The Best Entry Level Bike on the Market?

[@alexdesamsonow822]

Rich has the best content on dirtbike testing, and instructional video out there. Thank You IRC tire guy!

[@mitikumitiku4442]

More than 30 years I rode 4 strokes. Hobby rider! At the end of my active career I wanted to try 2 stroke. So I bought RIEJU 300 Ranger. I am surprised how easy the change is/was. All the things you said are right. Light, easy handling, light clutch pulling and working. Good suspension. Terrible E start noises! Exactly what beginners or "finishers" need. My recommendation to all of them. And I'm proud to see them on top level in Hard Enduro like Will Hoare and others.

[@garethgrant8429]

I'm looking at making the swap over aswell , what are they like out the box? And mods required straight away ?

[@AaronsEnduro]

As a X Trainer owner and content creator I would loveeeee to see the man himself Rich Larsen review one! Got 140 hours on my 23 and for the super technical tight steep stuff its been a real hoot!

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Sounds like I need to get one!!

[@adskiygamer]

Hopefully it will be "uncorked" one. Even with stock pipe I feel a huge difference between my 2022 with proper jetting, power valve adjustments, 13T front sprocket, air filter mod and friends' stock 2023 with changed air filter cage and bit better jetting. Mine feels so much more crisp and "hard enduro ready" somehow. Stock ones are definitely not worth testing by Rich.

[@Max-dj5qj]

Would love to see Rich make a detailed Review. The best would ne a Stock xtrainer and a tuned one with pipe, Suspension etc in comparison. I Ride a beta 300 rr MY23... Super happy and Made big efforts. But still sometimes i think, a tuned xtrainer would be a super agile Weapon for very technical Trails, which i prefer.

[@C3Enduro]

+1 for the XTrainer. I started doing enduro on a KLX250 and upgraded to a XTrainer. Glad I did.

[@nbcevilduck]

Xtrainer with fatty pipe is the bike most people dream of, even if they don't know that the Xtrainer is that bike.

[@Mkruzer]

Also know that as a default the cdi is in "Rain" mode. Adding the switch, or even just connecting the mapping circuit, puts it in "Sun" mapping and it's a lot more snappy and revs out higher. CPD and Rieju won't tell you that's an option but it is. Rich nailed the review. Spot on. For most of us dirt Muppets it's an excellent trail and hard enduro bike.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks for the info!!

[@WadeMade]

Is that for real? I just installed a gnarly pipe and a turbincore 2.1 slip on and rejetted it while waiting for my map switch. Do you think I'll have to rejet it again for the sun mode then?

[@Mkruzer]

@WadeMade I use a jd jetting kit with the stock pipe and didn't need to rejet. But to get absolute maximum performance you'll have to see how it goes.

[@WadeMade]

@@Mkruzer So your totally stock? I bought the JD jetting kit before I installed the gnarly and it was crazy rich. Did the JD settings work for you in sun mode? What elevation are you at? I'm at 770ft. I did have a turbinecore 2.1 slip on when I tried the Jd kit. What jetting did you settle on. I'm currently using the N1EF needle clip 3, 42 pilot, 165 main jet, and the air screw 1.5 turns out with my FMF Gnarly. Seems pretty clean but I have yet to take it to the trails. It really woke it up. I'm still waiting for my switch though so If your right it's in rain mode.

[@Mkruzer]

@@WadeMade stock pipe with turbine core 2.1. I'm in the same area as rich so 5000 ft but ride up to 10,000. I just followed the chart which was 38 pilot, blue needle clip 2 162 main. I did speak with them and he said I could go one step leaner if I'm not hard in the pipe all the time. I run 40:1 motul 710 with 96 octane (race fuel and 91 ne mixed). It's definitely in rain mode. We've tested on two rangers and both woke up. You can test for yourself before you get the switch. Just jumper the a copper wire between on the connector. Also, you don't need the $50 switch. Any on/off handlebar switch will work but you just need to solder the wires.

