TT has its merits, but compared to some of the other forums It sure seems that you havE to wade throught th BS to get to the value. It just feels tense in there with all the badgering back and forth. Beta rider has the community feel like KTMtalk and cafe husky. Fewer keyboard muscles and more content. Back to the bikes: if you decide to go with the e beta you will like the bike I'm sure. I was impressed with mine. It wasn't without its shortcomings but what bike is? I'll stand by my parts pricing statements since I referenced msrp pricing. However, you will still pay more than the Husky even if you got a deal on the parts/accessories. I brought up the piston issue because that is one part that is going to be replaced at some point in time. I would assume that these prices would come down as more bikes hit the streets. One thing to keep in mind is that the 300rr piston is forged (oem). A cast piston can be found cheaper from pro-x. But, it's not like we are talking about replacing them every 40 hours so there is some time to save a few extra bucks. Which company will communicate better? From my experience, Beta hands down. They were great to deal with. cant go wrong really. Both are great bikes. Pick you robsession!
I only sell Beta and AJP, but used to ride Italian Huskies. If you are talking a a new Husky 300, then you are basically dealing with KTM which I am sure is a great company, but a large one with many layers. Beta USA is great to work with, if they were not, I would have never have taken the plunge into being a dealer. I have had two warranty issues, one was borderline customers fault and they quickly took care of both. I believe Beta's goal is to be the one of the best dirt bike companies in the world as evidenced by some of the new models they are introducing to have a broader range, and Beta USA's goal is to have happy customers. As far as the two 300's compare, I doubt you will find a whole lot of difference, I think it would come down to which local dealer you feel the most comfortable working with for the next several years, not the one who is going to slash an extra $200 off the price of the bike.
Parts are a breeze. Distributor in the US is based in Cali, where they do final assembly and BYOB (the unique Build Your Own Beta program) and carry all parts, and stock a wide range of aftermarket (its just like KTM Hardparts). Just take a look at the Beta site under BYOB and you will see 'its all there' I havent needed many OEM parts, but the things i have bought didnt cost any more than for any other bike brand ive owned. When i needed common aftermarket (sprockets, steering dampner post mount, carb vent filter)-the same guys who make it for Husky make it for Beta, and the less common aftermarket-a dry break race tank and a dc conversion for night racing, also easy to find. The only aftermarket part i cant find is a frame mounted rally type wind screen, so i am simply adapting one from a KTM. No biggee. My 450 bike needed a stronger battery to ensure the estart was robust. Front forks have a little bit of harshness at the first 1-2 inches. Ive had a couple screws come loose, but other than that its been a fantastic motorcycle. 8 day baja torture test, tight single track, my bike works great. Cant say enough positive things about it. The 300 was Bike of the Year. You simply cant go wrong with the Beta IMO. They are a robust, durable, well supported, very competitive, and very great value motorcycle brand. I am saving up to buy another one.n
My experience with Beta has been amazing. I've had two 2013 300's and am currently riding a 2014 350 factory edition. My first 300 was sold to a friend after wining the A-vet championship in the Western National Hare Scramble series. My friend rode the bike once, for 5 minutes, and he had to have it so I sold it to him and went and bought a new 2013 300. My second 300 I left bone stock and only put minimal hours on it during the off season until a guy out at a local riding area rode it, for 5 minutes, and he had to have it. The difference here is that I didn't know this guy and turns out he was full of shit and didn't have the money the next week like he said he would. The bike was already gone in my mind and had my eye on the 350 factory. I put the 300 on craigslist and it was gone in a week for top dollar. ***The first 300- I had a dampening cartridge break right where the fork cap hooks to the top of the Sachs. I had changed to stiffer fork springs before it happened. I have a great dealer but do my own work so I called Beta USA directly and talked to Tim. These bikes were just out and his first question was " when you changed springs did you over tighten the jam nut" I said I tightened it about as tight as I've done every other bike I've ever owned. He said "that's probably too tight cause these forks have a very light weight aluminum dampening rod and can break very easily if over torqued". He overnighted me a dampening rod too make sure I was at my race the following weekend. Out of the 3 Betas I've owned that's the only thing I've had break and it was taken care of immediately. The I checked the rings and piston after 60 hours on my first 300 and they were perfect, just put it back together and ran it. Don't have any reservations about these bikes, they perform and are as bulletproof as anything short of a xr400.
33 hours on my 300RR already. 1 issue with horn shorting out. that's it. stands up to crashing extremely well...(dont ask how I know that.) low seat height combined with lower seatconcepts seat really does it for me. I've never rode so much before. I needed few parts here and there and had no issues in getting them. aftermarket could be better for sure, but most everything that's needed is already out there with more on the way. prices for aftermarket are more or less the same as everything else out there. guards, dampers, seats...all there. even pistons are available now for reasonable prices https://www.hardpartsdirect.com/main-search?action=search&keywords=01.7393&lng=nock https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/3245/17756/Pro-X-Piston-Kit?v=11458 I did invest in suspension revalve and Scotts, but after revalve by WER I find that I do not need damper any longer. estart is awesome and bike being plated in NJ without any hassle is a huge plus. so...all in, I could not be happier. P.S. I rode Blue TE250 and liked it also, but I would still chose Beta over it, primarily due to seat height.
Threw a leg over a 300rr Thursday. Instantly felt at home on it. The cockpit is familiar and it feels very light. It has a magic button too. Seems like if possible this will be my next bike...when I can afford it that is. Dealer loves his 12 and even offered to let me ride it. He sells Huskies too and the TE300 just felt weird, oddly enough like a KTM hahahaha.
I have a new 2015 300RR race edition on the way. Should be here Monday. Will post a full ride report when I get a chance.
ridden my buddies 2015 300rr several times. Very nice bike. The forks could be better but are good as is.
The race edition has the red zokes as opposed to the Sachs on the regular RR........ Gerald at Upstate Cycles is changing the springs prior to delivery....... I was always pretty happy with the zokes on the Husky, especially after I cleaned all the crude from the factory out of them.
Hope that's not because they are running short on the Zokes. Wonder what they will go with once the supply of Marzocchi forks dries up.
The high end Sachs forks like on my PR5 rule. They already sell some with sachs they just need to get the better ones. My sachs forks on my PR5 are a good bit better than the sachs on my buddies Beta 300rr which are also good just not fantastic.
I got the word today that mine shipped from Cali. today and should be at my dealer on Friday! Perfect timing, and I can't wait!!
I bought mine through Revolution Motorsports in Moscow, my nephew has been racing one for them for the last year or so. I will go pick it up Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, then going back to Orofino to watch my nephew race the Orofino Loggercross endurocross race on Saturday night. It is a pretty wild and tough endurocross, last year Colton Hakker, Kyle Redmond, and Bobby Prochnau were racing with Colton winning. I heard that Loyal sold Moto Tech?
