Beta’s back…
Ok they were never really gone, but there is now a serious push to get the brand back to where it should be on the SA Market. Over the years, Russell Campbell Dirtbikes has done a good job looking after existing owners, but – there is news and that is that there is now a serious flow of bikes and parts coming into the country.
We have always enjoyed the brand, there is just something so lekker about “Italian Flair”. And the bikes that we rode are proper little head turners. We met the guys for a little ride out at Tussen Koppies, and we roped in three of our mates who, interestingly, hadn’t ridden the brand before. Ryan Hunt needs no introduction and James and Mike are our regular, kinda more hooligan testers.
Russell Campbell and his Mate Glen brought their bikes down for us to ride.
Russ is also the Ohlins man around town, so both bikes were fitted with Ohlins rear shocks.
In fact, both the 300 and the 200 that we rode were outfitted with just about every Beta accessory on the market. “It’s just to show that you can in fact, get anything and everything for these bikes”, says Russell. “We source and manufacture a lot of the stuff locally, in addition to importing some special bits and pieces.”
Although Beta has four-strokes in their model lineup, Beta SA has made the decision for now that they will only be bringing in the two-strokes. There are twelve 2024 200’s and 300’s hitting the showroom floor now, with another shipment of forty 2025 bikes including the great little X-Trainer and the Racing models on the way.
The enduro bikes are available in two guises.
In case you didn’t know, the RR Racing model range from Beta is the “race-ready” version and differs from the standard the Enduro RR models with upgrades first to the engine and frame as detailed but also with higher specification suspension and standard components. The biggest definer is that racing model comes standard with KYB suspension, while the standard RR hosts Sachs front and rear.
The two bikes that we rode were lots of fun. James and Mike are both MX boys with Ryan more of an all-rounder. We found some pretty gnarly koppies, some fast flowing stuff and set the guys loose to play.
Many people will tell you that a carb can be just as efficient as fuel injection and that’s exactly where Beta are with their two-strokes. The Beta RR Racing uses a Keihin carburettor which they claim is “Similar to that of an EFI model” but “Naturally has that power delivery only a carb provides”. Models in the RR Racing stable come with an automatic fuel/oil mixer as standard.
On that note:
Ryan:
“I find it difficult to believe how nicely these bikes both pull, so well sorted. I couldn’t believe it’s still a carb bike”.
That mantra was repeated a lot throughout the day.
“I also love the Nssn Brakes, they just work so well. The 300’s traction is great, the first gear is quite short, so she tackles most stuff in 2nd. The suspension works well, set up a bit hard for me, but so impressive! Lots of power is always on tap.”
Mike: Beta 200:
“I can’t believe the torque that this little bike delivers. These climbs are really steep and loose and she just chugs along… She also idles so low, that you constantly expect to stall, but she doesn’t. It’s an awesome little bike.”
James: After coming up the hill on the 200:
“I can’t believe this little thing. Love the power delivery, first, Second lots of torque, linear and it just chugs along. Love the ergonomics too, it just fits…”
Ryan: After his first ride on the 200:
“Light and nimble. Lighter than the 300, with less moving inertia. Nice torque off the bottom, enough torque for these slopes. I always wondered why the other brands discontinued their 200’s, this one is lots of fun.”
Then we showed them the mapping switches, (yup fast mode and rain mode on each bike), and sent them back down the hills… We popped them into rain mode, softer power delivery, which, ‘they’ say, is better suited to the rocks.
Half way up on the 200, Mike changed from rain to fast in order to get up. He couldn’t get his head around it. He switched up again halfway up and made his way up. “It’s got a lot to do with your personal riding style, I like to power through stuff, so that made more sense to me. But muddy and wet… the rain mode switch would be a big bonus.”
Ryan: Just left the 300 in fast mode all day. “More power is always better and his bike makes power all day long. I’ll say it again, I can’t believe that this is a carb model.’
James: “My choice for today, the 200, a lot more linear and easier to ride. The 300 is just too much for a startup enduro guy like me. I can feel the difference in the mapping, on the 300 especially, it does a great job at toning things down on my second run at the climb”
Ryan after a fast section on the 200:
“Getting used to the torque after riding 125 and 150 MX bikes for a bit took a bit of time. It’s really good. It has some legs when you open it. The 200 is simple, light and fun to ride.”
Choices… Choices…
Mike after a fast lap on the 300:
“ Man, I love it!! The 300 would absolutely be my choice, it’s just so much fun.”
James after a fast lap on the 200
“I liike (nope that’s not a typo) this thing. It reminds me of my 150 SX, with less punch, more torque and more useability for enduro.”
Mike on the 200 on a fast lap:
“Super fun and so smooth. It feels slow, but it’s quick! It’s different because it’s so easy and plush and forgiving. And no wild powerbands…”
Ryan:
“I tried the two mapping switches, but I like fast because of the throttle response. The 300 is as good as any that I have ridden!”
To close, we are going to quote Ryan on the basic difference between these two machines:
“These bikes both feel excellent and your choice It all depends how and where you ride. If you are going to ride all day, from sun-up to sun down, take the 200 because you’ll still have some energy when you get back. The 300 has power that never says die. But on a bigger capacity bike, by lunch time might be tired.”
Now we hear you:
Parts and backup? And this is so important with any brand.
“Pistons, clutches, gasket sets etc are on the shelf” says Russ..
“Rarer parts – 3 days!”
That’s a bit of peace of mind for you.
159K for the 200. 165k for the 300.
