Enduro, what tickles your fancy?
Discussion
I used a Beta XTrainer a couple of years back on a 3 day trip in Spain.
Usually ride KTM 300 EXCs and the XTrianer is an incredible machine. It got me over things I could never imagine I could do.
Used own have a KTM 450 EXC, too heavy and overheats to easily for serious climbing (picking up...).
Usually ride KTM 300 EXCs and the XTrianer is an incredible machine. It got me over things I could never imagine I could do.
Used own have a KTM 450 EXC, too heavy and overheats to easily for serious climbing (picking up...).
ridds said:
I used a Beta XTrainer a couple of years back on a 3 day trip in Spain.
Usually ride KTM 300 EXCs and the XTrianer is an incredible machine. It got me over things I could never imagine I could do.
Used own have a KTM 450 EXC, too heavy and overheats to easily for serious climbing (picking up...).
The X trainer is very popular here in France,with good reason.Usually ride KTM 300 EXCs and the XTrianer is an incredible machine. It got me over things I could never imagine I could do.
Used own have a KTM 450 EXC, too heavy and overheats to easily for serious climbing (picking up...).
beta rr takes some beating. Great in 2T and 4T flavours and better‘value’ than the Austrian stable.
Only criticism of the 4T is the plastic oil pump gears that need replacing at 100hrs.
If you replace it with the steel gear kit from new (like I did) it’s pretty cheap and an hour’s work.
Otherwise, great quality and suspension and the 390 is a really sweet spot for grunt and zing without being too revvy like the 350’s
And being fully road legal helps here in Canadia land. Being Green plated is a boon compared to the usual blue plated bikes and accompanying restrictions
Only criticism of the 4T is the plastic oil pump gears that need replacing at 100hrs.
If you replace it with the steel gear kit from new (like I did) it’s pretty cheap and an hour’s work.
Otherwise, great quality and suspension and the 390 is a really sweet spot for grunt and zing without being too revvy like the 350’s
And being fully road legal helps here in Canadia land. Being Green plated is a boon compared to the usual blue plated bikes and accompanying restrictions
Edited by Steve Bass on Sunday 10th December 15:51
I'm still getting out on the WR450 that I bought 14 years ago. I was thinking of chopping in for something newer, but having found a mechanic that knows what he's doing, its running the best it ever has.
I recently tried a friends Beta 390 and have to say, when I do move the old girl on, this will be the replacement
I've recently bought a 2018 GasGas ec300 so looking forward to having that for a few years after having a WR250f for 4 years. Should give me what I'm looking for.
Regarding whats caught my eye, the Fantic XE300, an injected 300 2 stroke based on the Yam YZ250x.
X-trainer maybe if the GasGas is crap, they are like cheating round trails
Regarding whats caught my eye, the Fantic XE300, an injected 300 2 stroke based on the Yam YZ250x.
X-trainer maybe if the GasGas is crap, they are like cheating round trails
KTMsm said:
I've always had KTM 450's but I'd like to try a 2 stroke 300 Tpi
I went from KTM EXC-F 350 to a TE300i and it's a game changer in terms of ease of riding over the tough stuff. Unstallable, even before I fitted a rekluse clutch! They just tick along like clockwork as opposed to the duga dug of a bigger 4t. The amount of torque even in 3rd is amazing too.Put it this way, we were riding up a very tough steep and cambered wet bedrock hill / lane where the only line was to stay pushed to the right in the gully where the rock floor met the bank. Any attempt to ride on the cambered part to the left would be like riding on ice. Instantly off. You get the idea, very slippy! I rode up it on my bike with no real issues,just kept it going, sliding about a fair bit. One guy just could not do it so I rode his 350 4t up for him and it took me straight back to my 350 4t days. The thump thump of it made it fairly "hold on and grimmace" hectic. I got up, but it was much more challenging. Sure,with better clutch control id have fared better,but with the 2t you don't need any :-)
I really liked my 4t, and had it geared right down for LDTs, but I love the 2t way more! and the front end feels far more agile/light to ride,even if they weigh a similar amount.
smifffymoto said:
I am definitely moving away from the Austrian brands after a few friends have had to replace broken composite sub frames.
I know all about that, it is only the husky’s that have these subframes though, and they’re easily fixed to get some more life from them. Mine lasted over 100hours of pretty tough riding. It was the smallest drop that finally done it frustratingly!! 
Griffith4ever said:
I went from KTM EXC-F 350 to a TE300i and it's a game changer in terms of ease of riding over the tough stuff. Unstallable, even before I fitted a rekluse clutch! They just tick along like clockwork as opposed to the duga dug of a bigger 4t. The amount of torque even in 3rd is amazing too.
