2024 KTM 300 XC vs BETA 300 RR Race Edition  

Make no mistake, the KTM void of bottom at all. It will leave without you! The power is super linear and smooth and plenty of it. When the RPM’s get up and the PV opens, it’s a whole new world. It hits hard. I’m getting ready to install the TSP head and ECU. Eager to see how that changes things. I’m just remembering now the Beta has a head on it too!

I might add you can tame that power of the Beta with simple jetting adjustments and running a gear or two high.

Married to an East Coast Italian woman...can confirm. Lol

It’s purdy!

Much appreciated!

Absolutely. Thanks for watching.

Of course! Every bike should be setup for that rider. This was just a comparison of two new bikes and initial thoughts. No question Suspenion makes them both better.

The handling thing with the Beta is the turning radious. 2 mods to do is take the nut off of the limit bolt and screw the bolt all the way in on both sides. It's done that way to keep the forks from hitting the radiators. The second mod is to take a large socket or PC of pipe & mark where the forks can hit the edge of the radiators. Heat that area up carefully and dent in those areas slowly until you get good clearance for the forks. You now have a tighter turning radious and not have to worry about smashing your radiators with the forks. Oh, one other thing if you have radiator guards on, you'll need to modify them, too.

Thanks, brother!!!

Appreciate that. I think too many people try and create suspense to hold the viewer longer. I’m not a RU-vidr by trade so view count and subs are nice but I couldn’t care less. I’d rather talk to riders the way I want my info and build a following of regular riders helping other riders. Thanks for watching!

@@dirtabletvI've worn gopros and other action cameras a lot.. mtb, motocycle, mounted on jeeps but last week I started talking to the camera to document progress when I was working on some offroad rides... not easy. Again, I think you did great.

@@gymratt88 thanks again. Yeah talking behind the camera is tough. In front of the camera can create some real brain farts. I take a simple approach, my audience is likely just like me. Just keep the message in mind and talk like you would to your friends. Sounds easy but it definitely takes some practice.

Beta cons: 📳 VIBRQTIONS!!!

Appreciate the input.

It does! Great sound from a stock pipe.

I think that’s a geographical issue. Everyone in the States seems to say Bay-ta. Either way, it’s a cool dirt bike.

@@dirtabletv 👋👌👍💚🤍❤

I have two great friends with 21 Beta 300 RR Race Editions and they were much stiffer. 22 and newer is much better up front but now even more with the KYB rear shock. Jason owns the Beta and he’s a skinny little twerp. He’s probably 180 at the most. I’m 275 with gear. Both of these bikes actually feel good, especially in the slow stuff even for me! In Tennessee, you seldom get out of 4th gear. Guys that are 230ish and under can probably ride the bike stock and really like them. I need to respring mine just so I sit higher in the stroke. Surprisingly, I’ve not yet bottomed out the forks.

Absolutely can! Mine will soon have the TSP head and ECU.

Kinda figured@@dirtabletv

I asked him for ya but all he said was that he installed the JD Jet Kit. Not sure what specific jets, needle or clip settings.

@@dirtabletv Could you ask exactly? she sounds beautiful

6’/290 and 6’4 and 230.

Both of these bikes have been regeared. 13/48 on both. Thanks for watching.

KTM designed there bikes regeared internally to allow for a smaller final drive ratio sprocket, So the smaller rear sprocket for less hangups with the chain etc.

Yup 13/49 on the XC is prime

That is easily corrected on the Beta's. I just described it in another comment on this video.

The beta has the best turning radius of them all.. there's a video about it

What would you say your three pluses and minuses of the sherco versus the beta?

Both bikes have 13/48 in this video. KTM is stock and the Beta has a head. Make no mistake, the KTM has a good bottom end but it is softer than the Beta on bottom. Mid and upper is definitely stronger on the KTM. I’m installing a TSP head and ECU next. We’ll see how that does. On trail that is more open and flowy, you’d really notice the difference in power but in 1st and 2nd. The Beta is snappier.

@@dirtabletv was that on white or green map?

Green. I’m never in white.

6’ and 290 butt naked. I feel at home on the KTM but a bit cramped on the Beta. Still a great bike but it really shines in the slower technical stuff. Outside of that, the Beta feels small. Both guys that had Betas I did reviews on have sold them for the Husky TE 300 Pro models. In fairness they were both seasoned KTM/Husky guys prior to Beta and just felt out of place. These are both smaller guys too. Well, normal size A riders. That’s just the way these two guys went. I have many friends that absolutely love the Beta. No right or wrong, just personal preference.

In fairness, Jason jetted his Beta once and hasn’t had to touch it since. We don’t have much elevation change but still…

No doubt about it. The Beta does vibrate more. Buttery smooth on the Pumpkin.

Both are running 13/48

Huge thanks!

I’m not sure I understand what you are asking?

Both bikes have stock suspension. Jason, the Beta owner is an average size rider and is about 180lbs. The KYB setup was best for him. The KTM is a bit more rigid for the lighter riders. I'm a big dude and preferred the KTM because its stiffer stock forks. Most guys above the 210lb mark seem to really like the XC suspension. The KTM forks will rival the KYB on the newer models but KYB will always be one of the best forks ever. I'd say slight advantage to the KYB's but once properly setup for you, I'd say they are very comparable.

Haven’t seen a Reiju in person yet.

Sorry dude..the reiju is outdated and ridiculous with a clunky bolt on starter..no counterbalencer and is a heavy pig .

I feel your pain but I’m the exact opposite. Too darn heavy for stock bikes. No doubt the Beta being shorter helps a ton of people.

