Electrical problems persist into the 2022 models. See this video. th-cam.com/video/l4YgP7lw3JQ/w-d-xo.html Monitor your bike carefully and insist that Beta fixes any issues. These problems have gone on for too long. FURTHER COMMENTS: If you are interested in Xtrainer suspension mods we have done an entire video about this: th-cam.com/video/C4BlCCR9HQw/w-d-xo.html XTRAINER AS A BEGINNER'S BIKE? One thing I didn't make clear, if you were looking at the Xtrainer as dirt bike to learn on, it would only work well if you are into slow technical terrain and that will be your focus. If you will be in third gear or higher most of the time on faster trails, the twitchy steering, light weight, soft suspension and two stroke power delivery won't be a good combination! Consider a four stroke 250 instead. MAIN BEARING FAILURES FINALLY FIXED FOR 2021? A KICKSTART ISSUE FOR SOME 2021 MODELS In the latest case, a 2021 Beta main bearing failed at 25 hours. The dealer tried to get out of the warranty claim by saying the bearing was slightly rusted, but the owner stuck to his guns and said the bike had never been drowned and only a faulty seal could have let in water. There is only a very small number of 2021 cases coming in so far so what the cause or causes have been over the past three years it looks as though the issue has mostly been solved. But a new issue has come up with the electric start failing in 2021 models... apparently the metal is too soft and cogs are stripping. If your new 2021 model has any issues with weird noises when starting getting it to the dealer immediately for a warranty claim. Beta USA at least is fixing them under warranty.
Really useful thanks. im new to Dbikes I do a a mix on my mates FE350 and feel I need 2 bikes :D 1 for slow technical terrain when in Wales and places and then an FE350 when doing basic trails and green lanes we have in the UK trying to figure out if I should get FE350 and trainer or maybe just get a 300 TE
Dealer today told me that the wiring issues in the US were because bikes were sitting in port in the salty air ? I asked about the bearing issues and they said they never heard of any. Questioning me about which bearing and promptly moving to the next customer after I brought up the dirt bike world posting 🤭
I have a 2020. I am 58 and getting back into riding with my sons and mates. They have KTM’s and Husky’s. I found their bikes intimidating after a life on older 4 strokes like dr’s and xr’s but the xtrainer so easy and relaxing. After 1 year i am having no issues keeping up on the organised rides we do in fact quite the opposite i am staying on more and going places that some of the others struggle with. I am doing lots of the enduro sections which include stee descents and climbs that others are struggling with. This thing climbs like a tractor. I got it because of seat height and because it wasn’t as aggressive. My confidence is higher now. I have done the airbox mod and re jetted i also put heavier springs on and tubliss. All I can say is wow, I love it. I tried a RR on a track recently to check my decision with some tight and open stuff as well as a KTM and Husky and still prefer my xtrainer, it just feels right. I am happy to put some money into it because i like it so much so may try the RR pipe and chamber spacer mod. I have also ordered the andriani fork inserts but am finding now that my forks seem to be working better than when I first got it. I have done 36 hours on it. I don’t need to go faster i need to have fun and come home smiling while still riding with my much faster sons. Is this the perfect bike for me, well I haven’t tried anything that could come close to what I’m getting out of this wonderful toy.
Great to hear, Garth! You can see why it's such a popular bike for many. Some are unhappy of course, they buy it simply because it's lighter and cheaper then expect it to behave like a fully fledged enduro bike... well duh. But there's a big bunch of us who don't want a fast race bike who have fallen in love with it.
Très intéressant comme commentaire J'ai 64 ans et 97 kg et je roule en 400 drz en randonnée et je me dis une moto légère confortable et fun c'est top Seulement c'est le réservoir qui est trop petit pour faire 150 km...
Hahaha I wish I had bought this instead of a Husky FE 350. I have had XRs all my life and just getting back on the bike after a 15 year spell. I enjoy it but I reckon I would have had more on this .
All true words Barry. I love my ‘18 XTrainer as do my friends. I call it the proverbial “Fun” bike, hands down. Not a true enduro machine, but damn good for what it does...
That was Beta's slogan a few years back wasn't it, Mark? Beta the fun bike, or something like that. They seemed to ditch that once they started sponsoring enduro racers and trying to get the serious race face on, for better or worse.
After 10 years of enduro riding and the last year of riding the RR 300, only after 2 months on the Xtrainer, I feel that I have made a huge improvement in my skills. RR will only be better if you are a PRO player. Not if you just think you're a PRO.
It's easy to fall for that marketing stuff that suggest we'll be champions too if we ride the same bike some pro won a championship on lol. In most cases we trail hacks will ride better on something with less power.
I bought my 2021 in November, have about 25 hours on it now and I LOVE it! I'm not racing or an expert rider, just having a blast riding on the trails. I'm not big and I'm not young, I think it is the perfect bike for me. Love your videos!
In the '70's when we rode DT's, XL's and TS's the Beta would have been a superbike. In my opinion it is. 300cc, water-cooled two stroke with pretty high performance and decent suspension. The King of trailbikes.
MAIN BEARING FAILURES FINALLY FIXED FOR 2021? A KICKSTART ISSUE FOR SOME 2021 MODELS In the latest case, a 2021 Beta main bearing failed at 25 hours. The dealer tried to get out of the warranty claim by saying the bearing was slightly rusted, but the owner stuck to his guns and said the bike had never been drowned and only a faulty seal could have let in water. There is only a very small number of 2021 cases coming in so far so what the cause or causes have been over the past three years it looks as though the issue has mostly been solved. But a new issue has come up with the electric start failing... apparently the metal is too soft and cogs are stripping. If your new 2021 model has any issues with weird noises when starting getting it to the dealer immediately for a warranty claim!
I just got the 2021 model last month. I wish I had done so when I started riding five years ago. In just five hours it has given me more confidence to try new things than the other "proper enduro bike" before. The xtrainer is not popular in Spain so I'm confident I wouldn't have considered buying it if it weren't for this channel. Thanks!!
@@captainamerica9353. In my area KTM (and Husqvarna) rule and can't see any Gas Gas or Beta around. Couple Shercos and that's pretty much it. I hear every region is different and has to do with local support as well as tradition. Overall, all Betas in Spain go through one single importer and it's not very flexible for parts and warranties.
OVER 100 FREE ENDURO TRAINING VIDS Basic enduro skills playlist bit.ly/3BtOVyI Intermediate enduro skills playlist bit.ly/3HSkh4r Advanced enduro skills playlist bit.ly/3oNNeqF BIKE SETUP & RIDING GEAR Bike setup playlist: bit.ly/3sBar0i Protective gear playlist: bit.ly/34BYDTI Which bike should I buy? bit.ly/3gLTJG1 Knee protection playlist bit.ly/36fR4Cw OUR OTHER PLAYLISTS Reviews of bikes & products bit.ly/3GQCVrO All about helmets bit.ly/3sJxIgy Enduro philosophy! bit.ly/33meQeV 10 ways to hop logs bit.ly/3JqlOPx The weird side of enduro! bit.ly/3Js1ai2
Bought a 2021 from the awesome Beta dealers in Naracourte, SA 5 months ago. Best bike in the universe.... I'm 6' 1" ish and around 90kg's, all I've done is got the springs done by Bike Tune in Adelaide who did an awesome job and thats it. It is hands down the funnest bike in the history of the Universe, I just love riding it... I mainly ride hard enduro on it but also run it in non comp trials practise days etc. Best handling single track bike ever, and the engine is perfect for hard technical riding. What its not; Cross country racer, desert racer, fire trail 90km an hour with your mates on 450s. What it is; Hard single track with usual transports, hard enduro unless you are gold class level, trials skills training, enduro skills training, hard enduro skills training. I thought long and hard about one and I really do just love bloody thing.
Good summary, and they are lots of fun trying to ride them as a trials bike, Rob. Occasionally I've popped out to our trials club and tried to ride the C class sections once the competition is over. th-cam.com/video/HPZ-S20S9bU/w-d-xo.html
Bought a new one in Feb 18. A lot of bike for the money and get lots of compliments. Had zero issues in 3 years. Still love it. It's awesome for the gnarly terrain and trails I ride. I Will be upgrading the suspension this year to maybe do some faster tracks and trails.
If you are on a budget it might be worth trying some of the budget suspension mods first, some riders find even a change of fork oil is enough. If you look at fork cartidge inserts, do your research. Our local suspension gurus have looked at one set and said they weren't worth the money.... th-cam.com/video/C4BlCCR9HQw/w-d-xo.html
Traded my kdx200 for a xTrainer after riding one and because of this channel. I put the 300rr gnarly pipe on and rejeted. It now rips the front tire off the ground with no clutch at 60mph (100kph). I crashed in my yard at 40mph and now I own a trials bike (because of this channel) for trashing my grass.
I just bought a used 2021 model with 5 hrs on it. I rode itfor about 3 hours and I'm very happy with it. There is no perfect bike out there and it's just a matter of choice and what works best for you. In my case, the selling point is the ride-ability. I ride maybe once a month so for me having a 2 stroke dirt bike that I can hop on it and ride with confidence is what I need. As far as reliability, time will tell. I noticed that the oil tank gauge is probably faulted. The light starts going on after the level goes down by an inch from full. It seems to early to start telling you about low oil level. I'm sure the dealer can fix it under warranty. Thank you for the review and your youtube channel is really good.
Yes that's probably just another electrical gremlin, Roberto...although I haven't heard of that one before. If you see some of our known issues vids, we recommend zip ties on the oil supply tube into the carby, make sure it isn't kinked etc. Seems to be a reliable system apart from tubes perishing and not properly secured in some year models. th-cam.com/video/ansh4Zdcbr4/w-d-xo.html
Fantastic review, Barry! It's great to hear some long-term revies of the XTrainer. I've had my eye on it for years now and, in theory, it looks like the perfect bike for a short guy like me who mostly rides slow technical stuff. I picked up a backup KTM 200 last year and the guy I bought it from bought an Xtrainer to replace it. His feedback pretty much echoed what most owners have said: lots of grunt for technical stuff, but mediocre suspension, low ground clearance that has him dragging pegs where he never used to. He seemed to think it was lighter than the 200, but the reality was it just felt that way due to the lower center of gravity. I'm not sure what taxes and dealer add-on fees are like in other countries, but an out the door price in the US would most likely be in the $9,000-$9,500 range. I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much and not have professional grade suspension. Though a lower seat height sounds appealing, I'd much rather be able to crawl over everything without scraping pegs or having linkage to get caught up on stuff. I understand that pretty much all manufacturers of brand-new designed bikes are saddled with extremely stringent emissions standards that necessitate TPI, so I can't fault them for having to add it....and all that road registerable lighting for those who are lucky to live somewhere where they can plate them. But of course all that stuff adds weight, complexity and increased maintenance. This would be the perfect type of bike for GPX or one of the Chinese manufacturers to jump on. They could strip it down to kick start only and use whatever leftover tech they've been using in their other bikes to get it down to a reasonable $5,000 or so. That being said, I'm not sure if those bikes could easily be registered in many countries due to the emissions requirements. Probably wouldn't be much of a problem in the US states outside of California. Aw, well...guess I'll just continue to live in the past....it's gotten me this far!
Low footpegs for sure lol. Just the other day I had to do a huge detour because I simply couldn't get the Xtrainer up this long deep rut on a hill climb, sigh. It had me wondering if I really need to move to full sized bike next time. GPX are only interested in rebadging cheap Chinese models unfortunately, and just upgrading the bits most likely to break e.g. footpegs. I would love to see AJP or SWM resurrect a decent two stroke model and do what you are suggesting! They have done a reasonable job with some older four stroke designs.
Just got a 2021 a few weeks ago. Love it so far. I'm middle aged and fairly new to off road riding. Feels like the perfect bike for me on single track.
