After a year on an '03 Gas Gas 250 Pro my lad is thinking of changing to a Beta. The Gas Gas has been very competitive but is a bit too fragile for his style of riding. The funds won't stretch to a new bike so I would be looking for a good '04 model and I would be interested to hear from anyone about common problems with this particular year of bike. For example I understand there were some ignition faults.

I don't want to start another "which is the best bike " debate but just to get some idea of what to look out for.

Thanks.

Well if the coil has been re-wond then you'll be ok if not expect to have to have it done some time in the future. There's a guy down here who does it for

Re the electrics, they say you should take off the stator-side cover to let it breath/release moisture now and then. Trimming the breather pegs for a tighter fit, +/- silicone sealant probably helps here stopping moisture getting in in the first place.

I've got an 05 model, the only problems I've had are replacement gasket on clutch side (probably from sumping out hard), and a seized outised piston on the rear brake calliper (but I think these are new type for 05 so not applicable)

They do leak lots of juice, i sent the carb to lampkin for modification and it has been better since.

The rear brake pedal/assembly is a bit "heath robinson" and it is possible to lose the rod that links to the master cylinder (silicone sealant around the clip can help)- when re-bleeding the brakes i found i had to use a longer piece of threaded rod to get the thing working properly (and no, there wasn't any air in it ), than the replacement rod I bought from BVM, but maybe the rod length has changed for 05 with the new design of calliper and hence I may have received the wrong spare - now it works fine, good firm pedal feel and adjustment to spare.

The seal on the top head race needs replacing already (but as a Gas Gas owner you'll be used to that..)

Overall I'm very happy with it

Good choice, practically indestructible: -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...DME:B:EOAS:UK:3

Thanks for your replies. I was surprised to hear that the carb on an '05 still leaks petrol. We had an '03 Rev3 last year for a few weeks and I had to get the mod at John Lampkins. I would have thought Beta would have sorted this by now.

You really do not have to have a mod done at Lampkins.

Just set the carb as has been described on these forums many times and they are fine.