UPDATE: MAIN BEARING FAILURES 2018, 2019 & 2020 BETA TWO STROKES Unfortunately there been main bearing failures in late model Beta two strokes... Beta USA estimates about a 5% failure rate. Unfortunately there have been cases of multiple failures - in one case three times even when fixed by Beta mechanics, evidently as it has been hard to find the exact cause. Beta head office has agreed to fix these cases up to 90 hours, after that it is a case-by-case basis and they may only supply parts. Google 'Beta main bearing failures' for more information. 2019 AND 2020 BETA KNOWN ISSUES? Many have asked me for an updated list of known issues on 2019 and 2020 Betas. I just rang a Beta mechanic and he said there are three main issues for two strokes. One, the main bearing failures continue but at a lower rate thankfully. Two, the speedos are failing quite a bit. Often they keep resetting, this can be fixed by securing the input wires more firmly. But the speedos have other issues and dealers stock up on these to replace faulty units under warranty. Electrics can be dodgy and sometimes the whole wiring loom is replaced under warranty as it can be difficult to see where the problems are. Three, may sure you oil injection supply tube isn't kinked! A few guys have discovered this just in time to prevent seizing. Four, go over your new bike and check for bolts that are too tight, too loose, or missing. It seems this problem still hasn't gone away. Four, charging problems on the four strokes and electrical issues. Thee big one is bikes not charging the battery and it keeps running flat. Again, sometimes whole wiring looms are being replaced under warranty. Also there can be lots of niggling issues - read this story about one guy's Beta RR480: "My Beta 480 was a problem child. Battery went (again) third time out, replaced. Next time out it stopped dead after about an hour, after over a month in the shop the fault was traced to a loose bullet connector in guts of the loom. New harness ordered, weeks rolled by, fixed. A few more rides without issue, then I noticed oil dripping from both the transmission and engine cases. My 'local' dealer had now shut up shop, which meant over an hours drive. That was a biggie. Those leaks were the result, so I was told of a crook batch of gaskets. This required complete disassembly of the motor (cases split) to remedy, plus another month and then some off the road. Beta covered the labor for the job, but not the consumables, so I still copped a $100 bill for that. All this on an engine not even 12 hours old. In both cases Beta seemed reluctant, at best to make things right, and I got the impression the dealers were trying to get blood from a stone. I dunno, maby the thing will run for another 500 hours without missing a beat, maby not. I can live with boutique brands and limited dealer coverage, but not a company who doge their responsibility to customers, then acts like they're doing you a favor to honor a warranty claim".
I like how you do videos but not only for the technical side but also for the pratical side of the enduro! You truly are the best Enduro channel for amateur like me ! Please keep it up ! :)
+Anthony Harivel thanks anthony, it seems to work somehow. lots of silliness (which i like) but some practical info which we usually try to confirm with better riders before putting it out there. :)
Many have asked me what the known issues are on 2019 and 2020 Betas. I just rang a Beta mechanic and he said there are three main issues for two strokes. One, the main bearing failures continue but at a lower rate thankfully. Two, the speedos are failing quite a bit. Often they keep resetting, this can be fixed by securing the input wires more firmly. But the speedos have other issues and dealers stock up on these to replace faulty units under warranty. Electrics can be dodgy and sometimes the whole wiring loom is replaced under warranty as it can be difficult to see where the problems are. The four strokes? Mainly electrical issues, the big one is bikes not charging the battery and it keeps running flat. Again, sometimes whole wiring looms are being replaced under warranty. Also there can be lots of niggling issues - read this story about one guy's Beta RR480: "My Beta 480 was a problem child. Battery went (again) third time out, replaced. Next time out it stopped dead after about an hour, after over a month in the shop the fault was traced to a loose bullet connector in guts of the loom. New harness ordered, weeks rolled by, fixed. A few more rides without issue, then I noticed oil dripping from both the transmission and engine cases. My 'local' dealer had now shut up shop, which meant over an hours drive. That was a biggie. Those leaks were the result, so I was told of a crook batch of gaskets. This required complete disassembly of the motor (cases split) to remedy, plus another month and then some off the road. Beta covered the labor for the job, but not the consumables, so I still copped a $100 bill for that. All this on an engine not even 12 hours old. In both cases Beta seemed reluctant, at best to make things right, and I got the impression the dealers were trying to get blood from a stone. I dunno, maby the thing will run for another 500 hours without missing a beat, maby not. I can live with boutique brands and limited dealer coverage, but not a company who doge their responsibility to customers, then acts like they're doing you a favor to honor a warranty claim".
I was on my 2018 beta 250rr today man it is so much fun going slow and fast ! it just so easy to ride best bike I ever owned . My son was on his drz 70 and man he is doing well at 6yrs old .
Hey, I have a tip for the mud flap issue! :) I heated it up slightly with a butane torch, put a bit of a bend in it (much like a baseball cap peak) then let it cool. it's holding shape and not rubbing on the swingarm.
+Connor Stiles i thought the same thing but no one batted an eyelid, those farming dudes get very excited about the size and quality of their nuts, pumpkins and other vegetables so they must figure filming them is a natural thing to do... :)
Today came my day. 2016 Used 300rr with only 30 hours on the odometer! It has come 3000€ under price of new and it has few costly things installed already(radiator guards, all possible guards to be exact and front and rear moose) :) Cant wait to put hours on it!