@@crosstrainingenduro the dealer changed the springs to suit my weight. If feels far softer than my friend's bikes but I like it better. Half my riding is tight Ontario single track and the other half is riding super slow following my young children on two 50s and a 110. I am more than happy so far. Thanks for making these videos. My kids and I learn a lot from them!
After about two years of non-riding due to a medical problem, I recently bought my second Xtrainer, an unused '22 model. The first thing I did was put shortened, revalved KYB open chamber forks from a 2002 Yz125 on it (I had done the same to my first xt also) they will fit into the xt triples by reducing the fork diameter at the lower clamp about 2mm. The shock works fine for me. The '22 carburetes better, and the counter- balanced crank makes for a very smooth, linear rev up. The smooth predictable power delivery, lower seat height and light weight make for a perfect tight trail ride...that can handle some pretty tricky trails both slowly and quickly as, you will.
Spot on Barry as far as a perfect bike for a semi beginner. I have had a 2020 model for a month or so now. Rode a bit of mx as a teen then got back into last July on a 150 EXC. As someone who is still a beginner but not a complete novice this bike is just confidence inspiring. Helps that I'm 5 foot 6 but full size bikes had never been an issue for me - however the smaller bike makes me feel so much more in control, I know what it feels like riding a dirt bike for you regular sized people now. As far as the suspension goes I fimd myself drawn to more rocky technical stuff which means it's a much softer ride. And even on flowy single track I'm not noticing much difference over the EXC , I'd say I'm just not good enough to tell a difference. Handles like my bloody mountain bike though that's for sure!
Semi beginner is a good way to put it, Rhys! It's probably just a bit intimidating for raw beginners with the grunty power and twitchy handling at speed....
Just a question, would a 200RR be worth looking at based on the suspension side of things, I know you did a overhaul and was impressed, have had a blatt on both, weighing it up at the moment. Cheers Mate great vid.
Impossible to say Shane, so many factors involved for individual riders. All I could say is the RR200 suspension felt midway between the very soft trials-style suspension of Xtrainer and the firm feel of a RR300. Whether that would suit you I have no idea...
I'm interested to see your opinion on the difference between the 200rr and the xt. I'm interested in one or the other. Trail bike use. No racing. I want to learn to ride technical stuff.
Over 2600 miles and 300 hours on my 2017, still like it. I did get the fork properly tuned and re-sprung for safety sake. EDIT: I have to add something about the (AWFUL) speedometer cluster. What garbage! Replaced twice - failed twice. Three bad stock speedos!! I gave up about a month ago, installed a Trail Tech Endurance 2, spliced the oil injection and oil tank warning plug wires in to some 12V leds. 3D printed a little LED holder and taped to the side of the new speedometer. Works PERFECTLY!! Functional odo, trip, hours, and idiot lights. I lost the turn signals and the high low beam indication, no big deal there.
great vid Barry! after watching your vids in 2016/2017, I went out and got my Beta Xtrainer 300 in August 2017, and fitted it with Clake One Light to cope with the very hard clutch pull. I was a low-level intermediate rider at the time, and wanted to improve. I've been running it ever since, and aside of a starter motor that needed replacing, and plenty of stuff I broke myself, it is extremely reliable and only requires maintenance every 30 hours. One comment though: I don't quite understand why this is recommended as a Beginners bike. A real beginner will have a very hard time doing the very technical stuff this bike is built to do, and on open flowy tracks it is down-right dangerous for beginner riders due to its soft front suspension. The first thing beginners usually do is try to go fast, because it's a lot easier to go fast, you just need to twist that right arm... the problem is cornering, breaking and obstacles once you are already in high speed :P Anyway great vid and extremely happy that I took your recommendation 4 years ago :)
Glad the Xtrainer is working out for you, Itamar! Yes it's definitely not suited for the absolute beginner... as per the vid it's just too skittish once you hit third gear, and has too much power even on the softest settings. Beta has always had hard clutches, they do keep improving but they are lagging behind KTM quite a bit in this respect.
I own a 17 xtrainer 300, I rode 320km in two days 160km each day and the bike never, ever not once failed or bogged or had any problems.. I had a stuck float when I arrived the first day but maybe because I was 1000ft in the high county and it needed a flick !
Love your videos, as many other have stated in the comments, your channel is what turned me towards the xtrainer, I have a trials background (20years ago) and had a freeride for a while but got tired of all the hassle and found out that I wanted more speed, so I ditched that for a Ktm 250 4-stroke. Still not happy, so I went with a beta 250rr, loved the engine and smaller size compared to the ktm. But this one had me trying things I did not dare on the ktm and now I started doing some harder enduro. Being a short guy I wanted something lower so I bought a -21 xtrainer a month ago, found a great deal on a used boano Sachs cc forks and did some work on the rear shock, and to top it if I put on a fmf fatty exhaust, I don’t feel that I’m having to compromise, for me it works both ways now, super happy 👍🏻
Great to hear, Mikael! The Xtrainer can be the perfect bike if you are a bit trials-oriented and like the gnarlier terrain... but so many guys want to ride fast on them then complain about the engine, suspension or handling. Weird.
The light weight is great as we get older, Marty. 80 year old Paul Rodden loves his Xtrainer and won't ride anything else as it's so manageable in the woods. th-cam.com/video/GlpJ6rOttCs/w-d-xo.html
I'm pretty new to off road, had an EXC 200 for almost 2 years which I don't get to ride enough (I've done 70hrs) It's too tall For this 5'9' 57yo and when the going gets tough I fall off and stall more than I'd like too. I don't do high speed stuff so a lot of the 200s ability goes unused. Couldn't get a test ride on an XT and 21MY are now unobtainium in N.Ireland. Against my better judgement having not had a test I've put a deposit on 22 MY which is due around July time. Looking forward to it 🙂
Let me know how you go, John. I can't remember the specs but I think the Xtrainer might be a full two inches lower the 200EXC? A good thing with the 2022 model is they'll definitely have the electric start issue fixed. And we think the main bearing problem was fixed in 2021 (only heard of one 2021 case to date) but you would think it should be all good for 2022. 😊
Considering one. Have a Ktm 500 exc. and want something lighter now that I’m turning 45. Would like to go fast still. Going to test ride. Probably should slow down, for my family.
Definitely a great bike for a beginner. Coming from a motocross background I really like the explosive power. Not sure I’d come to terms with an X trainer. I think I’ll stick with my 300RR. When I get really old I may want something with softer power but for now I’m just fine.
That's what I wondering, Rode ktm 450 excs for the last decade but want to try a 300 2t. Can't decide on the xtrainer or just stay with a enduro bike. I don't race any more and have had shoulder surgery and have severe back problems but I won't stop riding. X trainer is on the cards because it looks easier to ride
@@rwilko9525 If you know someone that has them, ride them first. Coming off of a 450 you will be disappointed with the x-trainer, unless you have really slowed down. The nice thing about the 300 RR (or the KTM) is that you can tune the power delivery with the power valve so it doesn't yank your arms out of your shoulders.
I tried all of the 2019 beta models and I found them all very smooth besides the X-trainer, the vibration hurt my feet and then I jumped back on the 125 2-stroke and felt great again
Counter balance engine on 2020+ models helps with this. With that said my 2020 in comparison to the 150 EXC I had before it noticeabley more vibey , but then it is still a 300cc engine
Hey Barry, thinking of getting one of these instead of trying to use my DR650 on trail rides here in NZ. Being shorter I struggle to get on a full size bike. We have a lot of farm rides where speeds can get up a bit across paddocks. It should be ok? I realize I will probably need to re-spring one.
Hey mate I just bought a 2017 xtrainer very enjoyable bike to ride. always ride slow technical trails just wondering what carb set up do you have on yours? Cheers mate
Great summary Barry and from my experience spot on. We have a 2017 300RR and a 2017 X Trainer in the shed, with many hundreds of hours of joy shared. Getting these bikes was the best thing Lisa and I did to improve our riding, and confidence. I recommend the X-Trainer all the time to people I see struggling to progress skills on larger bikes. Short of going full to a trials bike, I don't think you can beat an X-trainer or (light-weight 2 stroke in general) for skills improvement and outright fun on the trails. PS> Your channel and content was influential in our purchase of these Beta's - thankyou :-)
Great to hear Tori, hopefully there's been no buyer's remorse and joining that class action lawsuit against me for all that dodgy advice. 😂 Despite lots of niggling little quality control issues (and that 5% main bearing failure rate on some year models) almost everyone in our group are still on RR300s or Xtrainers. Do you and Lisa swap bikes regularly when you hit the dirt? I couldn't afford two bikes but I've often thought it would be gret to have both...
@@crosstrainingenduro i have had 2 bottom end bearing failures on my 300, in the course of about 300 hours. I think drowning my bike on a few occasions was partly to blame for this. Short of splitting the case, it is very difficult to remove water that may have intruded. Still love the bike. Lisa and I rarely swap. We are so used to our own machines, you know how it is. The differences you mention in your vid are immediately apparent on those swaps 🙏👍
Noooooo! The dreaded main bearing failure. 😢 I agree, with drowning the bike you could never be sure if it was the well known issue from the factory or simply water and grit from the drowning. My brother has a RR300 and I like swapping occasionally but he doesn't because I've got the Steg Pegz on the bike.
I nearly bought one instead of my 2021 300rr, while the rr is quite powerful it can be ridden sedately quite easily, or use the rain map setting as I often do in really slippery conditions and on granite sand tracks. The standout difference between the x trainer and the rr 300, would have to be the suspension. I am still amazed at what it will soak up easily, worth the extra dollars right there. What's not great is the damn seat! Hopefully the x trainer has more padding
Both have just the standard dirt bike seat, Michael. I think Beta made them a bit softer in 2019/2020 or around then? But enduro seats are never comfortable lol.
So I just started riding any motorcycle variety 2 years ago at 41 yrs of age. I bought a 2015 Husqvarna FC 250 and have barely over 10 hrs seat time total. While I do have fun on tracks, the majority of my time has been in the woods. I'm wondering, what would you recommend as a good bike to get as a 2nd bike to ride in wilderness terrain? Looking to get a mild 2 stroke in the lower price range without being too old. Looked at an '08 XC-W 200 recently for $2700, but that was sold, so lmk what you think. Thanks in advance
Unfortunately there are so many variables we never do personal recommendations, Chris... but we have done a few vids with general tips and suggestions about choosing a bike. Yes, a 200 should be quite mellow. Also the Beta Xtrainer and the Rieju Ranger (formerly Gas Gas).
@@crosstrainingenduro thanks much for the feedback. I take recommendations for what they're worth btw. I wouldn't sue you if I hurt myself on a bike you thought fit for the circumstances. Hahaha. Ride on and enjoy. 🤙🏼
Excellent review Barry, recently bought a 21 xt model and had a bearing-failure conversation with the dealer… He was recommending not to use full synthetic oil but instead semi synthetic oil (mix and gearbox) as the synthetic oil contains ingredients (he was not exactly able to tell what exactly) that will harm the bearings and other engine parts over time. Sounded to me like rubbish, but who knows, anyone that can shed some more light on that?????
I must admit I've heard nothing along those lines. Some main bearings have plastic cages so he's probably thinking along those lines? But the Japanese made NTN bearings used in the Betas are all steel.
65 year old trail hack, bought my first Xtrainer in 2016 and a year later a 2017 Freeride and sold the Beta. After wearing out the Freeride I purchased a 2024 Xtrainer and wishing that KTM would release another 250 Freeride in 2025.😁
On a recent group ride I was struggling with my WR250R, and the leader let me ride out of that steep and rooty section on his Xtrainer. I just about had a man-event in my pants during that 500 meter stretch! Knowing that the Xtrainer is a purpose-built trail bike, and my WR is a proper dual sport, I expected it to be better, but WOW! If I ever add a dirt only bike to my garage, that one would make the list for sure.
I had to ride a WR250R up a hill for someone once, David. I couldn't believe how heavy and cumbersome it was for a 250! I'm sure they are great on the road but I wouldn't do anything tougher than a dirt road with it.