[@jwaller1327]

I'd like to see you do the same sort of testing on the Beta XTrainer

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Hope to make it happen

[@Andrewyosten169]

Have a 23 Mr pro 300. Love the bike. Clutch won’t hold up to hard abuse. Totally fine for probably 95% percent of people but for the hard enduro pro Guys most go for a manual rekluse clutch. Give the Mr pro a test. I came from a yz 250X to a 22 ktm 300 tpi erzberg and now I’m on the Rieju and have no regrets. All the bikes have their pros and cons but the Rieju just fits me and the carb and kyb suspension gave me the feel I was use to with the Yamaha yz which I spent the most time on and love to this day.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Great insights! Definitely all comes down to preferences! I’m looking forward to testing more Riejus!

[@sarahdell4042]

I’ve abused my 300 pro for over a year. Change the trans fluid every ride (hard enduro) and haven’t had any issues

[@mack73]

Gotta do a full Xtrainer review now. EDIT: didn't want that to come off as negative. I appreciate you spending the time on the more 'rare' bikes. It's hard to take a chance with your $$$$ and buy the less main stream brands/models when you can't really test ride them and get a feel without buying first

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I hope to test one!! Thanks for watching!

[@tigerrider6711]

My thoughts exactly, with these exotic bikes you lose a ton on the resale value later on when nobody wants one. You could have just spent that money on a better ktm up front.

[@2fly1974]

​@tigerrider6711 I I would agree with you if I didn't already own a 2018 GasGas Xc300 and a 2024 husqvarna te300 pro. The husky is slightly lighter but with better brakes. The GasGas makes more power but the huskies power is smoother. The suspension on the husky is like a pillow bit the gasgas has great kyb suspension that stays up in the stroke better. Clutch engagement is about the same but the GasGas is more stable at speed where the husky is better at tight technical stuff. Yes one is a xc and the other is a te but for what I paid for with the husky I definitely don't think the price difference was worth it. Fast pace stuff and ive out ridden my buddies on their ktm and husky xc bikes. It's the rider and the GasGas comes with all the same great parts as all the manufacturers. Ktm bought em out cause they didn't want the competition in the market even though gasgas has been a top competitor in Europe for awhile but just were a small company. The parts aren't hard to get and have always been bummed that ktm bought em out and the spanish company didn't grow on its own in the states

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@tigerrider6711 Who says KTM is better. I know plenty of people who think KTM is worse than e.g. Rieju. Well, KTM is better at marketing.

[@tigerrider6711]

@@stefanhansen5882 no it’s just dumb if you buy a rieju over Ktm. Look at the sales numbers of them both. Every single problem of the Ktm 2 stroke has aftermarket support and hundreds of people who fixed it before you did.

[@steve6548]

Commenting to support the channel and the YT algos.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Very much appreciated!

[@Rieju300]

Solid review, as always! I have had no issues ordering parts via CPD.

[@sarahdell4042]

I love my 300 pro. I have a friend who has the Ranger and it’s been great as well.

[@RedBeardDevelopment]

How does the pro do on technical single track vs the ranger?

[@RedBeardDevelopment]

How does the pro compare to the ranger on technical stuff?

[@sarahdell4042]

@@RedBeardDevelopment I bought my 300 Pro slightly used and got a good deal. If it weren’t for that I would have bought a new ranger. The pro is a little tall for me. I prefer the power delivery of the ranger for the technical riding I do.

[@Mkruzer]

​@RedBeardDevelopment I've ridden the pro a number of times. It's too tall, too stiff and too snappy for slow technical riding. All can be corrected but at a price.

[@sarahdell4042]

@@Mkruzer Aside from it being too tall, I’ve dialed mine in to feel great for technical riding. The ranger is the better option if you’re honest with yourself and only doing hard enduro type stuff. I believe the rangers don’t come with a fan though so you will need to account for that.

[@eugrules]

I owned a couple of pre-ktm gas-gas's. Great bikes, so stable, stone age reliable, and really great in difficult terrain.

