I Make Sam Pick between the Beta 300RR and Sherco 300 SE-R! | Episode 284

[@jord6658]

the onboard tool kit and push button seat removal on the beta is worth mentioning Kyle, and the other thing about the beta is the BYOB feature (build your own bike) allows you to add lots of options at a discount straight from the factory including a kickstart. a bike without a kickstart had zero place in my garage.

[@jord6658]

MaverickDH I put a shaved head from rk tec on mt beta. it will flat out rip your arms off if you adjusted the power valve that way .

[@stevelazo82]

I own the 2017 300rr Race Edition. I also own a 2016 Husky te300 & 2016 ktm 250xcw. The 300rr Race Edition is by far my favorite bike.

[@sam-ww1wk]

Beta lets you buy the kick start as an option. As a desert salt, I thought for sure I'd need it when I bought my Beta, but the dealer told me to hold off as they hadn't seen issues. He could have made a quick coin off me. 2.5 years later, I've never even come close to needing it, and just never bought the kit. I've never used a battery tender, and am still on the first battery. I think it's smart they give the rider the option. Easy enough to buy and install if someone wants it that bad. You're spot on with the power valve,, totally changes the bike.

[@coobay978]

I agree that it is plain stupid no to have a kick starter on a enduro bike.

[@opiestanborough4774]

booooohoooo you bitch more than a woman!

[@megapet777]

@@opiestanborough4774 bet you dont have the muscle to kick start big bike.

[@bushbasher69]

@@megapet777 if you want to look at it that way it takes weight not muscle to kick a big bike

[@megapet777]

Tumblemydice if it doesnt take muscle, then the person kicking is obese

[@bushbasher69]

megapet777 sounds like ya never owned a bike lol

[@mikeschoolcraft21]

I will take the Beta off your hands. I am 58 and my last bike was a 2001 KX 250. and love the low seat height and power of a 300 must be awesome compared to the KX.

[@Maicowerk]

Cars have an alternator that charges the battery. So the argument of the hand crank removal doesn't mean anything unless they added an alternator to charge the battery as you ride.

[@lancesteinberg9451]

Great review, this might be bias since I am a Beta rider, but you are comparing closed chamber KYB to OPEN chamber Sach forks, KYB is superior. I have a Beta race ed as well as the RR and believe the race ED sach closed chamber forks fix the front end and high speed issues. Making the race ED much more comparable to the Sherco Factory ED.

[@adventureriders4515]

excellent point about the kick start. i have a 4 stroke kawasaki dual sport. no kick start. it beats me why. i have had battery issues in the past and on one long road trip (i was 300kms away) the battery died and wouldnt charge. so my only option was to bump start every time or make sure im on the top of a downhill... it worked, but sucked. and i had to be super careful i didnt get stuck in some muddy flat section where i wouldnt be able to push it. another trip with some friends on honda crf250's ... no kick start. one guy battery died on day 2 of a 4 day trip. we had 4 guys so we took turns push starting him... pain on the ass. all manufacturers (2 and 4 stroke) ... listen to this comment and what kyle has to say and put the bloody kick starts back on ALL your offroad and dual sport bikes!!! please :)

[@BoogiemanMoto]

Best video yet guys. I ride in the Northeast and like Sam said, "it's a f*ckin good bike" for the terrain we have here. Very good points and observations made on both bikes, especially the Beta. I loved your reaction to the Beta after it pulled 3rd gear up that hill climb. That's what I'm talking about, that's what we like to see. The motor really is a beast. Mild to wild with a 5mm Allen Key. Glad you finally mentioned the grab handles as well, I was waiting for that.

[@jpbova]

This was the best review yet. More Sam, he has a lot of good things to say

[@DGfilms1996]

Justin Bova I agree

[@MitchVandermeer]

kickstart is an option on the 2018 betas you can choose yes or no

[@jord6658]

Victorian Braapers at least beta has it as a option.

[@mojomatty4842]

Victorian Braapers the kickstart has saved my butt many times

[@MitchVandermeer]

motorjunkiematty 420 how did you beta elec start fail?

[@savagesalvage4957]

Victorian Braapers Usually from dead battery, especially in cold weather *cough cough* lithium sucks *cough cough*

[@willkepley9634]

Victorian Braapers they don't come with them but you have a option to put one on

[@MrMontecarlo34]

Keep a strap in your pouch. If your battery is dead, prop it up, wrap strap around rear tire and pull.... or have two people spin the wheel by hand. There is many ways to start a bike without a kickstarter and many videos showing you how to do so.