@@crosstrainingenduro The more I ride in the dirt, and on single track, the more I like it. The issue is that I do not own a truck or trailer, so I need something street legal, and unlike Australia (and NZ?) I cannot plate a dirt bike here in Canada. I am seriously considering a rekluse kit...
I'm 18, 5'7 and own a ttr 230 I'm looking at a bike to upgrade to I'm extremely interested in the x trainer, after watching this video it's the perfect seat height, and it's seems to a good bike. I would say I'm a beginner/intermediate rider I got alot of practice on single track and enduro riding. I'm thinking of getting the 250 cause the 300 might be to much.
Try not to discount the 300 to much because of the bigger CC “size”. The 300’s have great low end grunt and that may be more important depending in your type of riding and terrain. The 250’s need a little more clutch action to make them sing. In the mountain trails of the PNW (Washington State) we love our 300’s. It’s like a get out of jail free card on the nasty trails. I run a 52 tooth on the back of a 16 XT and can slow grind up a lot of fun stuff! It’s not fast on the open stuff. I find my self looking for more gears but the shifter says no, even though I keep checking with my toe to see if another one magically appears. No one bike does it all but all I care about is single track. Logging roads are only there to get me to the next trail. I love my modded ‘shorty pants special’ for the skinny mountain trails. Berry! Your the best! Thanks for all the awesome content! Can’t wait to see you in Canada again - Seattle Dan
I've started out riding a KTM 200 EXC as my first bike. The first hours were tough but I read a bunch and I "detuned" it via a flywheel weight, soft map switch, and turned the powervalve way past the "Langston" setting. I enjoy trying tight singletrack within my boundaries, however being a relative beginner (only about 120 hrs on the bike) the height really still gets me at times when I get abruptly stopped and tumble over. Then I recently tried a friend's TTR230, and while the pogo stick suspension sucks, I really enjoyed the seat height and it just feels like a little tractor in 1st/2nd gear. Now I've thought if I had to get a new bike (and don't go electric), the XTrainer feels like a modern fusion of those two.
A few years back I rode a TTR250 for a whole week and quite enjoyed it, although the suspension had been toughened up. Electric bikes will transform everything for beginnners though as they will be 100% tunable... can't wait!
I was tossing up the idea of one of these for my first decent off road bike after my klx250s as I am only 166cm tall, still think it is the best option for pure off road manouverability for a standard 40 year old beginner gumby like myself and something i could grow with
If you've already got some dirt experience with the KLX I think you'll enjoy the power delivery. What speeds do you normally ride at? As per the vid, it's great for the slower stuff, but gets a bit skittish at speed.
Love my xtrainer but there are as you pointed out some things I do not like but understand why they are. The suspension is soft and not that great for fast rutty, rooty trail rides but this can be remedied and still keep some of that good soft stuff that is nice for the trail. The biggest issue is the lack of top end power. I was under the assumption that the de tuning at the top end increased the torque at the bottom and so I was ok with the top. After seeing your charts I am right after this post contacting my dealer to see how I can remedy this as I really do not like the lack of upper power. Again I loive this bike and for gnarly mountain trails I do not believe there is a better choice, but now I wanna make it better, thanks OZZMAN!
I haven't really looked into it but I suspect the easiest mod would be an aftermarket pipe for the RR300 (not sure if any rejetting is needed though). Or a possible free option, go online asking if anyone wants to detune their RR300 and will swap exhausts.
@@crosstrainingenduro fmf has a fatty for it and I heard they were developing another for it but that came from my dealer. Thing is the times I wish for more more power is rare and never on the trails i like to ride. Might be spendy but it is one of my passions so I don't mind the expense if there is a payout. Probably going to be my last trail bike anyway. Thanks OZ!!!
Hi, how would you rate it for 75% off road and 25% road (incl. getting to and back from the forest through the city/occ. motorway)? Trail riding mostly climbs, but also exploration/tight technical stuff.
I can't make personal bike recommendations, there are so many variables involved I'd need to ask you about 30 different questions and I'd still feel very uncomfortable with any dodgy advice given. th-cam.com/video/pRCmmeNuZpY/w-d-xo.html
I've been on a wr250r for a season riding primarily in the woods. I've been thinking about upgrading to xtrainer, beta 200rr or wr250f since I can find one of these three locally. I'm 6'1 185-190 in gear.
One minute I want one of these, the next I don't! Im coming back to trail riding after a 15 year break and not sure if it will be enough of a bike for me, but im 15 years older & stiffer! I want to buy new, and just don't want to make a costly mistake.
considered the xtrainer, decided against it and purchased a sherco 300. while i would of loved the shorter seat height, by the time you take the price of sorting the suspension, you are better off with the full size enduro bike for everyday riding I should add that any one with riding experience, can ride a 300 two stroke they are very tame and can be short shifted easily. in fact i would find the 300 easier to ride then a modern 250 four stroke.
The Xtrainer sits one inch lower than it's big brother the RR300 because it has one inch less suspension travel... so of course you can always get any two stroke model lowered to a similar height by a suspension shop. Bit expensive, I'd be trying the cut down seat first!
I put the 48mm Sachs closed cartridge fork kit and Factory pro shock on mine from USA Beta. Big difference on stability. It was $3k, US, but if you put it against an RR with a spring swap and Revalve it’s a wash considering the lower entry price of the Xtrainer. The only thing that really annoys me is waiting for parts. I will also say that being 6’1” (I got nothing on you Barry 😀) it’s a little cramped as delivered. Hopping on friends’ KTMs and Husky’s they feel more right sized. But I ride like crap anyway so doesn’t matter I suppose. I do appreciate the smaller size and narrow width during my single track struggles. I sometimes think about a Gas Gas 300, but not because of lack of grunt. I have a TTR-125 setup for adult Enduro that I love and is fine in about 70% of terrain for Saturday rides. Just I dunno, sometimes you need some strange. 🤣
Ditto, even with risers and lower pegs I'm still a bit cramped on the Xtrainer but love tossing it around in the gnarly stuff. Our group would love a bit of 'strange'. We've been thinking of buying a very old dual sport bike to show you can still do hard enduro on it, but the prices are crazy due to Covid.
Sounds like the bike I need. Don't want a costly high maintenance four stroke when a smoker will do just as good and won't break the bank to keep it alive. What are the piston change intervals.
You'd have to see the manual for the official guide. In reality, a lot of riders are finding 200 hours is fine if you aren't riding the bike aggressively. th-cam.com/video/qSg2sll6yEo/w-d-xo.html
Say someone is looking for a bike to develop hard enduro skill and isn’t sure where to put the money. Would the cross trainer be a better option than a full trials bike?
It could be, Kyle. In this vid you can see trials rider Trevor Campbell throwing it around like a toy. A very serious rider really pushing hard to develop their skills would eventually outgrow it and need the full bike. But plenty of us trail hacks would find it fine for a long time.
Cheers, hopefully it will help anyone trying to decide whether to buy one. You can see a wide range of opinions out there when reading reviews so hopefully this just contributes another viewpoint to consider. 😊
I'm trying to weigh up between a KTM300exc and a Husaberg FE570. Been looking at the Beta reviews and while the Beta seat height would suits my 171cm body (33" inseam) better, I think the quality of a 300exc TPI would be much better. I pretty much just want a light bike for trail riding and short squirts around (road registered). Always wanted a FE570 or a 300exc. Unfortunately has been impossible to get testrides.
I was really tempted by the Xtrainer when I was buying my Beta 390RR, I ended up with the 390 and got the suspension lowered 2" I think if I didn't have so far to ride on tarmac while UK green laning I'd probs consider getting the 300RR and doing the same 2" drop on the suspension, but for now, my 390 is way more bike than I am capable of doing justice... I do love seeing how well a 2T lugs over a 4T though!
I’m in the same issues mate just bought a 300rr but it’s a sky scraper vs my mx bikes (husky / ktm) for my little legs. What drop did you do linkage ? I was thinking going TPI gas gas tbf and get a lowing link
Funny, I found myself between this and the yz250fx for my wife. 2 bikes you wouldn't think are comparable. Ended up buying her the 250fx as she occasionally gets to do gncc races with me. I ride an 18' 300rr and thought that the suspension on it was pretty meek, but the beta branded suspension on the xtrainer had me scared. Both the bikes have very linear power (wifi tuning on the yamaha), the x trainer takes the cake in low end and resistance to stall. The yamaha has what I would consider the best factory suspension I've ever ridden and can be tuned to deliver power like an xr400 and be stall resistant or with the press of a button, scream like it's 250f mx version brother. The xtrainer is a beautiful trail bike. I see it perfect for someone with no intentions in the near future to race and loves tight Woods, gnarly single, and general trail riding. I would limit it to about 3rd gear cranked on rough rooty rocky trails before you really start beating the suspension to death over an extended period of time. I would love to score one for a good price as a second bike for my wife when we go on riding trips.
@@crosstrainingenduro If I could fit it to my 300rr and it work exactly the same for a reasonable price, it would 100% be on there. The sachs suspension I have can work "okay" fast or slow, but not both. Thanks for responding!
I have an 2015 x trainer. As im short . Its great with the seat height. Yep and its not so good going fast but in the gnarly stuff its great and i love my bike. I am also a learner. For me it has plenty of power for now . Touch wood. I have had no problems with this bike.
Are you still running the oil injection, Kane? Apparently they did have issues with the very first year model but it was changed for 2016 and on. But if it's caused no problems so far you are probably not at risk! We reported on it in one of our Beta known issues vids...
@@crosstrainingenduro Hi Barry, I really appreciate you getting back to me so fast. I just cant afford newish austrian bikes and the 2nd ones are way too expensive or the cheapy ones have too many hours on the clock. Thats why the Beta cropped up, brand new for 11k. Are you familiar with the Gas Gas 350 or the SWM 500? As everyone says, love your vids -)
Alas Barry I did fall for the alure of the orange Austrian mistress, a fool and their money is easily parted! But I reckon I scored a wee bit of a bargain, I got a 450 six days, with very low hrs/K's on her so I am happy! Thx for ur previous advice though. Slainte
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Had mine for a year now and love the smaller size making it easier to maneuver at slow speeds. I do miss the explosive power of full size 250/300 whenever i try my buddies' KTM/Sherco But just got the main bearing failure at 48hr, hopefully it'll be fully covered by Beta Canada
Bummer to hear, Raouf! They should fix i completely at the expense of Beta head office at those hours. Unfortunately head office don't reimburse dealers for fluids such as engine oil and radiator fluid and only provide a certain number of paid hours which many mechanics say isn't enought... so some dealers do try to charge the customer a bit to cover their out-of-pocket costs. But generally that sort of thing hasn't been happening with Canadian dealers from what I've heard.
@@crosstrainingenduro its 2019 XT300, bought it new May of last year, i wouldn't be too worried about fluids, i do have faith in their head office as the Beta Canada Rep said the dealer have to inspect it first them provide a warranty claim to them but he said they mostly cover it at such low hours count
Unless failure was actually caused by the owner, they MUST cover it under warranty up to 90 hours... Beta's head office eventually stated this was their policy after we pressured them to do something about all the main bearing failures occurring.
Slightly smaller than full sized enduro bikes. You'd have to ride one to see. Or just fit pivoting bar risers and Fastway pegs in the lower and rear position.
Would love to pick up one of these bikes to mess with. Would also be a great replacement for the wife's ttr230 when she's ready. I keep an eye out for a cheap used one, one of these days ill snag up a deal!
It would be a great way to upgrade from the TTR! They come with a very ugly restrictive steel exhaust to meet emissions and the dealers always through them away... it could be worth asking for one as it really mellows the engine. But chances are you'll find adjusting the power valve and mapping settings will be enough.
Why doesn't anyone ever define "fast" when discussing the Beta Xtrainer. Are we discussing over 10Km/hr, 15km/hr, 20km/hr...? When do we start to see the suspension effectiveness break down and with what rider weight(s)? Thanks for the Vid just the same.
