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Beta 500 vs Ktm 500

James

James

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Location
Lake Oswego, OR
Moto(s)
CT90, YZ-250, TTR-110,
FE501s, 701 Enduro
I have ran out of internet comparing the 500RRS vs the EXC-F. The 2022's are starting to materialize. The local KTM dealer shows it has 1, but they won't let it out of the "back". Whatever that means... They do have a 350 I can touch. Nobody will confirm any date on the Beta. They won't even take my money preemptively. I am leaning heavily towards the Beta. It is the closest to my old 03 WR450. In terms of rawness. The KTM is a known quality bike. The Beta's seem to be right there, just not as many produced.

Any thoughts? The husky is an option as well, but the dealer is further. Linkage vs PDS. White is harder to keep nice, etc...

James
 
The 500 has a lot of engine braking, some vibration, and feels heavier than the ktm 350. It has that monster torque.

I have the husky 501 and after riding the 350 I like the 350 more for the reasons I stated. I just prefer lighter better handling bikes in the dirt. I only use my 501 for dual sport though. On the pavement the 500 is better over the 350 for usable power. I have my 501 in supermoto form right now I just dont like the excessive engine braking.

The 350 should have enough power for most and I just like the way it feels in the dirt. It is give and take comparing the 500 and 350. Get the one that suits your riding
 
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Thanks! To clarify, I am going for the 500 in either make. I have the YZ for any good trail riding. But, if I was ditching the dedicated dirt bike, I would be all over the 350 or Beta 390. Those are both real nice designs. I just want the dual sport to fit between the YZ and the F800.
 
Don't know about 2022 Beta, but 2017 proved to be a lot more reliable than the KTM counterpart. Very solid engine with *perfect* fueling, so no need for ecu, tuning, etc. Things that are pretty much required to get the plated KTM to run right and not stall.

No burning oil on a Beta either.

Beta plastics are surprisingly cheap, the whole OEM set can be had for $140, so easy to keep looking good.

Crash parts are inexpensive as well...90$ for the subframe, compare that to KTM :)
 
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James said:
Thanks! To clarify, I am going for the 500 in either make. I have the YZ for any good trail riding. But, if I was ditching the dedicated dirt bike, I would be all over the 350 or Beta 390. Those are both real nice designs. I just want the dual sport to fit between the YZ and the F800.
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Ah, awesome. Well a 500 it is

Like stated appove the 500/501 ktm will need an aftermarket ecu to run right. The stock ones are choked up and run hot to pass emissions.

My advice is to buy a low miles used ktm/husky that already has the mods on it. Save yourself $3k- 4k
 
Right on! I am hunting the used market while waiting. Am being a bit picky in that I want something as unmolested as possible and a 2020 or newer. Market is really tight. Open to any of the big 3. I am in the Portland area and nobody is listing on craigslist or Facebook at the moment. Prudes.... :laughing

James
 
I've got friends with betas and most of them have run into trouble along the way, in one form or another. I was in the same boat, tried them all, and ended up with 2020 350excf, and I'm glad I did.

Beta issues have included, flame outs, dead batteries leaving rider stranded, other weird electrical issues causing misfires, cheap plastic fitting on tank snapping off, etc. They have come a long way, but seems like there are still issues to resolve.

Of course with the ktm I had to buy the vortex ecu and do some other mods. Good luck with the hunt!
 
Ha! I had seen that ktm, but not on offerup. I forgot people used that. :)

Now that you guys mention the 350, this bad boy pops up: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1170373203456654/

How is the 350 at 60 mph? I dont mind riding 55, but i hate high revs. I dont mind gearing it for a little bit smoother road speeds. (I'm 130 lbs, gearing doesnt seem to matter as much). I am coming off a 2003 wr450. Ridden it long distance. That is my threshold. Everytime i was on a highway, I dreamed of having a 6th gear...
 
James said:
Ha! I had seen that ktm, but not on offerup. I forgot people used that. :)

Now that you guys mention the 350, this bad boy pops up: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1170373203456654/

How is the 350 at 60 mph? I dont mind riding 55, but i hate high revs. I dont mind gearing it for a little bit smoother road speeds. (I'm 130 lbs, gearing doesnt seem to matter as much). I am coming off a 2003 wr450. Ridden it long distance. That is my threshold. Everytime i was on a highway, I dreamed of having a 6th gear...
Click to expand...

4k miles to me is A LOT for a dirtbike. Rather pay $2k more for low miles.

