I am about to trade in my 06 4rt for a 2 stroke Beta and wondered what bike to go for ? Im still a novice rider and weigh 15.5 stone .I am also considering 09 or new as there are plenty clean 2nd hand ones in the shops.Any views would be welcome.

Thanks.

I would really try and ride them both. I would normally say the 250 is better for ANY novice rider, but I find the 290 to be pretty smooth and easy to ride. You really need to judge for yourself. Maybe a shop that has both will let you try them in some sections provided your going to buy one.

The Beta 290 very soft power, doesnt feel like a 290 very easy to ride. GasGas 280 or 300 a different kettle of fish they are less friendly shall we say

Well i persoanly would say go for the 290, because i went from a 125 sherco to a beta evo 290, and i felt that it was so smooth an easy to ride, so it shows that they are not a mad bike. And i have rode many 250's and they just dont seem to have the smoothness as the 290!! Hope this helped!!

I am a fat old fart and the 290 is just fine, soft and smooth if you have a bit of throttle control.

Would really suggest you take the weight off as this makes the motor respond much better to rider imput on and more importantly off.

Try m sport think they have evos you could try.numbers should be in TMX.

Thank you for your replies, glad to hear the 290 is an option.

Definatly the 290 evo, my 2010 is absolutly superb, lovely to ride. i used to own a GG 300 pro 09 & the power in that was just ridiculous, especially from the bottom end. much prefer the evo 290 anyday.