Too difficult to define Jimmy as it depends so much on the terrain and how much the combination of speed and rider weight are making the suspension work hard. We've done a whole vid about Xtrainer suspension mods that goes into more detail about Xtrainer suspension.
I had one. I didn t like it. I m a short and newbie guy. The bike is light and low but that s all. I hate the suspension. I felt uncomfortable with the 2 strokes too. Now i have a sherco 4stroke. Wp closed cartridge forks. It s taller and heavier but i feel safe with it.
I hope you didn't buy it new and lose money? Yeah if you don't like soft suspension or two stroke power delivery then you would hate the Xtrainer for sure! And once you are in third gear they feel twitchy which is not a good felling when learning. Great to hear the Sherco is working out for you.
@@crosstrainingenduro Truth is I thought the 300 might be too much power and get me into trouble. But I was wrong. The power is SO linear that the Bike is a joy to ride. The grunt is there when needed. I bought it partly from watching these vids. So thanks!
I think the Beta RR300 is an inch lower than its competitors and the Xtrainer is an inch lower again. Then you can cut the seat down at least another inch... one of the shorter guys in our group has done this and it makes a big difference in the gnarly stuff!
I had a Beta test ride event near me a year or so ago. I went expecting to fall in love with the Xtrainer, but found it very short for me, being 6'2". I can see why it is perfect for the tight messy stuff, but I would have to stand almost 100% of the time because of my knees. Or do some lowering/raising of parts. The two bikes of the line up that I came away wanting to buy were the 500RR and the 250 2-stroke with the race edition package. Both were serious fun in the dirt and a little better fit for my frame. I also tested the 200 2-stroke, the 390RR and the 430RR. All fun. I would buy any of them.
I'm a bit taller again and I definitely had to use bar risers and Fastway footpegs mounted lower and further back to fit a bit better on the bike... and it's still a bit cramped!
Just bought a 300rr love the power but it’s tall! And stiff! I’m 5.7/12 stone ish I measured my sag it’s way way too stiff on stock spring. Was thinking of going 300XT but completely torn may go gas gas TPI I have a husky mx bike and had ktms familiar with the Austrian bikes
I have one and it was great for the beginning , but as soon as I progressed and naturally getting faster i started to feel it’s lack of capacity for speed.
It's all part of that tricky process when deciding which bke to buy, hey? How fast will you progress? Will you get into a different style of riding over time? It makes me wonder if another option might be starting on a RR300 but fitting a Xtrainer pipe and go as mild as possible with the valve and mapping settings? 🤔
We all kept it in, and no probs. But google around. But see our 2022 Beta known issues vid. Some dealers are suggesting owners to remove it once the warranty is finished. Or don't leave it in for too long.
Interested to know which problems... obviously there are the main bearing failures and electrical gremlins. Any 2021 models with the starter problem? The really annoying thing with Beta is just overall sloppy quality control. I know plenty of dealers who have had to fix all sorts of problems in pre-delivery checks over the years. Bolts too tight, too loose or even missing. Sometimes non-essential parts like the mudflap for the rear shock missing. Electrical wiring not sufficiently secured or routed incorrectly. It goes on and on. KTM still have plenty of issues of course, but they do tend to fix them faster! See this vid: th-cam.com/video/kxCHcoHEEBA/w-d-xo.html
@@crosstrainingenduro Im not sure about the exact details, but I’ve heard about the main bearing on a new 2020 rr and older models have heard about coolant leaks, bad jetting on carb, starter issues, loose engine components, leaky exhausts right from the dealer! like you said could be poor quality control, our beta dealer is also really small compared to our ktm shop.. it’s hard for me to justify buying any new bike tho seeing how my 2010 XCW still keeps up with the new bikes and has over 300 hours and just keeps runnin strong 💪
Unfortunately all those things are pretty typical. The Beta dealers I know spend hours going over the bike and checking/fixing most of that stuff in pre-sales delivery, but some dealers don't know the issues or can't be bothered. The real issue lies with the factory though, things like the leaky exhaust seal should have been fixed six years ago! It only takes a zip tie to prevent it, but Beta is notoriously slow to correct problems, if at all. And bolts being too tight or loose have been occurring since year zero, with no sign of improvement. Having said all that, they are still great bikes, our group love the RR300 and Xtrainer but the Italians really need to get their shit together and do a much better job at quality control.
Before I purchased a new bike I tried the sex trainer,200RR and 300RR.I often ride in condition,s like in your vids but sometimes we take a break and go do some faster trails.The x trainer forks realy turned me off for all around use and I was not as comfortable on it at my short to you 6'2".I raced offroad over 30 years on 250,s and 300,s so I guess I am just used to the bigger bikes.I went with the 300RR because the race was not available and I wanted to flip my converted sx250/300 while covid prices were high.The bike is awesome but the zf forks sorta suck stock after trying every adjustment they have.I will mod them like I did the totally horrible 4cs forks that were on my ktm(open cartridge mod with full race tech kit).My lighter younger friend(32)that I got into offroad riding purchased the 200 and are both happy campers.
I've got the FFRC valving in the Xtrainer forks which made a huge difference, Jeff... and a high profile Goldentyre fatty on the front which slows the steering down. But it's still not stable like a RR300 once the speed picks up. Much as a I love the bike, I think I'll go for a full sized enduro bike next time around.
@@crosstrainingenduro So far I am really enjoying the bike and made the correct choice.The suspension is better stock than some stock KTM,s I have owned.It does feel like the high speed flow is restricted on high speed movements like smacking a 5" rock in 3rd gear it deflects bad.The wp 4cs fork was even worse but I got them buttery smooth with a make over.At 207 lbs my bikes always need some suspension work to not beat me up.I love the motor and handling of the bike and it's a keeper.I am going to get rid of the OI because I just don't trust it.Bikevis still under warranty so not making any radical changes till winter hits.
We have a new 2022 beta xtrainer 300, seized after 2 hrs riding. Sent back to dealer, got pistons, barrel and ecu replaced because it broke pin in ecu. Has broke down everytime its been out. Bogs down in low revs, won't take throttle. Last time it was out, checked it over for oil beforehand as usual and gearbox oil was almost empty, wherever it went to, no leaks anywhere. Anyone else having trouble like this?
Sorry to hear about that, Adrian. Maybe ask on the Xtrainer owners page on Facebook? Those guys are used to multiple problems. Thankfully not everyone hits problems. But occasionally one bike will just have endless issues. A few guys had three main bearing failures in a row on Xtrainers or RR300s. 🤦♂️ Some owners have demanded a replacement bike when they get sick of problems. Might be worthwhile on yours.
Cheers champion. Making the decision ever harder 😂 the sus is the only thing that’s putting me off. I’m 265lbs with all the gear on and I’m going to have to beef the sus anyway so I’m thinking RR even though I’m a whiskey throttle type rider. Oh well the life insurance is very up to date 😂👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
I think you'll probably find the RR better in the long run. You can beef up the Xtrainer suspension of course, but it's still a budget lightweight design created by a mob who do trials suspension.
Love my 2016 Xtrainer I bought used for $5k! in my small group of a dozen or so middle aged riders, 3 xtrainers, a 300RR, and a 500RRS or whatever it is, all super reliable and awesome here in the sticks between Boston and NYC. I'm 6'0 240lbs and my xtrainer, since I sold my CRF450X, has made me a far better rider! You downplay the power, the xtrainer hauls ass!!! Just not quite as fast, but if you're not racing it's plenty of power and speed, I easily hit 66mph the other day and hand plenty left, and climb giant sand hills as good as my buddies, no problems with power on these bikes unless you need to be THE fastest lap time guy.
Good point on the power, Jay. Most of us couldn't use the full power of a RR300 unless on flat ground in a straight line, so that 'missing' 10hp in the high revs means nothing for us trail hacks. The Xtrainer still punts along very nicely!
@Johnny Rebellion Haha, honestly, I haven't touched the suspension, and the guy I bought it off of weighed about 160lbs. I guess that shows how seriously I don't ride ha! I mostly just to casual trail rides with a bit of sand pit hill climbs and turkey runs, nothing very competitive or super high speed offroad.
Thanks for the video Barry, love your channel.. just bought a 21 xtrainer and my only issue for me is that the bike has from new alot of clutch drag...anyone experience this or have a solution to fix this?
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Canukastan almost everything dirtbike related is sold out for 2021 and people are putting down hard cash for 2022 models . About the only positive to come out of the pandemic .
And some young geezers too, we showed a bit of Trevor Campbell's riding. In the main vid he's getting some big air hammering the Xtrainer (with stock suspension) over jumps and doing all sorts of trials stunts. th-cam.com/video/YuGrHr0_IkI/w-d-xo.html
![เปิดบ้าน นาราเครปกระเทย 1 ไร่ ขายขาดทุนหลัก10ล้าน เอามาใช้หนี้!!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jz84VFWVP4/mqdefault.jpg)
Electrical problems persist into the 2022 models. See this video. th-cam.com/video/l4YgP7lw3JQ/w-d-xo.html Monitor your bike carefully and insist that Beta fixes any issues. These problems have gone on for too long.
FURTHER COMMENTS: If you are interested in Xtrainer suspension mods we have done an entire video about this: th-cam.com/video/C4BlCCR9HQw/w-d-xo.html
XTRAINER AS A BEGINNER'S BIKE? One thing I didn't make clear, if you were looking at the Xtrainer as dirt bike to learn on, it would only work well if you are into slow technical terrain and that will be your focus. If you will be in third gear or higher most of the time on faster trails, the twitchy steering, light weight, soft suspension and two stroke power delivery won't be a good combination! Consider a four stroke 250 instead.
MAIN BEARING FAILURES FINALLY FIXED FOR 2021? A KICKSTART ISSUE FOR SOME 2021 MODELS
In the latest case, a 2021 Beta main bearing failed at 25 hours. The dealer tried to get out of the warranty claim by saying the bearing was slightly rusted, but the owner stuck to his guns and said the bike had never been drowned and only a faulty seal could have let in water. There is only a very small number of 2021 cases coming in so far so what the cause or causes have been over the past three years it looks as though the issue has mostly been solved. But a new issue has come up with the electric start failing in 2021 models... apparently the metal is too soft and cogs are stripping. If your new 2021 model has any issues with weird noises when starting getting it to the dealer immediately for a warranty claim. Beta USA at least is fixing them under warranty.
Really useful thanks. im new to Dbikes I do a a mix on my mates FE350 and feel I need 2 bikes :D 1 for slow technical terrain when in Wales and places and then an FE350 when doing basic trails and green lanes we have in the UK
trying to figure out if I should get FE350 and trainer or maybe just get a 300 TE
Dealer today told me that the wiring issues in the US were because bikes were sitting in port in the salty air ? I asked about the bearing issues and they said they never heard of any. Questioning me about which bearing and promptly moving to the next customer after I brought up the dirt bike world posting 🤭
Italian factories are famous for fitting rusty bearings since the days of the Ducati Greenframe SS, GT750, & 900SS.
I have a 2020. I am 58 and getting back into riding with my sons and mates. They have KTM’s and Husky’s. I found their bikes intimidating after a life on older 4 strokes like dr’s and xr’s but the xtrainer so easy and relaxing. After 1 year i am having no issues keeping up on the organised rides we do in fact quite the opposite i am staying on more and going places that some of the others struggle with. I am doing lots of the enduro sections which include stee descents and climbs that others are struggling with. This thing climbs like a tractor. I got it because of seat height and because it wasn’t as aggressive. My confidence is higher now. I have done the airbox mod and re jetted i also put heavier springs on and tubliss. All I can say is wow, I love it. I tried a RR on a track recently to check my decision with some tight and open stuff as well as a KTM and Husky and still prefer my xtrainer, it just feels right. I am happy to put some money into it because i like it so much so may try the RR pipe and chamber spacer mod. I have also ordered the andriani fork inserts but am finding now that my forks seem to be working better than when I first got it. I have done 36 hours on it. I don’t need to go faster i need to have fun and come home smiling while still riding with my much faster sons. Is this the perfect bike for me, well I haven’t tried anything that could come close to what I’m getting out of this wonderful toy.
