Beta 300 RX vs KTM 300 SX 💨 300cc 2 Stroke Showdown - Cycle News

We take two two stroke powerhouses and put them head to head for our latest #motocross comparison. Which one would you choose?
#KTM #Beta
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Time Stamps
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - First Looks
2:05 - Specs
4:20 - Major Differences
5:53 - Engine Comparison
11:45 - Chassis & Suspension
14:58 - Which One For Me?
16:42 - Winner?
17:42 - Wrap Up

[@tonygee3284]

Beta 300 RX All Day

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

Soft suspension? Not on my '22, the springs are good for a 220lb rider. Power valve adjustment on the Beta is a big factor. Back it all the way out and even remove the inner spring to get max power asap. Smooths any hit. The Beta is a closet off roader with 2.5 gal. tank and a 6 spd and the ability to power lights.

[@Trailfocused]

I'm stoked to see more reviews on the Beta! As a current RX owner and previous KTM owner you skipped over a few differences. The beta has a larger fuel tank, extremely strong Nissin brakes, 3 position adjustable bar mounts, faster starting, and quick release button for the seat.

[@cyclenews]

The seat is definitely one of our favorite parts! Thanks for the note Ryan.

[@biscuit3755]

And 10 less hp!

[@Trailfocused]

@@biscuit3755 10 less Hp? Crazy talk. Both bikes are comparable in power. The review even mentions this

[@user-ds6wl9ms3g]

​@@Trailfocused beta 40 HP yz 250 46hp 300sx 50hp

[@MichaelSchwab-nk4rm]

​@@user-ds6wl9ms3gI read this as well..

[@user-pn3xt8on1n]

History lesson too, Beta Made the 50, 65 & 85 motor for ktm for a few years early on

[@cyclenews]

Wow, great pull.

[@Natedoc808]

opening up the beta power valve allows you to feel a bigger difference between the two maps and really unleashes the beta and it's an absolute beast.

[@Tob108]

I don’t think that the suspension is an important point for any bike. The first thing u should spend ur money on is Suspension. Give it to someone to set it up for you.

[@chadrides914]

WRONG

[@benmartin6476]

I’d love the tm racing 300mx in the mix It’s carbureted with electronic power valve I have the tm300en tbi and it’s the smoothest and most powerful two stroke I’ve ever felt And incredibly crisp

[@woodsrider117]

Beta has a good 6 month warranty.

[@cyclenews]

Great point.

[@paultaylor3152]

Funny KTM warranty is worth 0 you guys sound like a KTM add shit 😂

[@chadrides914]

Ktm Tpi blows your bike up at 50 hrs. Ktm laughs at you 😢and says it’s your fault.

[@aaronmcelhinney1436]

Beta doesn’t offer a warranty on 2 strokes. I was just at the dealer. Beta said something about emissions requirements, which doesn’t make sense.

[@woodsrider117]

Beta does offer a 6 month warranty on 2 strokes. The rrs Beta has a one year warranty

[@bbarker5766]

I think with the KYB Suspension all youd really need is to swap springs for your weight and ability unless you're a fast intermediate to pro then you're going to need total revalve rework done or even the better kits from WP to make either bike handle how you want it to.

[@cyclenews]

Great point, the KYB stuff is always a hit on other bikes like the Yamaha.

[@SreidMX]

Great analysis guys, this does not feel like a cookie cutter review format. Woulda been cool to throw the TM in there if you could get ahold of one. I hear they’re faster than the beta, which may or may not be a good thing. Still fun times that us old vet guys have 3 choices for super bad ass two strokes!

[@cyclenews]

Thanks for the note. We've had struggles locking in a TM but would've made a great addition.

[@tdubbs934]

I was going back and forth on the two and went with the ktm (husqvarna tx300) because of less vibration and efi

[@onlygazza]

Gotta say brilliantly explained tests compared to other top mx review channels, you got a new sub 👍

[@cyclenews]

Thanks for the support!

[@American_Enigma]

Beta needs to take a page out of the YZ playbook with the KYB suspension. I’ve owned KTM and Husqvarna, in addition to all the traditional Japanese bikes. I have to spend thousands of dollars on the KTM air forks just to get them within spitting distance of a stock YZ KYB suspension platform. Put a Lectron carb in the Beta and that resolves the annoyance of adjusting needles and jets all the time. That being said, I absolutely love the new KTM 300SX platform with the TBI. I just wish to the good lord they’d ditch the air suspension.

