We drove: Beta enduro 2014

Many small changes have been made to the entire line of two- and four-stroke motorcycles, especially for hard-endro. In this case, the word "special" has full weight, because Beta is one of those Italian companies that follow traditions a lot. They are 110 years old this year and are a family run business with 150 employees. First they made bicycles, and after World War II, because the need arose, they also made motorcycles. They have always grown moderately, never followed the mainstream, but always looked for opportunities in niche products.

In Slovenia, this name is unknown to the general public due to injustice and mainly due to inaction of representatives in the past. If you ask anyone from trial or enduro, Beto knows very well. Going into court in the late 80s, they shook the scene well and sparked a revolution in modern aluminum frame motorcycles. Part of Europe also knows them for scooters (especially France and Germany) and have been greeted closely by anyone who has ever ridden KTM motorcycles and mini cross mopeds as they supply motorcycles to the Austrians.

I wonder how they approach things gradually. They first used KTM engines for their line of enduro motorcycles, and ten years later they made their own, more precisely, four versions of the same engine. Four-stroke engines are marked RR Enduro 4T 350/400/450 and 498.

Well, last year they also released the RR Enduro 2T 250 and 300 two-stroke models, which were huge success. And even at the presentation in Tuscany, the largest crowd was right in front of the two-stroke three hundred. Both two-stroke special vehicles received improved suspension and a slightly updated frame, developed using modern computer technology. By the way, about the innovations: there is a larger fuel tank, which is now nine and a half liters and is made of white transparent plastic, thanks to which it is easier to estimate how much fuel is left.

The list also includes a new seat for greater comfort, a new front fender that better resists water or dirt, stiffer brake discs and a stronger shock absorber. While both engines received a new inner clutch cover and oil control bolt, the exhaust valve on the 250cc model has a The CM has been redesigned to provide continuous power delivery from the lowest to highest revs. Or simplified: the nature of the engine was close to the fact that the volume is 50 cubic centimeters more.

And in enduro, all this is all the more important! I dare say that these are the two-stroke engines with the most beautifully distributed power and in many ways resemble the operation of four-stroke engines. All this usable power, of course, provides excellent traction to the rear wheel, and when combined with geometry that makes the bike easy to ride, both bets are made for anyone who enjoys climbing and riding tricky terrain. The highly atypical two-stroke engine will also be close to anyone who is otherwise a sworn four-stroke technician. But at just 105 pounds, the feel is sometimes really similar to that of a slightly more durable mountain bike.

The three-hundred-year-old child, who always obediently hums when the starter button is pressed, has such a maneuverable engine that we were able to drive the entire enduro test in third gear, which was carried out through part of the pasture and through the forest. What's really interesting is its character, which is the complete opposite of what a two-stroke engine should mean because it doesn't rip the steering wheel out of its hands, it doesn't scare you with a crazy rear-wheel climb, but only works like a motor with amazing acceleration. It's funny, but an inexperienced driver can handle it. The Crazy is impressive, however, in how deep it allows you to lean in a corner. For such a feat, the engine, suspension and frame must work together perfectly.

All it lacks is even more supple suspension than, say, the WP (which we tested on Husabergs in 2014). But even without that, the Beta RR Enduro 250 and 300 are great enduro bikes. We're sure they'll perform well on a motocross track, but their real terrain is the wilderness, discovering new routes, tackling the toughest obstacles, riding with peers as you go on a day or even multi-day adventure trip. Due to the favorable price and, above all, undemanding (and cheap) maintenance, two-stroke engines are very interesting and especially relevant in the current economic situation.

The four-stroke line-up has also redesigned the suspension (Marzocchi forks and Sachs shock) to have lower friction, tighter tolerance components that provide better performance when hitting sharp edges or rocks. They also played a little with the frame, which is now even better. How are you? Hmmm, we first rode the 498 muscle car, which is a true bomber, loaded with torque and extremely stable on its FIM enduro tires. The test track, which ran partly through a meadow and partly through a recently harvested wheat field, was a real roller and an excellent test of torque and the way power was transmitted to the ground.

We passed: Beta enduro 2014

Excessive aggressiveness on the gas immediately caused the rear to slip, and care had to be taken when metering on strong, sometimes too aggressive brakes (especially on the rear brake). The most powerful of the four-stroke engines is permanently placed on the rear wheel, the middle class with the designation 450 is just right, versatile, and the smallest engine with a volume of 350 cubic meters has caused real enthusiasm. We really liked it as it is extremely light and manageable so you can take full advantage of the lower engine inertia.

It requires less power to fly like a pro on corners and bumpy terrain, but above all, it pulls very well throughout the rev range and doesn't resist extremes if that's what you want. With a bit of refinement, perhaps with a two-tooth extra rear sprocket and custom suspension, this is a true enduro rocket for an extremely wide range of off-road enthusiasts. The two main advantages of the motorcycle are also an exceptionally good position at the wheel and, in general, comfortable ergonomics. This is a bike that will work well for both high and low enduro.

We left the Tuscan hills full of positive impressions as the new Bete RR with XNUMX-stroke and XNUMX-stroke engines, and now back in red, beautifully finished bikes, full of quality components and, above all, very useful for what they were created for - enduro! With a regular supply of parts and dealers who also race or race enduro and trials, Beta has finally entered the Slovenian market in earnest.