Beta XTrainer with Lucky Insert and AMP Damping Meets New Owner on the Pachaug Enduro Trail.

New owner experiences the joy of Beta on AMP. Connecticut woods: deep water, dust, rocks, mud and several guys who think they're pretty funny. 2021 KTM 300 XC-W is still amazingly great.

[@ow-my-achilles1106]

Ah the dreaded beaver pond crossing starting at 3:00 . Yes I have also dumped my Xtrainer in there. Water was MUCH higher when I went under!! Close to 2 feet deep that day, green pond scum on top. What a day. I have drowned my XT twice at Pachaug, some of those large forest road puddles are deep and greasy. I and my riding bud (he's from Mass) did our first ride this year last Friday 3/18 at Pachaug. We usually start our ride from the Pachaug state forest at the campground area in Voluntown. 56 miles in 4 hours. I've heard of people doing it much faster, but that's a "race pace" that we cannot do. 55yrs old and we manage our ride at a pace we are happy with to minimize risk. It's all about enjoying the time on the bike.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Sounds like a great loop - how were the trails? I would guess Pachaug gets muddy with deep water in the spring?

[@ow-my-achilles1106]

@@eddielawsonjr.8705 Actually the trails were fantastic. Very little mud compared to some years we've had. I always go around Green Falls , and the Beaver Pond trail crossing. Bypassing them is very easy. We ride Mt Misery only if conditions are quite dry. It is a real rocky technical tough climb even when dry, and there is always some mud to contend with exiting that trail. As long as there has not been any heavy rainfall, the trails are very rideable and the large forest road puddles have go arounds.

[@davidjmichaud4422]

I was really looking forward to, seeing the xtrainer in action. I guess watching another ktm it is.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

A few XTrainers in the video that just went up.

[@PA-Tammy]

Been on this loop lots of times... Always fun..

[@painsrides3616]

The thing about doing the full loop at Pachaug form the NETRA lot is that the fun never lets up 😎 Then later in the day after facing Mt. Misery and Baby Head... I always have to go into "The Zone" to run the last legs back to the lot.... The place is a gem and always a challenge

[@johnbeaupre7904]

The final leg of the full loop is so satisfying after the beatdown from mile 40 to mile 50 or so.

[@nickmee3321]

great vid going to check it out tomorrow

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Lucky man! Enjoy! Check out this more recent video from Pachaug, too - we had a blast. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKvTf6KEibp2jJo

[@johnbeaupre7904]

Nice video. I ran into your group at the water crossing where your buddy had drowned his bike. I was on an XTrainer too.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Yes - you were on AMP suspension, too. As I recall, you said, “Aaron is the best!” Agree completely. Aaron Hlad at AMP Suspension.

[@johnbeaupre7904]

@@eddielawsonjr.8705 Aaron Hlad worked his magic on my Sachs fork and transformed my bike. Hit me up if you want to ride some time. I've got a few local loops I'm willing to share with like minded enduro bro's

[@mpichon2532]

I have two sets of KTM 43 mm forks that are setup really good for woods . When I buy my first Beta which will be the xtrainer it will get those forks. Fits right on the Beta

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Smart! And the rear shock? That will require attention to match that fork!

[@TheDirtyBirchTrails]

I installed the triple and 48mm set from a 2005 KTM 525. Springs for my weight and re-adjusted the rear shock to match. Premo, nice and smooth on the trails. And not dangerous at speeds up to redline in 6th.

[@DavidGarcia-jw1df]

… maybe post some ‘22 rides, I’d like to ride with you and the mafia.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Working on the ‘22 rides. Actually, I still have some ‘21 rides that need to be shared with the KZbin.

[@hevechvy]

Not everybody can ride a KTM, but I can. A 22 300xc-w. However, If I couldn't be a KTM guy, you know what I'd be? I'd be ashamed. lol

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

I can ride a KTM, although you might guess otherwise based on the videos!

[@sampep]

Nice! Ktm Is that much better? Debating selling my xtrainer too.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

KTM is amazing. Beta makes a sweet machine, too. They have a different character - I have both (Beta 390, and the two KTMs). Really enjoy them all. A lot!

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

When I got the KTM 300, the XTrainer felt a little rough in comparison (no counterbalance) and the geometry was a little twitchy at race speed. It’s not meant for that, in contrast to the 300. Not that I go race speed a lot. More on the Beta topic before long.

[@sampep]

@@eddielawsonjr.8705 but stock ktm suspension is still better than with the lucky inserts?

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

The Lucky inserts in the fork and the AMP damping in the shock are as good as the KTM in my experience. The compliance, control and predictability are all excellent on both.

[@Masi007]

What town in Connecticut is this place?

[@ow-my-achilles1106]

The Official Enduro Loop passes through several CT town limits. Plainfield, Voluntown. Link for the map. portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/PachaugEnduropdf.pdf Plus check out ADV RIDER forum: Pachaug Thread. The GPX track is there as a downloadable file. North Loop 1, South Loop, and North Loop 2, ride CW from the NERTA lot, in that order.

[@dolls3057]

How come you sold the xtrainer?

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Good question! The bike was about perfect when I sold it, but I figured I would probably race the KTM 300 this year. The two biggest considerations were size (the KTM fits me a bit better) and vibration (the KTM is very smooth). When I got a text asking me if I would sell the XTrainer, I figured it was the right time. I believe the 200RR is next . . . we shall see.

[@dolls3057]

Thank you for the reply... I just bought a 2021 xtrainer so far I love the bike but probbably I will go the same route with the suspension

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

The counterbalanced engine is a big deal - I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in that bike. If you want to make it all it can be as an enduro bike, I think a call to Aaron at AMP is a great place to start.

[@nosyjoe]

Eddie are you on IG? I’d like to message you about your experience with Lucky’s vs the bike upgrade you did

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

Best way to get me is right here! Are you curious about XTrainer vs KTM TPi?

[@Masi007]

Did anybody mess with you guys for not being street legal Enduro‘s?

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

we are all plated etc as required - no renegade riders as far as I saw.

[@TMG595]

@@eddielawsonjr.8705 I live in Western MA and possibly looking to get a 300cc 2 stroke TPI. A dealer in NY state where I was going to get it said the certificate from a New York dealer will say something like “Not intended for Highway use”. Did you get your bike in MA or CT by chance? I currently own a KTM 250 excf but really want a TPI I can plate to go from trail to trail.

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

I got mine in New Hampshire from Freedom Cycles. I have had good experience plating in MA as a purchase of an NH-plates bike. The Betas I just plated here right off the bat.

[@TMG595]

@@eddielawsonjr.8705 Awesome. Thanks!

[@TheDirtyBirchTrails]

Looks like a nice place for us Northern Canadians to go in the winter ? Is there a fee to ride there ?

[@eddielawsonjr.8705]

No fee, you just need a license plate! If you make the trip, we can make a video of you clearing all the rocks 👍