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I just watched the whiskey shootout, ran across it on Facebook. They were all over the place other than the Beta, it was dragging up the rear.
Ducati must be a solid ride. I’d kinda like to see an old slow fat guy/vet opinion. Different mix of riders compared to Jap shootout as I recall. My guess the Beta might be decent fit for an older slower vet rider. It was still a good test. But still one track test. Like to have seen it on a different track.
Maybe I’m being cynical, buts it’s kinda to me best bike on this track. But still good stuff.
Other than the Ducati I’d guess the top Jap bikes will rule, but that just a guess.
https://youtu.be/5GPhXw2BCv4?si=4n03dIqG_GYUR76w
Thanks Billy
It was interesting how close the 2-3-4 bikes were. And wild that the first year Ducati was first. I think that all the bikes are so darn good these days it really comes down to rider preference.
I wish MX demo bikes were more readily available. With really no clear “best bike” it’d be nice to be able to ride each bike before making a new purchase.
Be interesting to see the results from a totally different set of test riders………..shouldn’t be hard to find test riders.
Yeah, that was good. Surprising, Ducati, Hmm 🤔
Like kylemenz said, all the bikes are so freakin close… It comes down to personal preference, best deal, and setup.
Sucking up for those ducati advertising $$$$
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It would have been interesting to have Fantic and TM in the group.
Nic from DecalWorks was one of the first guys in our area to get the Ducati. I was there for one of his first rides on it and he was very impressed. He spent a year on a KX450 and immediately put it up for sale. Solid Midwest Vet B rider.
I’m surprised the Beta sucked hind tit like it did. I’ve never been on a 450 RX. But my 300 RX is solid and it gets around the track good. In fact it does everything pretty good. I have a 23 Honda with 23.5 degree Luxon triple clamps sprung for my weight. Also a 24 KX450 sprung for my weight to compare. My 300 RX is the best of the bunch as far as handling. To me it turns in just as good as my Honda. I thought the 300 RX frame and 450 RX frames were pretty much the same other than sub frame. My 300 handled just fine off the show room floor even with a to light for my weight rear spring.
Most bikes with KYB typically do pretty good, or at least I thought so. I’d take KYB over air in the front. Kinda hard to believe Beta screwed up the valving that much to make the bike as out of balance as test seems to suggest.
I’ve had a couple of fast guys ride my 2 stroke Beta and both guys couldn’t believe how it would turn and how stable straight line in the rough. Maybe the 450 RX is a different animal all together. I came close to buying one but got a deal on a green bike, which I’m glad I did.
Sounds like the Ducati is the easiest to ride.
Anyone wanna bet the Yamaha doesn’t win the final shootout recorded in the Blu Cru studios in Temecula, CA? Real cliffhanger…
Be interesting to see how the 250 Ducati does when it comes out. Also be interesting to see how much my wife gets for my body parts after she killed me chopped me up and sold me on the dark web for bringing another new dirt bike home!
Haha! Was thinking the same thing about the 250
I brought it up in the other shootout thread, but the 26 Triumph 450x doesnt even have a price listed on Triumphs website and it was mentioned on I believe Pulp or Keefer that the 26 KTM wont be released until november. So I'm wondering are these just media demo bikes for the shootout?
pm'd you - didn't want to derail the thread. questions about your CRF
wwdiii, I had a 23 Crf450 with the 23.5 offset clamps and I also have a 25 Beta 300RX that I just recently bought to replace the CRF. The Beta is an amazing bike and a lot of fun, it handles extremely well, so much so that I went out and bought a leftover 24 450RX to race and keep the 300 for fun. I had my first ride at Honolulu Hills here in California today and felt comfortable immediately, more comfortable than I ever felt on the Honda, even my riding buddies were commenting that I rode it much better. I will say I hated the pegs, the shifter felt like it was sized for someone with a size 6 boot and some corners I felt I was using the clutch more than I expected. The 450RX is stable, handles great, felt very neutral in the air and the stock suspension felt good for just setting sag, checking to ensure all the clickers were at the “comfort “ setting on Beta’s website. I’m 57, 210-215lbs, finished 4th at the OTHG national at Glen Helen in the 52+ novice class so I might fit your old, fat, vet slow guy. The bike is not as bad as they make it out to be in that video but I’m no pro.
Clarence
If you look at comments Kris Keefer made when he evaluated the 450 RX. It wasn’t over the top, but it wasn’t bad either and that was a year or two back. He said it was a bike you could race.
All these bikes today are pretty good. Pretty much pick a color.
A proper test should allow $500-1000 in mods absolutely needed per bike. Revalving, springs, gearing or proper tires etc.
Like a slip-on was needed (to make a 2008 shootout fair for a us spec 2008 YZF 450… ) if anyone remembers
Edited!
I went back to Kris Keffer’s site. He had a pod cast on the 25 Beta 450RX which I hadn’t listened to until this morning. He rated the engine above the Triumph and KTM which I thought was interesting. After listening to Kris’s pod cast I came away with the RX being a very good bike for the average rider. Maybe right up there with the KX.
Even though I’m a Beta fan 450RX might not be a fit for me because of vibration, had some hand and elbow nerve issues/elbow surgery. Haven’t had a chance to ride one yet, heck haven’t seen one at any of the tracks I frequent.
With the fact there are more average riders than Smokin fast pro’s. Beta may be on to something.
Kris’s pod cast on the 25 Beta is worth listening to.
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/rmatvmc-keefer-tested-show-419-2025-be…
This is why I don't bother with bike reviews. Did they post any lap times?
My first impression of the Beta 450 was that it was a little slow.
But my lap times were better and I have to be careful to not over jump, so it's certainly not a slow bike.
Seems like not having to fight the bike around the track would make a test rider feel like it's a slow turd. Kind of like going 70 in a nice car vs. 70 in a Jeep with the windows down makes the Jeep seem faster.
The Beta does have less over rev than the jap bikes. Not a big deal, just different.
Pit Row
Only have about 6 hours on mine so far but yes it is an extremely easy 450 to ride
Why would you want an old 4 wheeler exhaust for a modern bike?
I think it’s pretty sweet that a euro shootout today is more than just 3 flavors of KTM
This shootout is not balanced, because the Jap bikes had a 50% chance of getting through, but all the Euro bikes had a 33% chance ? Who is to say the the 3rd Euro bike is not better than the 2nd Jap Bike ?
Good take
Jap and Euro bikes should have all been tested together. Yeah it’s a lot of bikes but would seem a lot watched pod casts and bought magazines if I had to guess.
Valving and springs for who? You can have a 220lb and 140 lb rider testing on the same day, especially with 450's.
You're correct. I suspect it was done to stop labeling one as 10th place, which just sounds bad.
I thought one of if not two of the test riders came across like a bikes should be sprung and valved exactly like they want it. Not exactly open minded……..we are not all alike.
When Keefer and some other evaluate a bike they say something like, if you are over 180, probably need a heavier rear spring. Not it’s out of balance and sucks.
At least top 2 from both tests…. Like a final 4. Would be much more informative.
That’s exactly what we’re doing. Ducati, KTM, Honda and Yamaha
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