I'm traveling Europe at the moment as it means getting out of shook rather than work once I get older😂 I'm in Florence now and convinced my dad to take me to the Beta factory. I had a grand plan to see all the Betas and maby even see them getting made. That plan was shattered when the Beta Babe at the front desk told me you had to make an appointment and that would be impossible u till next month😢😢😢😰 So, all I ended up seeing was a few old beta race bikes😖😖😖 on stands out front😪
I have no intention of owning a Beta or a KTM. Japanese bikes and parts are easier get and cheaper where I am. I plan to get a Yamaha WR250R next year. I still watched the entire vid. lol Though you speak of the Beta, some of your fixes can be used in other brands as well. Another excellent production.
+Wesley Romeo thanks wes, sometimes parts availability and price are the main factors and generally i think all of today's bikes are so good there isn't much in it.... plus rider skill is way more important that the actual bike you are on. :)
Plus in the toolkit space the plastic kept getting out of place and going inside instead of out so my dad put some plastic body screw things so that when you tighten it it expands and it won't come loose
+Christian 777 i found the toolkit still moved just enough to wear through its case and also it got very dirty in there. now i store a tow rope there and put the toolkit in my bumbag.
I don't get it. Which breather hoses should be routed in the airbox. The ones that come form the carb horizontally (like in this video), or the others that goes up (exiting vertically from the carb), as I saw it on your other video ? Thanks
spent a couple of off evenings applying liquid electrical tape on all wire connectors where water can get in behind. there was a lot to find and to water proof.when finished, i was glad to have spent the extra time to do it right. too bad its not done at factory, cause it sure seems obvious when doing it yourself!
I just got done with a 2500 mile road trip on my KLR with a significant amount of offroading. My bike was literally zip tied together by the end of the trip.
No Clake anymore? Noticed in your older vids that you had one on the pumpkin you used to ride - any particular reason you didn't transfer it across to the new steed?
+Scott Owens as per quite a few comments the past six months, couldn't bleed the system properly. the clake guys visited and tried to fit my clake two but then it wouldn't fit with the flexx bars. :( i fitted a clake one instead. thinking of swapping bars so i can fit the clake two.
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES Oh - I forgot about the Flex Bars, and didn't even think about fitting problems with em. Hopefully my Clake One clutch will arrive this week (finger crossed as I ordered it a month ago) as well as my new Mid West light brake lever.
Spoke to lovely man from 01 Moto about the 300 xtrainer. Made with short Italians in mind rather than lofty Austrians, should be a much nicer fit for my 5'8" frame than the KTM. Cant wait to hacksaw the break pedal.
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES Get ya hat in the ring. There was a hold up with shipping, but they're coming. He's even getting a demo model for people to ruin. Thats service for you. I can think of a few major players who don't go to that trouble. Arseholes.
In the US 2 strokes can't be street legal as they don't pass the emissions test so my dad took off the stock beta kill switch with the turn signals and all that and just got one simple kill switch button
CROSS TRAINING ENDURO SKILLS awesome. I just returned from Duffy Lake outside of Kamloops riding some of the tightest step single track on the FE501 thumper and it's time to expand the fleet to a more nimble, flickable playful bike.
Locals with oil injected Betas report too early top end jobs and have started to use premix along with the oil injection; 40:1 has given plug fouling, perhaps 50:1 or more will be best.
any details on when they are doing their top ends, pberguy? googled around and couldn't find anyone mentioning this as an issue, even on the beta forum. are they racing, or just pottering around?
A ride buddy with a new 2016 Beta Xtrainer decided to premix his fuel based on a club Beta rider who complained of oil related wear; however, my follow up inquiry has found that rider’s Beta is NOT oil injected (300RR). His complaint was that running premix (Maxima Super M) at the Beta recommended 60:1 resulted in the rings worn out at 78 hours (some piston wear but cylinder good). I think the Xtrainer guy thought all Betas were oil injected, hence his error. My advice to Xtrainer guy is to reduce pre-mix to 100:1 or eliminate it altogether. Sorry to have injected third hand information into your excellent website, I should only comment on things I know firsthand.
Per above, the 300RR reply was top end at 78 hours; mainly hare scrambles and enduro use. We have mostly tight trail hereabouts so not a lot of sustained high speeds.
Hi mate! Are you gumbies going to have the new GasGas EC or XC 250/300 available over there soon? Would like to know how would they behave against Betas, YZ, Huskys and KTMs. Cheers! =)
no idea. they will probably be good. there are no bad bikes coming out of europe, that's for sure. and riding skill is way more important than the bike you choose. :)
"Float level 6 mm from the body to the float with the tang resting" - does it mean I hold the carb vertically, slowly raising the floats into the carb and when the float valve stops moving (yet the sping on the pin yet doesnt start to compress), I should measure 6mm depth from the edge of the carb to the lowest edge of the float? If that is so, I should extend it to 7,5 to 8 mm? Can I go even lower than that and what are the pros and cons? Many thanks in advance for kind advice;)! PS: I made myself a measuring tool out of LEGO, as wall thickness of "1 by x" LEGO brick is precisely 7,8mm;). Work for LEGO so thats why;)
+michail1963 lol i can't even remember now michail! it might be best to use the betarider forum, there are probably photos up by now, or you could post your own and get advice from the crowd there. GMP is the owner of the forum and knows everything about these bikes. good work on the lego. everything is awesome... :)
How about Beta aftermarket parts? I was damn near sold on the Beta coolaid until I took a look around at some of the most popular motorcycle gear / parts websites here in the US and found that hardly any of them had any aftermarket or even OEM parts for Beta's...a little concerning. Can't seem to find aftermarket bars, grips, plastics etc. Will I need to be ordering them from over seas?
