My Freeride is currently listed in the For Sale thread and has lowered suspension. It will go almost anywhere and has softer , more usable power than the exf for the slippery slatey climbs down here.
As it happens , I'm back from a trip away and it will go on Ebay tonight....
David
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DGTRFYou're just passing through, make the most of it !
Remember there is a two stroke 250 and 4 stroke 350 freeride. The 2 stroke freeride is very light indeed, but whether you prefer a 2 or 4 stroke might help decide things for you
hi was thinking of the 350 free ride but have heard the x trainer has no power valve so is much gentler on the throttle and tuned for tourqe did know if anyone had any experience with either both light and low
The Freeride is based on a trials philosophy and is 'beefed up' from that. It has some very lightweight (as in not very robust) parts to it, such as the brakes and suspension. It also feels very small indeed.
The x trainer is based on an enduro bike. It is basically a slightly down-sized version of the Beta RR300 and shares many components including engine, gearbox, brakes etc. The power delivery of the 300 2T engine has been softened greatly from the RR and is very torquey. The suspension is very soft and great for lanes; it eats up almost anything you throw at it but does not like hitting bumps going too fast or taking 'big air' - it is not a race bike.
There are lots of reviews and comparisons around on t'interweb but, for my part, I love my x trainer and would highly recommend them.
Thanks guys just slightly worried about a two stroke as never really ridden one (always been a 4t) and as a novice worried how I would get on with it
Don't be worried Mark. The x trainer has a really smooth power delivery and pulls right off the bottom - it is not like the old 2ts or a MX bike that has a huge hit as you hit the power band. I'm not sure how the Freeride power comes in as I haven't really ridden one.
There are no convenient Beta dealers. Nearest is Thor is in Bodmin, then Steve Plain in mid Wales. Neither will have XTs in stock though, even to look at, they go out faster than they can import them.
If you come over here you are welcome to test ride mine (PM me and I'll explain exactly where 'here' is).
Colin
Colin
-- Edited by cee-b on Saturday 13th of August 2016 09:48:33 AM
-- Edited by cee-b on Saturday 13th of August 2016 09:49:13 AM
Mark, I believe AT Motocross in Weston Super Mare have just become official Beta enduro dealers so that may be worth a look. They are a good bunch of lads to deal with from my experience.
For what its worth I bought a 350 freeride about 6 months ago. I normally ride a 450 beta. I can honestly say that the little freeride is a joy to take out but it is a very different prospect to the large enduro bikes.
The steering angle is quite steep which makes it very agile in the tight stuff and its abilities up stoney hill climbs are, in my view unrivaled. It comes with supersoft maxiss trail tyres as standard which are brilliant.
You can boss the bike about very easily which, at least for me, has changed my riding technique and improved my enjoyment back on the Beta 450.
The brakes are tiny- proper finicky to bleed- but are fine once you have sussed it. It will top out at 55- 60 miles per hour on the road with the standard 11-48 gearing and mine gives me 60+ miles per tank- plenty for me.
I have upped the gearing to 12- 48 for slightly longer legs- it works fine.
There has been talk about the freeride damping out on water crossings- this hasnt been a problem for me- you just need to leave the pre filter in place. I have also heard some comment on the position of the air intake on the little beta which makes it vulnerable to water- not sure of the exact issue.
The freeride is very light but still quite tall - you need to try one first. Engine has good lowdown torque in standard gearing and the riding position is quite far back along the bike. You are not quite sure where to put your feet at first but soon settle in. The rearward position makes lofting the front very easy on the tricky stuff. the bars to seat height ratio give a lean forward stance which feels a bit odd at first but is surprisingly comfortable long term.
Like my Beta450- I think the little freerifde will be a keeper for a good while.
I concur, no experience of an xtrainer other than the reviews and I was biased toward a four stroke,had mine a couple of months, fitted Rekluse core 3.0 exp and a lhrb, joy to ride having come off a CRF230 with a brief encounter with a Montesa 4ride in between!