[@ClayGGOR]

Kyle the Sherco comes with a 14 tooth cs sprocket. I sent you a 13 tooth cs when I sent you the bike. If you would just put that sprocket on the Sherco I think you would be surprised.

[@DirtBikeChannel]

Clay Stuckey The gearing on the Sherco is actually one of my favorite parts. I really like it in stock form. I like the gearing on Sherco much better than getting on the Beta.

[@Danger_mouse]

Clay Stuckey Agreed. You can't make a statement like 'The Sherco won't pull 3rd up this Hill' without stating the 'Beta won't do 60mph don't this road'.... the gearing is different.

[@DirtBikeChannel]

Both bikes are in stock form with stock gearing. Didn't you hear me say multiple times that I like the Sherco better? I didn't say the Sherco lacks power, on the contrary, I love the gearing and the power.

[@artfulalias3984]

I get what you are saying. But listen. They have a point. The way you word the part about the Beta 1st being too low and the Sherco engine not pulling third "on the same hill" makes these things sound like transmission or engine characteristics, when in fact they are probably just sprocket choice. My Beta RRS shipped with a 15 and a 13 in the box. Inexperienced riders may make their buying decision based on the wrong thing. Cheers. Appreciate the ride videos.

[@billsmith9610]

One year on my kx500 i was on a trail system and passed these 4 stroke guys full tilt. I had an incredible pace going. I'm freaking waiting on my buddy and shut the bike off. He shows up and i'm like why so long. Kick starter broke in half. 4 stroke guys show up. Guy says " oh not so fast now huh". I'm like " hey you going to bump me or not" He knew i was mad.He also knew i saw his tow rope wrapped around his bars. He couldn't couldn't believe how much speed it took to get that thing to bump. Can't even imagine worrying about a freaking battery all day. My drz used to die on me all the time.

[@endurist5196]

I don’t need a kickstart on my 390 RR. I have fixed a battery booster under the left rear side panel as a permanent backup. No problems so far (never needed it) but feel much safer.

[@sidneysmith6943]

I tried both and I'm 5'10 175 and the beta just seemed to fit me better even on the faster trails

[@jhkk1269]

im 5'9, bikes with a kickstart pose problems once ive been riding a couple hours lol, spend ages tryna kick the damn thing

[@RSmech]

You should really do some reviews with the GasGas bikes, that would be awesome to see!

[@supertedogpriken]

wish he whould do a review on a gas gas enduro bike. But probably not. People have been asking for a GG review since the channel started, and it just seems he ignores those bike... it is a shame, GG has some amazing bikes.

[@DieGauchos]

Now you can just review a ktm and write gasgas in the title

[@Murphy.Outdoors]

I was considering a XC 300 or XCW 300 but am now looking into the Beta or Sherco. Would you recommend the SE or SC 300 to be most comparable to the XC/XCW? From looking at Shercos site I thought the SC would be more of a tight trail bike as opposed to the SE

[@FrostyFingers]

You know there is a mapping switch on the sherco too ? And 2 gear on the sherco is like 3.5 on the Beta. Noticeable longer gears on the sherco from 1-3. And what bike brakes most power 2018 ? Yes, the sherco 300 se-r ;)

[@Danger_mouse]

Not sure why your test Sherco has odd wiring, all Shercos in Australia since 2016 have auto shut off electrics that turn off the system about 5 sec after the engine is stopped via the kill button. You only have a starter button and headlamp on/off switch and kill button on the bars. (unless the full road riding kit is installed, then you get indicators and horn block added) Something to take up with Clay. 👍 As for kick starters, please don't speak for the rest of us modern people, we don't want or miss them.

[@bryson_stafford]

Good video man! I have the 2017 Beta 300 RR Race Edition and the suspension is amazing. It's great for fast stuff and also the slow technical. The open cartridge on the Beta you're riding is softer from what I hear. Good video and fun bikes to get to compare back to back.

[@alandewey6934]

don't forget folks , it will cost you..but I believe Beta offers a kickstart kit . but yeah..on a offroad enduro bike..it would be nice to have the added insurance of a kicker...stock...not an add on..

[@andygullion5182]

I love electric start but I'm not going off into nowhere with no mechanical / back up way to start a bike , Beta or KTM. Betas are very nice , especially considering how long they've been making a full size Enduro line ...which isn't long compared to KTM . KTM has succeeded beyond belief ...they were bankrupt in 1997 and basically an obscure euro brand . I love how they have rebounded , it's a cool business story , and they deserve to be where they are today .