Great to hear, Garth! You can see why it's such a popular bike for many. Some are unhappy of course, they buy it simply because it's lighter and cheaper then expect it to behave like a fully fledged enduro bike... well duh. But there's a big bunch of us who don't want a fast race bike who have fallen in love with it.
Très intéressant comme commentaire
J'ai 64 ans et 97 kg et je roule en 400 drz en randonnée et je me dis une moto légère confortable et fun c'est top
Seulement c'est le réservoir qui est trop petit pour faire 150 km...
Hahaha I wish I had bought this instead of a Husky FE 350. I have had XRs all my life and just getting back on the bike after a 15 year spell. I enjoy it but I reckon I would have had more on this .
All true words Barry. I love my ‘18 XTrainer as do my friends. I call it the proverbial “Fun” bike, hands down. Not a true enduro machine, but damn good for what it does...
That was Beta's slogan a few years back wasn't it, Mark? Beta the fun bike, or something like that. They seemed to ditch that once they started sponsoring enduro racers and trying to get the serious race face on, for better or worse.
After 10 years of enduro riding and the last year of riding the RR 300, only after 2 months on the Xtrainer, I feel that I have made a huge improvement in my skills. RR will only be better if you are a PRO player. Not if you just think you're a PRO.
It's easy to fall for that marketing stuff that suggest we'll be champions too if we ride the same bike some pro won a championship on lol. In most cases we trail hacks will ride better on something with less power.
I bought my 2021 in November, have about 25 hours on it now and I LOVE it! I'm not racing or an expert rider, just having a blast riding on the trails. I'm not big and I'm not young, I think it is the perfect bike for me. Love your videos!
Great to hear! I'm surprised so many guys buy these then are disappointed when it's not like a full blown enduro bike... that's what the RR300 is for.
In the '70's when we rode DT's, XL's and TS's the Beta would have been a superbike. In my opinion it is. 300cc, water-cooled two stroke with pretty high performance and decent suspension. The King of trailbikes.
MAIN BEARING FAILURES FINALLY FIXED FOR 2021? A KICKSTART ISSUE FOR SOME 2021 MODELS
In the latest case, a 2021 Beta main bearing failed at 25 hours. The dealer tried to get out of the warranty claim by saying the bearing was slightly rusted, but the owner stuck to his guns and said the bike had never been drowned and only a faulty seal could have let in water. There is only a very small number of 2021 cases coming in so far so what the cause or causes have been over the past three years it looks as though the issue has mostly been solved. But a new issue has come up with the electric start failing... apparently the metal is too soft and cogs are stripping. If your new 2021 model has any issues with weird noises when starting getting it to the dealer immediately for a warranty claim!
I just got the 2021 model last month. I wish I had done so when I started riding five years ago. In just five hours it has given me more confidence to try new things than the other "proper enduro bike" before. The xtrainer is not popular in Spain so I'm confident I wouldn't have considered buying it if it weren't for this channel. Thanks!!
Great to hear Fernando!
Fernando Climent , I do not understand why Beta would not be popular in Spain. Are you expected to ride a Gas Gas ?
@@captainamerica9353. In my area KTM (and Husqvarna) rule and can't see any Gas Gas or Beta around. Couple Shercos and that's pretty much it. I hear every region is different and has to do with local support as well as tradition. Overall, all Betas in Spain go through one single importer and it's not very flexible for parts and warranties.
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Bought a 2021 from the awesome Beta dealers in Naracourte, SA 5 months ago. Best bike in the universe.... I'm 6' 1" ish and around 90kg's, all I've done is got the springs done by Bike Tune in Adelaide who did an awesome job and thats it. It is hands down the funnest bike in the history of the Universe, I just love riding it... I mainly ride hard enduro on it but also run it in non comp trials practise days etc. Best handling single track bike ever, and the engine is perfect for hard technical riding.
What its not;
Cross country racer, desert racer, fire trail 90km an hour with your mates on 450s.
What it is;
Hard single track with usual transports, hard enduro unless you are gold class level, trials skills training, enduro skills training, hard enduro skills training.
I thought long and hard about one and I really do just love bloody thing.
Good summary, and they are lots of fun trying to ride them as a trials bike, Rob. Occasionally I've popped out to our trials club and tried to ride the C class sections once the competition is over. th-cam.com/video/HPZ-S20S9bU/w-d-xo.html
Bought a new one in Feb 18. A lot of bike for the money and get lots of compliments. Had zero issues in 3 years. Still love it. It's awesome for the gnarly terrain and trails I ride.
I Will be upgrading the suspension this year to maybe do some faster tracks and trails.
If you are on a budget it might be worth trying some of the budget suspension mods first, some riders find even a change of fork oil is enough. If you look at fork cartidge inserts, do your research. Our local suspension gurus have looked at one set and said they weren't worth the money.... th-cam.com/video/C4BlCCR9HQw/w-d-xo.html
Traded my kdx200 for a xTrainer after riding one and because of this channel. I put the 300rr gnarly pipe on and rejeted. It now rips the front tire off the ground with no clutch at 60mph (100kph).
I crashed in my yard at 40mph and now I own a trials bike (because of this channel) for trashing my grass.
The Xtrainer is a featherweight when it comes to wheelies... that must be a big backyard if you can manage a 40mph stack!
I just bought a used 2021 model with 5 hrs on it. I rode itfor about 3 hours and I'm very happy with it. There is no perfect bike out there and it's just a matter of choice and what works best for you. In my case, the selling point is the ride-ability. I ride maybe once a month so for me having a 2 stroke dirt bike that I can hop on it and ride with confidence is what I need. As far as reliability, time will tell. I noticed that the oil tank gauge is probably faulted. The light starts going on after the level goes down by an inch from full. It seems to early to start telling you about low oil level. I'm sure the dealer can fix it under warranty. Thank you for the review and your youtube channel is really good.
Yes that's probably just another electrical gremlin, Roberto...although I haven't heard of that one before. If you see some of our known issues vids, we recommend zip ties on the oil supply tube into the carby, make sure it isn't kinked etc. Seems to be a reliable system apart from tubes perishing and not properly secured in some year models. th-cam.com/video/ansh4Zdcbr4/w-d-xo.html
That was already done before even riding it for the first time! That’s why I watch your videos!
Fantastic review, Barry! It's great to hear some long-term revies of the XTrainer. I've had my eye on it for years now and, in theory, it looks like the perfect bike for a short guy like me who mostly rides slow technical stuff. I picked up a backup KTM 200 last year and the guy I bought it from bought an Xtrainer to replace it. His feedback pretty much echoed what most owners have said: lots of grunt for technical stuff, but mediocre suspension, low ground clearance that has him dragging pegs where he never used to. He seemed to think it was lighter than the 200, but the reality was it just felt that way due to the lower center of gravity.
I'm not sure what taxes and dealer add-on fees are like in other countries, but an out the door price in the US would most likely be in the $9,000-$9,500 range. I just couldn't bring myself to pay that much and not have professional grade suspension. Though a lower seat height sounds appealing, I'd much rather be able to crawl over everything without scraping pegs or having linkage to get caught up on stuff.
I understand that pretty much all manufacturers of brand-new designed bikes are saddled with extremely stringent emissions standards that necessitate TPI, so I can't fault them for having to add it....and all that road registerable lighting for those who are lucky to live somewhere where they can plate them. But of course all that stuff adds weight, complexity and increased maintenance.
This would be the perfect type of bike for GPX or one of the Chinese manufacturers to jump on. They could strip it down to kick start only and use whatever leftover tech they've been using in their other bikes to get it down to a reasonable $5,000 or so. That being said, I'm not sure if those bikes could easily be registered in many countries due to the emissions requirements. Probably wouldn't be much of a problem in the US states outside of California. Aw, well...guess I'll just continue to live in the past....it's gotten me this far!
Low footpegs for sure lol. Just the other day I had to do a huge detour because I simply couldn't get the Xtrainer up this long deep rut on a hill climb, sigh. It had me wondering if I really need to move to full sized bike next time. GPX are only interested in rebadging cheap Chinese models unfortunately, and just upgrading the bits most likely to break e.g. footpegs. I would love to see AJP or SWM resurrect a decent two stroke model and do what you are suggesting! They have done a reasonable job with some older four stroke designs.
Loved the graph! And the review overall, well done!
Thanks! Nothing a graph to try and get a bit of cred lol.
Just got a 2021 a few weeks ago. Love it so far. I'm middle aged and fairly new to off road riding. Feels like the perfect bike for me on single track.
Great to hear, Walker. Any suspension mods so far?
@@crosstrainingenduro the dealer changed the springs to suit my weight. If feels far softer than my friend's bikes but I like it better. Half my riding is tight Ontario single track and the other half is riding super slow following my young children on two 50s and a 110. I am more than happy so far.
Thanks for making these videos. My kids and I learn a lot from them!
After about two years of non-riding due to a medical problem, I recently bought my second Xtrainer, an unused '22 model. The first thing I did was put shortened, revalved KYB open chamber forks from a 2002 Yz125 on it (I had done the same to my first xt also) they will fit into the xt triples by reducing the fork diameter at the lower clamp about 2mm. The shock works fine for me. The '22 carburetes better, and the counter- balanced crank makes for a very smooth, linear rev up. The smooth predictable power delivery, lower seat height and light weight make for a perfect tight trail ride...that can handle some pretty tricky trails both slowly and quickly as, you will.
Great to hear. Given it's so popular I'm surprised Beta doesn't offer a version of the Xtrainer with RR forks...
Spot on Barry as far as a perfect bike for a semi beginner. I have had a 2020 model for a month or so now. Rode a bit of mx as a teen then got back into last July on a 150 EXC. As someone who is still a beginner but not a complete novice this bike is just confidence inspiring. Helps that I'm 5 foot 6 but full size bikes had never been an issue for me - however the smaller bike makes me feel so much more in control, I know what it feels like riding a dirt bike for you regular sized people now. As far as the suspension goes I fimd myself drawn to more rocky technical stuff which means it's a much softer ride. And even on flowy single track I'm not noticing much difference over the EXC , I'd say I'm just not good enough to tell a difference. Handles like my bloody mountain bike though that's for sure!
Semi beginner is a good way to put it, Rhys! It's probably just a bit intimidating for raw beginners with the grunty power and twitchy handling at speed....
Just a question, would a 200RR be worth looking at based on the suspension side of things, I know you did a overhaul and was impressed, have had a blatt on both, weighing it up at the moment. Cheers Mate great vid.
Impossible to say Shane, so many factors involved for individual riders. All I could say is the RR200 suspension felt midway between the very soft trials-style suspension of Xtrainer and the firm feel of a RR300. Whether that would suit you I have no idea...
i have a 2020 best trail bike i ever owned but my wife keeps taking it since she loves it as well must buy another now lol
I'm interested to see your opinion on the difference between the 200rr and the xt. I'm interested in one or the other. Trail bike use. No racing. I want to learn to ride technical stuff.
Over 2600 miles and 300 hours on my 2017, still like it. I did get the fork properly tuned and re-sprung for safety sake.
EDIT: I have to add something about the (AWFUL) speedometer cluster. What garbage! Replaced twice - failed twice. Three bad stock speedos!! I gave up about a month ago, installed a Trail Tech Endurance 2, spliced the oil injection and oil tank warning plug wires in to some 12V leds. 3D printed a little LED holder and taped to the side of the new speedometer. Works PERFECTLY!! Functional odo, trip, hours, and idiot lights.
