A motorcycle trial is a non speed event on specialist motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the UK and Spain. The event is split into observed sections where the rider has to ride through a natural obstacle without using their feet. For using feet they gain points. The winner is the person with the least points. Some events are also timed.

There is a world indoor and outdoor championship, as well as indoor and outdoor "world cups" (Trials des Nations). The British rider Dougie Lampkin is notable for winning his 7th world outdoor title. As well as world championship events other major events exist, such as the Scottish Six Day trial (SSDT) and the Scott Trial.

Major current manufacturers are Gas Gas , Beta , Sherco , Montessa (Honda), and Scorpa (Yamaha). In the past there have been many manufacturers especially in Britain and Italy - see List of motorcycle manufacturers.

Classic classes for old bikes - typically British (pre 1965 or 1967) exist, as well as a twinshock (two shock absorbers for rear suspension, as opposed to the modern single, monoshock) class.