Really can't go wrong with an xtrainer especially if you aren't tall. The 300 motor is scalable to whatever power level you desire for very little effort and the suspension can be sorted with some work. Beta does a great job with these bikes.
@OdysseyOffroad I've been a Honda guy since the 80's and 5yrs ago I gave Beta a shot because they had a street legal 2stroke lightweight high performance bike available for a reasonable price. So glad I did as it has turned out to be a wonderful experience. It is rare for a corporate motto to be anything but bs, but Beta has used "rideability" for a long time and they aren't kidding these bikes allow me and several of my riding buddies to extend our riding careers beyond what we ever thought when we were young. I had one warranty issue, actually out of warranty and Beta was fantastic about it, could not be happier even after 5yrs. I will purchase another bike from them without question.
I bought a '23 Beta XTrainer a year ago. I had a CRF250RX I traded for it. Good job not getting the RX. Not because it's a bad bike, it isn't. But I had to admit it was too much for my skill level at the time, as a relatively new off road rider who only had previous off road experience on a KLX300 and XT250. A year later and I'm still happy with my XTrainer. At the time of purchase, I had test rode a Beta XTrainer, Beta 300 Race, a Beta 200 Race, a Beta 390 Race, a WR250F, and a '23 Husqvarna TE300 (it had the older suspension that's still on the Gasgas). The WR was too much like the CRF250RX, the Beta 300 was a bit intimidating. I was okay with Husqvarna's power in the soft power setting, and loved the suspension, that part was my favorite. But the Braktec brakes were dog crap. I could have bought a Gasgas 300 for less money than the XTrainer at the time, but those brakes were a hard pass for me. I liked the 2-strokes over the 4-stroke 390. So for me it was between the Beta 200 and XTrainer. Two reasons I went with the XTrainer was that the extra power is available on the XTrainer should I need it and the smaller frame. A year later and I'm still completely satisfied with the power. I am starting to test the limits of the suspension. I did get heavier springs for my weight at purchase, but didn't do any re-valving. So right now I'm considering either sending the stock suspension in to get upgraded, or just purchasing different suspension altogether.
awesome comment. thanks for sharing. yes i too am very happy with the power of the xtrainer. The suspension will need work i knew that going in but for what i paid for it i wont feel bad about that. I'm thinking the full 48mm fork upgrade from Beta.
2021 i purchased a 300RR.It was the last bike they had left for the year because of covid stuff.I wanted the race for suspension but settled.I was a little iffy going to Beta from KTM but happy i did.I was not completely happy with the forks but installed a race tech kit in them and they are awesome now.The shock eas pretty good but i put a Race tech piston,lainer valve and buds racing bladder kit on it.Bike on its 4th season with over 200 hours on it and has been a awesome bike.I put a piston in at 172 hours and was a waste of money.Piston had most of the black break in coating still on it.I have never had any issues getting parts.I want to try the new x pro out when i get a chance as i ride a lot of hard enduro type terrain in upper Michigan.I have a 36" inseam so good with tall bikes.I want to get a comfort seat as i am running a sc tall now and the tall sc comfort would be nice on those 6 hour days.
@@jeffbrownell279 thats awesome, thanks for sharing your experience. I definitely will be upgrading the suspension at some point. Maybe next spring. Probably could use a softer seat as well. I really really enjoyed the bike so far. For the price I got it for I really can't complain at all!
How's the motor vibration? Do you miss engine braking? I rode two strokes for years and liked them but I really like 4 stoke engine braking when I am going down steep slippery hills.
@@ironthumb3048 The engine vibration is very minimal. The 300 motor is counterbalanced it's supposedly not quite as smooth as the KTM counterbalancing but it is pretty smooth. That being said there is some vibration but to me it's very minimal I only feel it in my pegs when I look for it otherwise I hardly notice it. There's nothing in the handlebars. I don't really miss the engine braking. At least not yet I haven't gotten in a situation where I felt like I would like to have it. I also have noticed I enjoy not having it in many situations.
@@JacksonOffroad25 Thanks man. I love the styling of this bike. The retro styling on the Kawasakis are really nice too. Even the Yamaha YZ. They all have the nice retro look graphics currently.