I lost the turn signals and the high low beam indication, no big deal there.
great vid Barry!
after watching your vids in 2016/2017, I went out and got my Beta Xtrainer 300 in August 2017, and fitted it with Clake One Light to cope with the very hard clutch pull. I was a low-level intermediate rider at the time, and wanted to improve.
I've been running it ever since, and aside of a starter motor that needed replacing, and plenty of stuff I broke myself, it is extremely reliable and only requires maintenance every 30 hours.
One comment though: I don't quite understand why this is recommended as a Beginners bike. A real beginner will have a very hard time doing the very technical stuff this bike is built to do, and on open flowy tracks it is down-right dangerous for beginner riders due to its soft front suspension. The first thing beginners usually do is try to go fast, because it's a lot easier to go fast, you just need to twist that right arm... the problem is cornering, breaking and obstacles once you are already in high speed :P
Anyway great vid and extremely happy that I took your recommendation 4 years ago :)
Glad the Xtrainer is working out for you, Itamar! Yes it's definitely not suited for the absolute beginner... as per the vid it's just too skittish once you hit third gear, and has too much power even on the softest settings. Beta has always had hard clutches, they do keep improving but they are lagging behind KTM quite a bit in this respect.
I own a 17 xtrainer 300, I rode 320km in two days 160km each day and the bike never, ever not once failed or bogged or had any problems.. I had a stuck float when I arrived the first day but maybe because I was 1000ft in the high county and it needed a flick !
Love your videos, as many other have stated in the comments, your channel is what turned me towards the xtrainer, I have a trials background (20years ago) and had a freeride for a while but got tired of all the hassle and found out that I wanted more speed, so I ditched that for a Ktm 250 4-stroke. Still not happy, so I went with a beta 250rr, loved the engine and smaller size compared to the ktm. But this one had me trying things I did not dare on the ktm and now I started doing some harder enduro.
Being a short guy I wanted something lower so I bought a -21 xtrainer a month ago, found a great deal on a used boano Sachs cc forks and did some work on the rear shock, and to top it if I put on a fmf fatty exhaust, I don’t feel that I’m having to compromise, for me it works both ways now, super happy 👍🏻
Great to hear, Mikael! The Xtrainer can be the perfect bike if you are a bit trials-oriented and like the gnarlier terrain... but so many guys want to ride fast on them then complain about the engine, suspension or handling. Weird.
love my 21 xtrainer at 64 & a mug rider it ticks the box for me , only things i've done is tubliss & washers in the clutch
The light weight is great as we get older, Marty. 80 year old Paul Rodden loves his Xtrainer and won't ride anything else as it's so manageable in the woods. th-cam.com/video/GlpJ6rOttCs/w-d-xo.html
I'm pretty new to off road, had an EXC 200 for almost 2 years which I don't get to ride enough (I've done 70hrs) It's too tall For this 5'9' 57yo and when the going gets tough I fall off and stall more than I'd like too. I don't do high speed stuff so a lot of the 200s ability goes unused.
Couldn't get a test ride on an XT and 21MY are now unobtainium in N.Ireland. Against my better judgement having not had a test I've put a deposit on 22 MY which is due around July time. Looking forward to it 🙂
Let me know how you go, John. I can't remember the specs but I think the Xtrainer might be a full two inches lower the 200EXC? A good thing with the 2022 model is they'll definitely have the electric start issue fixed. And we think the main bearing problem was fixed in 2021 (only heard of one 2021 case to date) but you would think it should be all good for 2022. 😊
Considering one. Have a Ktm 500 exc. and want something lighter now that I’m turning 45. Would like to go fast still. Going to test ride. Probably should slow down, for my family.
Definitely a great bike for a beginner. Coming from a motocross background I really like the explosive power. Not sure I’d come to terms with an X trainer. I think I’ll stick with my 300RR. When I get really old I may want something with softer power but for now I’m just fine.
That's what I wondering, Rode ktm 450 excs for the last decade but want to try a 300 2t. Can't decide on the xtrainer or just stay with a enduro bike. I don't race any more and have had shoulder surgery and have severe back problems but I won't stop riding. X trainer is on the cards because it looks easier to ride
@@rwilko9525 If you know someone that has them, ride them first. Coming off of a 450 you will be disappointed with the x-trainer, unless you have really slowed down. The nice thing about the 300 RR (or the KTM) is that you can tune the power delivery with the power valve so it doesn't yank your arms out of your shoulders.
I tried all of the 2019 beta models and I found them all very smooth besides the X-trainer, the vibration hurt my feet and then I jumped back on the 125 2-stroke and felt great again
Counter balance engine on 2020+ models helps with this. With that said my 2020 in comparison to the 150 EXC I had before it noticeabley more vibey , but then it is still a 300cc engine
Hey Barry, thinking of getting one of these instead of trying to use my DR650 on trail rides here in NZ. Being shorter I struggle to get on a full size bike. We have a lot of farm rides where speeds can get up a bit across paddocks. It should be ok? I realize I will probably need to re-spring one.
Can't really say, Rob. There are dozens of variables when it comes to trying to choose which bike is best for each rider.
Hey mate I just bought a 2017 xtrainer very enjoyable bike to ride. always ride slow technical trails just wondering what carb set up do you have on yours? Cheers mate
Dead stock Alan. Not sure if the factory sets them up for Australia or the dealers do, but they run fine as is.
Great summary Barry and from my experience spot on. We have a 2017 300RR and a 2017 X Trainer in the shed, with many hundreds of hours of joy shared. Getting these bikes was the best thing Lisa and I did to improve our riding, and confidence. I recommend the X-Trainer all the time to people I see struggling to progress skills on larger bikes. Short of going full to a trials bike, I don't think you can beat an X-trainer or (light-weight 2 stroke in general) for skills improvement and outright fun on the trails. PS> Your channel and content was influential in our purchase of these Beta's - thankyou :-)
Great to hear Tori, hopefully there's been no buyer's remorse and joining that class action lawsuit against me for all that dodgy advice. 😂 Despite lots of niggling little quality control issues (and that 5% main bearing failure rate on some year models) almost everyone in our group are still on RR300s or Xtrainers. Do you and Lisa swap bikes regularly when you hit the dirt? I couldn't afford two bikes but I've often thought it would be gret to have both...
@@crosstrainingenduro i have had 2 bottom end bearing failures on my 300, in the course of about 300 hours. I think drowning my bike on a few occasions was partly to blame for this. Short of splitting the case, it is very difficult to remove water that may have intruded. Still love the bike. Lisa and I rarely swap. We are so used to our own machines, you know how it is. The differences you mention in your vid are immediately apparent on those swaps 🙏👍
Noooooo! The dreaded main bearing failure. 😢 I agree, with drowning the bike you could never be sure if it was the well known issue from the factory or simply water and grit from the drowning. My brother has a RR300 and I like swapping occasionally but he doesn't because I've got the Steg Pegz on the bike.
I nearly bought one instead of my 2021 300rr, while the rr is quite powerful it can be ridden sedately quite easily, or use the rain map setting as I often do in really slippery conditions and on granite sand tracks.
The standout difference between the x trainer and the rr 300, would have to be the suspension. I am still amazed at what it will soak up easily, worth the extra dollars right there.
What's not great is the damn seat! Hopefully the x trainer has more padding
Both have just the standard dirt bike seat, Michael. I think Beta made them a bit softer in 2019/2020 or around then? But enduro seats are never comfortable lol.
So I just started riding any motorcycle variety 2 years ago at 41 yrs of age. I bought a 2015 Husqvarna FC 250 and have barely over 10 hrs seat time total. While I do have fun on tracks, the majority of my time has been in the woods. I'm wondering, what would you recommend as a good bike to get as a 2nd bike to ride in wilderness terrain? Looking to get a mild 2 stroke in the lower price range without being too old. Looked at an '08 XC-W 200 recently for $2700, but that was sold, so lmk what you think. Thanks in advance
Unfortunately there are so many variables we never do personal recommendations, Chris... but we have done a few vids with general tips and suggestions about choosing a bike. Yes, a 200 should be quite mellow. Also the Beta Xtrainer and the Rieju Ranger (formerly Gas Gas).
@@crosstrainingenduro thanks much for the feedback. I take recommendations for what they're worth btw. I wouldn't sue you if I hurt myself on a bike you thought fit for the circumstances. Hahaha. Ride on and enjoy. 🤙🏼
Excellent review Barry, recently bought a 21 xt model and had a bearing-failure conversation with the dealer… He was recommending not to use full synthetic oil but instead semi synthetic oil (mix and gearbox) as the synthetic oil contains ingredients (he was not exactly able to tell what exactly) that will harm the bearings and other engine parts over time. Sounded to me like rubbish, but who knows, anyone that can shed some more light on that?????
I must admit I've heard nothing along those lines. Some main bearings have plastic cages so he's probably thinking along those lines? But the Japanese made NTN bearings used in the Betas are all steel.
65 year old trail hack, bought my first Xtrainer in 2016 and a year later a 2017 Freeride and sold the Beta. After wearing out the Freeride I purchased a 2024 Xtrainer and wishing that KTM would release another 250 Freeride in 2025.😁
On a recent group ride I was struggling with my WR250R, and the leader let me ride out of that steep and rooty section on his Xtrainer. I just about had a man-event in my pants during that 500 meter stretch!
Knowing that the Xtrainer is a purpose-built trail bike, and my WR is a proper dual sport, I expected it to be better, but WOW! If I ever add a dirt only bike to my garage, that one would make the list for sure.
I had to ride a WR250R up a hill for someone once, David. I couldn't believe how heavy and cumbersome it was for a 250! I'm sure they are great on the road but I wouldn't do anything tougher than a dirt road with it.
@@crosstrainingenduro The more I ride in the dirt, and on single track, the more I like it. The issue is that I do not own a truck or trailer, so I need something street legal, and unlike Australia (and NZ?) I cannot plate a dirt bike here in Canada. I am seriously considering a rekluse kit...
I'm 18, 5'7 and own a ttr 230 I'm looking at a bike to upgrade to I'm extremely interested in the x trainer, after watching this video it's the perfect seat height, and it's seems to a good bike. I would say I'm a beginner/intermediate rider I got alot of practice on single track and enduro riding.
I'm thinking of getting the 250 cause the 300 might be to much.
Try not to discount the 300 to much because of the bigger CC “size”. The 300’s have great low end grunt and that may be more important depending in your type of riding and terrain. The 250’s need a little more clutch action to make them sing. In the mountain trails of the PNW (Washington State) we love our 300’s. It’s like a get out of jail free card on the nasty trails. I run a 52 tooth on the back of a 16 XT and can slow grind up a lot of fun stuff! It’s not fast on the open stuff. I find my self looking for more gears but the shifter says no, even though I keep checking with my toe to see if another one magically appears. No one bike does it all but all I care about is single track. Logging roads are only there to get me to the next trail. I love my modded ‘shorty pants special’ for the skinny mountain trails. Berry! Your the best! Thanks for all the awesome content! Can’t wait to see you in Canada again - Seattle Dan
I've started out riding a KTM 200 EXC as my first bike. The first hours were tough but I read a bunch and I "detuned" it via a flywheel weight, soft map switch, and turned the powervalve way past the "Langston" setting. I enjoy trying tight singletrack within my boundaries, however being a relative beginner (only about 120 hrs on the bike) the height really still gets me at times when I get abruptly stopped and tumble over. Then I recently tried a friend's TTR230, and while the pogo stick suspension sucks, I really enjoyed the seat height and it just feels like a little tractor in 1st/2nd gear. Now I've thought if I had to get a new bike (and don't go electric), the XTrainer feels like a modern fusion of those two.
A few years back I rode a TTR250 for a whole week and quite enjoyed it, although the suspension had been toughened up. Electric bikes will transform everything for beginnners though as they will be 100% tunable... can't wait!
Did your exc come with a map switch or aftermarket ? Does the flywheel weight help it not be a stall machine ?