+Enduro MF there's plenty of stuff around here in australia, and there should be in the usa too. beta gets around the 'lack of stock in general shops' issue by having heaps of stuff ready to order through their websites, including aftermarket stuff... just have a look through there. they make a point of shipping quickly too as a rule...
+Enduro MF Check out Stillwell Performance. Alan is a very knowledgeable, and does after-market for KTM, Husky of course and Beta. I think there out of Arizona...check out his site.
hello, I bought the same bike as yours and I'm looking for the solution to a problem I noticed. In the maintenance manual it says that when you start the bike you should see turned on the mixer oil light on the bottom left of the odometer for 10 seconds as a "check". To me this light does not come on. I have read that not all models do. My bike is like yours, so I would like to know if this warning/check light comes on for you. I hope you answer. thank you
Damn, I never even knew about that. The Beta speedos are very well known for their dodgy electrics and dealers often have a bagful of them to hand out to guys for warranty claims.
@@crosstrainingenduro I apologize for my trivial mistake. I've been looking for a solution all day and only now realized that the odometer was showing a low battery. Naively I thought that when I turned on the bike the lights still worked. I changed the odometer battery and the problem is solved, now the control light appears for about 3 seconds (not 10 as indicated in the maintenance manual). I hope I can be of help to others who have had this problem as well. Thanks anyway for your reply.
found out from local beta mechanic that the 2 hoses that loop over top of carb are the 2 that need rerouted or better yet, add a "T" and run another vent line up under tank.
+john kilner that's a very interesting question john, and several hundred people have emailed me about similar issues with attaching their pigeons to their bikes. i'll do the research, test the various techniques, then upload a 10 part video series.
I fouled 2 plugs . I wondering if it is because I have not really had a chance to run the shit out of it . just little rides. the plugs have been really dark . 2018 beta 250rr
none of us rev our bikes at all shawn, and often plug away just above idle in snotty terrain for a few hours... never a fouled plug. i'd suspect jetting or more unlikely, the oil injection playing up. if the system breaks down it defaults to 15:1 so you can't sieze the bike even in a flat out race.
How high can you go with bar risers on the 300 without issues. 6'5" here. Beta parts 20/30 mm or rox. Want to get some parts together for my bike. It's one of the only things that I'll need aside from the usual guards/protection. Thanks.
+klxklr i just managed to fit the rox pivoting two inch risers with a bit of jiggling around with the hydraulic line so smaller risers should be okay. mind you, i have my bars fairly forward which probably gives me a tad more leeway. i'm not using the risers now as i went for the flexx bars which naturally sit higher.
Hey man, I bought a 2016 and just did my run in ride. I'm super stoked! :) However, I do find a significant richness burble off the bottom. Did you encounter that? I suspect it's the needle? What clip position are you running on the NECJ? Do you think that leaning out the pilot jet would perhaps work? Cheers in advance.
Yeah, I looked and found the info I was looking for AFTER I had asked :) 3rd Position I believe? Your channel is my first port of call for most things motorbike related cause watching your vids is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more fun than floundering through forums. Maybe add it to the 'watcher's extra tips section' at the end of the vid? Cheers!
Not sure how to add to the info in this vid, but I've found that fuel will VERY quickly breakdown the paint on the frame. I would suggest that owners be very careful and cover any painted surfaces when refueling or working on the carb.
in 1 week im buying my first enduro bike. i have found a beta 390rr 2019 model and a sherco 300 sef 2019 model at the same money. im 190cm and dont fit well in either of them but im pretty sure i ll fix it somehow. what is your personal subjective opinion? which one to choose? No need to explain!
main difference to me is the engine stroke. Long stroke engine in the Beta makes for a more gentle linear power which I loved. The Sherco is more of a screamer. We have reviewed both.
i had a Beta RR250, and i found that the rear axle bolt was extremely easy to strip! Not sure if anyone else has experienced this? really the only gripe i had about the beta, apart from maybe the motorcrossy feel to the power (and id screwed in the power curve screw down to mellow as i was a reasonably new rider and unfit)
are you using the torque chart for the rear axle bolt? many say beta's specs have way too much force applied. re: the motocross power, that sounds completely unlike the RR250 and i wonder if a previous owner modified it in some way? just had two whole days riding on one and loved how smooth and flat the power curve was on it, especially compared to my old KTM 250EXC....
nah, im not, wouldnt have any idea how to use it :') yeah, i just found that it wasnt to confidence inspiring, but id ride my mates Fantic 300 and i could attack with a lot more confidence. it was a 2013 model, brand new. power felt very snappy.
strange. everyone single person i've spoken to about their experience of the beta smokers is the smoothness of the power delivery... maybe the fantic is just even smoother?
just got myself a new 300rr 2017 and the fuel injection system is pushing to much oil, anyone had this problem? i mean 230 ml of oil went down after riding a half tank of fuel
some helpful tips mate, 2016 beta also leaks 2stroke out of the top power valve cover, I've been told that it only happens on the run in tank because they add 100to 1 to the fuel and also injection at the same time, I think someone is pulling my leg, it's Sunday morning atm, we went to urbanville in North West nsw yesterday, great place with all the fire breaks and steep hills and plenty of mud, your right about the beta making you a better rider,seams effortlessly, great bike happy as, time for wash up and inspect oil leak, mother f@@@@@@@@
+mad benny yeah i've seen threads about that issue but didn't pay much attention as i never hit that problem. such a sweet bike to ride hey? one by one the kato guys have been jumping on the beta and most of them are now mumbling about turning italian next time they upgrade.
