Hey guys. In this video we take out "Greta" the new 2024 Beta Xtrainer 300 for it's first real test ride. Both Al and Furz have a ride and make some initial comments and thoughts. Do you have a Beta Xtrainer 300? Let us know in the comments below what you would like to see tested.
I had a WR250 and hated it. Sold after 1 summer. Bought a 22 XT and I like it a lot. I don’t rely on engine braking so no issues there. I really like the low end power. But wait till you wind it out. It pulls good up high in the rpm too. I’m 65 and run the crap out of mine….
I got my ‘23 Xtrainer back in April and I’m 5’8”. It’s the perfect bike for me being a shorter rider and coming off an XR400 of all bikes this thing is like throwing around a mountain bike compared to the XR. I love the XR torque and this bike can lug right with that bike and still has plenty of snappy 2 stroke power that’s extremely manageable. I ride very tight technical stuff and this bike just eats it up and I never get tired. I’ve got some riding videos up on my channel showing what it can do. The only downside I can say is the suspension doesn’t really like wide open whooped out stuff. It can get a bit twitchy there. Tight, slower and ultra technical hard enduro type stuff, I wouldn’t want any other bike.
Well said. Yeah I think the cushy suspension has been perfect for the tight single trails for lighter riders. We have had it opened up and over whoops a few times and didn’t mind it, but it will never compare to performance suspension on the fast open sections. It’s generally not what we ride so no issue.
Al! What happened to your hair? 😂 Another great video, really thorough review from 2 different perspectives. Keep up the great work dudes. Loving the channel.
Thanks Aaron. So far we are blown away by it. Stay tuned as we have a lot more coming up with some mods you will love and no doubt be familiar with. Love to have your input having had a lot of experience so far. Cheers
Hey Adam. It’s really does. It seems like just a small seat height difference, but when you really need to stomp a foot it has made a huge difference to me at 5’9. In that first ride I definitely stayed on a few times I normally would have toppled over!
Your comments about the engine braking are very interesting. Its one of the things that worries me about a 2-stroke, but I am encouraged by you getting used to it. Off-road I rarely touch the rear brake of my WR450F. I had a brief ride on an XTrainer at a Beta test day. It was wet and greasy, and the first downhill was a bit spooky because firstly I was missing the brake lever with my boot and the forks dived quite a bit, then on another slow slippery downhill I tapped the rear brake, and it just locked, slid out and I dropped it. In a way, it wasn’t so much the lack of engine braking that was the real problem, it was the touchy overly powerful rear brake combined with a tucked in brake lever. I am looking to downsize because I am in my 50s and the WR450F is too much. I would buy an XR250R or TTR250 but they are long gone, so considering an XTrainer. How do you find the stability once you get up to about 50k+ on a bit of whooped out fire trail?
I was really hesitant about going downhill on the 2-stoke also. I have been surprised by the compression there is in first gear, but I have really quickly gotten used to using the rear brake. I agree the tucked in rear brake lever is not helpful and have replaced that with a larger $30 one which has helped with feel a lot. I’m finding the front brake a bit grabby and will change the pads which makes most people happy. For fast sections, I’m not hitting anything at 50+. It’s still fine on open trail sections for me and I would say the whoop sections I do I am actually liking it because I can compress and carry the front wheel more than my WR.
I had a Wr450f also and the newer 2 strokes are amazing and way easier to ride than my WR. people think the 2 stories are too poweband and out of control but I've found the exact opposite and enjoy it a lot more. Im also up near 50yo. I do like a shorter bike now tho as some bikes just sit to high and reduce my confidence. Some correct fork springs and a DFX kit will fix the dicing forks. Also different brake pads. 👍👍👍
Thanks, do you think reports of the XTrainer being "nervous" at higher speed are fundamentally due to its forks (soft springs and damping) or its geometry (rake, trail)? I couldn't find any Beta rake and trail specs to compare. @@Cee-FJedi
I picked up a Beta XTrainer in Texas about three months ago. I've only been riding off road since March 2021, first on a KLX300, then on a Honda CRF250RX. I've progressed in my riding more in the last three months since getting the XTrainer than I did in the previous couple years on the KLX and CRF. I also have a CRF450L, and having the XTrainer has made me a better rider on that bike too. It's given me the confidence to try things on that bike I never would have otherwise. Instead of getting a second XTrainer, have y'all tried the 200RR? I was on the fence between the XTrainer and the 200RR and went with the XTrainer simply because of the size. I'm 5'10" and have arthritis and find the XTrainer easier to mount and dismount on the trail. But the 200 is also a super fun bike to ride.
