Nice vid. The mesh on the exhaust is called a spark arrestor and is there to prevent forrest fires. In Calif. it is required to ride on state property. Rangers check for it using a lawn/irrigation flag down your muffler.
It actually is a spark arrestor. It’s a dual mesh system. Here in Colorado it’s a big deal to have a spark arrestor. Especially with all the fires lately.
Thanks for the video. A couple of notes. KTM used to have separate engine and transmission oil reservoirs on older 530s. It was the worst design since having a lot les engine oil made us really nervous on long rides. On 500 they went back to the more trusted single (larger reservoir). On the second note about the screen on the KTM it is a spark arrester so to make it safe for riding in dry forest and desert area.
I've seen the same thing in comparing both of the bikes I'm considering, the Beta and the KTM. Seems people spend a lot of time and money uncorking KTM's, and right out of the box. I got real pressure from a whole bunch of team orange guys I know, but I ain't got thirty years on something (outside of hardcore MTB's) and might be approaching it from a more practical angle than them. $700 is a fair amount of practical to me, and so is half the oil changes. They won't freak out too bad if the red is from Italy, eh?
The service interval part. I had a KTM 520 SX, 2001 ages ago, I rode the absolute piss out of that bike from new in 2000 till our 2nd kid was born in 2006. Tons of tracks, dunes, Hollister Hills all sorts of rides, just abused it but I changed the oil (I believe my bike was every 8 hours?) after every ride. When I sold the bike, I put it up for only 4500$ in 2006, this guy came thinking it was a scam, and asked why I was selling it so much below others. It could blow up in 10 minutes or last 10 years, I don't want to be a jerk and sell you a lie, this bike has been ridden very hard but I took care of it. He takes off on a test ride, comes back, "wow this thing is way more powerful than my buddy's 2 year old bike and he doesn't ride much!" I asked if he was militant about oil changes he state he is not. Fun fact, I never had to adjust my valves either till the very last year, they were always within spec. I'm super tempted in the Beta 500 RR-S, I had no idea who or what this brand was till last year (I just got back into riding two years ago).
oh wow thats awesome! I am pretty anal about my service intervals and that was a major factor in deciding to buy a new bike. I was strict with the break in and will continue to take care of it especially since I also ride the piss out of it lol. I was I the exact same situation as you when I started looking for dual sports last year. I kept stumbling across people talking about the beta on forums and other videos and did tons of research before purchasing. I am still extremely happy with the purchase. I've met a handful of really dedicated riders out on trails riding betas and I've never heard a bad thing. It is a bit of a cult following lol
I'm faced with the same issue. I like the PDS, brembo stuff and dealer network of KTM, but it sucks that I need to spend: $250 on tires (TKC80s are shit off road) $400-500 for ECU to make similar power as Beta $200 for lower seat to match Beta height $300 for trail tech voyager on top of KTM's premium over Beta. If there was a dealer close by, I'd probably go Beta. I think they look better too.
Nice video. I ride KTM 300 XCW now but I am looking for dual sport as a 2nd bike. I am on the fence of the KTM or Beta. You make a lot of good points. Kissell Motorsports is close to me so I will be checking them out. Nice job! We are!
@@dmsentrayes but they have kept the same design and casting for the block. Which in my humble opinion is bulletproof. As for the head they have completely redesigned it on their own.
How about the possibility of using a 15t front sprocket on both bikes? I know that 14t is the max for the crf450l but for the beta and KTM I don't know, so have you tried?
I have not tried a 15t front sprocket on the KTM. My Beta came stock with a 15t front, but I switched it out to a 13t (it came with the bike) because it fits my more technical woods riding more appropriately.
Lol whats it like to have a dealer that answers the phone, updates their fb page and or has a working website? Here in Bloomsburg PA my “dealer” is a ghost…
Ditching my 2002 kx125 for a brand new beta 2021 250rr and praying I'm going to love it. Lookijg for a hack of all trades bike that can do light mx tracks and trails which is street legal hope this is the right 1 lol.
@@krazed0451 1 million percent it rips!!! And the fact its street legalakes it so much better. Bike can pretty much handle everything you can throw at it.
Can you tell something about the traction control ? I want to know if the throtle is still abrupt withe the mildest setting. Can ABS be instaled ? Do you know if the piston has 3 rings , as Honda CRF450L has ?
So when the rain mode is switched on it dials back the throttle response and the power quite a bit. It makes it very very easy to ride. As for the ABS and the piston rings I am not sure. I do know that usually only the bigger adventure bikes have ABS though.
Nice vid. The mesh on the exhaust is called a spark arrestor and is there to prevent forrest fires. In Calif. it is required to ride on state property. Rangers check for it using a lawn/irrigation flag down your muffler.
That is not the spark arrestor. The spark arrestor is the second mesh cone inside the first mesh.
It actually is a spark arrestor. It’s a dual mesh system. Here in Colorado it’s a big deal to have a spark arrestor. Especially with all the fires lately.
Dude … I’ve been all over the place looking for THIS vid. Change the title, add the 500 to it and you’ll have a million more views !!
Thanks for the video. A couple of notes. KTM used to have separate engine and transmission oil reservoirs on older 530s. It was the worst design since having a lot les engine oil made us really nervous on long rides. On 500 they went back to the more trusted single (larger reservoir). On the second note about the screen on the KTM it is a spark arrester so to make it safe for riding in dry forest and desert area.
