With your low price range you would be looking at an old Twinshock,which is not a bad thing.You will learn more on one of those than a modern trials bike - kinda like going fast on a gixathou.....anyone can do it,but it doesn't mean you are a fast rider.To ride the same lines on an old bike will require a higher skill level than on a modern.
If you are quick you may be able to get a cheap early monoshock,they are in no mans land between Twinshocks and Moderns,and so are not really in demand.But there is now a new class called Aircooled,which will bring back some of those early monoshocks - a mono drum braked TY250 would be a good one,you couldn't give them away a few years ago.
A trials bike that has been used for trials will look pretty beat up,but will be well maintained - you should be able to distinguish between a rough bike where everything is seized and broken off,and one with a dinged tank,ripped seat....but everything works perfectly.Rear shocks are the most important thing to look at,if they are stuffed,you will double your investment.They will be soft - you can nearly (but not quite) bottom them out by just pushing down on the seat....they will rebound with control,not just bounce straight up.Real trials tyres are important - someone who doesn't use it for trials will put anything on.You want the real thing,good tread,soft sidewalls and soft tread.You should be able to twist those knobs nearly 90 degrees with your fingers.
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