2011 Beta 520 Rs
2011 Beta 520 RS
A serious dual-sporter from Italy
QUICK RIDE
IT’S BEEN CLOSE TO TWO years since we last tested a Beta off-roader, the RS 525, in our “Euro Enduro Rodeo” (CW October, 2009;. At the time, Beta was getting its powerplants from Austrian manufacturer KTM. But as of 2010, the century-old, family-owned-and-operated Italian company is proudly boasting its own all-new engine, 100-percent Beta designed and manufactured. In the short timeline since, American Beta has grown its dealer network from 35 to 65.
Two years feels more like five in terms of how far the Beta has come. We’re talking all-new motorcycle here, a 520 RS that rides and performs at a much higher level than the old RS 525. The entire bike is very KTM-esque, and in a good way. When conventional works, go with it.
The double-cradle molybdenum steel frame and aluminum swingarm play their part. Suspension isi supple over rocks and nasty terrain—with a setup biased toward slower-speed technical trails, befitting Beta’s trials-based heritage When charging hard through California desert whoops, the
45mm Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock blow through their strokes, causing an uneasy feeling. But, hey, the turnsignals, taillight and license plate stayed intact
over the harshest g-outs, and dual-sports aren’t really built for smashing whoops all day anyway—even hard-core ones. As delivered, suspension settings are more suited to East Coast trails than wild Western ones. Beta’s slogan, “the play bike,” fits just fine. Agile
front-end geom etry (27-degree steering angle and 4.7 in. of trail) allows superb maneuverability in tight confines; so much so you’d never know there’s a 497cc beast be tween your legs. The RS whips around turns and stays planted doing it—very im pressive, considering I never swapped its dual-sport tires for real knobbies The four-valve, electric start engine has a kick lever, but you don’t want to use it 1 didn't charge the battery
before my first ride, and kicking is no fun. The RS still uses a carburetor (39mm Keihin), which doesn’t help in the starting procedure. How archaic.
Once
running,
though,
the
power
is
pure bliss, ju~ the right amount all the time. The 520 is quicker than a 450 yet I doesn't go overboard with the big-bore, big-stroke feel. Broad, user-friendly power tractors up cliffs and over rocks from a dead stop with 4~ relative ease--and in the next l~ breath, it'll charge right up: the biggest sand hill you can
It would he a good Erzberg Rodeo candidate in that re spect, hut it's not as happy coming back down steep in clines: The front brake can be a touch grabby. and with that light-steering front end, the bars get a little wobbly. Nonetheless, the RS is very impressive, coming from a :. small company busy rein venting itself in the oft-road sector. This is a 50-state street-legal. comfortable motorcycle with none of the shoulder-shrugging quirks usually found on
newbie motorcycles. Reliabilitywise, all we can say at this point is that there was never a hint of a mechanical issue in the 200-mile thrash we put down, and the bike does come `with a 12-month, unlimited-mileage warranty;. While it may not be a KTM killerjust yet, the 52(1 RS will definitely give the Orange Brigade a run for its~ rnoney. And at S8899, I~[[9, save a little of yours. w-~.. -Rvan Dudek