[@dominocweber9763]

Such a cool bike. I will hopefully be picking one up this year. Please do a review of the mr300 pro if you get the opportunity

[@2fly1974]

I have a 2018 GasGas xc300...originally it was a 250 but upgraded to a 300cc jug. Love that bike! Ive followed my buddy through nasty slow technical gnarly stuff on his 2019 Husqvarnate300....for which i should have been on the EC version but i still did it. Came with kyb suspension and its fantastic for quicker stuff but made it work for the gnarly stuff. Not as light as the husky but handles great and made great power. Upgraded to a Lectron carb cause i ride through Colorado mountains and i have no plans on getting rid of it. Unfortunately its playing 2nd fiddle to my 2024 Husqvarna Te300 pro thats more dedicated to the gnarly stuff and honestly feels like its cheating...but the faster pace stuff i definitely love the GasGas its just more often lately i ride gnarly stuff. Only issue ive had with it is sometimes the electric start doesn't always start the bike for some reason...but kickstarts in one kick. I heard the ktm starter is a swap over but havent done it yet. If i was someone who wanted a hell of a value for a good price i definitely wouldnt sleep on the spanish bike that is now called the Rieju

[@Dissentient01]

Thank you for your hard work!

[@coleguello796]

Great review rich. You will find out when you get the pro or racing model the clutch will not hold up to the abuse for a long period of time. My 22 I’ve been through 3 sets of plates 2 hubs and 2 baskets even after upgrading to the rekluse core. My 24 Mr pro has about 50 hours on oem clutch and is still working fine but it’s only a matter of time. Hopefully with the 25 model they go away from the traditional 6 spring clutch. I saw Alfredo’s bike at erzberg had some sort of fuel injection the motor looked completely different

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Very interesting! I’m looking forward to testing the clutch. I’ve also heard there are a few adjustments that can be made via plates to make them last longer. I did see the fuel injection Alfredo‘s bike. Big things coming from Rieju!

[@REYEMSSILG]

Love the reviews. The rieju is a fun bike. Also Power Chicken Offroad in Heber sells them and has some parts in stock as well.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Power Chicken is awesome!!

[@radufeldiorean3232]

So this bike is a gas gas ec 2015 , Rieju bought the gas gas ec bike project. I did own a gas gas ec 300 2015, it had 3 minus points Electric start Kick start bad alloy Airbox plastics get play from vibrations. Other than that , solid bike.

[@zm12341]

Im closer to an entry level single track / enduro rider than anything else, picked up a GG EC250 new for about 8300 otd last year and really love it. Wonder how this compares. I couldnt see myself needing an EC300 when I bought it, I really love the 250.

[@bradaltergott2786]

Get a Clutch cover protector or Other Cover. Mine was thin and cheap and it looks like the same cover

[@ogasi1798]

not forgetting the Brightmore bothers over here in England: Junior world champs and doing well in elite world enduro cross and world hard enduro - Rieju is a decent brand on the up and up

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Brightmore brothers are definitely unreal! We will be seeing them at the top for years to come!

[@kiwiadventurer]

Getting into the nitty gritties, great review

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

🙌🙌

[@tonyread5559]

I've been on this bike and the Xtrainer. The Ranger is way, way better. More power, better suspension, feels more like a normal bike. Xtrainer feels like a toy by comparison. Also been on the 200 Reiju and it was a blast to ride.

[@timmychen6]

I have a Xtrainer and maybe would you do a Xtrainer and X-pro 2025 review?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Hope to test it!

[@steveh545]

I had a 300 Ranger for awhile. Right when they came out. Looking for an easy to ride 2T for a 4T casual rider. I have to say, for a tamed down bike, the Ranger had oodles of get up and go. Decided I’m really a lazy 4T kind of guy, so moved on.

[@coskier1969]

Right on 👍

[@utdesertghost199]

On my Beta when I had the stock pwk36 carb I found the NECJ needle worked awesome here in Utah. The stock needle never seemed correct off the bottom. I think I was at a 35 pilot and a 152 in the summer. Don't know how much different the rieju engine is from the beta 300 motor.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

It’s way different. 152 was way too lean on the beta 300 for me

[@enduroid]

Thnx

[@jakelimburg8881]

Man where exactly are you riding? I live in northern Utah but can’t quite tell where you are exactly.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Tooele

[@derweibhai]

How would this compare to a yz250x or the new Fantic?

