Test: Beta Alp 200 - an engine for mushroom pickers and explorers of deserted trails.

The engine that drives this trial / enduro cross is a tried and tested air-cooled four-stroke engine that can probably be used in a cultivator without any problems. Its rugged construction and low revs make it virtually indestructible, and the maintenance costs are not even worth mentioning. The brakes are not heavy duty, but they shouldn't be, as the maximum speed the Beta Alp 200 reaches is  120 km / h. This is just enough to allow you to leisurely drive to the finish line along winding country roads or ride it around the city even better than on a maxi scooter. The bikes are big - off-road with test tires, they are well suited for both asphalt and gravel and stones. However, you won't be able to make turns on them like you would on a supermoto engine, which is unfortunately not possible. The seat is more suitable for strength since you stand at least half the time, which is the basic posture on the pitch. Other than that it is a great learning bike, it is also very suitable for women as the seat is very low due to the trial base it is made on. You can even take it off and get a rookie school trial bike.

An alternative to scooters for the city and vacationers

Personally, this is a very interesting motorcycle for anyone who likes to make short trips on different surfaces and landscapes, I also find it an extremely good alternative to all tourists who take scooters or motorcycles with them. Since it is not too tall, it fits in the trunk (height 1.150mm), but you can also carry it on the trunk in the back, as the total weight is almost too large. 108 kilograms... It is the ideal vehicle to carry two people over short distances, and above all, it offers a lot of fun even in the field or on poorly maintained paths and gravel. With the Beto Alp 200, you will reach the most remote corner of the hidden beach with minimal off-road knowledge. Any scooter would get stuck on rocks earlier due to its close distance from the ground, and the Alp 200 is made for just that, as it measures the distance from the ground to the bottom of the engine. 298 mm.

On the ground, the Beto Alp 200 overcomes any obstacle.

Sometimes it is difficult to describe on paper what you experienced if the experiences are so strong, but you can still try at least approximately. At least for me, Istria in one simple word - magical! Many of our motocrossers, enduro riders and trial riders train there on the weekends when we are below freezing. However, the best time for motorcycle trekking is to ride a motorcycle on the roads, trails and trails from the end of February until the end of June. July and August are generally too hot for more challenging adventures, but if you're already planning a motorcycle tour, it's best to bring your lighting and aerial equipment, and especially a water bag.

Outside the main tourist season, you will also avoid crowds on the coast, and a trip right by the sea will be an unforgettable experience. That is why I chose early spring for the trip, when the peach and almond flowers had just opened and revived the villages through which the trail led us. There are countless trails in Istria. GPS is not needed, but it is definitely a useful tool to help you correct your heading as you move from one stop to the next. I used this myself Garmin e-trex 20which is great for mountain bikers and hikers and of course for motorcycle enthusiasts.

After beautiful tarmac turns, we found a trail just around the corner from the village that took us through dense thickets and especially through a labyrinth of thorns and sharp stones to old ruins, then continued along the Mirna River back inland and then in the middle of the coast overlooking on kitesurfers enjoying the strong wind. Driving in Istria is something special, the red earth provides incredible grip and above all you leave behind red dust that paints fantastic landscapes along the dry yellow grass along the way, as if you were participating in an African safari rally . We encountered a herd of sheep and graciously slowed down so that the males snuggle up safely to their mothers, but don't be surprised if a donkey crosses your path on such an adventure. And not on two legs, he says, with pointy ears. Well, he won't back down anyway, so just slow down so there's no caramel.

Tired, dusty, contented

The satisfaction on the already slightly tired faces mirrored the past good day. We rode the bike for eight hours, burned a full tank and drove less than 100 miles. And lest you think that we are not tired, in the end, it was a hike, not a leisurely walk along an asphalt road. I highly recommend! A great vacation that you can do almost anywhere, regardless of the time of year. For less than ten euros, we drove all day.

Petr Kavchich

photo: Petr Kavčič, Uroš Jakopič

• Basic data

  Sales: Endless doo

  Base model price: Price 4.850 €

  Test model cost: Price 4.850 €

• Technical information

  engine: single cylinder, air cooled, four stroke, 199cc, carburetor, electric starter, 3 gears

  Power: NP

  Torque: NP

  Energy transfer: Gearbox, chain, 5 gears

  Frame: pipe pipe

  brakes: front disc Ø245 mm, double-piston caliper, rear disc Ø220 mm, single-piston caliper

  Suspension: front telescopic fork, 170mm travel, rear single shock, 180mm travel

  Tires: trial 2.75-21, 4.00-18

  Growth: NP

  Ground clearance: 298 mm

  Fuel tank: 6,8L

  Wheelbase: 1350 mm

  Weight: 101 kg

We praise and reproach

cheap service, ridiculously low fuel consumption when driving off-road

Price

ease of use on the road (up to 120 km / h) in the city and in the field

ideal for beginners and women with short legs

– we lacked a little more liveliness in the engine

– the plate holder is quickly exposed to vibration (guaranteed loss of the plate if it is not bolted directly to the wing)

– limited to quiet driving on asphalt due to soft suspension and trial tires