I bought a 200rr this year and the little hours I have on it I really enjoyed; ( pending shoulder surgery, not bike related). For what its worth I have heard the radiators bend easily so I did buy radiator braces; but don’t know if that is just the 200 or all Betas ? Enjoy your ride; I really came close to buying the X-trainer, but in the past I had a KTM 200 exc, and it was a good bike.
@@MP-wc2wh The 200s are great bikes I heard. People that have been buying the beta 200 are the people that used to love the old KTM 200s from what I'm seeing. Heal up and ride!
I bought a 22 XTrainer. After watching what the others were doing with fuel injection and extremely lean oil ratios. Now you see all the issues and I’m glad I went with the Beta. The Yamaha 250 2 stroke would be a great choice if your a taller person. There is nothing like a 2 stroke when it comes to dirt bikes. I bought a new Yamaha WR250 years ago and about 30 days later sold it. Just don’t like a 4 stroke dirt bike.
The video helped a lot. I made that wrong purchase decision. Lots and lots of deliberation and research leading up to my purchase, but I still chose wrong. After riding my 24 300 Race Edition for 3.1 hrs, I wish I bought the Xtrainer.
I feel the Race Edition is too much bike for me. Power and stiffer suspension I just don’t need anymore. I’m 53 yo and love to trail ride with my son. Slowing down these days and just enjoying the ride, rather than trying to progress skills and get faster. Now realize the Xtrainer’s mellowed power and soft suspension would be a better fit for me. I ride in north Texas. Combo of flowing single track and tight woods trails.
I see new handguards! That bike color is so sick I can't wait to see it in person. Is the frame geometry similar to the freerides? Almost looks that way
@@taylertreanor That's a good question I have no idea. The color is so interesting they call it red but it's definitely not red it's more orange but it's not quite orange it's somewhere in between. I really dig it it looks great when it's clean as well. Had it out yesterday for a nice ride so it's pretty dirty, going out again Friday and then it'll probably get another oil change and a bath 🤘🏻 The handguards came in handy yesterday thats for sure as i clipped a cactus lol
I mean... Thats what happens when your bikes are 4 thousand dollars more expensive than all the veteran brands lol. Love KTM as I had one back in the day, but that was a 2001 and it was a different time on different bikes.
Parts are not always available and the warranty can be hit or miss. My buddy had a beta 300 and couldn’t ride it the first 7 months because it had a bad head from the factory and it took 7 months for them to send him a new one.
@@OdysseyOffroad spring through summer 2023 and he immediately sold it once fixed took a big loss and got a Yamaha yzx. I think if you did talk to people and a little research it is fairly common they are not big enough to support the world wide distribution yet. Cool brand but they are still lacking in many important areas.
@@Joe-pg3kg yeah I did a lot of extensive research actually. And everybody I've talked to with a beta has had nothing but outstanding customer service support and parts availability. This is the first story I'm hearing of it. It sucks it didn't work out for you buddy but at least he's with a bike that he's enjoying I'm assuming. The YZX is a nice bike but I just wanted a gauge cluster and electric start.
@@OdysseyOffroad I went with a four stroke. 2024 KTM 350XW-F. Bike came all choked up so I uncorked it with an FMF slip on. Bike rips and rides so good. I ride between 2800-7500 feet in Idaho so fuel injection was important to me.
@@fattie2550 i can see that being the cSe with those elevation changes. I heard that bike is a great 4 troke and pretty flame out resistant. I briefly considered that or a wr250/450 but i really wanted to see what the 2 stroke life was all about this go around haha.
@@OdysseyOffroad my next bike will be a 2 stroke for sure. I rode a 300XC-W and the low end power is just amazing. That bike feels super light even though on paper it’s prob 5 pounds lighter or less.
@@OdysseyOffroad I have a 2016 XT. I had All Moto Performance (AMP) re-valve and re-spring the fork and shock. I also went with the "Lucky" cartridge in the fork. I'm really happy with the results.
Unbelievable review thank you am going to buy one today now 🎉
best of luck with it!