So... Will these mods & tips translate into German? As spoken in the Ostermark? LOL!! That's kind of funny to see the rubber & zip-tie mods... I thought I invented that! In the late 90's I had a KX250 that VIBRATED a little bit (lots). I used sliced up old tubes & zip ties to protect every single loose vibrating part! I even have a few protecting the pumpkin princess. And routing the vent tubes up and away from bodies of water? I've got a patent for that (ok, I don't but I should). Started doing that to the KX's back in the mid-90's. There was a kit someone offered back then that routed the carb & tranny vent tubes to a plastic manifold that vented into the airbox. My cheap answer was to route up under the gas tank. So your version is a little different (enough to avoid infringement!). Another excellent video Mr. Morris. Greatly enjoy watching even if it doesn't apply to me. Although the '16 430 & 480 RS's (North American "dual sport" models, like the EXC's here...) are fuel injected. Shed a few pounds and figure the suspension out and I may have to open a Beta dealership here! LOL!! (Or go to Seattle and pick one up.) Then we can talk tips. Do you think the JD jetting would help a fuel injected four stroke?
+gncc1race translated into german, ja natuurlijk! although i'm not sure how to translate zip tie, no doubt there's a big word like zippengestrappenmitplastikenstrippenundratshitmekanismheidt. haven't read up on beta 4T carby issues so couldn't comment, on the quiet i'd have to say not overly impressed with the JD kit for the RR300 so far but possibly i'm doing something wrong, liaising with them at the mo...
LOL!!! Yeah, you're probably right! It reads like the pumpkin's manual! Actually the carbureted Beta 4T's have a stellar reputation, without any issues I know of. The entire '16 RR/RS 4T range is now fuel injected, as was the '15 350RR. The bike mag's loved the fuel injection, Beta got it right. I was just making a lame joke... JD jetting kit on fuel injection? Again, I'm the only one laughing... I get that a lot. LOL!!
doh, shows how much i know about the four stroke range! i keep hearing good things about the thumpers but apparently everyone wants the smokers nowadays. wouldn't mind getting a ride on the four stroke just to see what all the raving is about.
Husqvarna are still better but if I could not get the husqvarna I would definitely get the beta for sure. Keep the great videos going mate. What do you think about husqvarna dirt bikes mate??
it seems to be good when it's all working well, but there seem to be a lot of teething problems too. hopefully it will become super reliable next year...
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES there was no possible better reply to my comment. Thanks for the videos, they are really enjoyable. Greetings from argentina!!
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES Just wanted to add that Yamaha now has the YZ250X two stroke here in the US. It is a catch up to the BETA /KTM Enduro/HS scene. And also thank you for helping me spend more money. Cheers....
UPDATE: MAIN BEARING FAILURES 2018, 2019 & 2020 BETA TWO STROKES
Unfortunately there been main bearing failures in late model Beta two strokes... Beta USA estimates about a 5% failure rate. Unfortunately there have been cases of multiple failures - in one case three times even when fixed by Beta mechanics, evidently as it has been hard to find the exact cause. Beta head office has agreed to fix these cases up to 90 hours, after that it is a case-by-case basis and they may only supply parts. Google 'Beta main bearing failures' for more information.
2019 AND 2020 BETA KNOWN ISSUES?
Many have asked me for an updated list of known issues on 2019 and 2020 Betas. I just rang a Beta mechanic and he said there are three main issues for two strokes.
One, the main bearing failures continue but at a lower rate thankfully.
Two, the speedos are failing quite a bit. Often they keep resetting, this can be fixed by securing the input wires more firmly. But the speedos have other issues and dealers stock up on these to replace faulty units under warranty. Electrics can be dodgy and sometimes the whole wiring loom is replaced under warranty as it can be difficult to see where the problems are.
Three, may sure you oil injection supply tube isn't kinked! A few guys have discovered this just in time to prevent seizing.
Four, go over your new bike and check for bolts that are too tight, too loose, or missing. It seems this problem still hasn't gone away.
Four, charging problems on the four strokes and electrical issues. Thee big one is bikes not charging the battery and it keeps running flat. Again, sometimes whole wiring looms are being replaced under warranty. Also there can be lots of niggling issues - read this story about one guy's Beta RR480:
"My Beta 480 was a problem child. Battery went (again) third time out, replaced. Next time out it stopped dead after about an hour, after over a month in the shop the fault was traced to a loose bullet connector in guts of the loom. New harness ordered, weeks rolled by, fixed. A few more rides without issue, then I noticed oil dripping from both the transmission and engine cases. My 'local' dealer had now shut up shop, which meant over an hours drive. That was a biggie. Those leaks were the result, so I was told of a crook batch of gaskets. This required complete disassembly of the motor (cases split) to remedy, plus another month and then some off the road. Beta covered the labor for the job, but not the consumables, so I still copped a $100 bill for that. All this on an engine not even 12 hours old.
In both cases Beta seemed reluctant, at best to make things right, and I got the impression the dealers were trying to get blood from a stone. I dunno, maby the thing will run for another 500 hours without missing a beat, maby not. I can live with boutique brands and limited dealer coverage, but not a company who doge their responsibility to customers, then acts like they're doing you a favor to honor a warranty claim".
