gasgas v beta
- Thread starter nickp
- Start date
I have had two short jaunts on a Beta 300.
In the spectrum of things, save for the Lowish stand-over height, it feels closer fo KTM than GG.
The handling is better than KTM but not quite as good as a GG. My buddy says it's not as stable as his 2011 KTM. (Hmmmm ? ). His Scotts damper fixed that up. He had to do to iterations of valving (Sachs/Sachs) to get the Beta to behave over rocks.
The motor was very smooth. Way smoother than his buzzy KTM (distracting to me), and somewhere in between the GG 250 and 300 (closer to the 250). It revved up linearly without much fly wheel effect.
The Beta E-start was. Better than advertised. Instant-on, even when cold.
In the spectrum of things, save for the Lowish stand-over height, it feels closer fo KTM than GG.
The handling is better than KTM but not quite as good as a GG. My buddy says it's not as stable as his 2011 KTM. (Hmmmm ? ). His Scotts damper fixed that up. He had to do to iterations of valving (Sachs/Sachs) to get the Beta to behave over rocks.
The motor was very smooth. Way smoother than his buzzy KTM (distracting to me), and somewhere in between the GG 250 and 300 (closer to the 250). It revved up linearly without much fly wheel effect.
The Beta E-start was. Better than advertised. Instant-on, even when cold.
nambo-trev
New member
Judging by how many people have been "not wanting to drink the beta cool aid" on here lately this should be a fairly open and shut case at least on this forum!!!!
arminhammer
New member
I'm sure to get bashed but here goes. I own a beta 300 racing, Husky WR165 and a 2011 EC250 (Wifes bike). I have also rode the 13 GasGas.
I was going to buy the 13 GasGas as I liked everything about it but thought I would take a chance on the Beta.
Beta steers easier than the either of the GasGas bikes. Think less effort, not better just easier. I would call it a wash depending on what you like.
Looks go to the 13 GasGas.
Engine I have to give it to the Beta at least for me. So far the best 2 stroke I have rode.
Egros I like the Beta over the 11 but would say it is a wash with the 13
The Beta weighs close to 30lbs less. I know the GasGas doesn't feel heavy when you ride it. But it is heavy that is a fact.
Fit and finish Beta all the way.
Ease of maintenance again Beta all the way.
I like the adjustable power valve and a place on the bike to put tools.
Electric start. Beta rules, its not an add on and works perfect.
Brakes when set up correct both feel good. Brakes on my Husky kick all their asses.
Trans feel and shifting goes to the GasGas.
I like all bikes and if the Beta didn't come along I would have been happy on a new GasGas but I'm glad they made it.
If you would like to know more PM me or send a email to kowitza@msn.com
I was going to buy the 13 GasGas as I liked everything about it but thought I would take a chance on the Beta.
Beta steers easier than the either of the GasGas bikes. Think less effort, not better just easier. I would call it a wash depending on what you like.
Looks go to the 13 GasGas.
Engine I have to give it to the Beta at least for me. So far the best 2 stroke I have rode.
Egros I like the Beta over the 11 but would say it is a wash with the 13
The Beta weighs close to 30lbs less. I know the GasGas doesn't feel heavy when you ride it. But it is heavy that is a fact.
Fit and finish Beta all the way.
Ease of maintenance again Beta all the way.
I like the adjustable power valve and a place on the bike to put tools.
Electric start. Beta rules, its not an add on and works perfect.
Brakes when set up correct both feel good. Brakes on my Husky kick all their asses.
Trans feel and shifting goes to the GasGas.
I like all bikes and if the Beta didn't come along I would have been happy on a new GasGas but I'm glad they made it.
If you would like to know more PM me or send a email to kowitza@msn.com
mp5
New member
Good write up Arminhammer. It s always good to hear and read an individuals honest opinion. I am very new to both GG and 2 strokes, so i dont have much to offer in comparrisons of these models. I can say yhat so far, i am very happy with my GG 300 decision, but am also looking forward to trying out my buddies bramd new 2013 Beta 300 aswell. I ll definetely make a comparrison wrote up when ive had the chance to ride his. I know that so far however, he is 100% happy w his new toy....and the e start that came with it.
swazi_matt
Active member
What do you mean by a a place on the bike to put tools?
twowheels
New member
Behind the left side panel there is a spot with two rubber straps to hold the supplied tool bag.
arminhammer
New member
John I weighed my wife's 11 EC250 and my Beta on the same scale and came up with 29lb difference. No fuel in any of the bikes and rad guards on the Gasgas.
