Good years for 300RR, years to avoid

[super_rat]

I'm looking to get a new or lightly used 300 smoker to replace my 2007 Gasser 300. GasGas is no more so I'd like to get a Beta as Betas fit me better than a Husky and I prefer a carb over FI. However, my experience with my 2016 Beta 350 RR was not good, actually the most problematic bike I've ever owned. I'm wondering if there is a year(s) for the 300 RR that had few or no issues. I'd like some advice on what year(s) of the Beta 300 have the least amount of problems, defects, etc.

For the record these were my 2016 350 RR issues in the 120 hours that I put on it from new. (Three of the items were covered under warranty but since the closest dealer is 150 miles even warranty repair is a pain.)

-non-heat treated clutch basket
-counter-balancer bearing failure
-fork tube wear
-low fuel sensor failure, twice
-rear wheel bearings premature wear
-lean off-idle at altitude
-clutch drag
-can't get neutral with engine running - above clutch drag and weak neutral detent
-fender flap wearing swingarm
-brittle plastics
-ran hot as hell (maybe just a four stroke thing)

Thanks

[Darkside]

they're all good

[hooter]

Pretty happy with my 2015 300RR! No problems that weren’t self-inflicted.

[aj_mariner]

If I was going to get a stroker it would be a Yamaha YZ___FX, but a smoker would be Beta again.

[Silverfox]

I had each year 300 from 16 to 19. They are all good. Never had fork wear on any, but I used a tension wrench on the clamps

[super_rat]

Thanks for the input. I thought the first couple of years with oil injection had issues?

[Lotus54]

The engine platform is still around.

https://cpd.direct/collections/rieju

[kzoo]

Watch for the main bearing issue... My 2020 had one go with very low hours.

[super_rat]

Thanks, I saw the main bearing thread.

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for perfection, just not a bunch of issues or expensive issues that occur after after warranty expiration like my 350RR.

Yep, was aware of the Rieju/GasGas re-boot. Tempting, as my Gasser has been the perfect bike for me and outside of one manufacturing defect, bullet-proof as of 450 hrs. This will be the last dirt bike I buy so at this point in my life I don't want to risk $9k on a start-up company.

[kzoo]

From what I've been told, even on the 2020's, the fork tube wear is still and issue. I've had two suspension tuners tell me I should get them hard anodized. So when I get it back I'll be doing that too...