I like how you do videos but not only for the technical side but also for the pratical side of the enduro! You truly are the best Enduro channel for amateur like me ! Please keep it up ! :)
+Anthony Harivel thanks anthony, it seems to work somehow. lots of silliness (which i like) but some practical info which we usually try to confirm with better riders before putting it out there. :)
Many have asked me what the known issues are on 2019 and 2020 Betas. I just rang a Beta mechanic and he said there are three main issues for two strokes. One, the main bearing failures continue but at a lower rate thankfully. Two, the speedos are failing quite a bit. Often they keep resetting, this can be fixed by securing the input wires more firmly. But the speedos have other issues and dealers stock up on these to replace faulty units under warranty. Electrics can be dodgy and sometimes the whole wiring loom is replaced under warranty as it can be difficult to see where the problems are. The four strokes? Mainly electrical issues, the big one is bikes not charging the battery and it keeps running flat. Again, sometimes whole wiring looms are being replaced under warranty. Also there can be lots of niggling issues - read this story about one guy's Beta RR480:
"My Beta 480 was a problem child. Battery went (again) third time out, replaced. Next time out it stopped dead after about an hour, after over a month in the shop the fault was traced to a loose bullet connector in guts of the loom. New harness ordered, weeks rolled by, fixed. A few more rides without issue, then I noticed oil dripping from both the transmission and engine cases. My 'local' dealer had now shut up shop, which meant over an hours drive. That was a biggie. Those leaks were the result, so I was told of a crook batch of gaskets. This required complete disassembly of the motor (cases split) to remedy, plus another month and then some off the road. Beta covered the labor for the job, but not the consumables, so I still copped a $100 bill for that. All this on an engine not even 12 hours old.
In both cases Beta seemed reluctant, at best to make things right, and I got the impression the dealers were trying to get blood from a stone. I dunno, maby the thing will run for another 500 hours without missing a beat, maby not. I can live with boutique brands and limited dealer coverage, but not a company who doge their responsibility to customers, then acts like they're doing you a favor to honor a warranty claim".
This is an absolute godsend sir!! the flexing rear mudguard is also a genius idea!
+Rhys Moreton most gracious of you to say so, old bean!
I was on my 2018 beta 250rr today man it is so much fun going slow and fast ! it just so easy to ride best bike I ever owned . My son was on his drz 70 and man he is doing well at 6yrs old .
Hey, I have a tip for the mud flap issue! :) I heated it up slightly with a butane torch, put a bit of a bend in it (much like a baseball cap peak) then let it cool. it's holding shape and not rubbing on the swingarm.
+Merlin Maertz thanks merlin, great tip! i've added it into the vid.
Great! Thanks! :) Good to know I'm balancing out the stupid questions somewhat.... :P
patiently waiting for 2016 beta300 race edition!! i bought one of the midwest clutch levers for my 05 te 510 i cant wait to try it out!
Haha wonder what the people though of you when you filmed the pumpkins😂😂 great vid as always
+Connor Stiles i thought the same thing but no one batted an eyelid, those farming dudes get very excited about the size and quality of their nuts, pumpkins and other vegetables so they must figure filming them is a natural thing to do... :)
Today came my day. 2016 Used 300rr with only 30 hours on the odometer! It has come 3000€ under price of new and it has few costly things installed already(radiator guards, all possible guards to be exact and front and rear moose) :) Cant wait to put hours on it!
sounds like a bargain, blaz!
I'm traveling Europe at the moment as it means getting out of shook rather than work once I get older😂 I'm in Florence now and convinced my dad to take me to the Beta factory. I had a grand plan to see all the Betas and maby even see them getting made. That plan was shattered when the Beta Babe at the front desk told me you had to make an appointment and that would be impossible u till next month😢😢😢😰 So, all I ended up seeing was a few old beta race bikes😖😖😖 on stands out front😪
Hey mate, vid review I'd really like to see: "How to properly and safetly clean your dirtbike"
Reminds me a lot of the Ducati gripes long ago. All of which help Beta for consecutive model refinements.
I have no intention of owning a Beta or a KTM. Japanese bikes and parts are easier get and cheaper where I am. I plan to get a Yamaha WR250R next year. I still watched the entire vid. lol Though you speak of the Beta, some of your fixes can be used in other brands as well. Another excellent production.
+Wesley Romeo thanks wes, sometimes parts availability and price are the main factors and generally i think all of today's bikes are so good there isn't much in it.... plus rider skill is way more important that the actual bike you are on. :)
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES I agree.
Plus in the toolkit space the plastic kept getting out of place and going inside instead of out so my dad put some plastic body screw things so that when you tighten it it expands and it won't come loose
+Christian 777 i found the toolkit still moved just enough to wear through its case and also it got very dirty in there. now i store a tow rope there and put the toolkit in my bumbag.
I don't get it. Which breather hoses should be routed in the airbox. The ones that come form the carb horizontally (like in this video), or the others that goes up (exiting vertically from the carb), as I saw it on your other video ? Thanks
which engine and pipe protector is that by 1:25 and where can i buy that?
+TobiasWR125 it's a P3 carbon pipe guard, the combined bashplate/pipe guard is from force accessories, i went through their websites.
spent a couple of off evenings applying liquid electrical tape on all wire connectors where water can get in behind. there was a lot to find and to water proof.when finished, i was glad to have spent the extra time to do it right. too bad its not done at factory, cause it sure seems obvious when doing it yourself!