[@999slinger]

WE NEED THE KICK STARTERS BACK

[@dmsentra]

Not one thing is mentioned in this thread about the lost time in a tough enduro from not having a kickstart. And my age and lack of flexibility makes it that much more important. With estart you can be on your way within a second if you kill it. On off camber, bad footing sections it becomes even more critical. Sometimes these things can easily knock out minutes getting it started again.

[@2troke]

Might be time to make a set of 'jumper cables' for bikes just as an option. Maybe you drowned it in a creek and battery dies before it restarts and no option to bump start in those situations. A piece of rope is also handy even though not always practical.

[@julianwilson5174]

Why did you take a screenshot of the video on KZbin it make a thumbnail. You can see the time bar

[@cspoon123]

Counter argument on your kick start rant. I carry a lithium jump starter, lighter than the kick starter.

[@glock19gen3]

I doubt any average rider will notice any real deference with either bike. With that said, I would choose the beta and have been looking to get one. I don't care about the fast whoops and desert riding so its and easy choice for me.

[@billygoat7c]

have you done a timed run on the razorback? that should be a standard test you do before you get rid of a bike, always liked seeing the differences in the timed runs

[@DirtBikeChannel]

The Razorback trail is now too chewed up from traffic to make any timed runs these days. It wouldn't be fair the the older times and people would read into that too much. I still ride it from time to time, but not like I used to because it's shredded.

[@StarbreakerGenX]

Very simply on the Sherco; cut the headlight switch off and short the two wires together. When you turn on the power switch the headlight/tail light will be on. Doing this has eliminated any chance of leaving the power on and running the batter down for me.

[@DirtBikeChannel]

It's not the headlight that runs the battery down. It's the electronic power valve.

[@StarbreakerGenX]

Yes, but if the headlight is on you know to shut off the power switch, the headlight does not work unless the power switch is also on. Do you see what I mean? Whenever you turn on the power the headlight will also be on. That makes it pretty easy to know that you left the power on.

[@graemesydney38]

If the battery is dead you won't be able to kick start the bike anyway - you need power to power up the EFI. You'll need to carry either a jump start cable or a tow rope. The price of progress; and progress doesn't suffer fools, the lazy or the forgetful.

[@mcgyvr_kota208]

I was wondering what your thoughts are the beta 300 xtrainer or if you could do a review on them.

[@jpesicka492]

Prob go Sherco since I ride desert usually. Anyone else hate how KTM has too many options? I know its a good.thing but it makes it harder to pull the trigger when I'm unsure if I want an Sx or an exc or xc or xc-w. I feel like the exc with a plate would be the most versatile of them all and could prob handle the vet track if needed.

[@artfulalias3984]

If your battery is dead, you can't kickstart a fuel injected bike. Even the two strokes are going FI. The two pounds is better spent on the electrical system and one of those little jump starters.

[@JTwelder.]

GasGas is like the only manufacturer still putting kick starters on everything

[@wrenchone5003]

makes me want a sherco for the exact reason it's not orange .

[@megapet777]

You talked early on the video, that you can adjust the power of the bike? I'm kinda noob to mechanical stuff so I was wondering if I could adjust the power of my beta rr 400? (4-stroke)

[@92slyspeeder]

Hey Kyle what's happening man, hey this may be a stupid question and maybe you've already covered this but does the Beta and or Sherco come with a tool kit like the KTM? idk, I just think that's kinda cool... I've had to work on my bike in the woods before and a tool kit is kinda cool...

[@otpipe]

Yes it's behind the left side panel/number plate. I don't carry mine though. My '16 300RR has 180hrs on it and I haven't had to wrench on it on the trails yet. Best bike I've ever owned, but it is the first new one for me too.

[@googleuser1522]

When you mention a couple extra lbs not being a big deal, I had a thought. Would it make sense to carry an extra battery? I hadn't considered it before, but maybe it makes sense?

[@chadamwickly]

Google User That would be a pain in the a** to pop the seat of get out tools change the battery reconnect the cables put the seat back on when you could just kick a lever once and go. plus the possibility that you could have forgot to charge the spare battery in a couple of rides and it not have enough juice to turn over.

[@googleuser1522]

Chadamwickly - the beta seat releases with the push of a button. The battery connectors swap very easily. Sure beats being stuck 30 miles from the truck.

[@heily-3806]

Might as well just carry small cables and jump your buddies bike

[@savagesalvage4957]

Google User Kickstarter is still lighter than a battery, and if your battery is dead you don't have to swap it. Just kick it over and go. Terrible idea. Don't give the big guys any excuses for not giving us a backup.

[@googleuser1522]

Savage Salvage well obviously a kickstarter is ideal. But if you don't have one, maybe a spare battery isn't so bad. Yeah, carrying a battery isn't the best idea, but a terrible idea? Really?

