COMPARISON I 2023 KTM 300 SX VS. BETA 300 RX
P110
The KTM feels long and sta-
ble in the handling department,
with a chassis built for speed
and predictability. It also turns
well but more on the rear wheel
than the Beta. The Beta brings
front-end precision into the mix
with more tree-hugging enduro-
style turning (i.e., on the front
tire). The Beta sacrifices a bit
of straight-line stability for the
ultra-precise turning. KTM wins
in both suspension and chassis
handling for big-track MX use.
TKO
Living in a world where big-bore
two-stroke motocross beasts
roam dealership floors and are let
loose on motocross tracks at will
is a good time to be alive. You're
going to really love riding these
bikes, guaranteed. And they both
provide a fun alternative to the
valve-and-cam crowd for recre-
ational track day riding and racing
(if allowed in your local series).
KTM is leading the charge
in motocross technology and
brings its collective power of a
couple decades of SX and SX-F
development to the TBI-equipped
300 SX. You're just not going to
beat that very easily. It's not as
exciting as the carbureted Beta,
but it works the same every time,
and for the casual rider who
wants to have fun, the KTM will
simply do that better. It has the
suspension and handling chops
to suit any track and most riders.
So, it's the total package.
If you're looking for some
-
thing different, go with the Beta
and enjoy a fantastic motor
character, older-school vibra-
tions through the frame, and a
suspension/handling package
that will need some tuning to
get dialed in for the faster sec-
tions of the track. But, like the
carburetor that fuels the punchy
motor, tuning dirt bikes for your
personal preference isn't a ter-
rible way to spend your day.
So, the choice is yours. Go
easy with the KTM and simply
ride with a smile or start with
the Beta and make it your own.
The Beta sells for a couple hundred
dollars more than the KTM but might
appeal more to traditionalists with its
carbureted engine and coil-spring fork.
