RIDING THE NEW BETA XTRAINER: THE WRAP

The Beta Xtrainer is a weird, crazy bike that everyone loves. The problem is that there’s nothing else quite like it–Beta should sell this bike in sets of two. That way you always have someone to ride with. The short description is that it’s a 300 two-stroke built to a specific price point. The MSRP is $8299. For comparison, the new KTM 300XCW sells for $11,449 and even the Beta 300RR is $10,099.

The presumption is that it uses less expensive parts; the suspension components are from a company called Olle, it has a non-brand name handlebar and Shinko tires. But there are some premium parts as well. The hydraulic clutch is a Brembo and the brakes are Nissin. The real point here is that the Xtrainer is made for a completely different rider and a completely different type of riding. The frame is a little smaller than that of a standard Beta RR, the suspension travel is shorter and the seat is thinner. On top of that, the motor is in a different state of tune. Even though it looks like the same motor, it has a low-rpm, trials-like power delivery. That makes the bike a natural for the very tightest trails and most technical riding. You can spend an entire afternoon in the smallest canyon and be perfectly happy climbing over the same rock pile from different angles.

On the other hand, the Xtrainer doesn’t mix well with other off-road bikes. The motor doesn’t rev very high and it doesn’t accelerate very hard. At all. It’s out of place on a track and you can’t go hill-climbing with your buddies–unless your buddies are all mounted on other Xtrainers. There’s a handlebar mounted map switch, but the setting with the rain-cloud emoji takes away even more R’s. The suspension is also a limiting factor when it comes to aggressive riding. Everything about the bike is set up for lower speeds. Having said all that, the latest version of the bike is considerably more powerful than the original. The motor has been updated since the bike’s 2015 debut and even the suspension components have been updated and firmed up slightly.

You can certainly say the Xtrainer is an entry-level bike because of the low seat height, soft power delivery and cushy suspension. It’s perfect for that, but we still feel that’s underselling its capabilities. If you took a cross country bike (even a 300 two-stroke) into Xtrainer country–i.e. super tight and technical–the little Beta will clear every obstacle much more easily. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert or a beginner.
Here are a few other random points:

• The Xtrainer weighs 226 pounds on our scale without fuel.
• It has oil injection and seems to go forever on a single tank of injector oil
• Beta officials want you to call it the “Crosstrainer.” They forget themselves and call it the “Extrainer” like everyone else.
• We’ve heard some real whackos claim that Beta is pronounced “Beeta.” We’ll forgive British guys for that because they can’t pronounce anything. As long as they don’t say “Beet’r”.
• We’re serious about wanting two of them.
• The full test will be in the October, 2023 print edition of Dirt Bike.

WHITE KNIGHT

We got to spend time on the “White Knight” this week. What a beast! This is a  is a 2023 GasGas chassis with an early 2000s 380cc KTM two-stroke engine. This is the natural progression from the “Dark Knight” project we featured several years ago that featured a KX500 engine in a newer KTM chassis. Both were built by The Ride Shop AZ owner Jonny Weisman. You can check out the White Knight Video here, Then pick up the October 2023 print edition of Dirt Bike for a full feature.

SPRING CREEK

It’s hard to imagine Millville without anyone named Martin racing.  It still promises to be a good show. Here’s how to watch:

HOW TO WATCH

• Pro Motocross Championship: Race Day Live
  • Peacock @ 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET
• Pro Motocross Championship: Spring Creek National [LIVE]
  • Peacock @ 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET

• Pro Motocross Championship: Spring Creek National Replay
  • CNBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App
    • 11 p.m. PT [Sunday] / 2 a.m. ET

PAST 450 WINNERS AT SPRING CREEK (Moto Finishes)
1983: Bob Hannah, Honda (1-2)
1984: Ron Lechien, Honda (1-1)
1985: Bob Hannah, Honda (1-2)
1994: John Dowd, Yamaha (2-1)
1995: Mike Kiedrowski, Kawasaki (2-3)
1996: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki (1-1)
1997: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki (1-1)
1998: Jeff Emig, Kawasaki (1-1)
1999: Greg Albertyn, Suzuki (1-2)
2000: Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki (1-1)
2001: Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki (1-1)
2002: Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki (1-1)
2003: Ricky Carmichael, Honda (1-1)
2004: Ricky Carmichael, Honda (1-1)
2005: Ricky Carmichael, Suzuki (1-1)
2006: Ricky Carmichael, Suzuki (1-1)
2007: Ricky Carmichael, Suzuki (1-1)
2008: James Stewart, Kawasaki (1-1)
2009: Chad Reed, Suzuki (2-1)
2010: Ryan Dungey, Suzuki (1-1)
2011: Ryan Dungey, Suzuki (2-1)
2012: Ryan Dungey, KTM (1-1)
2013: James Stewart, Suzuki (1-3)
2014: Eli Tomac, Honda (1-1)
2015: Ryan Dungey, KTM (1-1)
2016: Ken Roczen, Suzuki (1-1)
2017: Marvin Musquin, KTM (1-1)
2018: Eli Tomac, Kawasaki (1-1)
2019: Cooper Webb, KTM (1-1)
2020: Adam Cianciarulo, Kawasaki (1-1)
2021: Justin Barcia, GASGAS (1-2)
2022: Eli Tomac, Yamaha (1-1)

NEW GASGAS BALANCE BIKE

GasGas just announced the MC-E 1.20. This is a new addition to their line-up of electric balance bikes, with  20-inch wheels, 80mm travel front suspension, hydraulic brakes, and an  aluminum frame. Check it out in person from August 2023 at your local GASGAS dealer!

NEW SHERCOS

The new Shercos have been revealed. The 250 and 300 four-strokes are said to have new motors and there are other updates that include:
– 2024 graphics kit
– LED Headlight
– Front fender
– Front brake hose guides
– Frame color paint
– Aluminium rear sprocket
– Clutch cover with new design

We will have a chance to ride them at the Dealer Meeting in August. Can’t wait!

See you next week!