+Todd McGivern good one todd, i'll add that at the end of the vid.
I just got done with a 2500 mile road trip on my KLR with a significant amount of offroading. My bike was literally zip tied together by the end of the trip.
No Clake anymore? Noticed in your older vids that you had one on the pumpkin you used to ride - any particular reason you didn't transfer it across to the new steed?
+Scott Owens as per quite a few comments the past six months, couldn't bleed the system properly. the clake guys visited and tried to fit my clake two but then it wouldn't fit with the flexx bars. :( i fitted a clake one instead. thinking of swapping bars so i can fit the clake two.
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES Oh - I forgot about the Flex Bars, and didn't even think about fitting problems with em. Hopefully my Clake One clutch will arrive this week (finger crossed as I ordered it a month ago) as well as my new Mid West light brake lever.
Spoke to lovely man from 01 Moto about the 300 xtrainer. Made with short Italians in mind rather than lofty Austrians, should be a much nicer fit for my 5'8" frame than the KTM. Cant wait to hacksaw the break pedal.
+9fifty5 i'm keen to see if i can fit on one too but they are only just starting to trickle into australia now.
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES
Get ya hat in the ring. There was a hold up with shipping, but they're coming.
He's even getting a demo model for people to ruin.
Thats service for you.
I can think of a few major players who don't go to that trouble. Arseholes.
Thanks for the great video. My brother has a Beta. I will forward the tips
Do you have a video on how to adjust the carb float height?
+Spencer Secord no, but the betarider forum will probably have something
Nice vid! Thanks for posting up!.. pretty good.. and not much more I can think of as far as mods..
at 0.58 when he opens the seat there's like a right angled electric plug what is it and what it connected to does any one no
Great tips mate.
In the US 2 strokes can't be street legal as they don't pass the emissions test so my dad took off the stock beta kill switch with the turn signals and all that and just got one simple kill switch button
Fantastic review. I just saw a review on Betas 2019 200 RR. Very interesting choice possibly for single track over the x xtrainer.
hope to ride one this summer and report back (canadian summer that is)
CROSS TRAINING ENDURO SKILLS awesome. I just returned from Duffy Lake outside of Kamloops riding some of the tightest step single track on the FE501 thumper and it's time to expand the fleet to a more nimble, flickable playful bike.
Locals with oil injected Betas report too early top end jobs and have started to use premix along with the oil injection; 40:1 has given plug fouling, perhaps 50:1 or more will be best.
any details on when they are doing their top ends, pberguy? googled around and couldn't find anyone mentioning this as an issue, even on the beta forum. are they racing, or just pottering around?
A ride buddy with a new 2016 Beta Xtrainer decided to premix his fuel based on a club Beta rider who complained of oil related wear; however, my follow up inquiry has found that rider’s Beta is NOT oil injected (300RR). His complaint was that running premix (Maxima Super M) at the Beta recommended 60:1 resulted in the rings worn out at 78 hours (some piston wear but cylinder good). I think the Xtrainer guy thought all Betas were oil injected, hence his error. My advice to Xtrainer guy is to reduce pre-mix to 100:1 or eliminate it altogether. Sorry to have injected third hand information into your excellent website, I should only comment on things I know firsthand.
Per above, the 300RR reply was top end at 78 hours; mainly hare scrambles and enduro use. We have mostly tight trail hereabouts so not a lot of sustained high speeds.
Saved for future reference
Hi mate! Are you gumbies going to have the new GasGas EC or XC 250/300 available over there soon? Would like to know how would they behave against Betas, YZ, Huskys and KTMs.
Cheers! =)
no idea. they will probably be good. there are no bad bikes coming out of europe, that's for sure. and riding skill is way more important than the bike you choose. :)
"Float level 6 mm from the body to the float with the tang resting" - does it mean I hold the carb vertically, slowly raising the floats into the carb and when the float valve stops moving (yet the sping on the pin yet doesnt start to compress), I should measure 6mm depth from the edge of the carb to the lowest edge of the float?
If that is so, I should extend it to 7,5 to 8 mm?
Can I go even lower than that and what are the pros and cons?
Many thanks in advance for kind advice;)!
PS: I made myself a measuring tool out of LEGO, as wall thickness of "1 by x" LEGO brick is precisely 7,8mm;). Work for LEGO so thats why;)
+michail1963 lol i can't even remember now michail! it might be best to use the betarider forum, there are probably photos up by now, or you could post your own and get advice from the crowd there. GMP is the owner of the forum and knows everything about these bikes. good work on the lego. everything is awesome... :)
Good video,and thanx for the mods
Excellent video - thank you
Why do you re route the carb breather hoses into the air box?
+Spencer Secord i haven't but a lot of beta owners do... i assume for deep water crossings?
How about Beta aftermarket parts? I was damn near sold on the Beta coolaid until I took a look around at some of the most popular motorcycle gear / parts websites here in the US and found that hardly any of them had any aftermarket or even OEM parts for Beta's...a little concerning. Can't seem to find aftermarket bars, grips, plastics etc. Will I need to be ordering them from over seas?
+Enduro MF there's plenty of stuff around here in australia, and there should be in the usa too. beta gets around the 'lack of stock in general shops' issue by having heaps of stuff ready to order through their websites, including aftermarket stuff... just have a look through there. they make a point of shipping quickly too as a rule...
