hawaiidirtrider, on 11 May 2012 - 10:17 PM, said:

I am sure he will make a more protective Skid Plate that wraps around the frame and motor, his carb line filter will probably be a direct fit from Husky, "Y" pipe in cast for the lower radiator cross over, might do a Damper kit for a Scotts under and/or over bar, you never know what that guy has going on. He as well as Beta is very excited to have each other.

PALMER84ONE, on 11 May 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:

Don't forget the 400.

KX290F Pilot, on 13 May 2012 - 08:21 AM, said:

Yea I'm still not clear on what's the better about a 350. ..So the 400,450 and 498 are the same weight etc ..so? I guess you just have a choice ...so why not a 400?   if a 400 why not the 498?  I'm still stuck there... I guess until I ride the 350 and feel any benefit. All of them will be fine to me but just sayin......again I guess.  I know someone is going to talk about the smaller stroke  rotating weight....etc. So far the bigger bore benefits outweigh the smaller bore benefits.

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 13 May 2012 - 01:44 PM.

KX290F Pilot, on 13 May 2012 - 08:21 AM, said:

Well, when I am talking CC's I am talking the RS because in the crappy state I live in I can't plate a RR. Thanks Comi-fornia, the nanny state.
But yah that does make sense on the 350, 400.

Did a BYOB today to see what I get and she comes to 11,117.00 plus tax. I am thinking about it. HAHAHA

Edited by PALMER84ONE, 13 May 2012 - 02:39 PM.

PALMER84ONE, on 13 May 2012 - 02:37 PM, said:

Well it does look like you put the best of everything on that thing!!!!

PALMER84ONE, on 13 May 2012 - 02:37 PM, said:

Here is my setup:
RS 520

Dunlop D606 Dual Sport 90/90 x 21/Dunlop D606 Dual Sport 130/90 x 18
HD tubes front and rear
14/48  Tooth
.48 kg Fork Spring (180-190lbs) / 5.4 kg Rear Spring 190-200 lbs
Fork Bleeders, 45mm Marzocchi's
Soft Seat Foam
Enduro Engineering Handguards / EE Deflectors, Red
Carbon Fiber Skid Plate / Sharkfin Rear Brake Disc Protection, Red/Black
20mm bar spacers / Aluminum Throttle Tube
Factory Beta Wide Footpegs / Hammerhead Brake Pedal Tip
Scotts Steering Stabilizer, Position 3
Billet Chain Blocks, Red
EarthX ETX12A Lithium Battery
Cooling Fan Kit
Dual Sport Rear Rack
Leo Vince Titanium Exhaust System
Billet Clutch Slave Cylinder Guard, Black
R&D Flex-Jet remote fuel screw adjuster
Rekluse EXP Clutch

Also included in the build will be Factory Beta red anodized radiator guards, and a desert tank clear/natural with petcock/quick release fuel lines for fast tank changes. I also got a set of Kriega US5 packs I will be mounting on the side panels for ADV stuff….

Edited by ballisticexchris, 13 May 2012 - 08:18 PM.

ballisticexchris, on 13 May 2012 - 07:46 PM, said:

Dang Chris, that is a list! I have been on 450's so much I looked into 450 BYOB, the 520 is still just a 500 and I might go that route "IF" I pull the trigger and bail out of Husky except for my TE450 and keep my extra SM wheel set for it. It all be in the sprocket gearing it for street, with CR Trans gears. So did you do the BYOB on line and send it to your dealer? You are going to love that thing.

PALMER84ONE, on 13 May 2012 - 09:42 PM, said:

I sent the list to Dave before doing it online. He helped me pick out the right spring rates and dial in small details. I do know from experience that the skid plate/shark fin/titanium pipe will get beat up. But what the hell. I tried to stay away from "bling" and get stuff that takes off weight and helps with control. The handlebars were the hardest choice. Fortunately I was able to jump on Dave's race bike and figured the stock bars with a 20mm riser forward position is best.

I never could get used to the Flex bars on my 300.

To think I was on the fence for a WR250R!

I really wanted to get a FI bike. But these Betas run so cleanly and reliably with a carb. Besides that, I have a bunch of jets and basic knowledge to fix a carb on the trail if need be…….

I'm itching to get it! Should be ready in the next week or two!

ballisticexchris, on 13 May 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

To me the carb is a huge benny. FI has only proved to be less reliable to me so far... . I think I'll look at my 09 525 RS Beta and look at what I can to add a nice mod...I'm looking at improving especially after looking at the new 520 rs locally and hearing about how cool this one will be . I just got some stainless steel spokes. I think next I might update some suspension. ..just to add some spice since I'm watching a beautiful new bike being set up here. It's time for maintenance so I'll upgrade too.. Redoing the wheels is right to do now I ran over some barbed wire and the rear spokes got all scratched up.. now there's some rust...unacceptable . That's just one simple thing that I think the gasgas has had over other bikes like ktm and Beta... I think stainless spokes should come stock with all the high end bikes.. but oh well..

hawaiidirtrider, on 14 May 2012 - 12:41 AM, said:

I will end up buying an extra wheel set down the road like my 300. I'm not worried too much about spokes. As much as I like the "cool factor" of anodized rims, after a few seasons they are pretty much square with flat spots and scratched to hell from the rocks.