[@soundslikeaplan841]

The crf 250x was the best bike in this video. Haha has a kick and Electric start and can be roadworthy but also still good for the trails! Haha good vid guys

[@philipperompre2287]

I agree this is OFFROAD bikes, the kickstarter is not an option it s a must.

[@bitingdogg3236]

I think that Beta would be great for McNutt. Then again, my xc-w is good there too. Thanks for doing these reviews. Really appreciate it

[@jackvlogsandgaming9533]

My 125 Sherco, I left my power switch on for 4 days and it didn’t go flat

[@donpablo007franko6]

Tm 300 enduro fuel injection 2019 try that

[@masterbeta343]

I dont really like the 300 2 strokes i like the 250s but i prefer beta its smoother and in my opinion its like a refined ktm and i love the power valve adjustment on there

[@Hulley29]

I'm strongly considering selling my KTM to get the Beta.

[@mojomatty4842]

Hulley29 check out my channel brahhh!

[@Cactus73]

dirtbiketest.com/fresh-dirt/this-or-that-beta-300-rr-vs-ktm-300-xc-w/

[@MitchVandermeer]

do it you wont regret it

[@Hulley29]

LOL! Yeah, I know but sometimes you gotta think for yourself! :) I'm not a tall guy and the slightly smaller dimension and easily tamed 300rr motor is appealing to me. Plus, I dont have high speed places to ride here in north Georgia.

[@Hulley29]

Subscribed!

[@mmig2116]

Glad to see there is a choice of good bikes out there today! But we all know there all chasing ktm! Ready to race no question!!

[@mc4nathan336]

Rr300 races would be interesting what you think about it

[@acameron7189]

i have a new to me 2017 Sherco 300 se and I gotta say its a damn good bike.

[@wingding028]

i ordered a wr450 gp edition today over the normal wr450 because it still has the kick start

[@boarder989]

Totally agree everyone should KEEP the kickstart Honda got rid of them off there 2018 450s.

[@StarbreakerGenX]

The Sherco has a handlebar mounted map switch which gives you two power modes.

[@DirtBikeChannel]

Both of these bikes have that.

[@miscel761]

Hi Kyle. Your video are always the best and I enjoy them a lot. Anyway I just sold my Beta 300 RR and I have bought a Sherco 300 se-r. When I first ride the Sherco I noticed a lack of power compare to the Beta but straightaway I realised that Sherco comes with 14/49 sprockets vs Beta with 13/52. So I think in this video when you climb the hill in third gear with the Beta it's just because of the sprockets, you couldn't do it with the Sherco because the 14/49. I personally changed the Sherco and I went with 13/52 and I can tell you it is now a fire breathing dragon. Cheers

[@Cresp0PT]

if you want a more agressive suspension just go for the racing edition beta you get that sweet motor and a really nice suspension. Great video.

[@Cresp0PT]

i think is common sense that a suspension well prepared\tuned for you(like my beta is for me) will be better that a stock racing edition\factory bla bla suspension... i was talking about that the race version have a stiffer suspension like the ktm XC that the two guys in this video really like. i dont think that vibration is not near important as suspension but i can see what you are talking about it feels like a diferent bike when you have a costum prepared suspension.

[@304-j7y]

I have seen both bike I like both but prefer the sherco

[@stechmer1]

You were flying up that hill in 3rd!

[@chrisirving8712]

A kickstarter is part of the two stroke ritual🦴🏕🌤🍁💕💕

[@MR-04]

Sherco all the way 👌

[@volcanowb]

Why?

[@hdidane00]

give us theRider's black for 2018 which in your opinion is the best Enduro bike for 2018 give us a ranking based on different categories .

[@joshwendt3165]

Is bump starting that bad?

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

Josh Wendt it is when you're in a ravine where the only way to get the bike going fast enough to bump is to drag it out 40 feet uphill through rocks and roots to find a big enough smooth section where you can get going. I'm so specific because this happened to me on a 2011 KTM 450sxf with no kickstart! Lol

[@joshwendt3165]

I understand what you guys are saying about being stuck in a sticky situation, but why would it die there? I understand if I was left on overnight, but assuming the charging system is ok and the battery is good, it won't let you down. e starts are getting more and more reliable, yes not as reliable as a Kickstarter, but on the big ktm500exc, imagine trying to kick that big thing over

