Couldn’t agree more with Geoff. I have a new 2023 Beta 300 RR and I just finished a long, two day event here in Northeastern Ontario Canada. 260 kms of sometimes gruelling, gnarly, rocky, greasy terrain. Less than 48 hours later I can’t wait to get back on the bike. Not something I can say about doing it last year on my Yamaha WR450. As the second oldest competitor at 64 the Beta has been a revelation for me! Thanks for the honest and detailed comparison. Cheers!
I've had the 2023 RR300 Racing and love it but for hard enduro races got a little heavy after a few laps. I'm not the biggest guy at 68kg so I opted for the 2023 RR200 Racing and absolutely a game changer. Set the clickers down on the KYB's and now working nicely too. The 125 frame on the RR200 Racing is just so light and takes a little to get used to but overall allows you to be a little more aggressive too. Power delivery is amazing with heaps of low down torque and then screams up high. Highly recommend for anyone that's a shorter/lighter rider.
I just don't consider them to be an upgrade in the hard stuff over the ZF Sachs but that's just my opinion. I've ridden both and the KYB spec'd on the Betas just don't feel good to me in rock gardens and creek beds or Moab Southwest riding. Maybe I'll buy a racing version of the 200 for 2024 to compliment my '23 300 and give it a full season to feel them out. @@doug_EX
Of all racers Geoff is the one I can relate to most, in his interviews I can't help but agree with him from my own racing experience. So Geoff get a set of Ktech orvs and wack them into the sachs and try it as a test. It transformed my 200rr and I think its now better than my 22 250rrs kyb for woods riding. Sure ktech would even sponsor a set for a plug 😅
yea thats where I'm struggling as an American, accent and vocabulary different, but greatly appreciate the review. What I'm confused on he likes the ZF suspension, but is going with KYB on a RR? Why not go with the race model with KYB already installed? Am I interpreting this worng? I'm interested as a 58 year old going to order a 2024 390 trying to decide what model to order
@@tomambrosio425basically if you race hard and fast get the racing model, if you’re a trail rider on single track and harder/slower rocky sections etc. get the RR. It will be more than enough for that.
I'll take the race edition so no worry about the oil injector failing, leaving me stranded/ and or with a bike that needs a rebuild. THe KYB shocks are much easier to revalve if need be including being able to race tech them compared to the sachs which have a 7mm stem so much more limited selection of components. I've ridden the RR 250 and 300 and they were great bikes, loved the 250 and will likely get a 250 to replace my 300 race.
This was really helpful. I’ve got a 2022 XTrainer but want something with more grunt so settled on the 390. My only sticking point is I’m over 100KG so do I go RR or racing? Only been riding offroad a year and a bit so not the fastest and I’m doing fun riding - no competition. What would you recommend - considering my weight mostly?
The kyb suspension is better quality than the zf stuff. But the racing suspension is so out of wack. Get whatever bike you want and send the suspension off to get dialed in.
i'd say weight does not have as much to do with valving as speed does, so stick with the RR. from my experience there is still plenty of clicker control available once you put in stiffer springs. plus everyone is raving how well the RR suspension works as it is. in other words... if your fast and heavy get the racing model, if your just heavy, go with the base model. and yes i have experience valving suspension. so i'm fairly confident you will be happier with the softer set up. just might need heavier springs once you get better. for my own bikes i open the clickers nearly all the way up and valve everything for how i want it. we would love to hear how that 390 works down low, and if it still stalls easy like the MX engines.
He doesn't like the KYB on the 300 racing but loves it on theRR? I wonder if he tried different tires on the 300 race before he decided he didn't like it? A lot of people hate the stock tires on the 300 race.
Hey legend! Agree with you about tyres being massive for bike feel. We/Geoff ran the same Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-softs tyres on both bikes. They come with Metzeler tyres stock in Aus.
I've got some in my 16 250RR (comes with Sachs as standard). It's definitely better than stock but not a complete transformation and not really been worth the investment for me. However one of our riding group put them in his 18 300EXC and couldn't be happier with them. The best forks I ever had were KYB on WR250F so thinking of going for the Racing version of the 200RR next (which is why I'm watching this!)
@@w1ndsweptltd thanks for the reply. I’ve got some Dal Soggio FSR 48’s and I was wondering what other people thought. I’m the same as you, not totally happy with them. I’ve got a 2023 KTM 350 SX they are definitely better than the air fork but for the money I expected more.
Alright, I'm going to show a bit of my age here, but I want to make a request for Geoff.... I was at the infamous Blackwater 100 and remember you wearing a koala bear during the race with Scott goggles. I think the koala needs to come out of retirement for an event or two. What do you think Geoff???
To me they honestly look like a rebranded Chinese bike. Like the KAMAX 250. Can you see it? Plastics and swing arm and headlight all pretty similar. Are these bases off of an older KTM as well? Referring to the 2 stroke models.
Couldn’t agree more with Geoff. I have a new 2023 Beta 300 RR and I just finished a long, two day event here in Northeastern Ontario Canada. 260 kms of sometimes gruelling, gnarly, rocky, greasy terrain. Less than 48 hours later I can’t wait to get back on the bike. Not something I can say about doing it last year on my Yamaha WR450. As the second oldest competitor at 64 the Beta has been a revelation for me! Thanks for the honest and detailed comparison. Cheers!
I've had the 2023 RR300 Racing and love it but for hard enduro races got a little heavy after a few laps. I'm not the biggest guy at 68kg so I opted for the 2023 RR200 Racing and absolutely a game changer. Set the clickers down on the KYB's and now working nicely too. The 125 frame on the RR200 Racing is just so light and takes a little to get used to but overall allows you to be a little more aggressive too. Power delivery is amazing with heaps of low down torque and then screams up high. Highly recommend for anyone that's a shorter/lighter rider.