[@johnallard9876]

Odd nobody Evers mentions Sherco tm all have had electronic power valves for along time now lol tm had fuel injection but I’m pretty sure theirs is a bit more advanced them Ktm.

[@cyclenews]

Good points. And yes, seems like those brands (Sherco, TM, Beta) are placing more emphasis on motocross specifically.

[@Zen_Garage]

Honda used electric Powervalves in the early 2000's as well...

[@kirkdunn1379]

BETA is by far best looking off riad bike, dealer network, parts is different story Props to them for doing an outstanding job though..... Not too many dudes getting 300s just for MX......it will be a trail bike wuth maybe some MX mixed in Beta riders would be exclusively trail riders i woukd think in US

[@wtfftw24]

That Beta is a mesterpiece!❤

[@kirkdunn1379]

I probably would get a Beta and have owned many KTMS..... Only issue is parts, even in so cal there arent many beta suppliers Also Beta has BYOB option, where you can have it built with suspension (std or upgraded) already valved for you along with many other parts options.....so when you pick up your bike its already done and set up for you which is pretty cool

[@toddrobison8929]

I have an RX and the seat is the only complaint I have. Seat is like concrete

[@cyclenews]

But getting it off is a breeze.

[@toddrobison8929]

@@cyclenews yes, with the push of a button. I've also heard with every beta that is sold, so is a seat concepts

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

@@toddrobison8929 I never even think about mine unless I'm trail riding where the suspension isn't too plush.

[@Natedoc808]

teaches you to Stand more

[@chrisbarker1895]

Are you sure the map switch is just PV ? On the 125 its just richer or leaner map You need to include the TM, and Fantic/Yamaha offerings, looks a brighter future for the good ole 2st

[@Davido50]

KTM & Beta ! Love it. Europe has taken bk MX. 💯

[@henricusrealms8411]

Some other bikes to throw in (just for fun) besides the TM: Huq TX 300 & a YZ 250, bumped up to a 300.

[@cyclenews]

Thought about that. One of our test riders has a 300 kit on a YZ250 but we wanted to keep this OEM.

[@1176hambone]

Can we see how the TM Racing MX300 stacks up?

[@cyclenews]

Working on it for a future test.

[@TannerFingerboards]

I have been waiting for someone to make this video

[@cyclenews]

We got you😎

[@spacejaime]

Excellent comparison! Thanks guys!

[@cyclenews]

Thanks Jaime!

[@richcornwall4567]

Has anyone got their 300SX ECU tuned by Twisted yet? Very curious how that is and if they require race fuel… I’ve ridden a 300SX in cooler temps, 60F and it was amazing stock… rode one 90F and it was rich feeling, doggy, thought all the electronic gizmos would compensate but it didn’t, disappointing compared to cooler temps how great it was.

[@MustangGrabberOrange]

Beta 😍😍😍

[@Corteum]

I think a direct inject or fuel inject 350 2t would be perfect to go up against the 450 4t's.

[@ottokirk2325]

How bout a $7300 OTD 210lb '23 GG MC250 with an $800 300cc kit. And you could still justify a fork spring conversion! That 210lbs in '24 will be unobtainium. Think about it.

[@chrisleeds4460]

You have to do suspension work on any bike. KYB is easy to get right.

[@Dissentient01]

Beta is just betta.

[@eatnpooter1634]

Beta has kyb shock now too?

[@cyclenews]

Yes this one moved from Sachs to KYB front and rear.

[@toddrobison8929]

Yes it does. On the 23 Rx and rr race edition

[@courtneyludwin1149]

@cyclenews how did the two bikes compare power wise on the track? I haven't seen a head to head yet but more importantly did one bike feel faster or were they pretty close?

[@cyclenews]

The Beta has a more exciting, raw character but the Beta feels smoother.

[@courtneyludwin1149]

@@cyclenews I gotcha sounds like Beta is more exciting (carb) and KTM is smoother (tbi)?

[@WeaponsEducation]

I have a 2024 KTM 2024 XC. Why would anyone get a SX? The XC is identical, with 6 gears instead of 5 and a button to start the bike! Plus a stand if you want. I get the SX jumps stuff, just adjust the XC, that is why it cost more money.

[@elegantfury3402]

Ur not very bright, ay?

[@leejackson2157]

I have a 22 TM 300 es mx and is an awesome bike , be good if you tested one with these

[@cyclenews]

Awesome. We are trying to secure a TM for upcoming tests.

[@user-pn3xt8on1n]

TM rear end is aa tight as one of a fish (small budget)

[@MS215_]

What cc bike would you compare it to? I recently saw it Dyno out at 40HP (same as my 2020 YZ250F) but a lot more Torque. So is it around a 350 4Stroke or what would you say.

