Not sure how I came across this video, but you did a great job explaining what you liked/disliked on both bikes. I grew up riding tracks, dunes and desert, so the 450 MX bikes were all I rode. After a near life ending accident, I thought I'd slow it down by getting a CRF450X. Worst bike I've ever owned. I did not enjoy it at all. We moved out to CO 3yrs ago, and we brought our 4-stroke bikes. My son and I on a KTM 350XC and daughter on her KTM 250SXF. Absolutely loved them in the desert. We had a terrible time with these 4-strokes on tougher single tracks, out here in CO. They felt very heavy, and would flame out occasionally. We immediately sold them and bought 3 2-stroke bikes. Mine is a KTM 250XC, son is KTM 300XC and daughter a Beta XTrainer 300. My daughter immediately increased her skill level, as her confidence had grown significantly. The 2-strokes are absolutely incredible for the riding we do out here. There is no way I could go back to a 4-stroke...for the riding WE do. If I move again and get back into track riding, and more desert riding...I'll be back on a 4-stroke. Anyway, great job on the video. I realize you're a fairly new rider, but you did a great job presenting your thoughts.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your journey, it really means a lot! I can’t imagine the challenges you faced after your accident, but it’s inspiring to see how you’ve adapted and found the right bikes for your new terrain and riding style. It’s awesome to hear how the switch to 2-strokes in CO made such a huge difference for you and your family, especially for your daughter’s confidence and skill level. I totally get how different bikes suit different types of riding, and it’s great that you’ve found what works best for the technical single track out there. If you ever head back to the desert or tracks, I’m sure you’ll make that transition seamlessly too. Thanks again for the kind words and for taking the time to share your experience it’s always encouraging to hear from someone with so much riding knowledge
If its feasible for you think about picking up a used trials bike. The absolute fastest way to build a solid foundation of riding skills. The balance and timing a trials bike will teach you is simply invaluable when riding any other type of bike off road or on. A big plus is how little space is required, a typical back yard is plenty and they are quiet enough to not disturb the neighbors. I've been riding and racing for many decades and started basic trials two years ago, even as an "old guy" the lessons learned have paid many dividends when out riding my usual trails.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve heard so many great things about trials bikes as a way to sharpen skills, and your experience really drives the point home. I love the idea of practicing in a small space without worrying about disturbing the neighbors. it sounds like the perfect tool for building balance and timing. It’s awesome to hear that even after decades of riding, trials have made such a big difference for you. Definitely something to consider adding to the mix. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Not the worst video by a long shot.Dont beat yourself up.Your a newbie.The more you ride the better you get.If you have a buddy or two that ride faster than you that will push your skill level.Welcome to the world of dirt bikes.
This is the worst UA-cam channel in the world because your opinion is different than mine. There's no way a KTM 300XC could ever be better than the CRF450RL at anything ever, so there. I think weight of the bike, tires, and confidence make all the difference. The 2-strokes are less prone to stalling and are lighter, leading to increased confidence. The better tires of the KTM make a definite difference in grip, leading to increased confidence. I think what's been working for me is to use my Beta XTrainer to try new things and build confidence and then ride the 450 with that confidence. The XTrainer is happy to putt around and go slow, is easy to ride, and way more forgiving. The 450 sort of demands more confidence. It's not happy to putt around. When I'm feeling confident and push it, the bike rewards me. Otherwise, it's not a lot of fun and becomes work. I got the Beta just over a year ago with the express purpose of having a bike that is easy to ride yet capable. I wanted something I could use to push my skills and make me a better rider across the board. Mission accomplished. I'm doing things on the 450 I wouldn't have dreamed of doing a year ago. The single track I usually ride has become easy and I'm starting to ride fast enough that the Beta's suspension is not keeping up. I'm not bottoming out so much, but the bike is getting a bit hard to control because the suspension is getting all out of sorts. Meanwhile the 450 has turned into a magic carpet ride on those same trails. The extra heft of the 450 is more work but it's okay. The Beta starts beating me up at those speeds.
This is the worst UA-cam comment in the world because it’s way too insightful hahah! But seriously, I love your breakdown of how you use the Beta XTrainer to build skills and confidence before jumping back on the 450. It sounds like a brilliant strategy to make both bikes work for you and level up your riding. You’re spot on about how a lighter 2-stroke like the KTM can help with confidence and why the Beta is such a great tool for skill building. And I totally get what you mean about the 450 demanding confidence. it’s not the most forgiving, but when you’re in the zone, it rewards you big time. Thanks for the comment!
