Beta Demo Tour - Paxinos, PA
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 1:21 pm
Got a chance to ride a bunch of new Beta's at their demo tour this weekend. Fun! Only downside is that it rained for 36 hours prior to Saturday afternoon making for crazy slick mud conditions. My personal kryptonite of hell. Again.
If nothing else, it did give you a chance to ride under the worst conditions possible, and Beta's do seem to shine when chugging slow through slick uphill mud/roots/rocks. Each bike had such a distinctly different feel, it would really take several turns to really get the groove with each bike to appreciate its abilities better. But in one several mile lap each, here are some impressions:
First was Beta 350RR. Went with this first because I am already on a 4 stroke. This one felt heavy like any 4 stroke, but engine was super smooth (like sewing machine electric motor smooth) and suspension was spot on for me. Getting onto the course I was surprised with a downhill and then a jump setup over a stream, and hit it kind of hard unsuspecting. The big 350 landed like a plush pillow. That moment was what I remembered most on that bike. And just having no problem with low end grunt, motoring up the tough slick hill sections without stalling. It wasn't scary powerful. A very nice dual sport setup.
Next up was the 2 stroke 300RR. Found myself really enjoying this bike, and thinking I could/should be going faster. It was so natural feeling working along with me, not fighting me. I I noticed a happy surprised "Harumph" at one point in the video. All in all probably the best fit for me of the Betas. If I was going 2-stroke, this might be it. Seat height was lower than I expected on the full size RR though, I was easily flat footed. My buddy who was there (and a MUCH better rider than me, who loves his Husky300 and thought no Beta was worth a DAMN) left VERY impressed with the 300 RR race edition as his favorite bike of the day. He was stunned by how well it performed for him.
Next I rode the 250 RR race edition. The engine stood out most for me as this memory. Strong. Steep linear 1980's MX bike strong with some pipe. It wanted to rip and was pulling arms, probably too much/abrupt power delivery for my skill set. And then there were moments I hesitated in the woods and fell off my line, and this bike still pulled some of the lowest slowest RPM's of my ride. When needed, the grunt was still there.
Lastly was the 200RR. This was a little ripper, and wanted to scream and play. Daring me to bang gears and get in over my head. And I did. Ha! But sooooo much fun to rip around, begging me to push harder. Raced away from the start screaming revs and banging gears, almost laughing. Hit that first jump and the front wheel got way high. Had 50ft of track ribbon wrapped around my leg part way through the course. Going into the woods, 1st gear seemed almost too short and low, especially compared to the other bike ratios. It had some torque and I think if you learned the bike with more than a quick lap it would have much more to offer. But I am a little old and heavy to be ripping around like a maniac these days. Maybe not for me.
If nothing else, it did give you a chance to ride under the worst conditions possible, and Beta's do seem to shine when chugging slow through slick uphill mud/roots/rocks. Each bike had such a distinctly different feel, it would really take several turns to really get the groove with each bike to appreciate its abilities better. But in one several mile lap each, here are some impressions:
First was Beta 350RR. Went with this first because I am already on a 4 stroke. This one felt heavy like any 4 stroke, but engine was super smooth (like sewing machine electric motor smooth) and suspension was spot on for me. Getting onto the course I was surprised with a downhill and then a jump setup over a stream, and hit it kind of hard unsuspecting. The big 350 landed like a plush pillow. That moment was what I remembered most on that bike. And just having no problem with low end grunt, motoring up the tough slick hill sections without stalling. It wasn't scary powerful. A very nice dual sport setup.
Next up was the 2 stroke 300RR. Found myself really enjoying this bike, and thinking I could/should be going faster. It was so natural feeling working along with me, not fighting me. I I noticed a happy surprised "Harumph" at one point in the video. All in all probably the best fit for me of the Betas. If I was going 2-stroke, this might be it. Seat height was lower than I expected on the full size RR though, I was easily flat footed. My buddy who was there (and a MUCH better rider than me, who loves his Husky300 and thought no Beta was worth a DAMN) left VERY impressed with the 300 RR race edition as his favorite bike of the day. He was stunned by how well it performed for him.
Next I rode the 250 RR race edition. The engine stood out most for me as this memory. Strong. Steep linear 1980's MX bike strong with some pipe. It wanted to rip and was pulling arms, probably too much/abrupt power delivery for my skill set. And then there were moments I hesitated in the woods and fell off my line, and this bike still pulled some of the lowest slowest RPM's of my ride. When needed, the grunt was still there.
Lastly was the 200RR. This was a little ripper, and wanted to scream and play. Daring me to bang gears and get in over my head. And I did. Ha! But sooooo much fun to rip around, begging me to push harder. Raced away from the start screaming revs and banging gears, almost laughing. Hit that first jump and the front wheel got way high. Had 50ft of track ribbon wrapped around my leg part way through the course. Going into the woods, 1st gear seemed almost too short and low, especially compared to the other bike ratios. It had some torque and I think if you learned the bike with more than a quick lap it would have much more to offer. But I am a little old and heavy to be ripping around like a maniac these days. Maybe not for me.