Australasian Dirt Bike — January 2018

82 | JANUARY 2018 http://www.adbmag.com.au

barkingupthewrongtree?Isthe350
capableofbeating450s,andifnot,
whynotmakethe2018350RRalittle
hardertorideinthetrees?Withthe
rightpilotIcan’tseewhyitnow
wouldn’tbeat450sinaracescenario,
especiallyifweseeareturninEWCto
the more challenging, technical tracks,
rather than the flat-out fast paths
they’veracedonthelastyearorso.
Ithinkthisisdefinitelyastepinthe
rightdirectionforBeta.
Afterall,despitewhatmightbebest
forsomeriders,ifthemarketis
anythingtogoby,itseemscustomers
wantasclosetofactoryfromtheir
standardbikesaspossible.
The2018350RRreinvigoratesyour
desireforthrottlepullingeverytime
yourideandwhilesomepeoplewillbe
turnedoffbyitsmoreaggressivenature
for 2018, just remember there’s always
the 390RR.

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ENDURO COMPARO | 2016 BETA 350RR V 2017 350RR

BETA RR350

SPEX

ENGINE

TYPE: DOHC, four-valve

DISPLACEMENT: 349cc

BORE/STROKE: 88 x 57.4mm

COOLING: Liquid

COMPRESSION: 13.19:1

FUELLING: Synerject 42mm EFI

TANK CAPACITY: 8L

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed

CLUTCH: Brembo hydraulic, wet multiplate

DIMENSIONS

WHEELBASE: 1490mm

SEAT HEIGHT: 940mm

CLEARANCE: 320mm

WEIGHT: 109kg dry

SUSPENSION

FRONT: Sachs 48mm USD, 295mm travel

REAR: Sachs monoshock, 290mm travel

BRAKES

FRONT: Nissin twin-piston, 260mm wave

REAR: Nissin single-piston, 240mm wave

RUNNING GEAR

FRONT TYRE: Michelin Enduro

Comp MS 90/90x21

REAR TYRE: Michelin Enduro

Comp VI 140/80x18

PRICE & CONTACTS

RRP: $12,990

WEB: betamotor.com.au

PHONE: (03) 5439 6333

Firmer Sachs for in 2018 is good for the racer

Brembo hydraulic clutch is light

Second

opinion

Name: Jeff Briggs

DOB: 02/05/1984

Years riding: 23

Current bike:

2017 KTM 300EXC

Ridden a Beta?: I rode a

mate’s 430RR but these new

ones are way faster.

What did ya think? It surprised

me a lot. It had the torque of a

450 off the bottom. It was

aggressive but revved out as

quick as you’d expect a 350 to

as opposed to a 450. The

bottom- to mid- was really

strong and more like a KTM 350.

The valving felt comfortable

for someone who is 100kg. It

handled really well.

The inertia felt really good.

The brakes and clutch were

excellent and the same as all

other top-end bikes.

Anyone could ride it and it

could now be competitive in the

off-road 450cc class.