Currently looking into both these. Leaning towards the beta.
I've seen the same thing in comparing both of the bikes I'm considering, the Beta and the KTM. Seems people spend a lot of time and money uncorking KTM's, and right out of the box. I got real pressure from a whole bunch of team orange guys I know, but I ain't got thirty years on something (outside of hardcore MTB's) and might be approaching it from a more practical angle than them. $700 is a fair amount of practical to me, and so is half the oil changes. They won't freak out too bad if the red is from Italy, eh?
The service interval part. I had a KTM 520 SX, 2001 ages ago, I rode the absolute piss out of that bike from new in 2000 till our 2nd kid was born in 2006. Tons of tracks, dunes, Hollister Hills all sorts of rides, just abused it but I changed the oil (I believe my bike was every 8 hours?) after every ride. When I sold the bike, I put it up for only 4500$ in 2006, this guy came thinking it was a scam, and asked why I was selling it so much below others. It could blow up in 10 minutes or last 10 years, I don't want to be a jerk and sell you a lie, this bike has been ridden very hard but I took care of it. He takes off on a test ride, comes back, "wow this thing is way more powerful than my buddy's 2 year old bike and he doesn't ride much!" I asked if he was militant about oil changes he state he is not. Fun fact, I never had to adjust my valves either till the very last year, they were always within spec.
I'm super tempted in the Beta 500 RR-S, I had no idea who or what this brand was till last year (I just got back into riding two years ago).
oh wow thats awesome! I am pretty anal about my service intervals and that was a major factor in deciding to buy a new bike. I was strict with the break in and will continue to take care of it especially since I also ride the piss out of it lol. I was I the exact same situation as you when I started looking for dual sports last year. I kept stumbling across people talking about the beta on forums and other videos and did tons of research before purchasing. I am still extremely happy with the purchase. I've met a handful of really dedicated riders out on trails riding betas and I've never heard a bad thing. It is a bit of a cult following lol
@@mikey201292 That is awesome, I hope I can get one soon, they appear to be really a sweet bike, congrats on yours!
Is there much engine vibration at highway speeds on the Beta? I read the KTMs vibrate a lot. I had a 450L and it was not that bad.
Loved your info on this review
I'm faced with the same issue. I like the PDS, brembo stuff and dealer network of KTM, but it sucks that I need to spend:
$250 on tires (TKC80s are shit off road)
$400-500 for ECU to make similar power as Beta
$200 for lower seat to match Beta height
$300 for trail tech voyager
on top of KTM's premium over Beta.
If there was a dealer close by, I'd probably go Beta. I think they look better too.
Having a split oil system adds weight. There's your four pounds.
Nice video. I ride KTM 300 XCW now but I am looking for dual sport as a 2nd bike. I am on the fence of the KTM or Beta. You make a lot of good points. Kissell Motorsports is close to me so I will be checking them out. Nice job! We are!
Great video I’ve been looking at betas and yr video helped
I guess that you allready know that this beta motor is 90% 2008-2012 ktm exc. the one with the split engine/trans oil.
In 2010 they launched the new RR series, with a new engine made in-house
@@dmsentrayes but they have kept the same design and casting for the block. Which in my humble opinion is bulletproof. As for the head they have completely redesigned it on their own.
Like to try a Beta - no dealers for miles
Should have done the comparison against the Husky. For no other reason than the susp. linkage.
Thanks really nice video Beta's look like a quality machine to me. On a sidenote what kind of dog is that??
Thank you! It is a Kangal!
Awesome Vid Bro!
Nice info Michael!
How about the possibility of using a 15t front sprocket on both bikes? I know that 14t is the max for the crf450l but for the beta and KTM I don't know, so have you tried?
I have not tried a 15t front sprocket on the KTM. My Beta came stock with a 15t front, but I switched it out to a 13t (it came with the bike) because it fits my more technical woods riding more appropriately.
Lol whats it like to have a dealer that answers the phone, updates their fb page and or has a working website? Here in Bloomsburg PA my “dealer” is a ghost…
Why are those stock mirrors still on your Beta? Stock hand guards ??
In case you didn't the husqvarna and ktm have the exact same motor and suspension
The husky 501s has a linkage rear suspension while the ktm 500 excf has PDS/non linkage. So the rear suspension is quite different.
Ditching my 2002 kx125 for a brand new beta 2021 250rr and praying I'm going to love it. Lookijg for a hack of all trades bike that can do light mx tracks and trails which is street legal hope this is the right 1 lol.
The 390
So, do you love it?
@@krazed0451 1 million percent it rips!!! And the fact its street legalakes it so much better. Bike can pretty much handle everything you can throw at it.
Can you tell something about the traction control ? I want to know if the throtle is still abrupt withe the mildest setting. Can ABS be instaled ? Do you know if the piston has 3 rings , as Honda CRF450L has ?
So when the rain mode is switched on it dials back the throttle response and the power quite a bit. It makes it very very easy to ride. As for the ABS and the piston rings I am not sure. I do know that usually only the bigger adventure bikes have ABS though.
@@mikey201292 Thank you for the reply.
Do you know how many HP are in rain mode ?
@@fcalin21 It uses a retarded ignition map, will be several HP less across the board and the delivery is waaaay less snappy.
@@krazed0451 Thank you.
My dealer is KTM and Beta combined lol
thats very ideal haha would make the whole process much more convenient.