I was tossing up the idea of one of these for my first decent off road bike after my klx250s as I am only 166cm tall, still think it is the best option for pure off road manouverability for a standard 40 year old beginner gumby like myself and something i could grow with
If you've already got some dirt experience with the KLX I think you'll enjoy the power delivery. What speeds do you normally ride at? As per the vid, it's great for the slower stuff, but gets a bit skittish at speed.
I have a CRF300L and I found a 2017 XTrainer for sale locally. I'm seriously considering it. How would the XTrainer do in deep sugary sand?
I think you'd find the answer in this vid, Dean
Love my xtrainer but there are as you pointed out some things I do not like but understand why they are. The suspension is soft and not that great for fast rutty, rooty trail rides but this can be remedied and still keep some of that good soft stuff that is nice for the trail. The biggest issue is the lack of top end power. I was under the assumption that the de tuning at the top end increased the torque at the bottom and so I was ok with the top. After seeing your charts I am right after this post contacting my dealer to see how I can remedy this as I really do not like the lack of upper power. Again I loive this bike and for gnarly mountain trails I do not believe there is a better choice, but now I wanna make it better, thanks OZZMAN!
I haven't really looked into it but I suspect the easiest mod would be an aftermarket pipe for the RR300 (not sure if any rejetting is needed though). Or a possible free option, go online asking if anyone wants to detune their RR300 and will swap exhausts.
@@crosstrainingenduro fmf has a fatty for it and I heard they were developing another for it but that came from my dealer. Thing is the times I wish for more more power is rare and never on the trails i like to ride. Might be spendy but it is one of my passions so I don't mind the expense if there is a payout. Probably going to be my last trail bike anyway. Thanks OZ!!!
Hi, how would you rate it for 75% off road and 25% road (incl. getting to and back from the forest through the city/occ. motorway)? Trail riding mostly climbs, but also exploration/tight technical stuff.
I can't make personal bike recommendations, there are so many variables involved I'd need to ask you about 30 different questions and I'd still feel very uncomfortable with any dodgy advice given. th-cam.com/video/pRCmmeNuZpY/w-d-xo.html
Hi quick question, where did the horsepower info come from? Is there a torque curve available also?
I just googled 'xtrainer dyno chart', can't remember the source now. And not sure if included a torque chart as well.
Hi Barry, how many main bearing failures are you coming across with these bikes. Is it an issue on 2020/21 models?
Reported on this in the pinned first comment, Dave. This is where we always put updates, corrections, and further notes.
@@crosstrainingenduro Thanks for the update Barry :-)
I've been on a wr250r for a season riding primarily in the woods. I've been thinking about upgrading to xtrainer, beta 200rr or wr250f since I can find one of these three locally. I'm 6'1 185-190 in gear.
Great to have that kind of choice, Jake. I've ridden all three and enjoyed them.
One minute I want one of these, the next I don't! Im coming back to trail riding after a 15 year break and not sure if it will be enough of a bike for me, but im 15 years older & stiffer! I want to buy new, and just don't want to make a costly mistake.
The only way to know for sure is a test ride usually. Slow technical riding in the first three gears? It should shine. Faster than that? Meh.
Most fun bike to ride available right now. And very affordable!
considered the xtrainer, decided against it and purchased a sherco 300. while i would of loved the shorter seat height, by the time you take the price of sorting the suspension, you are better off with the full size enduro bike for everyday riding
I should add that any one with riding experience, can ride a 300 two stroke they are very tame and can be short shifted easily. in fact i would find the 300 easier to ride then a modern 250 four stroke.
The Xtrainer sits one inch lower than it's big brother the RR300 because it has one inch less suspension travel... so of course you can always get any two stroke model lowered to a similar height by a suspension shop. Bit expensive, I'd be trying the cut down seat first!
My only negative comment in four years of ownership is the name...Xtrainer. My buddies give me grief over the "Trainer" moniker constantly...LOL
I have always hoped the 'X' would make it sound like a mysterious superhero thing but no luck so far... 😂
@@crosstrainingenduro At least they didn't name it the Xdresser! Haha!
The guys made me wear pink handlebar tassels at the last hard enduro event, so my Xtrainer is well on the way to being a Xdresser. 😢
I put the 48mm Sachs closed cartridge fork kit and Factory pro shock on mine from USA Beta. Big difference on stability. It was $3k, US, but if you put it against an RR with a spring swap and Revalve it’s a wash considering the lower entry price of the Xtrainer. The only thing that really annoys me is waiting for parts.
I will also say that being 6’1” (I got nothing on you Barry 😀) it’s a little cramped as delivered. Hopping on friends’ KTMs and Husky’s they feel more right sized. But I ride like crap anyway so doesn’t matter I suppose. I do appreciate the smaller size and narrow width during my single track struggles.
I sometimes think about a Gas Gas 300, but not because of lack of grunt. I have a TTR-125 setup for adult Enduro that I love and is fine in about 70% of terrain for Saturday rides. Just I dunno, sometimes you need some strange. 🤣
Ditto, even with risers and lower pegs I'm still a bit cramped on the Xtrainer but love tossing it around in the gnarly stuff. Our group would love a bit of 'strange'. We've been thinking of buying a very old dual sport bike to show you can still do hard enduro on it, but the prices are crazy due to Covid.
@@crosstrainingenduro Yeah used bike prices are crazy here in the US. Dealer inventory of new bikes is often scarce depending on region. 🥲
Sounds like the bike I need. Don't want a costly high maintenance four stroke when a smoker will do just as good and won't break the bank to keep it alive. What are the piston change intervals.
You'd have to see the manual for the official guide. In reality, a lot of riders are finding 200 hours is fine if you aren't riding the bike aggressively. th-cam.com/video/qSg2sll6yEo/w-d-xo.html
Say someone is looking for a bike to develop hard enduro skill and isn’t sure where to put the money. Would the cross trainer be a better option than a full trials bike?
It could be, Kyle. In this vid you can see trials rider Trevor Campbell throwing it around like a toy. A very serious rider really pushing hard to develop their skills would eventually outgrow it and need the full bike. But plenty of us trail hacks would find it fine for a long time.
Great video mate!
Loving your insights on the Xtrainer.
Cheers, hopefully it will help anyone trying to decide whether to buy one. You can see a wide range of opinions out there when reading reviews so hopefully this just contributes another viewpoint to consider. 😊
I'm trying to weigh up between a KTM300exc and a Husaberg FE570. Been looking at the Beta reviews and while the Beta seat height would suits my 171cm body (33" inseam) better, I think the quality of a 300exc TPI would be much better. I pretty much just want a light bike for trail riding and short squirts around (road registered). Always wanted a FE570 or a 300exc. Unfortunately has been impossible to get testrides.
I was really tempted by the Xtrainer when I was buying my Beta 390RR, I ended up with the 390 and got the suspension lowered 2" I think if I didn't have so far to ride on tarmac while UK green laning I'd probs consider getting the 300RR and doing the same 2" drop on the suspension, but for now, my 390 is way more bike than I am capable of doing justice... I do love seeing how well a 2T lugs over a 4T though!
Two strokes are so painful to ride on the road for any distance lol!
I’m in the same issues mate just bought a 300rr but it’s a sky scraper vs my mx bikes (husky / ktm) for my little legs. What drop did you do linkage ? I was thinking going TPI gas gas tbf and get a lowing link
@@E63s_Scott I got a company to lower the shock and forks internally
I wish we had some of these bikes in my area
Funny, I found myself between this and the yz250fx for my wife. 2 bikes you wouldn't think are comparable. Ended up buying her the 250fx as she occasionally gets to do gncc races with me. I ride an 18' 300rr and thought that the suspension on it was pretty meek, but the beta branded suspension on the xtrainer had me scared. Both the bikes have very linear power (wifi tuning on the yamaha), the x trainer takes the cake in low end and resistance to stall. The yamaha has what I would consider the best factory suspension I've ever ridden and can be tuned to deliver power like an xr400 and be stall resistant or with the press of a button, scream like it's 250f mx version brother. The xtrainer is a beautiful trail bike. I see it perfect for someone with no intentions in the near future to race and loves tight Woods, gnarly single, and general trail riding. I would limit it to about 3rd gear cranked on rough rooty rocky trails before you really start beating the suspension to death over an extended period of time. I would love to score one for a good price as a second bike for my wife when we go on riding trips.
I got to ride a YZ250FX for a whole week, that KYB suspension is a dream! Makes you wonder why it's not fitted to every dirt bike on earth.
@@crosstrainingenduro If I could fit it to my 300rr and it work exactly the same for a reasonable price, it would 100% be on there. The sachs suspension I have can work "okay" fast or slow, but not both. Thanks for responding!
I have an 2015 x trainer. As im short . Its great with the seat height. Yep and its not so good going fast but in the gnarly stuff its great and i love my bike. I am also a learner. For me it has plenty of power for now . Touch wood. I have had no problems with this bike.
Are you still running the oil injection, Kane? Apparently they did have issues with the very first year model but it was changed for 2016 and on. But if it's caused no problems so far you are probably not at risk! We reported on it in one of our Beta known issues vids...
@@crosstrainingenduro yes its still running the oil injection. Done close to 95hrs. 1 top end rebuild. Thats it so far.
Super great in slow technical terrain but not good in whoops. Like you said. Easiest bike to ride tho.
Even with the suspension done it can be a handful in whoops lol.
what do you think about 2017 300 2t model in good condition for 4,000 Euros? worth it?
No idea, depends on the country, registration, accessories, so many factors. What is a euro worth?
Hi would this bike be suitable to ride from Cairns to Cape york, with a bit of camping gear strapped onto it?
Never done the trip, Owen. But from what I've heard it would be unpleasant on any two stroke... especially this one.
@@crosstrainingenduro Hi Barry, I really appreciate you getting back to me so fast. I just cant afford newish austrian bikes and the 2nd ones are way too expensive or the cheapy ones have too many hours on the clock. Thats why the Beta cropped up, brand new for 11k. Are you familiar with the Gas Gas 350 or the SWM 500?
As everyone says, love your vids -)
Alas Barry I did fall for the alure of the orange Austrian mistress, a fool and their money is easily parted! But I reckon I scored a wee bit of a bargain, I got a 450 six days, with very low hrs/K's on her so I am happy! Thx for ur previous advice though. Slainte
The riding is amazing. Hard enduro looks really hard from where I sit.
Its probably the ideal bike for where i live tbh, so many deep bogs that enduro bikes are too heavy for
thanks , thats very useful ,,, here in the uk damp weather plays havoc with poor wiring ;;;
Glad it helped Simon
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Had mine for a year now and love the smaller size making it easier to maneuver at slow speeds. I do miss the explosive power of full size 250/300 whenever i try my buddies' KTM/Sherco
But just got the main bearing failure at 48hr, hopefully it'll be fully covered by Beta Canada
Bummer to hear, Raouf! They should fix i completely at the expense of Beta head office at those hours. Unfortunately head office don't reimburse dealers for fluids such as engine oil and radiator fluid and only provide a certain number of paid hours which many mechanics say isn't enought... so some dealers do try to charge the customer a bit to cover their out-of-pocket costs. But generally that sort of thing hasn't been happening with Canadian dealers from what I've heard.
What year model is yours?
@@crosstrainingenduro its 2019 XT300, bought it new May of last year, i wouldn't be too worried about fluids, i do have faith in their head office as the Beta Canada Rep said the dealer have to inspect it first them provide a warranty claim to them but he said they mostly cover it at such low hours count
Unless failure was actually caused by the owner, they MUST cover it under warranty up to 90 hours... Beta's head office eventually stated this was their policy after we pressured them to do something about all the main bearing failures occurring.
Im getting one, i am 14 ,172 cm and 57kg and i have experience. Should i get 250 xtrainer or 300 xtrainer?
th-cam.com/video/pRCmmeNuZpY/w-d-xo.html
How are the ergos for the gangly among us? I don't want to be cramped.