+Enduro MF Check out Stillwell Performance. Alan is a very knowledgeable, and does after-market for KTM, Husky of course and Beta. I think there out of Arizona...check out his site.
hello, I bought the same bike as yours and I'm looking for the solution to a problem I noticed. In the maintenance manual it says that when you start the bike you should see turned on the mixer oil light on the bottom left of the odometer for 10 seconds as a "check". To me this light does not come on. I have read that not all models do. My bike is like yours, so I would like to know if this warning/check light comes on for you. I hope you answer. thank you
Damn, I never even knew about that. The Beta speedos are very well known for their dodgy electrics and dealers often have a bagful of them to hand out to guys for warranty claims.
@@crosstrainingenduro I apologize for my trivial mistake. I've been looking for a solution all day and only now realized that the odometer was showing a low battery. Naively I thought that when I turned on the bike the lights still worked. I changed the odometer battery and the problem is solved, now the control light appears for about 3 seconds (not 10 as indicated in the maintenance manual). I hope I can be of help to others who have had this problem as well. Thanks anyway for your reply.
can someone please tell me how 2 connect a map switch on a beta 300 rr?
there are 4 hoses on top of carb and one on bowl. do you reroute all 4 top hoses to airbox? in vid only looks like 2 on left side.
i never did those as we don't have deep creek crossings at all...
found out from local beta mechanic that the 2 hoses that loop over top of carb are the 2 that need rerouted or better yet, add a "T" and run another vent line up under tank.
Hi, tell me please from what year the shift lever crf250r and how much shorter is it?
sorry i never tried this yakov so no idea. i'm sure a bit of googling would find it though.
where can i get rubber or plastic to attach to the frame (to prevent the paint rubbing off)?
+harry - i just cut up an innter tube and zip tied the strips on. you can get carbon fibre guards through any beta dealer though.
hiya baz,do you think i should use rubber gators on dave the pigeon s leg s if i zip tie him to the bars,he keeps mythering me to go trail riding?
+john kilner that's a very interesting question john, and several hundred people have emailed me about similar issues with attaching their pigeons to their bikes. i'll do the research, test the various techniques, then upload a 10 part video series.
thank you for these very smart tips :)
I fouled 2 plugs . I wondering if it is because I have not really had a chance to run the shit out of it . just little rides. the plugs have been really dark . 2018 beta 250rr
none of us rev our bikes at all shawn, and often plug away just above idle in snotty terrain for a few hours... never a fouled plug. i'd suspect jetting or more unlikely, the oil injection playing up. if the system breaks down it defaults to 15:1 so you can't sieze the bike even in a flat out race.
How high can you go with bar risers on the 300 without issues. 6'5" here. Beta parts 20/30 mm or rox. Want to get some parts together for my bike. It's one of the only things that I'll need aside from the usual guards/protection. Thanks.
+klxklr i just managed to fit the rox pivoting two inch risers with a bit of jiggling around with the hydraulic line so smaller risers should be okay. mind you, i have my bars fairly forward which probably gives me a tad more leeway. i'm not using the risers now as i went for the flexx bars which naturally sit higher.
Where r your carbon fiber frame and swing arm guards
+Christian 777 too expensive for me, as per the vid i zip tied bits of old rubber tube to the frame.
The oil injection is going to make that engine last 5x longer than the KTM counterpart.
Did you had any issues with speedometer? Mine shows speed on slow rides any faster shows zero
Did you solve this problem? I have the same problem
How much is your power valve adjusted my dad likes it mellow so he has it 3 turns in from flush
+Christian 777 never adjusted it, didn't think i could improve on the stock position.
Hi, Does Shift lever from CRF250 fit on my Beta RR300 2014 ? :D
With a big enough hammer? Yes.
Hey man, I bought a 2016 and just did my run in ride. I'm super stoked! :) However, I do find a significant richness burble off the bottom. Did you encounter that? I suspect it's the needle? What clip position are you running on the NECJ? Do you think that leaning out the pilot jet would perhaps work? Cheers in advance.
+Merlin Maertz heaps about this on the betarider forum and also the beta section of many other forums merlin
Yeah, I looked and found the info I was looking for AFTER I had asked :) 3rd Position I believe? Your channel is my first port of call for most things motorbike related cause watching your vids is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more fun than floundering through forums. Maybe add it to the 'watcher's extra tips section' at the end of the vid? Cheers!
Not sure how to add to the info in this vid, but I've found that fuel will VERY quickly breakdown the paint on the frame. I would suggest that owners be very careful and cover any painted surfaces when refueling or working on the carb.
+Merlin Maertz is that a beta-specific problem merlin, or just for any brand?
I've not experienced that with any other bike I've owned.
in 1 week im buying my first enduro bike. i have found a beta 390rr 2019 model and a sherco 300 sef 2019 model at the same money.
im 190cm and dont fit well in either of them but im pretty sure i ll fix it somehow.
what is your personal subjective opinion? which one to choose?
