I'm not sure if this question would come up for anyone on this forum, but here is our take on it below....
The Xtrainer is based on the RR300 but has a detuned engine, a lower seat height, less weight, and suspension more suited to slow technical terrain. The critical part, how do they compare when riding? For the vast majority of us trail hacks, there is a lot of overlap between these bikes, unless you main do fast open riding, or are simply a very experienced aggressive rider.
HOW THE XTRAINER DIFFERS
Lower compression 11.3:1 rather than 12:1
Tighter full lock turn
More torque-friendly expansion chamber that is less exposed
Same electric start but no kickstart
Oil injection system
Seat is an inch lower
Five kg (11 pounds) lighter
Lighter Ollé suspension with slightly less travel
GoldenTyre knobbies (RR has Michelin Comp 3)
Power wise, essentially they've knocked the top end off the RR300 but I seriously wonder for the majority of riders (myself included) if this would be an issue. We all like think we are Jonny Walker, but most of us couldn't use that top end in anything but a straight line. Most us would be flat out even using the top end of the Xtrainer more than 2% on a dirt ride. It's more than that though, the Xtrainer is not as snappy, very predictable, and loves finding traction. The RR300 is good in these respects, but the Xtrainer takes it to a new level.
Handling? That five kg drop in weight and low seat height make the Xtrainer an absolute joy to ride as the tracks get tougher and slower.There is a lot of overlap with the RR300 in this respect for dirt riding in general, but certainly as the speed picks up the Xtrainer won't feel as planted and that springy suspension that works so well in hard terrain starts to bottom out when pushed hard.
Some reviews talk about the forgiving nature, of the Xtrainer... you can push it hard but that low seat height, light weight and tractable engine let you push the envelope more than normal, and the bike doesn't immediately drop you on your arse when you make a mistake.
A lot of guys complain about the suspension but for its purpose we think Beta did a fairly good job on the Xtrainer. If you do weigh more than 80kg then put in stiffer springs, as you would for most dirt bikes. But if you are ridng hard and fast enough to find the Xtrainer suspension too limiting then maybe the RR300 was the bike you should have bought.
Having said that though, there are so many interchangeable parts between the Xtrainer and RR300, and genuine Beta parts are so cheap, that it can be fun to tinker and get different results from the engine and suspension.
WOULD THE XTRAINER BE A GOOD BEGINNER'S BIKE?
A problem with the word 'trainer' in the title is a raw beginner might buy the Xtrainer as their first dirt bike. The lower seat and light weight would be be great, but you have to remember this has the same low to mid range power as any 300 two stroke and a raw beginner could get into trouble quickly. If someone already had the basic skills down from road riding, or say was a teenager who had outgrown a small bike and had good riding skills I'd say the Xtrainer could be an option. Here's a handy summary..."As a bike between Beta’s novice-friendly Alp series and racing RR machines, the Xtrainer is not a bike for an absolute newcomer. The seat height can still intimidate newer riders, and the motor is fairly potent if you get it up into the higher rev ranges. Its propensity for forgiveness is still dependent upon a rider who knows what he’s doing." - Ultimate Motorcycling
So if you deciding between an Xtrainer or a full blown two stroke enduro 300 we hope this review helps. and of course get a test ride if you can. Here are some other reviews about the Xtrainer that we felt were quite accurate from our impressions of the bike.
ULTIMATE MOTORCYCLING REVIEW
The magic of the Xtrainer is the combination of light weight and low seat height. It allows a rider to aggressively attack a difficult obstacle on the trail, knowing that he can get his boots to the ground if necessary. Plus, the Xtrainer has the exactness of a scalpel, with both wheels going where intended... For a trail bike that is so responsive in its handling when you want it to be, the Xtrainer is also extraordinarily forgiving. Again, the light weight and low center-of- gravity make you into a hero. If something goes wrong, just give the throttle a bit of a twist and point the Beta where you want to go. It bails you out, and you continue on your way, thinking about how lucky you were to not hit the dirt.
ANDREW'S GUMBY RIDER REVIEW
The first thing to say is that reviews and articles by hard core riders you might get the impression that this is some sort of soft, tame beginner's dirt bike. It's definitely not... the bike has heaps of pep. I felt like I was on a full enduro bike. More power than you need, light, fast. A fantastic feeling. Fast, power to burn, nimble between the trees . No problems. All I can say is that out of the box it felt just great, and definitely exceeded my expectations. I'm so comfortable on the X-trainer that it's kinda freaking me out how fast I want to push it. It's strange because I thought getting a detuned enduro bike, I'd tend to take it easy, but today I fanged it really hard. Judging by the soft feel of the front forks and the light soft back end (just sitting on the bike) you'd think it would bottom out but I didn't pick that at any stage. I was really amazed how hard it went.
ROON'S COMPARISON (excerpts from his comments on dbw.com.au)
XT needs to be ridden "slower" in very rocky, rutted terrain, you need to pick your lines and let the supple suspension soak up the hits which lets the wheels remain in contact with the ground giving you great traction... Uphills are similar, but a little different because as a 6 footer myself it does feel like "cheating" on the Xtrainer as it gives you so much confidence to tackle really steep and gnarly sections knowing the power delivery is so steady and that the bike is easier to control due to the lighter weight and smaller size. Your feet can get to the ground much "earlier" if it starts to go pear shaped....and when it does go wrong the XT is easy to pick up. For general single track riding there isn't much in it, the Xtrainer is just a bit more flickable than an RR300 (but about the same as an RR250), the brakes are killer, the power delivery and gearing are spot on and the suspension soaks it all up. For open fire trails I'd take the RR anytime, more stable at higher speeds, able to get on the pipe and lay some roost...