Just picked up the 200 race edition last week!
@@all4fun7 congrats! you'll love it
Love my 200
Just got my 200 re 2 weeks ago. So far I love it but haven’t really gotten to ride it in the woods yet
Prior owners and dealer made it really simple for me: if you’re racing get the racing. If you’re a hard trail rider, get the rr. Pretty simple
I am not a racer but I do benefit from the upgrades suspension on the Racing model. I don’t race but I ride hard.
I just don't consider them to be an upgrade in the hard stuff over the ZF Sachs but that's just my opinion. I've ridden both and the KYB spec'd on the Betas just don't feel good to me in rock gardens and creek beds or Moab Southwest riding. Maybe I'll buy a racing version of the 200 for 2024 to compliment my '23 300 and give it a full season to feel them out. @@doug_EX
It would be interesting to hear Geoffs thoughts on TBI bike as a comparison.
Love my 2022 300rr. 175 lb. Rider, the ZF forks work great for me.
Of all racers Geoff is the one I can relate to most, in his interviews I can't help but agree with him from my own racing experience.
So Geoff get a set of Ktech orvs and wack them into the sachs and try it as a test. It transformed my 200rr and I think its now better than my 22 250rrs kyb for woods riding.
Sure ktech would even sponsor a set for a plug 😅
That's a very interesting and thoughtful discussion fellas. Thanks for posting it.
personally not a fan of ZF forks, had nothing but problems, luckily K-Tech orvs helps alot
loved this - proper head on his shoulders, proper rider
Great perspective. Keepin' it real :)!
Trying to understand what Geoff's saying is a life skill I am yet to develop.
yea thats where I'm struggling as an American, accent and vocabulary different, but greatly appreciate the review. What I'm confused on he likes the ZF suspension, but is going with KYB on a RR? Why not go with the race model with KYB already installed? Am I interpreting this worng? I'm interested as a 58 year old going to order a 2024 390 trying to decide what model to order
@@tomambrosio425I’m Canadian and I don’t seem to have any problem with Geoff’s accent!? Weird.🤔
@@tomambrosio425basically if you race hard and fast get the racing model, if you’re a trail rider on single track and harder/slower rocky sections etc. get the RR. It will be more than enough for that.
I'll take the race edition so no worry about the oil injector failing, leaving me stranded/ and or with a bike that needs a rebuild. THe KYB shocks are much easier to revalve if need be including being able to race tech them compared to the sachs which have a 7mm stem so much more limited selection of components. I've ridden the RR 250 and 300 and they were great bikes, loved the 250 and will likely get a 250 to replace my 300 race.
Why 250 over 300?
So, how does the aftermarket Ohlin's compare? Can anyone comment on that?
This was really helpful. I’ve got a 2022 XTrainer but want something with more grunt so settled on the 390.
My only sticking point is I’m over 100KG so do I go RR or racing? Only been riding offroad a year and a bit so not the fastest and I’m doing fun riding - no competition.
What would you recommend - considering my weight mostly?
The kyb suspension is better quality than the zf stuff. But the racing suspension is so out of wack. Get whatever bike you want and send the suspension off to get dialed in.
i'd say weight does not have as much to do with valving as speed does, so stick with the RR. from my experience there is still plenty of clicker control available once you put in stiffer springs. plus everyone is raving how well the RR suspension works as it is.
in other words... if your fast and heavy get the racing model, if your just heavy, go with the base model. and yes i have experience valving suspension. so i'm fairly confident you will be happier with the softer set up. just might need heavier springs once you get better. for my own bikes i open the clickers nearly all the way up and valve everything for how i want it.
we would love to hear how that 390 works down low, and if it still stalls easy like the MX engines.
He doesn't like the KYB on the 300 racing but loves it on theRR? I wonder if he tried different tires on the 300 race before he decided he didn't like it? A lot of people hate the stock tires on the 300 race.
Hey legend! Agree with you about tyres being massive for bike feel. We/Geoff ran the same Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-softs tyres on both bikes. They come with Metzeler tyres stock in Aus.
A planted heavier 4stk will always make those kyb's feel better.
So is he going to ride a 390 with KYB suspension? Does that mean the Race edition or a hybrid RR with KYB suspension?
Hybrid
Has anyone ever had much to do with Dal Soggio forks?
I've got some in my 16 250RR (comes with Sachs as standard). It's definitely better than stock but not a complete transformation and not really been worth the investment for me. However one of our riding group put them in his 18 300EXC and couldn't be happier with them. The best forks I ever had were KYB on WR250F so thinking of going for the Racing version of the 200RR next (which is why I'm watching this!)
@@w1ndsweptltd thanks for the reply. I’ve got some Dal Soggio FSR 48’s and I was wondering what other people thought. I’m the same as you, not totally happy with them. I’ve got a 2023 KTM 350 SX they are definitely better than the air fork but for the money I expected more.
Alright, I'm going to show a bit of my age here, but I want to make a request for Geoff.... I was at the infamous Blackwater 100 and remember you wearing a koala bear during the race with Scott goggles. I think the koala needs to come out of retirement for an event or two. What do you think Geoff???
To me they honestly look like a rebranded Chinese bike. Like the KAMAX 250. Can you see it? Plastics and swing arm and headlight all pretty similar. Are these bases off of an older KTM as well? Referring to the 2 stroke models.
No to all your questions
@@damolux3388 Ya did some more research since I posted. Never heard of a Beta until recently. Thanks for your response.
@@marcmo7138 Ride one and you will never ride austrian voluntarily ever again
Best video
Hard understand your mumbling,we are not from England,,mate”..
Is it just me I can’t understand a word these guys are saying with that heavy accent
hard for an American to understand, but hey, it's their video and they're Australian
Aye maytee 😂