Put it this way, we were riding up a very tough steep and cambered wet bedrock hill / lane where the only line was to stay pushed to the right in the gully where the rock floor met the bank. Any attempt to ride on the cambered part to the left would be like riding on ice. Instantly off. You get the idea, very slippy! I rode up it on my bike with no real issues,just kept it going, sliding about a fair bit. One guy just could not do it so I rode his 350 4t up for him and it took me straight back to my 350 4t days. The thump thump of it made it fairly "hold on and grimmace" hectic. I got up, but it was much more challenging. Sure,with better clutch control id have fared better,but with the 2t you don't need any :-)
I really liked my 4t, and had it geared right down for LDTs, but I love the 2t way more! and the front end feels far more agile/light to ride,even if they weigh a similar amount.
I've read up on the 300 TPI and others say the same about it stalling less but I can't remember my '04 450 stallingPut it this way, we were riding up a very tough steep and cambered wet bedrock hill / lane where the only line was to stay pushed to the right in the gully where the rock floor met the bank. Any attempt to ride on the cambered part to the left would be like riding on ice. Instantly off. You get the idea, very slippy! I rode up it on my bike with no real issues,just kept it going, sliding about a fair bit. One guy just could not do it so I rode his 350 4t up for him and it took me straight back to my 350 4t days. The thump thump of it made it fairly "hold on and grimmace" hectic. I got up, but it was much more challenging. Sure,with better clutch control id have fared better,but with the 2t you don't need any :-)
I really liked my 4t, and had it geared right down for LDTs, but I love the 2t way more! and the front end feels far more agile/light to ride,even if they weigh a similar amount.
I did try a 350 and hated it, it was just gutless the only thing that was better was the lighter clutch
The reason I upgraded it to my '14 450 was because I came across one with a recluse clutch and bar mounted rear brake which are two things I wanted to try
Slipping the 450 clutch on hard trails all day was uncomfortable on a couple of occasions - the recluse is just fantastic
The difference in weight seems to be about 10 kg which doesn't sound a lot but that's 10% less
I've bought a 701 for longer trips so a 300Tpi would be very different - the 450 is so similar it's hard to justify both
KTMsm said:
I've read up on the 300 TPI and others say the same about it stalling less but I can't remember my '04 450 stalling
I did try a 350 and hated it, it was just gutless the only thing that was better was the lighter clutch
The reason I upgraded it to my '14 450 was because I came across one with a recluse clutch and bar mounted rear brake which are two things I wanted to try
Slipping the 450 clutch on hard trails all day was uncomfortable on a couple of occasions - the recluse is just fantastic
The difference in weight seems to be about 10 kg which doesn't sound a lot but that's 10% less
I've bought a 701 for longer trips so a 300Tpi would be very different - the 450 is so similar it's hard to justify both
I'd love to try a rekluse and a left hand rear brake too.I did try a 350 and hated it, it was just gutless the only thing that was better was the lighter clutch
The reason I upgraded it to my '14 450 was because I came across one with a recluse clutch and bar mounted rear brake which are two things I wanted to try
Slipping the 450 clutch on hard trails all day was uncomfortable on a couple of occasions - the recluse is just fantastic
The difference in weight seems to be about 10 kg which doesn't sound a lot but that's 10% less
I've bought a 701 for longer trips so a 300Tpi would be very different - the 450 is so similar it's hard to justify both
Almost bought a bike with them on, regret it now
Yeah, I'd not call the 350 4t "gutless" - in fact I never found it lacking I power, far from it. It'll spit you off the back no probs. However, I pop-stalled it a lot. Rider error? maybe, but I see a lot of others pop stalling it all the time.
As for the Rekluse, it's bloody fantastic. One thing I'll tell you now, you do not NEED a left hand brake on a 2T with it . I assumed you would, but you retain the 2t engine braking (which is not to be sniffed at) right until the moment you lock up the rear. You can tell the instant you have (sound and feel) and all it takes is the tiniest blip of the throttle to re-engage the clutch.
The Rekluse utterly transforms technical stuff, particularly riding over small to medium rocks where you'd be clutching it all the way. One ascent in North Wales was described to me as a "count of a hill" (spelling..) - a switch back all the way up, all medium rocks. WHen I got to the top without stopping I saw all my mates shaking their left hands through fatigue when they made it up.
It also means when trail riding you can just get off at gates, leaving it running. So much less dicking about trying to snick it into neutral.
Does it make you less of a riding God? of course. Do I care? No, I'm 54. My TRF mates take the piss and call me a pizza delivery buy etc etc. but at the end of the day, it makes riding much easier and more relaxing. Long technical stuff? just pop it in 2nd and ride. Forget the clutch entirely.
p.s. I fitted a cable operated left hand brake on mine and I use it maybe once every few rides - mostly when picking the bike up to stop it running away as you don't have the stalled engine brake any more. It's really not needed most of the time, if ever.
