heffergm Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Has anyone ridden/owned both a 200 and 300 that can compare them. I have a 300 now. Obviously the 300 has more power, but all I'm really interested in are: - does the 200 really feel any lighter than the 300? It's only listed as 1 pound lighter, but I'm wondering if it feels different given the smaller jug - how does the 200 compare to the 300 on the bottom end? I don't need all the power the 300 has, but I love all the low rpm torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) It does not have a smaller jug, just more usable power. Remember the Beta 200 started as a 250 and become a 200. Edited October 9, 2014 by lineaway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 300 vs 200, amazing difference! Lighter by 100! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_t Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 I think it depends a lot on how you ride and what you are used to... your best bet would be to ask somebody to try their 200 and let them try your 300. My guess is that you would really like the 200 I know I like mine and when I try larger bikes I like mine even more. The 250 is probably the best all around bike for a non expert unfortunately you do see first time riders getting 300 factory race bikes thinking the bike will make the rider but in truth a 200 will make you a much better rider in the long run (learn to go slow in order to go fast) sometimes good things come in a little smaller package . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffergm Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 It does not have a smaller jug, just more usable power. Remember the Beta 200 started as a 250 and become a 200. You're saying the 200 has the same bore as the 300 and just a shorter stroke? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffergm Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 I think it depends a lot on how you ride and what you are used to... your best bet would be to ask somebody to try their 200 and let them try your 300. My guess is that you would really like the 200 I know I like mine and when I try larger bikes I like mine even more. The 250 is probably the best all around bike for a non expert unfortunately you do see first time riders getting 300 factory race bikes thinking the bike will make the rider but in truth a 200 will make you a much better rider in the long run (learn to go slow in order to go fast) sometimes good things come in a little smaller package . I'm not asking the question in the context of what will or won't make me any better or worse. The 300 is a fine bike, I have no issues with it. But it's time for another one, so if I like the feel of the 200, why not save $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neils on wheels Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 You're saying the 200 has the same bore as the 300 and just a shorter stroke? It has the same stroke as a 250 but a smaller bore. It will feel lighter because the reciprocating mass in the 200 engine is lighter than that in a 300 and so generates a lower moment of inertia. That is, it requires less force (from rider input) to deflect from its current path (i.e. to steer). The effect is more pronounced in 125s, not just because of lighter engine internals but the shorter stroke means the mass rotates around a smaller radius and thus generates less force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirdabalot Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Frim new I owned 09,10 + 11 Beta 250s. I then bought a new 12 200. It didnt lose much low end power against the 250s, but I felt lacked a bit of grunt, but the 250s all had the additional standard flywheel weights, so that could have been a factor. I added a 250 flywheel weight on the 200, but this made it a bit sleepy. On road sections with uphill gradients I needed to change down sometimes. Other than that the Beta200 is a good tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beta Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 I've ridden a 200 for years and enjoyed the majority of it. It does however lack a bit of snap at the bottom end when faced with a rock step. the reality is it has a lot more power than bikes i rode 20 years ago which were 250 upwards and i rode them on harder sections. I have also ridden the 300 and would i go back to a 200?. not a chance the 300 is a lot more fun to ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadof2 Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 It is several years since I rode a 200 but I have ridden a 300 (2012 model) quite a bit this year. The 200 feels lighter and smaller even though it is not really. It has remarkable power for a 200 but does not break grip as easily especially if you are a bit ham fisted with the throttle. The 200 is easier to kick start. I would think that for beginners and the lower 2/3 of club riders the 200 is the better bike a.nd you will loose less marks on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffergm Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Probably worth mentioning I weigh 10 stone / 140 lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_t Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I'm not asking the question in the context of what will or won't make me any better or worse. The 300 is a fine bike, I have no issues with it. But it's time for another one, so if I like the feel of the 200, why not save $1000. Sorry I didn't mean to offend the 300. As I stated IMO the best way to know if you like the "feel" is to swing your leg over one and give it a feel. My personal feeling is they have more than enough to satisfy the majority of riders and not everyone needs the extra power of a 300 didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings it is just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 Another question in the same vein - does that mean you could in theory take a factory 300, and put a 200 bareel/piston/head and adjust the jetting to make a factory 200? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 I think the crank weights are different, but the top end should work. Would be an interesting turn around of a bike. I`d considered it for my son years ago. 200 upgraded to a 250 later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb1 Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 I've never tried the 200cc but I have taken the step from 300cc to a 250cc in the last years - the best decision in my trials career. (Btw started riding at 9yold and still going at 33). The 250 is an awesome bike, easier to handle as it is much smoother in the low end. If you need power it is there. For most riders the 250 is not just enough but much more forgiving and handles more with ease from the riders perspective. Try the different cc's before you buy a bike - most will re evaluate there opinion. Atleast I did about two years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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