Beta 300RR REVIEW QUICKIE

BY THAD WOLFF

Springtime in the high desert of central Nevada. Plenty of rain and snow over the winter months has left the rivers and streams flowing, the hills green with flowers blooming, and the moist dirt prime for two-wheelers with knobby tires! I’d been hearing about the Nevada 200 trail ride for quite some time, and this crisp morning I am finally one of

Two-stroke Beta testing on the Nevada 200 Trail Ride

the lucky 200 riders to be adjusting my goggles and shifting into first gear, heading out for the first of three days and 200 miles of off-road heaven.

But you’ll have to read about all that next month, because right now we’re focusing on the excellent Beta 300RR the event organizers were nice enough to lend me for the weekend.

I’ll bet there are a lot of AM readers with great memories of growing up

I’ve experienced in an engine its size, and just keeps pulling smoothly from off-idle all the way up top.

The bike’s compliant suspension allowed me to just pick my lines around downed riders over and through the rock-filled terrain, wishing them the best. As I crested the hill, I had two thoughts: is there going to be 200 miles of this?! The second was, I sure am glad to be riding this motorcycle right now. The Beta quickly ered nicely. This bike is making me feel like I’m always under control — which is a nice feeling to have over 200 challenging off-road miles.

Though a Keihin PWK 36mm carburetor may sound a bit archaic (not how it works!), such modern amenities as electronic oil injection (conveniently located under the seat) and electric starting imbue the RR with modern conveniences — also an easy-access no-tools air filter. Seems like an excellent blending of old tech with new. Also, not only is the $9,899 300RR less expensive than Beta’s comparable 4-stroke models, its 2-stroke simplicity and Keihin carburetor should make it easier to keep as well.

Another advantage would be the Build Your Own Beta program, riding 2-strokes of all kinds, that feeling of the power coming on, your arms getting stretched and your eyes getting big. I’ve always liked 2-stroke enduro bikes, having spent a lot of time on a Suzuki RMX.

It was love at first sight with this 300RR, almost like seeing a new Ferrari. Italian, bright red, beautifully sculpted, and purposely built. With no time on the bike and within the first mile of trail, there was a gnarly, rocky hillclimb with riders scrambling all over the place, some unsuccessfully clawing their way to the top. The carbureted Beta motor has the most awesome 2-stroke low-end torque made me feel very confident with my slightly lapsed dirt-biking skills.

Combined with its tried-and-true steel frame and the linkage-mounted fully adjustable Sachs shock out back, it amazed me how competently the RR worked in all conditions. The 48mm open-cartridge Sachs fork never wanted to deflect off sharp rocks, and was so predictable through deep sand washes, the whole package just seemed perfectly balanced — no doubt helped by the weight advantage a two-stroke always brings to the table. Forgiving, yes. When things got rough and out of shape on the trail, I always recov- which lets buyers order their RR with just the equipment they want, everything from instrumentation to plastics, seats, wheels and tires, Rekluse clutch, etc. The only tool you’ll need is a credit card — details at Betausa.com.

Three days later, I’m a believer in this modern-day ring-ding, which transported me not just across Nevada but also back in time — in a completely smooth, modern way. I believe this could be one of those rare bikes that’s able to bridge the gap between being a newer rider’s friendly partner, as well as an experienced racer’s two-wheeled weapon.