If you see a deal on a Rekluse and it's a Radius X, get it. The Radius X is the one to go for. I'm told the prev EXP 3 etc are more "on and off". The Radius X slips in and out like a scooter - all very seamless. However, I can sit at tick over, snap the throttle a bit, and I'm wheelieing. Piece of Pisa to fit and does NOT need constant adjusting like the gossip told me. I set it up one and I'm around 100 hours in without touching it.
As for the Rekluse, it's bloody fantastic. One thing I'll tell you now, you do not NEED a left hand brake on a 2T with it . I assumed you would, but you retain the 2t engine braking (which is not to be sniffed at) right until the moment you lock up the rear. You can tell the instant you have (sound and feel) and all it takes is the tiniest blip of the throttle to re-engage the clutch.
The Rekluse utterly transforms technical stuff, particularly riding over small to medium rocks where you'd be clutching it all the way. One ascent in North Wales was described to me as a "count of a hill" (spelling..) - a switch back all the way up, all medium rocks. WHen I got to the top without stopping I saw all my mates shaking their left hands through fatigue when they made it up.
It also means when trail riding you can just get off at gates, leaving it running. So much less dicking about trying to snick it into neutral.
Does it make you less of a riding God? of course. Do I care? No, I'm 54. My TRF mates take the piss and call me a pizza delivery buy etc etc. but at the end of the day, it makes riding much easier and more relaxing. Long technical stuff? just pop it in 2nd and ride. Forget the clutch entirely.
p.s. I fitted a cable operated left hand brake on mine and I use it maybe once every few rides - mostly when picking the bike up to stop it running away as you don't have the stalled engine brake any more. It's really not needed most of the time, if ever.
If you see a deal on a Rekluse and it's a Radius X, get it. The Radius X is the one to go for. I'm told the prev EXP 3 etc are more "on and off". The Radius X slips in and out like a scooter - all very seamless. However, I can sit at tick over, snap the throttle a bit, and I'm wheelieing. Piece of Pisa to fit and does NOT need constant adjusting like the gossip told me. I set it up one and I'm around 100 hours in without touching it.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Monday 11th December 10:03
Drabbesttunic said:
I'd love to try a rekluse and a left hand rear brake too.
Almost bought a bike with them on, regret it now
It's one less thing to think about, I was worried that I might not remember to grab the clutch on my other bikes but you just react to the bike's noise / vibration so it hasn't been an issueAlmost bought a bike with them on, regret it now
The only issue is that I'll just leave it running in gear at gates / if I drop it as neutral is hard to find
Turns out when you grab it / pick it up by the throttle grip - you turn it
Luckily no one was nearby to get hit
KTMsm said:
Drabbesttunic said:
I'd love to try a rekluse and a left hand rear brake too.
Almost bought a bike with them on, regret it now
It's one less thing to think about, I was worried that I might not remember to grab the clutch on my other bikes but you just react to the bike's noise / vibration so it hasn't been an issueAlmost bought a bike with them on, regret it now
The only issue is that I'll just leave it running in gear at gates / if I drop it as neutral is hard to find
Turns out when you grab it / pick it up by the throttle grip - you turn it
Luckily no one was nearby to get hit
I would add that you don't become "trained" to ignore the clutch. I ride other people's bikes, I go to Bulgaria etc for long weekends away trail riding and it all feels perfectly normal NOT having a Rekluse again.
I've only had 2 bikes, the first a KTM EXC-f 250 and the second an EXC 300TPI.
The 250 was a great bike and it got me into trails etc but when I switched over to the 300TPI I started to enjoy my days out much more. It was a much easier bike to ride and would climb and descend stuff with much less effort.
I would like to compare to a GAS GAS or an X Trainer though, I think an X trainer would be an even easier bike to ride.
One modification I made to mine was a mid west mountain clutch lever. I struggled with strength in my clutch fingers and my arm would go dead halfway through a day making life miserable. I struggled to the point I could not ride a WR450 or any other cable clutch bike. I thought about a rekluse but I feel like I like the clutch for low grip situations. I couldn't justify the cost and I feel having the clutch will make a better rider.
Will 100% be the first modification I make to my next bike.
https://www.midwestme.com/
The 250 was a great bike and it got me into trails etc but when I switched over to the 300TPI I started to enjoy my days out much more. It was a much easier bike to ride and would climb and descend stuff with much less effort.
I would like to compare to a GAS GAS or an X Trainer though, I think an X trainer would be an even easier bike to ride.
One modification I made to mine was a mid west mountain clutch lever. I struggled with strength in my clutch fingers and my arm would go dead halfway through a day making life miserable. I struggled to the point I could not ride a WR450 or any other cable clutch bike. I thought about a rekluse but I feel like I like the clutch for low grip situations. I couldn't justify the cost and I feel having the clutch will make a better rider.
Will 100% be the first modification I make to my next bike.
https://www.midwestme.com/
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