G’day Justin. Good to know you’re enjoying your XTrainer, especially since you have ridden many different bikes. We never considered the 200RR, but would be interesting to try at a demo day. Both of us just love the small frame and the way the Xtrainer tune just luggs at low RPM. I agree, I have become a better rider from the Xtrainer already too.
I'm in Texas and started on a '22 KLX 300R. What city are you close to (I'm south of Houston) ? Just put down a deposit on a 300RR Race Edition. It should arrive early January according to dealer.
Yea we totally agree 👍 we would love to get our hands on one for comparison purposes and then pump it out. I've heard they are already a great toy but always room for improvement. Have you ridden one? Cheers
Hi Matt. Hard to say, you are significantly taller than us, but I don’t think you would feel cramped. You would be able to get both feet down flat when you needed too but when standing I think you would still be fine. Agreed with the 300rr power. The tune on the Xtrainer is really good, and lends itself to everyday riders very well. Do you have a dealer nearby where you could sit on one?
@@HardUNduro There is a dealer about forty minutes from me. They have low stock. I’m not afraid to change handlebars and foot pegs. The Xtrainer seems like the best fit for me. 43 years old, novice skills, not a lot of free time. Steep technical trails are what interest me. There are lots where I live. Southern Oregon.
@@Matt-xi8zr It would definitely be worth sitting on one. We have installed some Fastway pegs which can drop 10mm (video out soon) which might help, and potentially a bar riser. Otherwise an Xtrainer sounds like it will suit your riding preference. Southern Oregon, nice!
Matt, I believe you would feel cramped, maybe not when you sit on one when you go to the dealer but when you start to ride it will feel very small and cramped. If you don't want the power of the 300rr, go for the 200rr. That bike is perfect, it sits higher, can handle more at speed and doesn't have that crazy power you don't want. Anyway, think about the 200rr it's an amazing bike.
Hi. Good question. I've ridden both and honestly it' would be a personal preference. The KTM sits a lot higher and pre 2024 needs suspension upgrades. The build quality of KTM is also brilliant imo. Having said that the xtrainer is an all round brilliant bike and is easier to ride due to its engine design/characteristics (smooth bottom end torque). I couldn't say 1 is better than the other outright tho. Hopefully we will be doing a 250 KTM vs Xtrainer in the next few months. For me....the cost of an Xttainer is way way cheaper so with that in mind I would go the Beta. 👍👍
Also i forgot to add that if your referring to the 4 Stroke 250 KTM that's a very different bike. The 4 Stroke 250 for me feels very very mellow and underpowered, its also easy to stall it compared to the 2 strokes. As a beginner bike it maybe be ok but also the height may be an issues as for all the KTMs seat height for some. Cheers
The lower seat height on the Xtrainer should not be understated. I hardly ever tip over anymore as opposed to all my other bikes where I could barely get a foot down or was always cutting my seats down to nothing.
I’ve been riding a 2020 or 2019 Xtrainer, I’m very new to the riding, I’m about 6’3 230, I enjoy the bike, but I’m looking to purchase a bike and would like to know if I should get something a bit more powerful? I really like the idea of being able to up the power as I improve.
Hi. Absolutely. I would suggest you go to a test ride /demo day. All the brands have great "bigger" bikes and that includes 4 strokes also. Being your a tall guy the larger frame bikes may actually fit you better. Be careful what you choose as there are MX bikes and enduro which have different gear ratios and are suited (in my opinion) to certain types of riding and scenarios. Thanks
@@HardUNduro well, my cousin and uncle are very big Enduro riders here, so I’ve had the chance to try a newer Husky 300 2 stroke, as well as a beta 300RR, and a 4 stroke bike that I can’t remember the brand of, I just really enjoy the idea of the Xtrainer with being able to have my feet easily on the ground and a little tamer bike. But I’ll definitely be testing out other bikes before I make my purchase. Love yalls reviews.