It has a 6 speed so if geared right it can cruise at 60mph. I think at your weight the 350 will be awesome! Hell at my weight it would be enough
 
1962siia said:
I've got friends with betas and most of them have run into trouble along the way, in one form or another. I was in the same boat, tried them all, and ended up with 2020 350excf, and I'm glad I did.

Beta issues have included, flame outs, dead batteries leaving rider stranded, other weird electrical issues causing misfires, cheap plastic fitting on tank snapping off, etc. They have come a long way, but seems like there are still issues to resolve.

Of course with the ktm I had to buy the vortex ecu and do some other mods. Good luck with the hunt!
Click to expand...

I can confirm this within our group. Granted it's only a handful of Beta's, but there have been problems. I am FAR from a KTM fanboy, but I do have two of the "white" versions in the garage. 5 of the 7 Betas in our group have suffered various issues and none of the many more numerous KTM/Husqvarnas have suffered such issues. Some minor, some not so much.
 
James said:
Ha! I had seen that ktm, but not on offerup. I forgot people used that. :)

Now that you guys mention the 350, this bad boy pops up: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1170373203456654/

How is the 350 at 60 mph? I dont mind riding 55, but i hate high revs. I dont mind gearing it for a little bit smoother road speeds. (I'm 130 lbs, gearing doesnt seem to matter as much). I am coming off a 2003 wr450. Ridden it long distance. That is my threshold. Everytime i was on a highway, I dreamed of having a 6th gear...
Click to expand...

The 350 isn't for you, the 500 is based on what you are conveying. I have the FE350S. I would not choose it for a bike that gets ridden on the pavement at highway speed for prolonged periods.
 
500 exc is what you need. My group just purchased 4 of them this year and 1 350 exc. The 500 is superior on highway at higher speeds.
 
OaklandF4i said:
I can confirm this within our group. Granted it's only a handful of Beta's, but there have been problems. I am FAR from a KTM fanboy, but I do have two of the "white" versions in the garage. 5 of the 7 Betas in our group have suffered various issues and none of the many more numerous KTM/Husqvarnas have suffered such issues. Some minor, some not so much.
Click to expand...


I would be very interested in knowing what problems Betas had to prepare with spares :)

Besides fuel pumps and fuel pressure regulators, which are common/same to most european brands, i can't think of anything that my Beta needed, some people proactively change the oil pump nylon gear because it is listed as a maintenance item every 100hrs. I bought one, but it sits unused the bike has about 500hrs on it :)
 
somesuch said:
I would be very interested in knowing what problems Betas had to prepare with spares :)

Besides fuel pumps and fuel pressure regulators, which are common/same to most european brands, i can't think of anything that my Beta needed, some people proactively change the oil pump nylon gear because it is listed as a maintenance item every 100hrs. I bought one, but it sits unused the bike has about 500hrs on it :)
Click to expand...

Perhaps the owners can pop in. The four stroke issues were both electrical and/or fueling, one requiring a new throttle body on a brand new bike. One particular brand new two stroked suffered a broken ecu connection almost immediately, and then a seized motor by the time it had only a handful of hours. Another smoker in the group has had zero issues other than a bad starter. :dunno

Small test sample for sure. :thumbup But those have been the results.
 
Basically the typical italian or spanish bike.....was it assembled on Monday or Friday? : )

Only data point I have is a buddy with an x trainer (been flawless) and their trials bikes. All the Betas (trials) seem to pop out of gear due to a poorly designed shifter star/follower combo; other than that pretty solid.
 
Star log, 10/5/21. Its raining. I visited the local dealership to touch the 1 excf500 left. (2 sold before even hitting the floor). He reminded me that it will cost ~13400 to leave with it. Suddenly, a new dirt bike sounds like a terrible idea. I have message out on a 2018 ktm 500 that looks minimally modified and has low miles and hours. Going to pull on the used thread until the new betas come out. Expecting to have the same response when I hear its going to be 12500... But, time will tell.

Please keep contributing thoughts and experiences, if you will. I appreciate the involvement and effort shared.

James
 
elemetal said:
...
Only data point I have is a buddy with an x trainer (been flawless) ...
Click to expand...

Same motor as my 500.... it seems that the motor is very solid, no design flaws at all. Just remembered that i have a water pump rebuild kit in the spares box as well, just in case.... but not needed it yet at 500hrs :)
 
My mistake, i assumed wrong...i assumed it was an older bike, and i assumed it was four stroke...

"The 2017 models, available in 2 stroke 250 and 300 cc and 350/390/430/500 cc. for 4 stroke, .."
 
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