Great to be different congratulations on a beautiful bike keep it on two wheel grip and rip 💪🏼💪🏼
@@Toofast821 🤘🏻💪🏻💪🏻 thank you!
Thanks for sharing your methodology on your purchase, very interesting!
@@Raptor_Ruckus thanks for watching and always supporting 🤘🏻 pm me your address for some stickers!
Playing some catch up on watching content now that my little peanut is here! Ah sweet, will do!
Really can't go wrong with an xtrainer especially if you aren't tall. The 300 motor is scalable to whatever power level you desire for very little effort and the suspension can be sorted with some work. Beta does a great job with these bikes.
My thoughts exactly, I am super pleased with this bike thus far. thanks for watching!
@OdysseyOffroad I've been a Honda guy since the 80's and 5yrs ago I gave Beta a shot because they had a street legal 2stroke lightweight high performance bike available for a reasonable price. So glad I did as it has turned out to be a wonderful experience. It is rare for a corporate motto to be anything but bs, but Beta has used "rideability" for a long time and they aren't kidding these bikes allow me and several of my riding buddies to extend our riding careers beyond what we ever thought when we were young. I had one warranty issue, actually out of warranty and Beta was fantastic about it, could not be happier even after 5yrs. I will purchase another bike from them without question.
@@michaeldavison430 thats great to hear! Definitely reassuring.
Me too...I've had KTM, GASGAS, Suzuki, Husky...but the Beta beats em all!
I bought a '23 Beta XTrainer a year ago. I had a CRF250RX I traded for it. Good job not getting the RX. Not because it's a bad bike, it isn't. But I had to admit it was too much for my skill level at the time, as a relatively new off road rider who only had previous off road experience on a KLX300 and XT250. A year later and I'm still happy with my XTrainer. At the time of purchase, I had test rode a Beta XTrainer, Beta 300 Race, a Beta 200 Race, a Beta 390 Race, a WR250F, and a '23 Husqvarna TE300 (it had the older suspension that's still on the Gasgas). The WR was too much like the CRF250RX, the Beta 300 was a bit intimidating. I was okay with Husqvarna's power in the soft power setting, and loved the suspension, that part was my favorite. But the Braktec brakes were dog crap. I could have bought a Gasgas 300 for less money than the XTrainer at the time, but those brakes were a hard pass for me. I liked the 2-strokes over the 4-stroke 390. So for me it was between the Beta 200 and XTrainer. Two reasons I went with the XTrainer was that the extra power is available on the XTrainer should I need it and the smaller frame. A year later and I'm still completely satisfied with the power. I am starting to test the limits of the suspension. I did get heavier springs for my weight at purchase, but didn't do any re-valving. So right now I'm considering either sending the stock suspension in to get upgraded, or just purchasing different suspension altogether.
awesome comment. thanks for sharing. yes i too am very happy with the power of the xtrainer. The suspension will need work i knew that going in but for what i paid for it i wont feel bad about that. I'm thinking the full 48mm fork upgrade from Beta.
You picked a great one! Now, enjoy that beast, and stand up!
@@ThomperBeThompin oh I've really been enjoying it man! I'm waiting for the weather to cool off so I can enjoy it even more LOL
2021 i purchased a 300RR.It was the last bike they had left for the year because of covid stuff.I wanted the race for suspension but settled.I was a little iffy going to Beta from KTM but happy i did.I was not completely happy with the forks but installed a race tech kit in them and they are awesome now.The shock eas pretty good but i put a Race tech piston,lainer valve and buds racing bladder kit on it.Bike on its 4th season with over 200 hours on it and has been a awesome bike.I put a piston in at 172 hours and was a waste of money.Piston had most of the black break in coating still on it.I have never had any issues getting parts.I want to try the new x pro out when i get a chance as i ride a lot of hard enduro type terrain in upper Michigan.I have a 36" inseam so good with tall bikes.I want to get a comfort seat as i am running a sc tall now and the tall sc comfort would be nice on those 6 hour days.
