Trialzone History

Trialzone was started in 1996 by Don Murray to bring the latest in Trials bikes and Accessories to the Australian market. The idea came after he spent the 1996 season on the World Trials Championship scene as a minder for the Irish rider Rob Crawford and then for the young Finn Joachim Hindren. Observing all the new bikes and trials related clothing and accessories Don thought it would be a good idea to introduce these products down under.

Initially Trialzone imported the first of the new Montesa Cota 315 series bikes before forming a relationship with the fledgling “Scorpa” trials manufacturer in 1997. This relationship with the Scorpa factory continues to grow as the bikes become more popular in Australia, no doubt thanks to winning the 2002 & 2003 Australian Trials Championships.

In 1998 Trialzone formed a new partnership with the revived Bultaco Sherco concern to import their bikes as well, starting with the introduction of the totally new ‘Bultaco Sherco 250’ in 1999. This bike set new standards for light weight, usable power, handling and reliability. Sales doubled in 2000 with the introduction of more engine sizes to the Sherco range.

During this time Trialzone’s range of spare parts, accessories and clothing have grown to include a wide range of Trials specific products for the trials enthusiast. They now carry everything for the trials fan from helmets, boots and gloves to tyres, oils and even the latest trials DVD’s.

Recently, several new items have been added to Trialzone’s range of products. In 2001 Trialzone became the sole distributor for Alpinestar NoStop trials boots. Trialzone also stocks the Yes and NZI range of Trials helmets as well as the Hebo range of trials clothing and helmets. They also sell the ever popular TopFun Trials glove and other TopFun trials products from Spain. To obtain quality motorcycle accessories Trialzone formed partnerships with Michelin and Dunlop for tyres as well as Motorex for their excellent Swiss quality oils.

Dons background in Trials dates back to 1982 when, at fourteen and recently retired from motocross/dirt track racing, he became the proud owner of an Ossa MAR 250. His interest grew rapidly and he soon progressed through a TY250D onto a Fantic 240 then to a series of Yamaha mono-shocks (mixed in with a brief stint on an Italjet 350T). By the age of 17 he had won the first of 3 NSW State Championships before the lure of Europe became too strong to ignore.

After going to the New Zealand Championships in 1989 with the Australian Trials team and getting soundly beaten by a junior by the name of Stefan Merriman, Don decided to head to Europe. With John Rees leading the way and Mark Kitson already in Europe the first ever Australian Trials des Nations(TDN) Team was formed. They warmed up at the Swiss World round then competed in the 1990 Trials des Nations in France. This was before the sections were split into 2 groups and they finished a very proud 13th place. On this trip Don rode the spare factory Fantic of Amos Bilbao and, for the first time, met Gas-Gas factory rider Andreu Codina now Export Manager for Sherco Motorcycles.

Following this introduction to the World Trials scene the bug had bitten and in 1992 it was off again to America and Canada for 2 more World rounds & the Trial des Nations in New York State. Don rode to 22nd place in the Canadian World round then headed down to America for the American world round and the TDN with team mate John Rees.

This was followed by a trip back to Europe in 1994 to contest the Scottish Six Day Trial as well as the British, German & Belgium World rounds. Later that year Don returned to Andorra as Team manager for the Australian Trials team at the Trials des Nations.
In 1995 and 1996 he then rode on the Australian Team at the TDN before returning to the role of manager in 1997, 1998 and 1999. In 2000 Don led a tour group to Europe for trials fans and they took in the World round in Andorra as well as the TDN in Spain and several factory visits. In 2001 Don returned to the TDN as manager/minder for the first Australian Women’s team at the TDN. 2002 saw a return to the Scottish Six Days Trial for another first class finish.

2004 will see some exciting times for Trialzone with the new website up and running as well as the introduction onto the Australian market of the new Sherco fuel injected 450cc Enduro bike. Trialzone will continue its commitment to the Australian trials market and prepare for their expansion into the enduro/offroad market.