No need to explain!
main difference to me is the engine stroke. Long stroke engine in the Beta makes for a more gentle linear power which I loved. The Sherco is more of a screamer. We have reviewed both.
i had a Beta RR250, and i found that the rear axle bolt was extremely easy to strip! Not sure if anyone else has experienced this? really the only gripe i had about the beta, apart from maybe the motorcrossy feel to the power (and id screwed in the power curve screw down to mellow as i was a reasonably new rider and unfit)
are you using the torque chart for the rear axle bolt? many say beta's specs have way too much force applied. re: the motocross power, that sounds completely unlike the RR250 and i wonder if a previous owner modified it in some way? just had two whole days riding on one and loved how smooth and flat the power curve was on it, especially compared to my old KTM 250EXC....
nah, im not, wouldnt have any idea how to use it :')
yeah, i just found that it wasnt to confidence inspiring, but id ride my mates Fantic 300 and i could attack with a lot more confidence.
it was a 2013 model, brand new. power felt very snappy.
strange. everyone single person i've spoken to about their experience of the beta smokers is the smoothness of the power delivery... maybe the fantic is just even smoother?
just got myself a new 300rr 2017 and the fuel injection system is pushing to much oil, anyone had this problem?
i mean 230 ml of oil went down after riding a half tank of fuel
some helpful tips mate, 2016 beta also leaks 2stroke out of the top power valve cover, I've been told that it only happens on the run in tank because they add 100to 1 to the fuel and also injection at the same time, I think someone is pulling my leg, it's Sunday morning atm, we went to urbanville in North West nsw yesterday, great place with all the fire breaks and steep hills and plenty of mud, your right about the beta making you a better rider,seams effortlessly, great bike happy as, time for wash up and inspect oil leak, mother f@@@@@@@@
+mad benny yeah i've seen threads about that issue but didn't pay much attention as i never hit that problem. such a sweet bike to ride hey? one by one the kato guys have been jumping on the beta and most of them are now mumbling about turning italian next time they upgrade.
I watched this without reading the disclaimer, can I pursue a damages claim?
+Cameron Graham absolutely, please do. i'd love to hand my numerous and substantial debts over to a third party :)
how many hours ? to service top end
+1orka same as a kato, probably 50 hours if racing, somewhere around the 100 mark for everyday riding.
So basically zip ties?
+SheebMaster the miracle cure. some guys say all you need in your toolkit is zip ties, gaffer tape and a large hammer. :)
So... Will these mods & tips translate into German? As spoken in the Ostermark? LOL!! That's kind of funny to see the rubber & zip-tie mods... I thought I invented that! In the late 90's I had a KX250 that VIBRATED a little bit (lots). I used sliced up old tubes & zip ties to protect every single loose vibrating part! I even have a few protecting the pumpkin princess. And routing the vent tubes up and away from bodies of water? I've got a patent for that (ok, I don't but I should). Started doing that to the KX's back in the mid-90's. There was a kit someone offered back then that routed the carb & tranny vent tubes to a plastic manifold that vented into the airbox. My cheap answer was to route up under the gas tank. So your version is a little different (enough to avoid infringement!).
Another excellent video Mr. Morris. Greatly enjoy watching even if it doesn't apply to me. Although the '16 430 & 480 RS's (North American "dual sport" models, like the EXC's here...) are fuel injected. Shed a few pounds and figure the suspension out and I may have to open a Beta dealership here! LOL!! (Or go to Seattle and pick one up.) Then we can talk tips. Do you think the JD jetting would help a fuel injected four stroke?
+gncc1race translated into german, ja natuurlijk! although i'm not sure how to translate zip tie, no doubt there's a big word like zippengestrappenmitplastikenstrippenundratshitmekanismheidt. haven't read up on beta 4T carby issues so couldn't comment, on the quiet i'd have to say not overly impressed with the JD kit for the RR300 so far but possibly i'm doing something wrong, liaising with them at the mo...
LOL!!! Yeah, you're probably right! It reads like the pumpkin's manual!
Actually the carbureted Beta 4T's have a stellar reputation, without any issues I know of. The entire '16 RR/RS 4T range is now fuel injected, as was the '15 350RR. The bike mag's loved the fuel injection, Beta got it right.
I was just making a lame joke... JD jetting kit on fuel injection? Again, I'm the only one laughing... I get that a lot. LOL!!
doh, shows how much i know about the four stroke range! i keep hearing good things about the thumpers but apparently everyone wants the smokers nowadays. wouldn't mind getting a ride on the four stroke just to see what all the raving is about.
Husqvarna are still better but if I could not get the husqvarna I would definitely get the beta for sure. Keep the great videos going mate.
What do you think about husqvarna dirt bikes mate??
well they are still essentially ktms and we've reviewed those in the past.... th-cam.com/video/vf7Ls_mZCs4/w-d-xo.html
zip ties does the job
*School. ( you can really tell I need that 2 weeks I miss school for😜)
Zip tie this zip tie that jeez
Speak to me when they get tpi😂😂
it seems to be good when it's all working well, but there seem to be a lot of teething problems too. hopefully it will become super reliable next year...
@taegiex your comment aged not so well 😂
so just zip-it
+Max FV zip it, into shape... go forward.... move ahead... it's not too late.... to zip it.... zip it good.... (bass riff)
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES there was no possible better reply to my comment. Thanks for the videos, they are really enjoyable.
Greetings from argentina!!
Or just don't buy one
yup.
I got a tip get a yamaha
+tom the bomb but they don't make any light bikes and/or two strokes lol! i did like my WR450F but it's way too heavy for the stuff we are doing.
+CROSS TRAINING, ENDUROCROSS & ENDURO TECHNIQUES Just wanted to add that Yamaha now has the YZ250X two stroke here in the US. It is a catch up to the BETA /KTM Enduro/HS scene. And also thank you for helping me spend more money. Cheers....
+MrGoofee121 I know this may not matter to some but I really wish they would have fit e-start to the 250X.