[@cyclenews]

These could be considered the "350" of the 2 strokes.

[@tdubbs934]

They are more than 40 hp. Tx300 is 55 at the wheels i believe 57 at the crank

[@Natedoc808]

I saw that same video and there was something wrong. Either the powervalve was closed down, they had it in rainy map, carb issue or something because they make every bit of 50hp

[@jaysoniorg2950]

Oddly, I've seen 300's built making 56-57 hp, so it's kind of odd if their production version makes less.

[@Duken4evr29]

The KTM is my pick as far as the machines themselves go. A significant factor in Beta's favor is they offer great customer service if something goes wrong with the bike. In contrast, KTM's customer service is apparently run by Darth Vader, so good luck if you happen to get a lemon...

[@cyclenews]

Good note

[@darylsmioth1904]

Yeah blew the shock seal on my new KTM 450 sx in the first two hrs and dealer wouldn't cover it.

[@americandirtrider7662]

😂

[@shanekuntz8906]

I agree. I punted my 300sx with only 6.6 hours. Biggest lemon I've ever owned.

[@zackk695]

BETA needs to race motocross and put together a team to have any chance of selling bikes. We don’t see them around at all. I would race these bikes in Supercross and motocross using the best riders if you can get them.The other goal is getting 2 strokes racing pro again. They are true racing engines

[@cyclenews]

They already have a full MXGP motocross team and will field a full Supercross/Motocross team in America for 2024 and beyond.

[@zackk695]

@@cyclenews So they are loosing pretty bad because I never see the name. Sadly the bike can’t compete or they just don’t have the budget for pro racing

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

@@zackk695 The Betas are all over the enduro scene. Japanese bikes are virtually nonexistent at most events I enter up here in Ontario Canada. Not sure what they expect with a two stroke motocrosser? 🤔 Love my 2023 Beta 300RR!

[@mattiasamiolo5277]

Beta is very interesting

[@customerservice7803]

TX300 would have been good to throw in here too

[@cyclenews]

Yes but that bike rides the line of being a full XC bike where both of these are dedicated motocrossers.

[@customerservice7803]

@@cyclenews yea, i get that.

[@jarredtremain4644]

Cheers fella's for your insight. I did find on my mates 19 250tpi it lost over rev at top of each gear and didn't like been held up in revs. Only thing was because of new crank balance being so smooth you do get the feeling of the bike like older models. He changed it to tbi with vertex electric system and the bike sings now. Still not as much as my 18 TE300 with knarly and carb tuned, thing is an animal to hold onto and can rev to the moon. Avagud1

[@cyclenews]

Very cool!

[@desert-timber-outdoors6577]

I want to see the rx compared to the 300xc in the off-road world…. I am thinking about pulling the trigger on an rx for an all around desert to woods bike.

[@Trailfocused]

I took my RX an converted it into an XC killer! (18 inch wheel, protective bits, re-valve). Since I bought my RX in 21', I have raced MX, AX, Hard Enduro, 6 days, and Sprint Enduro format races. For desert I will open up the powervalve a bit, for woods I will mellow it out. I have 3 different jetting settings based on altitude as well. My only change would be that I need a 2nd set of suspension to truly have 1 bike do-it-all. It's been very reliable so far

[@worldwide1873]

Thinking about doing the same thing. Making an rx a gp bike. Does it feel as stable as ktm at high speeds? These guys seemed like they weren’t sure about it

[@desert-timber-outdoors6577]

@@worldwide1873 I did it. The 300RX is awesome. I revalved suspension for more of an enduro performance. It really is an extremely impressive bike.

[@worldwide1873]

@@desert-timber-outdoors6577 nice! Curious if you’ve tried an xc or tx since you’ve turned your rx into a gp bike?

[@desert-timber-outdoors6577]

@@worldwide1873 I had a 2023 tpi xc…. I traded it for the beta…. The beta in my opinion feels so much better and is far more tunable in an affordable fashion.

[@MainJet158]

What is your opinion of the 6 speed vs a 5 speed on the MX tracks? 2 strokes already require more shifting so I would lean towards the KTM.

[@cyclenews]

The Beta feels like it has a bit better top end in the very high RPM's, but also hard to get into 6th gear on most MX tracks.