[@endur0id]

I'd love to see you testing Honda CRF250F on that same track. That's another best entry level bike too. It's super cheap and reliable, very friendly for beginners, but still can perform really good on technical hard enduro stuff. Well, of course no fast whoops, no super big jumps or drops, but it can lug uphills almost better than 300 2t, so much low end torque :)

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Maybe I need to start getting into the Japanese brands!

[@maxjah3524]

Air-cooled bikes are not a very good choice for hot and slow stuff. I wonder if that 250f can survive regular hard enduro riding, let alone be good at it.

[@haydenflinner]

The air cooled motor is completely fine, I have been hard enduroing one for years without so much as a high idle. Yearly oil and air filter changes and it's good to go. The problem with the crf250f is that it's an inch taller and 15 lbs heavier than the old 230, but it still has a completely junk set of suspension on it. The forks are damping rods, which means they're too harsh for rock/root chatter, but too soft for g-outs / logs. The shock is acceptable new but not serviceable. It is better to replace with a Tuscany or Racing Bros shock to get something resembling modern technology. I found with the racing Bros shock on my 230 the only acceptable tune was rebound fully closed off and compressions only a couple clicks from fully soft. I also blew my first one up in two races. I wish I had bought a Tuscany.

[@mikecollins8241]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto YES! Please test a WR or YZ 250, X version if at all possible ;)

[@uncletom1971]

Rich. May I ask you what bike, if any, you ride on the street?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

No street for me. Never owned one. 👍

[@uncletom1971]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto But that's so strange. I started by getting the driver's license for motorcycle here in Sweden, and then got into mx and enduro, and even trial, like a year after. To get as much perspective as possible on motorbikes. Thing is that my coach at the trials, an older man from the Czech Republic, rides like a god on his Sherco 300 (.. this dude is over 80!?), but he doesn't ride a bike on the streets. "Just doesn't appeal to me.. ", he says.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I guess it doesn’t appeal to me haha!

[@uncletom1971]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto Ok, understandable. But then you can't go on bike on-road / offroad safaris to other countries, or nightrides untill sunrise through cities and small towns, and do urban exploring with friends where you ride up or down stairs and other concrete obstacles (at night when there're no people around), and other fun bike stuff besides enduro and motocross. In the day you'd be 'Rich the Regular', and in the night you'd turn into 'King-Rock Rich', blazing down the roads of Utah in the twilight, with the city lights on one hand and the colors of the desert sundown on the other, talking bikes, techniques, gear, settings and tips. Well basicaly what you're already doing on your IRC-channel, and that's great, I try to watch all videos. I just notice your potential to do more, though you're already doing a great job. I guess you have your hands full as it is. It's just my imagination. .. oh and I'll keep shredding ;)

[@ckkone]

Looks like a great bike

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Pretty fun!

[@flashdrz]

How is your starter motor holding up?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

So far so good!

[@kccrosston9544]

Hey Rich this is off subject but I’d really like to try the m5b evo on the rear of my beta but I keep hearing they’re smaller then like a shinko mx216 that it came with in a 140/80-18. Is that true? I live in a small town and can’t see one in person without buying it.

[@jeremyrobertson3041]

The 140/80-18 m5b evo is a large tire. I prefer the 130/80-18.

[@rookietrucker1240]

How much suspension work would I have to do at 225 lbs.?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

The same amount you’d need to do on any bike.

[@Groot_G]

Pure science.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

👍🙌🙌

[@markmtbrider]

That's nice

[@HardEnduroLlewellyn]

Seems like the guys racing reuji, Quinn wentzel and others are breaking them constantly. Things that don’t break on the other brands as much.

[@louisdoucet1498]

Nice

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

👍🙌

[@Gud-y2s]

Ray who?

[@GreenLightNoxat]

I wana see u Racing :D

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I don’t wanna smoke everybody 😜

[@Enduro.Trials]

WHO DO YOU WORK FOR!? 🤣 JK

[@joefoster259]

Get a haircut! LOL

[@monette44]

😎