@@dirtabletv yeah, it’s tough being shorter and lighter than what the bikes are designed for. I can deal with the suspension being a bit too stiff, but new springs and revalving is easy enough, unfortunately it’s not cheap. The far harder problem to solve is seat height. Beta’s starting over 1” shorter out of the box is huge.

The Ktm is a better bike. I like the beta too but it’s not even close with technology. The Beta is way behind on a lot of upgrades like traction control, quick shifter and the Ktm has better map from 80-100%

@@HailMich who wants technology on a dirt bike?? All that does is cost more, initially and to maintain. Traction control on a dirt bike seems pointless. Besides, my throttle and clutch are all the TC I need.

@@seashackf1 I mean you got me there haha.

If we had an endless amount of bikes to choose from and could access them anytime we wanted, it would sure make your suggestion easier.

Gearing and a TSP head and ECU reflash. Works amazing! I haven't done it to my 24 but I have 260 hours on my 2021 Husky TX 300 with this done and its my favorite bike ever!

I’ve got a buddy with a 17 that has a carb. Perhaps a future video! To me, it’s different power. It’s much more linear than days of old. I like the old snap too. I’m a Yamaha 2 stroke guy since 1979. That bottom you talk about is present in the Beta to a greater degree. Still not like the old days but there’s a time and place for that… these newer 2T’s are way more like a 4T than an old 2T.

@@dirtabletv I know what you're saying

I had a 2011 300 KTM. It had big bottom end.

We didn’t test that but we’re great friends and ride together every weekend. I’d say range on both is at least 60. Gotta be more but we just haven’t put in the miles like that just yet.

I too thought FI injected bikes were more fuel efficient, but on a recent ride, my buddy on a 2023 XC-W, and me on an '07 300 XC-W with a Lectron carb, I used less gas than he did. (I used around 1.2 gal for 70 miles, and he was closer to 2) Now that was all low rev riding, and I was short shifting like crazy. Not sure how they would compare on wide open trails.

@@brunomelli4679 1.2 gal for 70 miles? No way. Maybe on the highway but not in the trails.

@@OtisFlint I have a witness who was as surprised as I was. Basically Rabbit Valley parking lot to Thompson Springs, Utah. Start with a full tank and refill at the 7-11 in Thomson. I never once got in the power band because I was told it was 70+ miles so I rode as conservatively as possible. Technically a very boring trail. Not much excitement besides a couple of very steep descents. The rest is very flat. I wouldn't ride it again. 36mm Lectron carb on an 07 KTM XC-W.

I think you can be just fine with lower pegs and bar mounts that allow your bars to move slightly forward. For me, the Beta feels better than the Sherco. The “cramped” feeling I get is having the bars too low and too far back making it feel like my hands are at my knees. If you are standing most of the time, I don’t think you’ll have an issue. Seated, it feels short. That can be useful though. We’re both 6’. I think you’re okay. Go sit/stand on one.

Thank you Sir ! you're right, i use the Rox 2" bar risers for years already, pointing them forward horizontally and thus the bar is far forward, and also lower pegs as you said ! greetings from Israel, and God bless!@@dirtabletv

Agreed but I recently did an XC vs XCW video. Give it a look. Maybe I’ll try and do that next.

I need new buttons!

What we got here y'all...2 MORE Floridian - Tennessee transplants?? Lol (Im headed thataway from Brevard county ASAP & a genx ripper East Tennessee bound.. wootwoot🤘🏽

Beta’s have also been counterbalanced since ‘20.

@@seashackf1 true but they’re not nearly as smooth as the KTM. That said, I’m an old two stroke guy and while the buttery smoothness of the KTM is really nice, I’m used to riding vibrating bikes. The Beta has more vibration but certainly isn’t a deal breaker. Nowhere near it.

@@dirtabletv no doubt Beta has a long way to go to catch up KTM. They’ve just been producing great bikes for so long. Beta has come a long way in a short time though and the enduro market is so much better off for it. I’m a two stoke guy too. KTM deserves all the credit in the world for the he fact that they never stopped producing them and continued development on them. The two stroke market today would probably be dead without KTM. The fact we have so many great choices is the best part.

Yes, KTM is graphically challenged this year!

I hate to give you a non-answer but they both feel super light and agile. I think the KTM feels better in almost all situations but for the slow tight stuff. The smaller size on the Beta mixed with a great feeling clutch is super nice.

I can’t argue with almost all of what you said. There’s still decent bottom end in the KTM and it lugs awesome. What Jason and I are saying is the snappy bottom of the Beta feels stronger. Both bikes are geared at 13/48.

We’re in really tight stuff out here.

It's a good one...

I’ve ridden hundreds of hours in the Nevada and California Desert. I would take a 300 2T out there any day. We’re not just riding flat desert though. Washes with dried up water falls and high desert singletrack. So fun! What are you riding?

@dirtabletv The varies of the California Mojave desert . I don't know why all of a sudden 2 strokes became 2T's. The "T" doesn't make any sense. I grew up desert racing. Modern 4 strokes are a million times better for the desert.

Tennessee is nice but the PNW has some world class riding spots!

Spoken like a true hater. I've had KTM guys ride my Beta and marvel at how easy it is to ride on rugged NorCal single track.

@@JoePass222 you are kinda right haha i am hating a little bit. I just love ktm bikes. But really I would ride any dirt bike there all great now a days. I have two new bikes a KTM xcf 350 and Yamaha TTR230 for trails and family plus few older ones. Idk if I’d buy anything but an electric dirt bike in the future a Stark, KTM, or surron!!