What surprised me most is that the Beta was only about 10lbs more than my husky wr165.
nambo-trev
New member
That is rediculous, I don't care what anyone says about the bike "not feeling heavy" that is a ton of weight that will surely be felt in some way shape or form. My buddies 08 450 berg felt very light and nimble too but not after a 5 or 6 hour ride with that extra 50 pounds.
twowheels
New member
nambo-trev
New member
Die cast cases and cylinder for sure, says it uses lighter swing arm as well but don't know where the other weight saving are. Likely added up in small amounts all over the place
swazi_matt
Active member
after the third time you have to pick it up on the down side of an off-camber on the side of the mountain in Lesotho you decide to either buy a new lighter bike or stop riding like a nancy and commit!
arminhammer
New member
I haven't ridden Armin's WB165, but I find no reason to dispute what else he said
You are welcome to ride it anytime you like.
8 Pound Weight Difference between Beta and Gasgas?
If that is accurate, that is a HUGE difference!What were the total weights? Did you have a metal bash plate on the 2011 Gasser? Besides the die cast engine construction, I don't see where Beta could save that much more weight. If you save 10IBS from the engine, where else can they save that much weight, around 19 IBS, over the gasser without having future reliability problems with the engine and chassis? This post got me interested so this is what I found so far.
1. Per MXA, the Husky 144 weighs 206.8 pounds.
2. Per American Beta, the Beta 300 weighs 223 pounds.http://www.americanbeta.com/node/801
Per Enduro 360, the Beta 300 weighs 236 pounds dry.http://www.enduro360.com/2012/09/20/products-tested/2013-beta-300-rr-specifications-us-model/
3. Per Dirt Bike Magazine, the 2013 Beta 250 weighs 237 pounds without fuel.http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=7A080EE629AF40AF8EBFFFD579C22118
4. Also, per Dirt Bike Magazine the 2012 GasGas XC 300 weighs 245 pounds without fuel. http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=EA78C8DAABC54FCB871D418F84F1939A
If that is accurate, that is a HUGE difference!What were the total weights? Did you have a metal bash plate on the 2011 Gasser? Besides the die cast engine construction, I don't see where Beta could save that much more weight. If you save 10IBS from the engine, where else can they save that much weight, around 19 IBS, over the gasser without having future reliability problems with the engine and chassis? This post got me interested so this is what I found so far.
1. Per MXA, the Husky 144 weighs 206.8 pounds.
2. Per American Beta, the Beta 300 weighs 223 pounds.http://www.americanbeta.com/node/801
Per Enduro 360, the Beta 300 weighs 236 pounds dry.http://www.enduro360.com/2012/09/20/products-tested/2013-beta-300-rr-specifications-us-model/
3. Per Dirt Bike Magazine, the 2013 Beta 250 weighs 237 pounds without fuel.http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=7A080EE629AF40AF8EBFFFD579C22118
4. Also, per Dirt Bike Magazine the 2012 GasGas XC 300 weighs 245 pounds without fuel. http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=EA78C8DAABC54FCB871D418F84F1939A
arminhammer
New member
Not sure how accurate my scale is but this is what I got.
http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14800
http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14800
M357.5
New member
I just wish I was a good enough rider to care lol. Really my 2011 Gasser is so much more competent than I, it seems silly all this bickering over " The Koolaid " weather it be GasGas, Beta, KTM, Husky, Sherco or any other brand.
I can honestly say I love my Gasser, and I know 100% that more time on the bike and maybe an off road training course will help my skills far more than jumping ship to taste the new flavour of " Koolaid "
But then again, on that note I'd probably be better off on an old XR250 as well.
I do however find it interesting how others view new competition, some seem to embrace it and others seem to make excuses not to embrace it.
Hell if I cared what others thought I woulda just bought a KTM and blended in lol....blended into the trees that is, as I crash often
Oh, when is that training course.....
I can honestly say I love my Gasser, and I know 100% that more time on the bike and maybe an off road training course will help my skills far more than jumping ship to taste the new flavour of " Koolaid "
But then again, on that note I'd probably be better off on an old XR250 as well.
I do however find it interesting how others view new competition, some seem to embrace it and others seem to make excuses not to embrace it.
Hell if I cared what others thought I woulda just bought a KTM and blended in lol....blended into the trees that is, as I crash often
Oh, when is that training course.....
Coop
New member
My XR650L is 350+. I rode it and then jumped on the EC250 and it felt as light as my trials bike 
. So to me the GG is plenty light haha.
I do think guys get to hung up on numbers. A few weeks ago I read a thread where a guy based his decision on GG or KTM solely on manufacturer supplied weight numbers.
. So to me the GG is plenty light haha.I do think guys get to hung up on numbers. A few weeks ago I read a thread where a guy based his decision on GG or KTM solely on manufacturer supplied weight numbers.
