Beta

BETA

Beta 450 RS/400 RS/520 RS

$9699/$9599/$9799

Exclusive to the US, Beta’s RS models are serious dual-purpose bikes that are street-legal in all 50 states. A chrome-moly double-cradle frame surrounds the 450 RS’s electric-start, cooling-fan-equipped four-stroke engine, which is built in-house in Italy. Despite all of its street-legal equipment, however, the 450 is an exceptionally capable off-roader, thanks in part to its 48mm Sachs fork, fully adjustable Sachs shock, and the rest of its enduro-proven chassis. Also available: The 400 RS and 520 RS are the same machines as the 450 but with different displacements.

Beta 450 RR/350 RR/400 RR/498 RR

$9199/$8999/$8999/$9399

Beta’s competition-ready enduro lineup was the first to feature the engine designed and built at the company’s factory just outside Florence, Italy. The quieter-running motor has a four-valve head, magnesium engine covers, vibration-reducing counterbalancers, separate oil reservoirs for engine and transmission, and electric starting. The chassis consists of a heavily gusseted steel frame, an aluminum swingarm, a 48mm Sachs fork, an aluminum-body Sachs shock, solid-mounted wave discs, and Nissin calipers. Also available: The 350 RR, 400 RR, and 498 RR are the very same motorcycles except for displacement.

Beta 300 RR/250 RR

$7999/$7999

New last year, Beta’s electric-start two-stroke enduro model now has a 0.5-gallon-larger gas tank for even better range. Designed to balance smooth, low-end power delivery with top speed, the liquid-cooled engine is fitted with an adjustable BPV (Beta Progressive Valve) that opens independently of the main exhaust port to broaden power delivery. The lightweight chrome-moly frame is unique to this model, while the bodywork, disc brakes, swingarm, and wheels are sourced from Beta’s four-stroke enduro range. Also available: The 250 RR is the same machine but with a smaller engine displacement.

Beta EVO 4-Stroke 300/250

$7999/$7999

One by one, manufacturers of trials bikes have developed four-stroke machines, and Beta’s latest is the EVO 300 4-Stroke. An extremely light and compact, single-overhead-cam, liquid-cooled, four-valve motor powers this highly specialized model. The ultra-light chassis involves a slim hydroformed aluminum frame with a backbone that doubles as a fuel tank. Also available: The EVO 4-Stroke 250 is essentially the very same observed-trials motorcycle but with a 47cc-smaller engine. Amazingly, both the 250 and the 300 four-stroke models are comparable in weight to their EVO two-stroke siblings.

Beta EVO 300/300 SS/250/200/125

$7899/$8199/$7699/$7199/$7099

As it does with its four-stroke trials models, Beta calls its top-of-the-line two-stroke trialers EVO. Boasting the largest engine displacement of the four models, the EVO 300 (and the 300 SS, with its even smoother power delivery) has a hydroformed, fuel-bearing big-backbone aluminum frame, and the swingarm is strong and light. Now fitted with a more mass-centralized crankshaft, the 300 showcases Beta’s expertise in building high-quality trials machines that have won numerous world championships. Also available: The EVO 250,200, and 125 are virtually identical to the 300 in every way except for displacement.

Beta EVO 80 Senior/EVO 80 Junior/Minitrial 75LC/Minitrial E

$3999/$3499/$2999/$1899

Trials riding is a great way to get kids started in motorcycling, as it teaches the fine points of balance and control at low speeds in a managed environment. The EVO 80 Senior is a good learning bike for young folk up to about 150 pounds, ideal for those “tweeners” in the family. It has all the features of the bigger machines, including full-size (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) wheels and disc brakes at both ends. Also available: The EVO 80 Junior, which is slightly smaller than the 80 Senior to better suit 9- to 11-year-olds. The liquid-cooled, disc-brake Minitrial 75LC and all-electric Minitrial E are aimed at 5- to 10-year-olds.