[@woodsrider117]

@@cyclenews You guys should have adjusted power valve. It’s just a little turning with allen wrench and then you’ll see much varied tuning. Also you didn’t mention Build Your Own Beta program that anyone can custom build their bike including suspension springs or whatever and the bike comes delivered to you with mods for you. You didn’t mention 6 month Beta warranty. There’s even a power valve spring kit for 26 bucks that changes how the bike runs.

[@johnallard9876]

Also seems like ktm is going backwards with ppl and beta Sherco tms are starting to come to moto and their not really known for moto lol

[@nickysstuntzest]

Yes Beta is just really known for trials Bikes 😅

[@rochellestanley9532]

Beta for sure 🥇

[@ottokirk2325]

Okay, so no mention of how much you'll have to spend on WP fork! But the negative is new springs for KYB forks, which should be done typically. Change a $15 carb needle, jets and adjust PV. No comparo to send the CDI off for another fixed situation and hope it's right for you. If you have more disposable income, clueless on jetting and wait time,. KTM not so bad. LOL

[@Andy-wo9bm]

Can’t be “tip of the spear” when it’s still failing a few and NO WARRANTY. It’s still in R&D and you might be the guinea pig who smokes a top end at 20 hours. Oh and the cylinder is on back order. Nah, no orange fad for me.

[@Dashriprock4]

That's exactly why I bought a leftover 22 gasgas 350.

[@BAYAREAMX]

Sweet more for me

[@Andy-wo9bm]

@@BAYAREAMX Yep you’ll need a few to make sure you stay on the dirt all season!

[@user-ds6wl9ms3g]

Tm is best

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

a real 300cc should make about 10hp more than a 250. So 55hp. Which I seriously doubt. Me thinks we have an enduro. maybe slightly stiffened suspension.

[@BAYAREAMX]

Lol did you just make that up?

[@SL4US]

Bro kinda shilling for ktm even though these tbi models have SO many problems lol. Yall are brave for getting a first year product from a brand that is known to experiment with its customer base

[@chadrides914]

Tpi have more than TBI

[@kelceyk8199]

I ordered a 2023 300 SX back in April of 22 when they were first announced. It arrived in December. It's been completely problem free. Absolute ripper

[@tdubbs934]

No problems on mine.

[@moswenym]

No problems on mine or my two friends that have new husky 300’s

[@lway8545]

Carb and kyb is better.

[@jonruger]

Who and what are 300 and 150s for they don’t have classes for them.

[@cyclenews]

Not everyone is interested in racing.

[@jonruger]

@@cyclenews than why are these sold and marketed as race bikes motocross bikes? I get why they make them for off-road and trails but why bother spending R&D on these from a manufacturer stand point

[@kellybrown6988]

Supply and demand

[@BAYAREAMX]

There are open classes

[@jonruger]

@@BAYAREAMX very true but a lot of guys still have 500s that ride those classes so they are giving up a fair bit of power to them but I bet that the KTMs out handle them.

[@Gremlinsbeabout]

EU brand with a model you cant buy in EU lol

[@nickysstuntzest]

Now you can Preorder it for next year they felt like it's not that much Demand for it but they had really much Demand here!

[@propacollector3499]

gasgas is beter

[@Corteum]

Hope KTM comes out with a 450 2-stroke. Fingers crossed!

[@cyclenews]

Don't hold your breath.

[@Corteum]

@@cyclenews I'll pray to the mx gods. It is a real possibility that could manifest into reality. It'll be like a 2-stroke 500 but with all the modern upgrades, direct inject or fuel inject...modern frame, electrric start, alllll the fancy gadgetry!

[@michele1342000]

​@@Corteumin the real world, any 2 stroke engine bigger than 300 cc doesn't make much sense

[@Corteum]

@@michele1342000 What "real world" are you talking about? Based on what reasoning? That you cant handle one yourself? lol Well why dont we make 4 strokes 300cc too then. Presumably you cant handle those either. People didnt complain about 500cc 2-strokes when they were making them (...complaints didnt start happening until recently when testosterone levels started declining - might wanna get yourr levels checked) 😂

[@michele1342000]

@@Corteum I'm talking about thermodynamics. Ever heard of it?

[@jeremy_moto_192]

Beta is gay 😂

[@legendhvh1239]

nigga u stupid shut the hell up dawg 😂😂😂😂 💀💀💀💀💀

[@MatthewC137]

Yet still betta than KTM 😂

[@jeremy_moto_192]

@@MatthewC137 lol 😂 do u even ride

[@MatthewC137]

@@jeremy_moto_192 Only for twice as long as you've been alive tyke. 🤣

[@cbRTXTI]

Masterbeta's