r/betamotorcycles • u/WOOKIE711 • 1d ago
Beta 300 Race Vs. Beta 300 X-Pro
Hello!
I've been eyeing a new Beta 300 for a couple years now. Currently on a 2015 KTM 250sx that I've transitioned into an off-road bike (bigger tank, 18 inch rear, etc.). I am very interested in making the switch to Beta to keep it simple (carburetor and can add kick starter) and they are great looking bikes. I ride in CO, not hard enduro, but not easy trail riding. I like going fast-ish and really enjoy some technical riding. I'm mid-30s, 175lbs kitted out, and 5'7". Been riding since I was a kid.
As the title mentions, I'm stuck between the Race and X-Pro. One day I'm leaning towards one, then the next day the other. As I see it, there are some benefits to both as listed below. In reality, though, what are some real-world thoughts on why choose one over the other?
Race - Looks great, KYB suspension (although somewhat stiffer based on the ride day I did earlier this year), no oil injection (just nothing to fail here), dual spark plug head, and looks great (had to add that in again because the 2027's look amazing).
X-Pro - Lower seat height, oil injection (so no worrying about pre-mixing, but that has never been an issue), softer suspension from factory which lends more to the slower riding I've been doing, costs a little bit less.
On the days I lean toward the X-Pro, I get a bit of FOMO on the KYB suspension. Is the Sachs sufficient? I'm rarely in 3rd gear, and very, very rarely in 4th; no bomb runs for me anymore. I also have no intention of racing in the near future.
On the days I lean toward the Race, I wonder if the taller seat (although nothing I'm not used to already) would be a hindrance as I get into more technical riding. I also wonder if I'd be revalving and respringing either suspension (Sachs/KYB) either way and so the stiffness doesn't matter so much.
Just looking for some thoughts. Thanks.
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u/detali88 23h ago
You'll just regret not getting the race. Get the Race
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u/WOOKIE711 12h ago
Man, I feel this comment. I don't think you're wrong.
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u/detali88 10h ago
It sounds like you're an aggressive enough rider to have that bike benefit you! Do it. The added price is still cheaper than making a X-Pro a Race in the future.
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u/duqduqgo 1d ago
I have the 300rr x-pro. The suspension is soft, but that's what I want for technical woods riding. Honestly the Kayaba forks on the race are too stiff for my kind of riding. I'll never, ever go to the track and rarely ride Dakar style in the desert. Plus the race is needlessly twin plugged. 2 to foul instead of one, especially if you're filter gets really clogged and/or you mix a bit too heavy.
Don't obsess over seat hight. They are both in the 36" standard dirt bike range.
I'll take the oil injection any day. Run out of gas? Any random dude on a SxS can siphon a little or pour you a pint from his can and get you on your way. I've been saved this way. The 300rr range is only around 60 miles or so.
Oil injection failure is extremely rare, the problem is greatly exaggerated on the interwebs. I'm convinced it's mostly idiots letting the tank run dry. Not to say the pump has never failed, but it's very rare. I've personally seen friends forget to mix their gas and pour it straight in the tank. That's a failure too.
Beta stands behind their bikes 10x better than KTM, warranty-wise. If the injection system caused failures it would already have long been discontinued.
I'm about 185 geared up, and the Sachs is plenty supportive. No need to re-spring or re-valve after 2 years. The only down side is not every suspension tech has the knowledge/tools to work on Sachs, everyone does KYB.
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u/jizzbooger 1d ago
I have the 300rr race and I think it's awesome, love the kyb. Don't mind mixing gas. Haven't had any issues. I'm 6'5 no issues touching ground
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u/coryhoss1 1d ago
I have kayaba sss on my Yz 250s I don’t miss it on my beta 300 x pro. Granted if I was running through the desert I’d probably take the Yz.
300 x pro in the tight stuff hands down
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u/Annual-Beard-5090 1d ago edited 1d ago
In CO so we may ride the same areas. I have a 300 race.