@@jeffbrownell279 thats awesome, thanks for sharing your experience. I definitely will be upgrading the suspension at some point. Maybe next spring. Probably could use a softer seat as well. I really really enjoyed the bike so far. For the price I got it for I really can't complain at all!
How's the motor vibration? Do you miss engine braking? I rode two strokes for years and liked them but I really like 4 stoke engine braking when I am going down steep slippery hills.
@@ironthumb3048 The engine vibration is very minimal. The 300 motor is counterbalanced it's supposedly not quite as smooth as the KTM counterbalancing but it is pretty smooth. That being said there is some vibration but to me it's very minimal I only feel it in my pegs when I look for it otherwise I hardly notice it. There's nothing in the handlebars. I don't really miss the engine braking. At least not yet I haven't gotten in a situation where I felt like I would like to have it. I also have noticed I enjoy not having it in many situations.
You get engine-braking in first gear.
I was very impressed when i rode a beta.ive been riding husky for years
@@rowynmaddocks6731 so far my impression is its a very easy to ride bike. I love it so far.
Congrats! Great bike.
@@bmxcanada thanks! So far so good !
Thing is absolutely beautiful looking! Love the look of the new special edition crf’s but this is definitely up there in styling
@@JacksonOffroad25 Thanks man. I love the styling of this bike. The retro styling on the Kawasakis are really nice too. Even the Yamaha YZ. They all have the nice retro look graphics currently.
I bought a 200rr this year and the little hours I have on it I really enjoyed; ( pending shoulder surgery, not bike related). For what its worth I have heard the radiators bend easily so I did buy radiator braces; but don’t know if that is just the 200 or all Betas ? Enjoy your ride; I really came close to buying the X-trainer, but in the past I had a KTM 200 exc, and it was a good bike.
@@MP-wc2wh The 200s are great bikes I heard. People that have been buying the beta 200 are the people that used to love the old KTM 200s from what I'm seeing. Heal up and ride!
I bought a 22 XTrainer. After watching what the others were doing with fuel injection and extremely lean oil ratios. Now you see all the issues and I’m glad I went with the Beta. The Yamaha 250 2 stroke would be a great choice if your a taller person. There is nothing like a 2 stroke when it comes to dirt bikes. I bought a new Yamaha WR250 years ago and about 30 days later sold it. Just don’t like a 4 stroke dirt bike.
The wr is a nice bike! Like you said though a 2 stroke is totally different. Different strokes for different folks 🤙🏻
i'd like to hear how it sounds with an open airbox and pipe!
@@leedimatteo5078 the air box may happen soon, but the pipe may be down the rd!
The video helped a lot. I made that wrong purchase decision. Lots and lots of deliberation and research leading up to my purchase, but I still chose wrong. After riding my 24 300 Race Edition for 3.1 hrs, I wish I bought the Xtrainer.
@@Garrettactical really? Why do you regret your purchase? very interested? Where do you ride?
I feel the Race Edition is too much bike for me. Power and stiffer suspension I just don’t need anymore. I’m 53 yo and love to trail ride with my son. Slowing down these days and just enjoying the ride, rather than trying to progress skills and get faster. Now realize the Xtrainer’s mellowed power and soft suspension would be a better fit for me.
I ride in north Texas. Combo of flowing single track and tight woods trails.
@@Garrettactical wanna trade? Lol
@@OdysseyOffroad Are you done with the XTrainer already?
@@Garrettactical haha no i love it but i do plan on upgrading the forks. Im in Southern az. Probably similar terrain
I see new handguards! That bike color is so sick I can't wait to see it in person. Is the frame geometry similar to the freerides? Almost looks that way
@@taylertreanor That's a good question I have no idea. The color is so interesting they call it red but it's definitely not red it's more orange but it's not quite orange it's somewhere in between. I really dig it it looks great when it's clean as well. Had it out yesterday for a nice ride so it's pretty dirty, going out again Friday and then it'll probably get another oil change and a bath 🤘🏻 The handguards came in handy yesterday thats for sure as i clipped a cactus lol
@OdysseyOffroad oh man trees are one thing but a cactus?!😂 don't have to worry about those in southern Mn!
