Beta 300!

B

ballisticexchris

Guest
That's a great bike Greg. I rode a 2013 Beta 300 back to back with my KTM 300. Way more tractable. In fact, all the way up to last year or so that same 300RR was entered in the KOM and finished with no breakdowns. Also was entered in the 24 hour at Glen Helen with no issues.
You made a very good purchase. The KTM300's are nothing but huge money pits when ridden in extreme conditions.
 

greg the pole

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
3,343
Location
Calgary AB
That's a great bike Greg. I rode a 2013 Beta 300 back to back with my KTM 300. Way more tractable. In fact, all the way up to last year or so that same 300RR was entered in the KOM and finished with no breakdowns. Also was entered in the 24 hour at Glen Helen with no issues.
You made a very good purchase. The KTM300's are nothing but huge money pits when ridden in extreme conditions.
Thanks Chris. It's early days, but the bike feels right for the type of riding we do. We rode lots of trails on saturday that had snow drifts, past the axles. They were already run in by us or by someone else. What blows me away is how easy it is to balance in those situations. Very trackable motor too!
I've had two used xc 300s. My 2011 was abused by the PO, and i had to put in a lot of money to get it right. After that it was trouble free for a while. My 2014 was used with about 70hrs when I bought it. besides upgrading the startor, bendix and intermediate gear, it was worry free for two very busy seasons. The bendix did crap out the day I sold it to my buddy. Besides the dicky starter the ktm/huskys are good.


it was a perfect shoulder season ride. Studs very much needed in 70% of the trails
 

greg the pole

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
3,343
Location
Calgary AB
nice photos ,(orange gets old ) red looks good in all light....
Ha! coming from a guy that knows red! Actually my buddy Richard bought my old 300. Cleaned it up nice nice! He's a big dude though, so the springs I had were comical when he was riding the bike saturday, pictured on left
 

Madhatter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
3,846
Location
buda texas
im 6'2" at 260 lbs, the honda crf 450x springs seem ok at my skill level …. I need to lose 60 .
 

greg the pole

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Messages
3,343
Location
Calgary AB
im 6'2" at 260 lbs, the honda crf 450x springs seem ok at my skill level …. I need to lose 60 .
wait till you put all your gear on. Static sag should be around the 30mm mark. Rider sag around 100mm.
Sag has zero to do with skill level. Yes you're not jumping, and wheelieing like a mad man just yet, but the bike will sit and ride funny.

Just to give an example...i'm 175lb in my b.day suit. I'm 217lb with my gear...
but that includes:
helmet
neck brace
chest protector (full fox suit, with elbow and shoulder pads)
knee braces
tech7 boots (about 8lb alone)
and the reg. stuff..pants gloves jersey.
My pack is the heavy culprit. Full set of tools, and 2L of water at least.
I also typically pack snacks and my cannon rebel.

My beta Oem springs were no good.
Static was around 50-55mm so damn near double.
I threw in a 2 weight heavier spring in the back, and sag is now bang on at 30mm.
I will also mix the front oem .42 spring with a .48 spring, to get a theoretical .46 which should get me to the right sag on front.
 

Madhatter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
3,846
Location
buda texas
thanks for the reminder about sag. as I play with this bike( crf 450 x so I don't confuse other readers of this ) and make adjustments (a little at a time ) it is on the list to do . have to get me a metric tape , all mine are in English..... 25mm about 1 inch I think so 30mm is 1 and a quarter inches ,maybe …. napoleons revenge....
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
On my 498 Beta I have the rider sag set at 105mm. I think I remember my buddies 300 Beta was set at the same. It's rider preference for sure. For me 105mm is a great compromise for tight trail and higher speed desert. Also a bit more comfortable and plush for these older bones.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
thanks for the reminder about sag. as I play with this bike( crf 450 x so I don't confuse other readers of this ) and make adjustments (a little at a time ) it is on the list to do . have to get me a metric tape , all mine are in English..... 25mm about 1 inch I think so 30mm is 1 and a quarter inches ,maybe …. napoleons revenge....
Do yourself a favor and get used to using the metric system. It makes measuring much easier on motorcycles. Proper spring rates will go a long way to a great handling machine.

But what the hell do I know. My Super Tenere ES is way too soft. The tape measure shows the OEM springs are 5+ rates off!! OTOH it rides and handles really good. So I'm not going to mess with it for a while.
 

Madhatter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
3,846
Location
buda texas
so im feeding the neighbors dogs while they are out of town, his issue of dirt bike magazine comes in the mail. is it wrong to read his magazine before he gets to? it is the issue dedicated to 300 2 strokes , beta xtrainer sounds like the bike I should have bought.... oh well , maybe next year … the honda will have to serve . I confess, I read it.
 

thughes317

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Messages
1,055
Location
The Bluegrass, KY
so im feeding the neighbors dogs while they are out of town, his issue of dirt bike magazine comes in the mail. is it wrong to read his magazine before he gets to? it is the issue dedicated to 300 2 strokes , beta xtrainer sounds like the bike I should have bought.... oh well , maybe next year … the honda will have to serve . I confess, I read it.
As long as he doesn't notice any of the pages stuck together......:eek:
 

Madhatter

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
3,846
Location
buda texas
since GtP has gone over to Beta , I decided to take a look at Beta. not a bike I would have noticed as no dealers nearby . after looking at their website , reading neighbors D/B magazine shoot out , and then checking out you tube videos , I have concluded that it is a viable and serious alternative to buying orange , so before one buys orange check out the red ….. it may be better for you... and you get more for your money, check them out.
 
Top