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Motorcycle Trail Riding In France

Robert Hughes I have travelled extensively by motorcycle including Morocco, Spain, France and Italy. In 2008 I was runner up in the 575cc, single cylinder class for the Big Bike Challenge and also competed in the Spanish road book event - Alto Turia 2008 My current motorcycles are BMW 1200 Adventure, KTM LC4 625 E and a 1998 Triumph Thunderbird. View my complete profile It all depends on what type of event you wish to do in France, there are two federations that trials are run under. Firstly the FFM which is mostly modern trials with a few Pre 65 and twinshock trials, or UFOLEP which is in fact an association for all amateur sports, with a branch for trials. The later is under which the majority of classic trials run .
The FFM is very strict with lots of rules and regs and UFOLEP is more laid back for example you can ride in your old helmet, without gloves, kill switch in the middle of the bars not by the clutch lever etc etc. With both, you are covered by insurance although with the FFM you bike should be registered and covered with the additional insurance that would come with road use.
I dont know the true cost of club membership and FFM licence , but ball park around Euro 140/150 plus you may or maynot have to sit an exam to prove you know what your doing before they give you a licence. A UFOLEP club and licence is no more than EURO 70 however you need to have a medical for both adding Euro 20 to the cost.
The amount of UFOLEP trials are on the up and many clubs are changing their affliation because of the license cost and the fact there is no difference in insurance cover, much to the distain of the FFM and as you can imagine there is not a good word between them
I ride in Spain from time to time and they are happy to accept my French UFOLEP license but again these are classic events which are usually more laid back.
If this is of interest to you and would like to apply for a UFOLEP license and club you could do no worse than contact Joel Correy at Trail 70 vesoul. He knows the system inside out, and most Brits living and riding in France use his club no matter where they live as its the easiest option to get going.
Hope it all makes sense

Bon soir