Need help deciding... 2018 XC300?
 

I?ve narrowed down my choices between an 18 XC300 or a 19 beta RR 300.

I live in northern Idaho. 90% of my riding is tight mountain single track. A couple of races per year which are mostly single and 2 track but at a much faster pace. I love blasting up steep, rocky, nasty hills which I have a lot of around here. Looking for some honest feedback on the XC300 for my type of riding.
The suspension has me very interested in this bike. I?m 5?11 200 lbs without gear. Will the XC suspension be plush in the slow rocky stuff and soak up everything at speeds (root wads, roots, etc)? I understand all of the issues with the battery and starter got sorted out and is no longer an issue? Does anybody else ride this bike in similar terrain as me? Any complaints? Also anybody who has ridden the GG and a beta could give me a comparison? I am familiar with beta but not GG. And at 1,000$ cheaper for the 18 it is looking pretty nice. Also I have her choice between an EC and XC and I?ve heard different things....one dealer told me they?re exactly the same besides the lights and pipe. Anther said the flywheel was different and slightly different power, that the XC has a little more off throttle power. Can anyone comment?

The GG is fantastic. The suspension is really amazing. The one thing I have issues with is, the stock ICS spring is a little too stiff so it tends to deflect a little in really slow rock gardens. Anything first gear speeds and it is fantastic though. I’m 260lbs and a top 5 +30b rider and the stock suspension (minus springs) works great for me.

As far as pairing it against the Beta. I have ridden a 17 Beta back to back with my xc300 and the GG has more power across the board, most notably in the mid-range. The GG handles better, is lighter, and holds more fuel.

XC vs. EC. Supposedly the only difference is, the pipe and lighting. My guess is the folks that say they can feel a difference are experiencing a placebo effect. I think it really comes down to, do you want to pay extra for lights that are pretty much useless in the dark and, a trailtech computer? I ride at night and I just use a $20 LED lightbar from Amazon and I have a Garmin GPS so I had no use for the EC. Plus I got the FMF pipe on the XC


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Oh and the 19’ Beta is just plain ugly! Lol


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out of interest what rate ics springs are std and what did u go to iv just changed the ics springs i my mar cc to 10 from i think 16 same springs as kyb ics

Nuff said.....

https://www.dirtrider.com/2018-gasga...18-beta-300-rr

I have no idea. I called Halls Cycles and complained about suspension and he sent me new springs to try. Put them in and never looked back. I can call to find out though


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I wish they had pitted the Race Edition Beta vs the GG. I think that's more fair. But I still think GG wins on suspension, but it's a closer margin. Really at my level I would be happy with either bike.

Please do! Inquiring minds want to know this stuff.

Stock is 20nm and I now have 18nm


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Interesting!

I run .45kg/mm main springs and 2.2kg/mm ICS springs on my 2013 with retrofitted KYB. They do give some feedback, but I wouldn't call them harsh. Still yet to ride the 2018 model..

My ONLY complaint was very slow riding. So basically initial stroke. It was like it took a pretty big hit to get the forks started. At typical trail/race pace they are great BUT!, I am running 3 clicks from full soft on the compression.


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I was just in a similar situation, its time for a new bike was going to be purchased in the next six months. My old 13 has served me well over the last 5 years once I got the bugs worked out of it.
Started working on getting the bike ready for sale when a found an ad advertising 1000 off the EC's and this dealer had one GP in stock.
I think I have stayed pretty well informed on these 18's, sounds like they have a few teething issues. From what I see here and talk with Budd Matto they had fixes for each of these minor problems, a few that where addressed I had not heard about.
The only thing I am concerned with is the starter, hearing mixed reviews on its performance although I think the fix has been found. I will see, my starter failed on the 13 within 6 months, I think I may have started its demise but the ring gear was never available. If anyone has a ring gear I would buy it.
I was going to look at the KTM's 300 with TPI but was scared away in the fear of problems with the TPI. I also hear so much about the suspension being very tough to get sorted, and the carb bike issues.
So what did I do? Worked out a fair price for the 18 GP and pulled the trigger! The fit and finish is spectacular!
I was leaning hard toward the gasser because of the suspension, KYB's seem to work very well on the YZ's.
The biggest bonus is that I have the bike now and can start getting it ready for the 19 enduro series.
My explanation for what GP stands for is "Gee its Pretty.
So if the deal is right pull the trigger on the 18 if you can wait I'll bet that there will be a few in the states after the first of the year that will be discounted pretty heavy.

Most people seem to be talking me into the beta for some reason, probably just because it?s more popular at this point in time. How heavy does the bike feel compared to other 300 2 strokes? I realize it?s towards the heavy end in scale weight but that doesn?t always carry over to the feel of the weight while riding.
Are there any majors between 18 and 19 300s? I?ve talked to a handful of dealers and they all tell me they don?t know which I find odd

What is your height/weight?

6’1” 250


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Take all 3 bikes setup the same, full of fuel and you will find the weight differences are minimal.

The GG is super nimble and loves to turn, especially if you get up on the tank.

Not enough difference in the 18 and 19 to justify paying the extra money, or holding out for a 19.


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Wrap around hand guards needed to protect the bars or are the Renthals pretty strong to hold up against lay downs?

The Renthals are very strong.
The wrap around guards will take away the flex action of the bars.