I'm buying a Beta 300RR

[Leon_gasgas]

Hi!

I received my new Beta RR250 11 days ago. Until now I managed to do a peaceful 1 hour for breaking it in and another 45 minutes (I tried a bit the midrange hit but still staying away from the rev limiter..) on a demanding 5 cm snow rut breaking continuously (temps +1 C) through trees, mainly with 2nd gear. No complains until now, although during the 2nd ride it felt big mainly because of the (too much) torque feeling at very low revs and the wrong front tire for the occasion (I was on 125s for the last 2,5 years... and several GG250s and a YZ250 2T with E-line stator before them). I am still on the factory adjustment on the powervalve which is 2,5 turns in from fully out (6,5 turns total). That means I can smooth out the motor 4 turns or make it more aggressive for 2,5 turns. Power delivery is great. Lots of flywheel effect and torque but wakes up fast and wants to rev. The hit is more noticeable than a GG 250 07 (I don't have experience with the 12 and newer GGs) but still much more controllable than the hit on the YZ250 (it had the additional 12oz E-line weight but still too much in many cases). But I think the easily adjustable powervalve is the huge bonus on this bike. If you want you can adjust quickly before each special test, if you want to...

The bike's build quality is TOP even when compared to aluminium framed YZs. Very easy to work with and actually now I think the empty space under the tank is a + point after you adjust everything in the carb without the need to remove it completely from the clamps. From the beginning I am running a WP cone valve fork (used for a season on a GG250 2011) with a CRF wheel on the stock clamps. Turning is good but still playing a bit with fork height (it's about 1,5 cm taller than the stock Sachs). And also I have to check rear sag very soon. For the moment it feels ok. I just want that the shock is fully broken in. I will report more when I have some more hours on the bike. Today will be the 3rd ride...

Here is a picture when it was still new: http://postimage.org/image/9gaqqs5g5/

Leon

[REVERUP]

Beautiful bike Leon. Congrats!

[andoman]

Leon,
Curious why the fork swap on a brand new bike?

[erniebearskin]

Wow, thats a nice looking bike. Bike Porn.

[Leon_gasgas]

Thanks guys! I have to tell that live is even more beautiful than any picture on the net. I bought the fork for cheap in April and it was just waiting in my garage to be used when I would change my EC125 '08 to a new EC250 2013. I think I wrote it here earlier that I went to the shop to order the basic version gasgas but the final offer for the beta was just 200 euros more than the EC including beta enduro clothing. I could not skip this offer and I haven't regretted it yet even though I have no seat time on a 12 or newer EC. I thought if I like how the cone valve fork works then the new Sachs fork and wheel can stay new to help the sale of the bike whenever I change it.

Yesterday was the first real good practice. We traveled 50 km to find some more snow and it worked out nicely. 20 cm snow rut with faster whoops and some twisting through trees. Now I can tell that I am excited about how the whole bike works and especially the engine. It needed some additional air screw adjustment but then it ripped and the torque was excellent. It pulled great some turn exits with 3rd and minimum clutch use. The delivery of this motor is just about perfect. I think from tomorrow morning I can test the powervalve adjustment. At the end a friend helped me to measure sag. Free sag was 4cm and with my weight (87kg geared up) 12cm. It felt a bit uncomfortable in the faster whoop section at the back and now I know the reason. I am really excited already for tomorrow's practice after I adjust the sag tonight. Balance, turning and fork action will be even better.

Leon

[Leon_gasgas]

Just to add that the stock Sachs fork works well. I have test driven the 300RR. Also the first review from dirtrider.com was positive.

Leon

[Hawkeye]

I'll be interested in seeing how the Sachs fork compares to my revalved WP's or my Kayabas on my Yamahas. Sounds like their might have been improvements over the past year. Gas tank, yes, I'm prepared to have to get a larger one as soon as they are available. I can do a two hour hare-scrambles on my GG300's with fuel remaining, but I think those stock tanks are 2.6 or 2.8 gal. (can't remember).
I did not do the BYOB program, but am buying a stock 300RR from Hicklin Power Sports, by Des Moines, Iowa's only Beta dealer. I think the owner, Bart Hicklin is as excited as I am about the new Betas.

[GMP]

Nice bike, congrats!

Is the new Sachs fork a twin chamber? I'm so spoiled I couldn't go back to open chamber forks again.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by GMP

Nice bike, congrats!

Is the new Sachs fork a twin chamber? I'm so spoiled I couldn't go back to open chamber forks again.

OC, but Marzocchi 48 cc said to be available in BYOB.

PlusOnePerformance

[siaknijustin]

Originally Posted by twowheels

OC, but Marzocchi 48 cc said to be available in BYOB.

The only CC option I see on the BYOB suspension page is the Ohlins TTX inserts. It would be nice if they offered a more cost effective alternative like the Marzocchi 48 CC.

Still... that bike is beautiful and I think the BYOB program would be hard to pass on if I were in the financial position to do so.