Id like to try the crosstrainer.
@@larrynorsworthy8582 you should!
Curious how tall you are in reference to the comments about touching?
@@mack73 5'6
Nice bike! From some resent videos I’ve seen (KTM Husky and Gas Gas) are in serious financial trouble!
@@DUNEATV it seems that way. We will see what happens I guess. I am very happy with my decision to get a Beta.
I mean... Thats what happens when your bikes are 4 thousand dollars more expensive than all the veteran brands lol. Love KTM as I had one back in the day, but that was a 2001 and it was a different time on different bikes.
The 1 we rode for a day was pretty mellow, but easy to gas it !+ what happened to the vid with you & your son ?
@@raptor700dad7 from my Instagram post? I didn't record that. That was just a father son slow cruise.
@@OdysseyOffroadCould have swore you had a YT video too , Brain fart 🤷♂️😅
i love Beta bikes . i like messing with people who dont know 2 strokes . i tell them i changed my power bands to give it a better pull 🤣🤣
@@867diesel 🤣🤣
Parts are not always available and the warranty can be hit or miss. My buddy had a beta 300 and couldn’t ride it the first 7 months because it had a bad head from the factory and it took 7 months for them to send him a new one.
@@Joe-pg3kg that stinks but thats the only story i have heard of that happening tbh. Might have been a dealership problem.
@@OdysseyOffroad it was Beta corporate. They took 3 months just to verify that it was a factory defect another 4 to finally send the part.
@@Joe-pg3kg definitely not the norm with them but still sucks for sure. Glad he is up and running. Just curious when was this? Was this covid era?
@@OdysseyOffroad spring through summer 2023 and he immediately sold it once fixed took a big loss and got a Yamaha yzx. I think if you did talk to people and a little research it is fairly common they are not big enough to support the world wide distribution yet. Cool brand but they are still lacking in many important areas.
@@Joe-pg3kg yeah I did a lot of extensive research actually. And everybody I've talked to with a beta has had nothing but outstanding customer service support and parts availability. This is the first story I'm hearing of it. It sucks it didn't work out for you buddy but at least he's with a bike that he's enjoying I'm assuming. The YZX is a nice bike but I just wanted a gauge cluster and electric start.
I went with KTM due to being fuel injection. I was looking at Beta though.
fuel injection was something that kept me looking at ktm/husqy as well. Definitely great bikes, what model did you go with?
@@OdysseyOffroad I went with a four stroke. 2024 KTM 350XW-F. Bike came all choked up so I uncorked it with an FMF slip on. Bike rips and rides so good. I ride between 2800-7500 feet in Idaho so fuel injection was important to me.
@@fattie2550 i can see that being the cSe with those elevation changes. I heard that bike is a great 4 troke and pretty flame out resistant. I briefly considered that or a wr250/450 but i really wanted to see what the 2 stroke life was all about this go around haha.
@@OdysseyOffroad my next bike will be a 2 stroke for sure. I rode a 300XC-W and the low end power is just amazing. That bike feels super light even though on paper it’s prob 5 pounds lighter or less.
@@fattie2550 dirtbikechannel is giving one away.
2 strokes do not inherently vibrate more than a similar displacement 4 stroke.
@@SPCRacing1 this bike os pretty smooth. Not as smooth as a ktm but pretty good. I get nothing in the bars and very little on the pegs.
Beta for a beta?
@@pantera29palms the Beta is betta💪🏻
You’ll regret it the forks are deplorable once you don’t suck at riding anymore .
@@davidbeauvais1364 and then they will get upgraded. Not a big deal.
@@OdysseyOffroad there is the Kyb triple clamp kit I suggest that
@@davidbeauvais1364 on beta website under suspension , they have full trple clamp kit xt r forks in open or closed cartridge don't see kyb listed.
@@OdysseyOffroad I have a 2016 XT. I had All Moto Performance (AMP) re-valve and re-spring the fork and shock. I also went with the "Lucky" cartridge in the fork. I'm really happy with the results.
@@mikeob6410 good to hear. I do a lot of long open desert trail so that's why i was thinking of a 48 mm fork setup.