The trouble with the GG importers has not been with the importers, its been with the GG factory. Clay broke his balls and they didn't support him. Funny how he is doing well with the Sherco people. I'm not worried about Beta or AM Beta, that, from what I'm told, are a group of ex KTM people who know what they are doing. I think thats obvious by the results. Even IF, and thats a very big IF, there were no US distributor, its a global market. I got a complete aluminum subframe upgrade kit for my '12 GG250 from a big dealer in Spain, FIVE DAYS to my door, before anyone here had them. This stuff just doesn't bother me, but maybe thats just me. I don't need the orange hand to hold.
I am in communication with the two brothers(pretty sure they are ex-KTM) that own American Beta quite often, they just changed the name to Beta USA to be more in line with the rest of the world, and they are very direct and trustworthy. They are also very serious about growing the brand in the USA. They will be introducing more models for 2015 to expand the range. They keep things lean, they have a very small staff, and one guy that travels the whole US setting up dealers. They sold way more 2 strokes this year than they ever imagined, they are all gone, and they are going to have the 2015's here some time in August. They are adding new parts and accessories at a very fast rate. Today just got a listing for a Stars head kit that is forged and comes with three different combustion chambers for tuning. There are many good choices for dirt bikes these days, Beta is a great alternative and it is going to get better. And I still can't seem to leave this site....
Absolutely zero regrets about buying the Beta. Also love the fact that parts distribution is on the west coast. Plus 3 still love this place for anything with two wheels and a motor.
I threw my leg over a 2013 Beta 300 and 250 RR the other day at an up and coming local dealer (near Gananoque Ontario Canada)...I fell in love....looking forward to seeing a street legal RS version to really make me twitchy towards next year's purchase potential..
thats mind blowing after all this time ktm 300's have issues still with thier push button starters. Yet shercos are so confident of thiers that their two strokes wont even come with a kick starter. Either Shercos going to have some epic fails or leave KTM in the dust
I believe the Sherco and Beta will have very reliable long lasting starters just like 4 strokes do. 5500 miles on my TE511 with zero starting issues. Millions of street bikes with zero starting issues. The key is it is not tacked onto the side and running an unlubricated worm drive. The husky X-lights also have the worm drive and issues. These Shercos and Betas should be almost as reliable as the starter in your car. Keep a good battery in it and enjoy. I venture a guess that in the next year or two KTM/Huskys will have the proper built in starter.
After selling Hus for over 45 years and having rebuilt thousands of them I can tell you parts have always been a problem. Had enough of their BS so went to Beta couple years ago. Parts are 1 day away, never had anything Back-Ordered. I had a shop in AZ call about a oil injection pump that was missing on a 50cc Super Motard 1990 model year I got all the eng and frame #'s call Mike at Beta USA, he took the time to search out the part. What was tough was it was a Beta motor but the chassis was built in Venesuela never imported to the USA. 3weeks later I got the part. Now the guy who was in a big hurry for it still hasn't gotten his customer to Ok it. But I got his part. Point being don't even think about parts being an issue in the future. Beta is debt free they don't owe anyone a penny... Am wondering if the 880mil euro owed to the Austrian Gov will have any effect on future Hus parts. It's obvious it has on the timely fixing the E-Start issues and others with the Orange bikes. Later George
well...guess I should add fuel to fire...needed a temp sensor on a Euro3 TE450....found one after an exhaustive search in ITALY...quote was 70 EURO for a 20 dollar part...yeah...will monitor the Husky scenario and would definitely not loose sleep buying a Beta RS when I get the chance to try one out...although...every time I throw a leg over my rig....smile ear to ear....so...as long as my husky enables me to throw a leg over...hard to justify
I tend to agree. An older guy reminded me street bikes used to always have kick starters too. Back then many said there was "no way" they would be without a kickstarter. Kind of sounds similar to today with dirt bikes.
picked her up on Tuesday, Technically used, but never saw dirt! The original owner had a total knee replacement and thought he was going to be in a better spot to ride this year. unfortunately it's not coming along as he planned. having had a acl/mcl surgery myself just last year I really feel for him. He is going to sit out this year and concentrate on his kids racing efforts. He is a hell of a nice guy and I got a heck of nice bike at a heck of a great price. I really hope he comes back strong as 43 is too young to give up the sport!
the local Beta dealer here had the starter take some sorta dump on his kids race/ demo bike a 13 250rr showed up at the more race kickin it and the battery remove
Thats likely a first. Way more often than not this stuff is electrical or electromechanical in nature, like loose or bad connections, but hey I guess a bad motor is possible out of the many that have been made. I can tell you guys from owning one and having the parts in my hands, its a system done right from a design perspective. I blast mine with a hose to clear mud from the skid plate since new and no issues. Eventually I'll pull it for a look, but I'm not worried.
and cars used to have hand crank starters, I wonder if all the die hards questioned the decision to remove the hand crank starters and go to E start on 4 wheelers?
I bet they did, especially those in remote areas that wouldnt have access to a way to jump the car. If dirt bike riders would carry some little jumpers with them it should reduce their concern about being stranded without a kicker.
Congrats on the bike Katoom. I'm currently on a Gas Gas (which I really like) but have been very curious about the Betas. I look forward to hearing about how you like it and if the fuel range suits your needs.
Funny you should say that. I had a Cannnondale 440 once and did just that, before bulletproofing the electrical system. A carbed 2stroke is much less of a concern, but thats for a Sherco discussion not a Beta one. Yeah katoom's bike is sweet, pictures do not do it justice. I'm sure he will be happy.
