding, Mountain Biking, Cycle Trials and more. Without fail, he
becomes proficient in each of them and can hold his own against more experienced people. His one consistent sport has always been trials, and this has always been his number one sport. But his learning process with trials of try, fail and try again is perfect for the life-model of any person when you look at it. Trials is all about overcoming challenges with every ride. Toni Bou challenges himself with every ride and fails regularly; it’s life, but this is what makes him such a great rider and a 27-time FIM World Champion.
FOCUSED PRACTICE
For Elliot, his ‘natural’ skill in every sports discipline he tries is not natural at all. It is from focussed practice. He can absorb, study, process and then execute information that is given to him. In reality, it’s a natural function of the human body to learn. For some, this process is straightforward to follow and, for others, it may take a little longer to understand; remember not everyone learns as quickly as each other. It is normal life. Some are better at certain things than others, but once again, it’s a natural function of the human body. It’s after this process that many athletes choose a discipline they know they can excel in and start to practice more intensely. It’s the same with motorcycle trials for Elliot. His riding has blossomed over the last few weeks, which can all be connected back to the time he has spent learning in the back garden.
At OSET, we continuously receive videos of other people riding, and it is apparent to see the improvements in their riding abilities as time progresses. In comparison to the pollutant petrol counterparts, electric motorcycles are exhibiting benefits for a greener, cleaner world we are striving. As we continue in these unprecedented times, we encourage all trials riders to make the most of the time we have.
TRAINING VIDEOS
To help as much as we can, here at OSET we have released training videos featuring myself and Elliot which are guides to the core techniques that you need to understand to progress in the world of motorcycle trials. These core techniques can also be transferred across to all forms of motorcycle riding, not just trials. They can teach you a fundamental understanding of motorcycle control and also the safety and awareness needed for riding a motorcycle. All of these core techniques can be carried out in the confines of the garden, with some even possible indoors if you have ample space.
Following on from watching these videos, riders will be on the route to understanding proper techniques such as body positioning and control. Watching videos on YouTube is a great way to grasp different ways of riding as well. Pat Smage, who is an OSET rider and an 11-time USA National Trials Champion, also has a comprehensive guide to many of these techniques. These can be found on the RYP, Ryan Young Products YouTube page.
YOUTH FOUNDATION
OSETs have been the foundation to the development of a group of the best youth riders the UK it has seen in the past few years. It can be endorsed by the fact that the parents find it so much easier for them to learn and practice on the machine. If you remember some of the words we opened this article with: no drama, no noise, no smells and no need for larger spaces to ride.
The ability to practice anytime has seen the likes of the Hemingway brothers, Harry Turner, Jack Dance, and so many more rise to the top of the Youth European and FIM World events in recent years. The talent that these riders have is showing through at a younger age than ever before, and we are sure that they will be at the very top of the world rankings within the next few years; mark my words, they have an unlimited amount of talent.
In the UK, contrary to predictions, OSET is thriving. People have seen that they can improve their skills and most importantly keep the children entertained, and are buying the
OSETs as fast as we can produce them! As I am sure you are aware, we have an electric range to suit riders of all ages and abilities. With an electric motor, the power can be easily adjusted for the learner right through to the rider who wants to be more ambitious and attempt more challenging hazards.
THE FUTURE
Speaking to numerous dealers, we have found that sales of OSETs have been rising at an incredible rate during these difficult times. The same can be said of parts, as people are getting more use out of their machines than before, and it will be interesting to see where this all leads.
Electric motorcycles certainly make more sense when being forced to ride around the house! Of course, we’re all itching for the day we can travel across the country again and ride trials events. But maybe by that time a lot more younger riders will have gained enough experience in the back garden to go on to have fantastic lives in the sport we all love!