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

Josh Wendt batteries die and you never really know when it's going to happen. Ever had a car battery go out and had to get a jump to get home or have a friend drive you to autozone to get a new battery? Same thing but there isn't normally jumper cables or people with them out in the bush lol Plus if you're going through a really really reallllllllly difficult section that may have you stalling out 10 times in a row those little batteries drain quick and the bike needs to be running to charge it, but if you sit and try to charge in between every stall you'll be out there for a while not to mention overheating your bike and boiling over your rads. and when youre on a trail, on the side of a giant cliff, scrambling through giant rock patches this is not ideal. Yeah you could carry a small jump charger in your pack but I'd rather just have a kick start and electric start then you get the best of both worlds. And with all the things that can go wrong riding out in the middle of nowhere that's just one less thing to worry about! Lol

[@joshwendt3165]

dane holmquist Fair enough mate, each to their own. It's the way it's going unfortunately, so I think/hope there will be some new technology hitting the shelves for Micro jumpstarters for bikes.

[@DHolmquistDesigns]

Josh Wendt they have micro jump starters that are only like a pound and work great but it's just another thing in the backpack and if it does die you have to bust it out, take off the seat, charge it, and then pack it back up and go. If your battery dies but you have a kickstart tho.. boom you're in business right away lol I'd rather my bike be 2-3 pounds heavier than have to carry another pound on my back and have to go though the hassle of charging a battery.

[@bertilnilsdongguiffu3088]

Tm is 300 a hole new level

[@lyndonewright330]

Im sure there both good bikes I'll just stick with my HUSQVARNA which is practically KTM

[@heinrichvonkekelnazi393]

So, if you don't want to get a KTM, buy a KTM tuned differently with a different name.

[@GARETHGREGORY]

If you dont want to watch the whole video,in the end he picked the ktm the cameraman was riding.

[@bryankirk3567]

Keep the bloody kick starter on off road bikes please.

[@MR-04]

Sherco all the way !!!

[@MR-04]

Blue 4 Life 👍

[@jaarryifleshblood315]

Which engine lupercats better 2 or 4 strokes

[@fasteddie737]

Thanks guys, good video, good info on both bikes.

[@Nuno.Alcaide]

Another great video, congratulations!!

[@ClayGGOR]

One other thought...... I hear the complaint of no ks back up quite often and I get it because I live in the US. The Europeans don't understand going 50 miles off road because they can't. They don't have the land that we have and the Australians have. Again I get it but I also hear contradictions from customers on this issue. How? I hear quite often that I don't want to go offroad on a bike with no back up ks but that same customer will say he's looking forward to buying an injected orange bike. Huh? Batteries very, very seldom just stop working. They give you signs that they're going bad. All of the Shercos have the strongest charging system in the industry. 220 watts. That charging system will charge a good battery very quickly. So if you leave the truck with a battery that you know is going bad and you did not replace it then that was dumb and you just learned a lesson. But what about injected parts? They don't give any sign that they are going bad like a battery. They just quit. So you're not ok with going 50 miles off road on a bike with no back up kick starter but you are ok with going off road with a bike with twice the number of electrical parts that can completely stop working? I'd rather take my chances with a battery only bike that an injected bike if I were going to in a place that I couldn't bump start my bike. I have a dealer in NM that does a big loop with his buddies and he worries that if they drown a bike out in a stream that they may kill the battery trying to get a bike started so he carries a little charger he found that is not much bigger than a cell phone and it will charge a bike battery 20 times or some crazy number like that. He even started his truck with it once. Just food for thought....

[@dmsentra]

Yeah, it's all point of view on how you use the bike, same as these 2 guys saying the Sherco is better, because that's what they like. The points about why one bike is better than the other explain why the 300RR is better for me. . I absolutely want a kickstarter because I get way out there, often by myself, and want that backup. I want the lower seat and the narrower profile because I seek out the gnarly tough stuff, not the gofastbestupid stuff. Same with the FI, or even the OI. Prefer carbs and premix for the same reason. Dead stupid reliability. As it is now if I get the funds before I can't find one the 17 Race is my pick. Like the red pattern better anyway.

[@jaarryifleshblood315]

Get back the Yamaha 250 you need it

[@sargeorm]

Don't rule out the Beta Xtrainer 300 if you only do single track and have a 31" inseam or less. Definitely a trail weapon.

[@monkeytennislee2493]

I won’t a beta so much

[@moshpitcircles6345]

Great review!

[@chrisirving8712]

Great video

[@bachnok]

Too bad they put a sign up and blocked that hill now.

[@sandyperalta3734]

i will go with the Honda crf 250x all day.

[@WaffenSSaregods]

ew lmao

[@artis98]

yes im first on my favorite youtuber

[@powertool4uau]

Please get over the kick start thing...……. sick of hearing it...…. I want less weight so NO kick start is a plus for me and many others!!!!!!!!!