Not sure how I came across this video, but you did a great job explaining what you liked/disliked on both bikes. I grew up riding tracks, dunes and desert, so the 450 MX bikes were all I rode. After a near life ending accident, I thought I'd slow it down by getting a CRF450X. Worst bike I've ever owned. I did not enjoy it at all. We moved out to CO 3yrs ago, and we brought our 4-stroke bikes. My son and I on a KTM 350XC and daughter on her KTM 250SXF. Absolutely loved them in the desert.
We had a terrible time with these 4-strokes on tougher single tracks, out here in CO. They felt very heavy, and would flame out occasionally. We immediately sold them and bought 3 2-stroke bikes. Mine is a KTM 250XC, son is KTM 300XC and daughter a Beta XTrainer 300. My daughter immediately increased her skill level, as her confidence had grown significantly. The 2-strokes are absolutely incredible for the riding we do out here. There is no way I could go back to a 4-stroke...for the riding WE do.
If I move again and get back into track riding, and more desert riding...I'll be back on a 4-stroke. Anyway, great job on the video. I realize you're a fairly new rider, but you did a great job presenting your thoughts.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your journey, it really means a lot! I can’t imagine the challenges you faced after your accident, but it’s inspiring to see how you’ve adapted and found the right bikes for your new terrain and riding style. It’s awesome to hear how the switch to 2-strokes in CO made such a huge difference for you and your family, especially for your daughter’s confidence and skill level.
I totally get how different bikes suit different types of riding, and it’s great that you’ve found what works best for the technical single track out there. If you ever head back to the desert or tracks, I’m sure you’ll make that transition seamlessly too. Thanks again for the kind words and for taking the time to share your experience it’s always encouraging to hear from someone with so much riding knowledge
If its feasible for you think about picking up a used trials bike. The absolute fastest way to build a solid foundation of riding skills. The balance and timing a trials bike will teach you is simply invaluable when riding any other type of bike off road or on. A big plus is how little space is required, a typical back yard is plenty and they are quiet enough to not disturb the neighbors. I've been riding and racing for many decades and started basic trials two years ago, even as an "old guy" the lessons learned have paid many dividends when out riding my usual trails.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve heard so many great things about trials bikes as a way to sharpen skills, and your experience really drives the point home. I love the idea of practicing in a small space without worrying about disturbing the neighbors. it sounds like the perfect tool for building balance and timing. It’s awesome to hear that even after decades of riding, trials have made such a big difference for you. Definitely something to consider adding to the mix. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Not the worst video by a long shot.Dont beat yourself up.Your a newbie.The more you ride the better you get.If you have a buddy or two that ride faster than you that will push your skill level.Welcome to the world of dirt bikes.
@@brucemorrison3563 thx I really appreciate the feedback and comments!
This is the worst UA-cam channel in the world because your opinion is different than mine. There's no way a KTM 300XC could ever be better than the CRF450RL at anything ever, so there.
I think weight of the bike, tires, and confidence make all the difference. The 2-strokes are less prone to stalling and are lighter, leading to increased confidence. The better tires of the KTM make a definite difference in grip, leading to increased confidence. I think what's been working for me is to use my Beta XTrainer to try new things and build confidence and then ride the 450 with that confidence. The XTrainer is happy to putt around and go slow, is easy to ride, and way more forgiving. The 450 sort of demands more confidence. It's not happy to putt around. When I'm feeling confident and push it, the bike rewards me. Otherwise, it's not a lot of fun and becomes work.
I got the Beta just over a year ago with the express purpose of having a bike that is easy to ride yet capable. I wanted something I could use to push my skills and make me a better rider across the board. Mission accomplished. I'm doing things on the 450 I wouldn't have dreamed of doing a year ago. The single track I usually ride has become easy and I'm starting to ride fast enough that the Beta's suspension is not keeping up. I'm not bottoming out so much, but the bike is getting a bit hard to control because the suspension is getting all out of sorts. Meanwhile the 450 has turned into a magic carpet ride on those same trails. The extra heft of the 450 is more work but it's okay. The Beta starts beating me up at those speeds.
This is the worst UA-cam comment in the world because it’s way too insightful hahah! But seriously, I love your breakdown of how you use the Beta XTrainer to build skills and confidence before jumping back on the 450. It sounds like a brilliant strategy to make both bikes work for you and level up your riding.
You’re spot on about how a lighter 2-stroke like the KTM can help with confidence and why the Beta is such a great tool for skill building. And I totally get what you mean about the 450 demanding confidence. it’s not the most forgiving, but when you’re in the zone, it rewards you big time. Thanks for the comment!