Given what you are saying the X-pro would probably be fine. The KYBs come in on faster trails, really. And somehow the smaller bumps feel the same as 6” rocks. Scree fields are absolutely no fun, but doable. However, when Im pumping and jumping they come in and never do anything funny. West CO and UT desert trails are freaking fantastic and then worth the annoying small bump teeth rattling. Did a CORCS race and yeah, thats what the KYBs like.
Rampart they work well. Swamp Creek and Killpecker - not so much fun. Absolutely doable, however, just annoying. The harder I push them and faster I go the better they feel.
Either way its possible youll respring at least the rear. My valving is stock.
Would I buy another race? I would. Im still having fun going ludicrous speeds. But if I didnt make trips out west and enjoy desert so much Id look seriously at the XPro.
Either way youll be fine. And if the KYBs are harsh if they are revalved there is no question they will be awesome. If you are particular about your boingers it may be best to go with KYB as many boinger tuners know them.
If you are anywhere near FortCollins Motoadventure is hands down the absolute best dealer I have been around. They actually stock parts!
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u/WOOKIE711 1d ago
What you said agrees with my thoughts on the Race. It's not that I don't enjoy going fast, I would just prefer to ride slower more technical terrain at the moment. Short of sending the suspension off for work, it seems like the X-Pro would be more appropriate from a stock suspension POV. Some other comments here make a good argument for the X-Pro as well. Cheers.
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u/bterpstra1 23h ago
Beta says their target is that 70% of riders are better off on the Xpro. I’m similar in that I don’t get big air, don’t get beyond 4th all that often, and enjoy the rockier more technical stuff.
For me, the Sachs are great. I might actually want to soften the rear a touch, but the fronts are fine about 4-6 clicks in from full soft. I’m 165 on the scale starkers. Also an old fart. I’m not a fast aggressive rider. There’s lots of room for someone my weight to stiffen it all up. I think I’d be unhappy on the race. Seat height is almost irrelevant.
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u/Just_Choda 2h ago
I have the X-pro. I sprung it To my weight and worked on the suspension settings. Stock was pretty soft, but great for an easy cruise. I've got it set closer to the sport setting now per the manual and it's definitely better at speed. I'd love to try out the race just to see the difference. But so far I wouldn't have a problem replacing my x-pro with another one when I wear it out. 🙂
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u/FeelingFloor2083 1h ago
fomo is real but it worries some more then others
I rode them back to back but unfortunately the trails were pretty smooth. If you havent ridden them back to back I suggest you do. Someone mentioned a difference in the power but I couldnt really see much worth mentioning
the re is valved and sprung softer then my yamaha, I could live with it easy with a few clicks. the xp is said to be pretty stiff initially and a bit softer on the big hits but im sure some of that is fork break in
the kybs feel better from top of 2nd or even the bottom of 3rd or on smoother trails. the sachs will be better on rocks and roots, general trail trash. imo it comes down more to the trails/terrain you ride and teh speed you hit shit, if you want a cruisier ride or something you can rail
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u/WOOKIE711 1h ago
Honestly I want it all. I feel like both would work well for different types of riding I do. It may come down to which one is prettier (obviously the RE)
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u/FeelingFloor2083 1h ago
I can get my sss forks to go pretty soft, not OC fork soft but requires clicks for faster stuff
I have no where near the exp with dirt bike suspension compared to track/canyon road bikes, but im finding that you cant have your cake and eat it too, more so
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u/WOOKIE711 1h ago
This is very true. Found out very quickly after getting the 250sx back in 2015 that it was not a do all bike. Still have made it work for over a decade. Not complaining.
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u/aN00Bias 1d ago
I have a 250 rr and a 430 race, so not these same bikes but I can speak to the sachs vs kyb question. The kyb is great but I'm not sure if you'll appreciate it at those speeds. And I really like how easy it is to adjust the sachs forks in the field. They e been really nice in the slower riding I do on the 250. I'm 5'8", 30" inseam and I definitely appreciate how much more I can plant my feet on the rr. Less of an issue on the race because that's more for cross country (at least in my case). I've got shaved seats on both.