Slightly smaller than full sized enduro bikes. You'd have to ride one to see. Or just fit pivoting bar risers and Fastway pegs in the lower and rear position.
@@crosstrainingenduro Just brought one home!!!
Would love to pick up one of these bikes to mess with. Would also be a great replacement for the wife's ttr230 when she's ready. I keep an eye out for a cheap used one, one of these days ill snag up a deal!
It would be a great way to upgrade from the TTR! They come with a very ugly restrictive steel exhaust to meet emissions and the dealers always through them away... it could be worth asking for one as it really mellows the engine. But chances are you'll find adjusting the power valve and mapping settings will be enough.
Why doesn't anyone ever define "fast" when discussing the Beta Xtrainer. Are we discussing over 10Km/hr, 15km/hr, 20km/hr...? When do we start to see the suspension effectiveness break down and with what rider weight(s)? Thanks for the Vid just the same.
Too difficult to define Jimmy as it depends so much on the terrain and how much the combination of speed and rider weight are making the suspension work hard. We've done a whole vid about Xtrainer suspension mods that goes into more detail about Xtrainer suspension.
For me faster than 50km/h was dangerous even in easy sections. One little stone and...
If you ONLY ride HARD enduro...perfect bike
I had one. I didn t like it. I m a short and newbie guy. The bike is light and low but that s all. I hate the suspension. I felt uncomfortable with the 2 strokes too. Now i have a sherco 4stroke. Wp closed cartridge forks. It s taller and heavier but i feel safe with it.
I hope you didn't buy it new and lose money? Yeah if you don't like soft suspension or two stroke power delivery then you would hate the Xtrainer for sure! And once you are in third gear they feel twitchy which is not a good felling when learning. Great to hear the Sherco is working out for you.
@@crosstrainingenduro I bought it new. I lost 1300 euros but i learned a lot too. So no problem. Thanks for your "how to" videos. My holy bible.
Great video! Enjoyed it thoroughly! Keep up the good content!
Thanks, will do!
Love my 300. Wanted a 250 but N/A in the states. All good!
Interesting, Paul! Why would you prefer the 250, Paul? I think it's the same weight but it is a bit cheaper?
@@crosstrainingenduro Truth is I thought the 300 might be too much power and get me into trouble. But I was wrong. The power is SO linear that the Bike is a joy to ride. The grunt is there when needed. I bought it partly from watching these vids. So thanks!
I hear good things about the cross trainer for us shortys too
I think the Beta RR300 is an inch lower than its competitors and the Xtrainer is an inch lower again. Then you can cut the seat down at least another inch... one of the shorter guys in our group has done this and it makes a big difference in the gnarly stuff!
I had a Beta test ride event near me a year or so ago. I went expecting to fall in love with the Xtrainer, but found it very short for me, being 6'2". I can see why it is perfect for the tight messy stuff, but I would have to stand almost 100% of the time because of my knees. Or do some lowering/raising of parts. The two bikes of the line up that I came away wanting to buy were the 500RR and the 250 2-stroke with the race edition package. Both were serious fun in the dirt and a little better fit for my frame. I also tested the 200 2-stroke, the 390RR and the 430RR. All fun. I would buy any of them.
I'm a bit taller again and I definitely had to use bar risers and Fastway footpegs mounted lower and further back to fit a bit better on the bike... and it's still a bit cramped!
Just bought a 300rr love the power but it’s tall! And stiff! I’m 5.7/12 stone ish I measured my sag it’s way way too stiff on stock spring. Was thinking of going 300XT but completely torn may go gas gas TPI I have a husky mx bike and had ktms familiar with the Austrian bikes
Love the blue
I have one and it was great for the beginning , but as soon as I progressed and naturally getting faster i started to feel it’s lack of capacity for speed.
It's all part of that tricky process when deciding which bke to buy, hey? How fast will you progress? Will you get into a different style of riding over time? It makes me wonder if another option might be starting on a RR300 but fitting a Xtrainer pipe and go as mild as possible with the valve and mapping settings? 🤔
@@crosstrainingenduro I guess the fastest way to progress is probably to start with the easier bike like xtrainer.
How's the oil injection been on the beta's ? keep running it or removing
We all kept it in, and no probs. But google around. But see our 2022 Beta known issues vid. Some dealers are suggesting owners to remove it once the warranty is finished. Or don't leave it in for too long.
Looked into getting a beta.. local guys have had a lot of issues. I think I’ll stick with a ktm 250 or 300 xcw!
Interested to know which problems... obviously there are the main bearing failures and electrical gremlins. Any 2021 models with the starter problem? The really annoying thing with Beta is just overall sloppy quality control. I know plenty of dealers who have had to fix all sorts of problems in pre-delivery checks over the years. Bolts too tight, too loose or even missing. Sometimes non-essential parts like the mudflap for the rear shock missing. Electrical wiring not sufficiently secured or routed incorrectly. It goes on and on. KTM still have plenty of issues of course, but they do tend to fix them faster! See this vid: th-cam.com/video/kxCHcoHEEBA/w-d-xo.html
@@crosstrainingenduro Im not sure about the exact details, but I’ve heard about the main bearing on a new 2020 rr and older models have heard about coolant leaks, bad jetting on carb, starter issues, loose engine components, leaky exhausts right from the dealer! like you said could be poor quality control, our beta dealer is also really small compared to our ktm shop.. it’s hard for me to justify buying any new bike tho seeing how my 2010 XCW still keeps up with the new bikes and has over 300 hours and just keeps runnin strong 💪
Unfortunately all those things are pretty typical. The Beta dealers I know spend hours going over the bike and checking/fixing most of that stuff in pre-sales delivery, but some dealers don't know the issues or can't be bothered. The real issue lies with the factory though, things like the leaky exhaust seal should have been fixed six years ago! It only takes a zip tie to prevent it, but Beta is notoriously slow to correct problems, if at all. And bolts being too tight or loose have been occurring since year zero, with no sign of improvement. Having said all that, they are still great bikes, our group love the RR300 and Xtrainer but the Italians really need to get their shit together and do a much better job at quality control.
How would it go at Stockton beach in the sand?
I guess as per the vid... not a lot of directional stability as the speed picks up.
Oh please someone tell me i'm not the only one that read the note at 4:28 . How does one come up with this stuff?
That even made me laugh, I can barely remember writing that, David. 😂 I love movies where they hide little jokes for those looking hard for them...
If something fails just out of warranty, you are still covered by consumer law. Fair use is required out of every product we purchase.
Before I purchased a new bike I tried the sex trainer,200RR and 300RR.I often ride in condition,s like in your vids but sometimes we take a break and go do some faster trails.The x trainer forks realy turned me off for all around use and I was not as comfortable on it at my short to you 6'2".I raced offroad over 30 years on 250,s and 300,s so I guess I am just used to the bigger bikes.I went with the 300RR because the race was not available and I wanted to flip my converted sx250/300 while covid prices were high.The bike is awesome but the zf forks sorta suck stock after trying every adjustment they have.I will mod them like I did the totally horrible 4cs forks that were on my ktm(open cartridge mod with full race tech kit).My lighter younger friend(32)that I got into offroad riding purchased the 200 and are both happy campers.
I've got the FFRC valving in the Xtrainer forks which made a huge difference, Jeff... and a high profile Goldentyre fatty on the front which slows the steering down. But it's still not stable like a RR300 once the speed picks up. Much as a I love the bike, I think I'll go for a full sized enduro bike next time around.
@@crosstrainingenduro So far I am really enjoying the bike and made the correct choice.The suspension is better stock than some stock KTM,s I have owned.It does feel like the high speed flow is restricted on high speed movements like smacking a 5" rock in 3rd gear it deflects bad.The wp 4cs fork was even worse but I got them buttery smooth with a make over.At 207 lbs my bikes always need some suspension work to not beat me up.I love the motor and handling of the bike and it's a keeper.I am going to get rid of the OI because I just don't trust it.Bikevis still under warranty so not making any radical changes till winter hits.
Considered an Xtrainer, bought a Freeride, and ended up with a 300 XCW.
Interesting process, Doug! Enjoying the pumpkin?
Thanks for great productions!
Our pleasure!
That joke at the end is fucking classic ! My girl said "gaawd"
It must be done humanely though, Jeremy. Tight knots can cause a loss of blood supply to the hands and feet.
@@crosstrainingenduro right!gotta be gentle and all that..
We have a new 2022 beta xtrainer 300, seized after 2 hrs riding. Sent back to dealer, got pistons, barrel and ecu replaced because it broke pin in ecu. Has broke down everytime its been out. Bogs down in low revs, won't take throttle. Last time it was out, checked it over for oil beforehand as usual and gearbox oil was almost empty, wherever it went to, no leaks anywhere. Anyone else having trouble like this?
Sorry to hear about that, Adrian. Maybe ask on the Xtrainer owners page on Facebook? Those guys are used to multiple problems. Thankfully not everyone hits problems. But occasionally one bike will just have endless issues. A few guys had three main bearing failures in a row on Xtrainers or RR300s. 🤦♂️ Some owners have demanded a replacement bike when they get sick of problems. Might be worthwhile on yours.
@@crosstrainingenduro good to know thanks. Will try them👍
Was this also the reason for the name of the YT channel?
No Sorin, the Xtrainer only came out in 2015 and the channel has been around a lot longer... 😊
Ok, got it! Thanks!
Cheers champion. Making the decision ever harder 😂 the sus is the only thing that’s putting me off. I’m 265lbs with all the gear on and I’m going to have to beef the sus anyway so I’m thinking RR even though I’m a whiskey throttle type rider. Oh well the life insurance is very up to date 😂👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
I think you'll probably find the RR better in the long run. You can beef up the Xtrainer suspension of course, but it's still a budget lightweight design created by a mob who do trials suspension.
Love my 2016 Xtrainer I bought used for $5k! in my small group of a dozen or so middle aged riders, 3 xtrainers, a 300RR, and a 500RRS or whatever it is, all super reliable and awesome here in the sticks between Boston and NYC. I'm 6'0 240lbs and my xtrainer, since I sold my CRF450X, has made me a far better rider! You downplay the power, the xtrainer hauls ass!!! Just not quite as fast, but if you're not racing it's plenty of power and speed, I easily hit 66mph the other day and hand plenty left, and climb giant sand hills as good as my buddies, no problems with power on these bikes unless you need to be THE fastest lap time guy.
Good point on the power, Jay. Most of us couldn't use the full power of a RR300 unless on flat ground in a straight line, so that 'missing' 10hp in the high revs means nothing for us trail hacks. The Xtrainer still punts along very nicely!
@Johnny Rebellion Haha, honestly, I haven't touched the suspension, and the guy I bought it off of weighed about 160lbs. I guess that shows how seriously I don't ride ha! I mostly just to casual trail rides with a bit of sand pit hill climbs and turkey runs, nothing very competitive or super high speed offroad.
🔥 Xtrainer is goat ✅
great video 🤙
Thanks for the video Barry, love your channel.. just bought a 21 xtrainer and my only issue for me is that the bike has from new alot of clutch drag...anyone experience this or have a solution to fix this?
All the European bikes seem to have a lot of clutch drag in my experience... at least compared to Japanese bikes.
@@crosstrainingenduro Thank you for your reply, keep up with great videous!!!
I don't like the colors ! otherwise I'm considering one for my 14 year old daughter whose current bike is a KLX 230 SLUG !
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Canukastan almost everything dirtbike related is sold out for 2021 and people are putting down hard cash for 2022 models . About the only positive to come out of the pandemic .
Exactly the same across Australia, James. Great time to sell stuff, bad time to try and buy stuff!
So its the perfect wife bike then.
Perfect for old geezers!
And some young geezers too, we showed a bit of Trevor Campbell's riding. In the main vid he's getting some big air hammering the Xtrainer (with stock suspension) over jumps and doing all sorts of trials stunts. th-cam.com/video/YuGrHr0_IkI/w-d-xo.html