Do I need a 2016 390rr if I have a 2011 450rr?

[Harry Potter]

I keep reading that the 390 is the favorite of many dealers. I am happy with my carbonated 450 but people say the 390 is better in the trees. A bike that is easier to ride steep switch backs would also be a plus. I am just a senior trail rider with long dual sport sections and I don't do any racing. So do you think a fuel injected 390 would be worth the investment? I know this is like asking what would I like better an apple or a pear? Thanks.

[hawaiidirtrider]

I keep reading that the 390 is the favorite of many dealers. I am happy with my carbonated 450 but people say the 390 is better in the trees. A bike that is easier to ride steep switch backs would also be a plus. I am just a senior trail rider with long dual sport sections and I don't do any racing. So do you think a fuel injected 390 would be worth the investment? I know this like asking what would I like better an apple or a pear? Thanks.

No.. if you want to be better in the trees get a 250 , 300 or xtrainer. But your bike is great.your bike is better than my 525 rs that I still like ..not as nimble as the newer beta and your bike for that matter but still good... what's weird to me is the review of 390 and 430 have the review in one mag.. at least.. not in the trees.. in the desert somewhere.. even then I think the difference isn't so big.. .. I roda a 15 race edition 430 recently .. that bike is great.. and really how much different is it to what you are riding.. not much at all. I like how beta sets up their bikes.. they are all great to me..with a little different flavor for each.. with the similar recipe for balance of traction and power that makes them easy to ride .. and I don't even like efi.. so for me I'd look for a 2015 in everything beta except the 350.. jmho. guys have said that the big bore beta is harder in the trees but that's all I ride my 09 Big bore Beta with.. well I ride open but not alot..and my beta 525 rs is great.. smooth mellow power but plenty of power everywhere whenever I need it.. Maybe put an upgrade in your 2011 to make it a little better.. redo suspension for ex.. or something.. but I'd think your 2011 is good. I'm thinking of keeping my manual clutch and putting a left hand rear brake at some time..for steep switchbacks etc..but that's something I'll put on later if I have any money left..I'm overhauling my 2012 350 rr that I recently got.. gonna make it like new..like a race edition.. that's my latest project.. so for me it isn't worth it to me..but you can if you just want to try it anyway.

[Harry Potter]

That was a really good answer, Thanks

[Nicajohn]

I have a '15 430RR. I didn't get a chance to ride a 390, and I really only ride in the trees. I believe that the 430 is the newer 450. I have no problem with carbureted version and I'm in NJ where it's gone from 70s in September to 30s or lower now. And besides routine maintenance and adding FMF I wouldn't change a thing. For me it rides great.

[MBevans]

The power band thing is an interesting subject.

First I'll say that the 450 is an interesting motor.
Mine when brand new from Beta was weird in its power delivery. This also based having the latest Rekluse since new.
Off idle instant wheel spin.
Then at 2k rpm perfect till 6k rpm then more instant well spin.
This was very difficult to ride in tight trees and roots. But in some perverse way was fun...
Then;
With changing all jets and needle and adding a pipe I softened (got rid of instant wheel spin) all aspects of the rpm range but never lost the ultimate power, which made it much easier to ride in the tight stuff. But this still left me with the ability to get the bike sideways anytime if desired. And for the hooligan side of me the 450 wheelies effortlessly!

I believe the 430 would be ultimately a little better in the tight stuff for myself. And here's the ringer!
Some of us, including many of my friends and most likely lots of you out there can ride a 300 or a 525 in the tightest of stuff without worries. No issues, so for them its a no brainer all of them work. I have lots for friends that laughed at the fact I spent big bucks on a new 2014 450, they all said why do you not buy the 520???????? They thought and still think I was nuts!

Some of us can ride anything and make it look simple and some of us cannot! In deep rocky rutty slippery stuff the smaller motors for the smaller riders make stuff easier, period! I'm 5'8" and in really tight stuff the smaller displacements are easier to control. So for me and in loving the DS street legal bikes the 430RS would be what I would replace my 450 with if it became missing. If I could register a 390 for the street in California, I'd buy one of them!

A perfectly running 450 with revised suspension is a great bike but honestly has much more power than I need 90% of the time in the riding areas I'm in. And the inertia of the bigger motor is NOT always a plus!

My 2 cents
Cheers!

[Clearvu1]

I keep reading that the 390 is the favorite of many dealers. I am happy with my carbonated 450 but people say the 390 is better in the trees. A bike that is easier to ride steep switch backs would also be a plus. I am just a senior trail rider with long dual sport sections and I don't do any racing. So do you think a fuel injected 390 would be worth the investment? I know this like asking what would I like better an apple or a pear? Thanks.

I'm always in favor of new machines, especially moving up 5 model years. I say if it isn't a financial hardship, if you can still feed the family and pay the bills, get the new bike and live life man!
Now, whether the 390 or 430 is best for you is the issue. The 390 is happier and works better higher in the rev range. The 430 will have a power curve closer to what you have now but likely will be much smoother and easier to control than your 2011. I agree with hawaiidirtrider regarding the 2T's being better in the woods but you say you do a lot of DS riding and the 4T will be better there. If you are a guy that likes to keep it "on the pipe" get the 390 and go. If you prefer to use "grunt" to get the job done get the 430.
Let us know which way you go.

[MBevans]

I keep reading that the 390 is the favorite of many dealers. I am happy with my carbonated 450 but people say the 390 is better in the trees. A bike that is easier to ride steep switch backs would also be a plus. I am just a senior trail rider with long dual sport sections and I don't do any racing. So do you think a fuel injected 390 would be worth the investment? I know this like asking what would I like better an apple or a pear? Thanks.

I'm always in favor of new machines, especially moving up 5 model years. I say if it isn't a financial hardship, if you can still feed the family and pay the bills, get the new bike and live life man!
Now, whether the 390 or 430 is best for you is the issue. The 390 is happier and works better higher in the rev range. The 430 will have a power curve closer to what you have now but likely will be much smoother and easier to control than your 2011. I agree with hawaiidirtrider regarding the 2T's being better in the woods but you say you do a lot of DS riding and the 4T will be better there. If you are a guy that likes to keep it "on the pipe" get the 390 and go. If you prefer to use "grunt" to get the job done get the 430.
Let us know which way you go.

Yeah, absolutely true! Every 5 years many changes have come down into the latest current models. I figure I'll need a new/another Beta by 2019!
The newer suspension is a step forward as well...

[Nicajohn]

Every 5 years? I've only had my 430 for 4 months and I already am looking at trading up my husky 2t for '16 xtrainer or 250. If the wife was color blind it'd be a done deal.

[Harry Potter]

Wow, more good replies. My local Beta dealer has a 2016 XTrainer and a 2016 390RR on the floor but hasn't gassed them up yet. It was 9 degrees F this afternoon and spring is months away. I am sure to get a test ride on those bikes and I'll have to run down a 430. One of the things I have liked about the 450 Is that if I am in to high of a gear the low end torque gets me through smoothly. It does sound like in the last five years these bikes have seen notable improvements and a 430RR or RS could be irresistible. So maybe in a month I'll let you know if I go new or further farkle the 450. Thanks all!

[Nicajohn]

Not sure where you are located but I'm in south jersey and dealer I got my bike from has 16 xtrainer a 16 300(I think) and 15 350rr race. Think the 15 was demo but low miles. The xtrainer is also a really sharp looking bike.