Well, I'm looking for new bike and have been eyeing the Betas for a few years now.
A bit about me and my riding.
5'9" and 175lbs. 30" inseam (at least that's the pants I buy).
53 years old. Been riding bikes my whole adult life, but starting dirt bike riding at 30. Did a lot of mtn biking before that.
Came in 2nd in the 50 Amateur class is my local GP series (OMRA) a few rears ago on an 04 GasGas EC300. I would have had first, but they cancelled the last race.
Overall in pretty good shape and exercise regularly.
The GasGas is lowered about 1" using a lowering link and sliding the forks up a bit. I can reach the ground with both balls of my feet with boots on.
I mostly ride woods in the NW. I used to ride some trials, but was never great.
My other bikes are an Africa Twin that I do take off road (mostly long abandoned two track, no true single track or OHV trails) and a Husky FE501 S for dual sport riding.
My son recently got back into riding, so he's on the GasGas and I'm riding the Husky in the woods, which is OK, but not great.
For a while I was torn between the 300RR and the XT. The reason I was drawn to the XT was mostly the weight and the frame size. I would like to do some harder riding with my son and the smaller bike would be easier. Since there are no XTs available, I put a deposit on 2021 and was going to decide when it arrived in July....except that now it's going to be September, and I don't think I want to wait. So I started considering getting a 300 RR and putting in a lowering kit (an actually internals kit, not just a link).
I had a number of reservations about the XT anyway (higher speed mostly), so I'm not torn up on trying to make an RR work for me.
Then I started looking at the 200RR. It's a bit lighter and has a shorter wheelbase than the 300 (according to a video I saw...haven't checked the factory specs) so should turn a bit tighter in the really tight stuff. But, I've never had a 200 2 stroke. I came off a 250 4 stroke when I got the GasGas. The GG has no real hit and I run a slow throttle. Plus the GG is super lug able (though I still stall it at times).
So, I'm stuck between getting the bike that probably allows me to be a bit lazier and one that is a bit lighter and won't tire me out as fast and maybe allow me to ride harder terrain. I'm ready to buy in about a week (just need to close on a refi for my home). The local dealer has both in stock (2020 models).
I'm not opposed to investing a bit in either bike beyond the purchase and would consider a Rekluse in addition to suspension work.
If it matters, the GG isn't going anywhere, but to be honest, it's a bit long in the tooth and having ridden friends' bikes that are 15 years younger and I can feel its age. So I'll likely just give it to my son...though it will stay in my garage
Thanks for your input.