One very cool ride I'm looking forward to is hitting the HUGE sand dunes that Dumont dunes has to offer. No more paying to enter! Just blaze my own trail through the outer edge of Death Valley!!

hawaiidirtrider, on 13 May 2012 - 01:35 PM, said:

My sentiments exactly.  If the overall weights are comparable, I will always go for the largest available engine (within reason).

ballisticexchris, on 13 May 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

I like the Windham bend so I ordered it with them.

happy seal, on 09 May 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Yeah I already knew this and give it big kudos. Anybody have $8K spare they wanna give so I can buy one!? Hahaha, that ship has sailed for now.
Curious why they didn't include the Husqvarna in the test and bummed they couldn't get a Husaberg 2012 FE450 to throw in the test but since they are not selling the 12' 4T's this year in the U.S., whats the point?

ballisticexchris, on 12 May 2012 - 12:18 PM, said:

He is a great guy. He believes in reliability 1st. then performance but with him you usually get both. I talked with him early this year and he does have several items coming out for the Beta. EFI vs. carb is no different than 2T vs. 4T or big bore vs small bore, all personal. But when you do have a good running EFI, you will never want to go back. If,,,When Beta goes EFI, expect better fuel range and crisp smoother power. Yes better than today’s motors.

weantright, on 14 May 2012 - 11:21 AM, said:

Of course EFI has it's benefits like a 2 stroke and a big bore  and 4 stroke and anything... Still I have NEVER  been towed out of the mountains because my carb went bad. What happens when EFI goes bad ?  When do you know you have a good running EFI?... It's good all the way until it craps out on you in the middle of nowhere. So there are benefits...but for me it's not worth it .

hawaiidirtrider, on 14 May 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:

hawaiidirtrider, on 14 May 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:

I have towed more carb motors out than EFI's. Right now I have a leaking float needle that prevents the rider from riding. It can go both ways, but history of brand/system will provide a positive experience running EFI. For me, my bikes sit for 6 months during the winter and with EFI, it's easy spring starting. I am on the second EFI bike with nothing but good, 5 minutes to jet and go, on the fly tuning if I want. Now ask someone with a KTM (16 hole injector) and it may be a different experience. And as I said it's all personal just like 2T vs. 4T vs. big bors vs. small bores. For me the benifet of a big bore is zero because I can do everything with a smaller bore and still have energy left at the end of the day to eat dinner.

Back on topic.

weantright, on 14 May 2012 - 12:18 PM, said:

Back on topic? This is the topic ... Isn't it?  Beta won this latest 450 four stroke shootout with "old" technology carb and it works well. For me and obviously others the carb is a considered a better choice especially when dealing with having to possibly do off road mechanics in the middle of nowhere. ..and that of course is a matter of opinion. So what brand do you ride that has better reliability than ktm? EFI is of course probably going to be more commonplace with it's newer implementation in dirt bikes . but on a practical note what do you do when your EFI has problems in the trail? Honestly I haven't gone in depth into researching EFI but have run into random threads and mentions of those that have gotten stuck or having problems with it. It's in the tank right?  So if you need to deal with it what about access for ex. ?.. Really once I heard of some mentionings I tuned out more since I haven't had problems with my carb for many many years nor others bikes... but whatever... like you said  it's personal preference for whatever you feel benefits your needs . This makes me more curious now to start reading more on EFI and its benefits and not so great benefits. . . but I do appreciate your input toward EFI. You know more than I since you have a bike with it.  As far as bike size goes this is a 450 4t shootout . I guess that's just the average mainstay class.. not too big but definitely not small. Funny going by my earlier experience I would swear that my 525 Beta would be a disadvantage in general tight trails. I would have thought that a smaller bore would be better... It would be if I had places where I would have to get off my bike.. but as long as I don't I enjoy riding as fast but with less effort. Sometimes a 200 is better especially in the tight trees etc and sometimes a 200 just doesn't have the torque that a 250 or larger can give to climb certain hills. It kind of depends where and what kind of trails you ride. ... of course this is just my opinion with what experience I've had riding around here on our types of trails.

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 14 May 2012 - 04:17 PM.

Definitely still on topic guys. I have the EFI bikes and the Carbs, in CA, like HI we ride year around. I don't like the fact that EFI bikes (DS/Dirt) have not been out long enough. I always have it in the back of my mind to NOT ride solo without means of "help communication" Spot, Cell, GPS, etc. Like I said, I have seen fuel pumps die and need to be towed out.  would ride my XR400 anyplace, anywhere, anytime of the year. Bike was more dependable than your best dog. Problem I had was 2 surgeries on my right knee and made it hard to kick over ALL THE TIME! I will not do the same on my TE450, but would on a Beta. I should of looked into them a couple years ago but they were using KTM motors up to 2 years ago. The fact that they use a big 39mm pumper carb is awesome. Like my XR400 I had all the mods that made that bike awesome. So my thoughts are heavy on the Beta.

PALMER84ONE, on 14 May 2012 - 04:19 PM, said:

Ktm motors..yes but the rfs..good motors... Those have a solid following for being reliable so that's one of the reason I went Beta at the time. ..not as reliable as an xr 400 but few bikes have that reputation. The new Beta motors have had good reports so far and excellent quality of power for off road. Smooth torquey and power  all over with a  bunch on top.