WORLD LAUNCH I 2018 BETA ENDUROS
more likely to be kicked off line. This
wasn’t the case. They all serve up
excellent traction and hold a line.
Even though the test loop was loose,
rocky and off-camber, I didn’t crash
once, so that says a lot!
RR350
The 350 is the odd one out in the
four-stroke group. It’s the most
rev-happy engine in the four-stroke
line-up and feels lighter despite being
only 40cc down and the same weight
as the RR390.
It’s a high-revving little unit that
benefits from aggressive use of the
throttle. The bottom-end leaves you
wanting more and makes gear
selection more critical.
It’s the biggest rev-hound and, once
you get your head around that, it’s a
fun and fast bike to ride. Engine
braking is less noticeable so it rolls
more smoothly into and through
corners if you don’t trail throttle.
The dual injectors have maintained
Beta’s reputation for producing some
of the most luggable four-strokes. It’s
impressive how well it resists the urge
to flame out. But now the top-end
power is crisper and it pulls harder
thanks to the extra nozzle.
RR390
The 390 is my favourite four-stroke in
the line-up. It does everything. The
top-end has more punch than the 350
but it’s the bottom-end that sets it
apart. It’s more responsive and
stronger off the bottom.
It will easily drive out of a corner in
the wrong gear. And when you start to
smash through the gears and give the
clutch a hammering it gets moving – I
think the 390 is bi-polar.
It doesn’t have the aggressive nature
of a 450F. It’s not snappy and the
engine braking isn’t as strong. You
wouldn’t think 40cc would make a
difference to how a bike feels but the
extra CCs produce a linear power
delivery which translates into more
traction. The excellent traction is also
somewhat due to the updated Sachs
settings that Beta worked on for 2018.
The suspension isn’t race spec, rather
it’s aimed at giving the average rider a
comfortable ride. The grasstrack didn’t
have much grip and every corner was
off-camber.WhatIfoundwasthatthe
390, and the same goes for the entire
range,resistedtheurgetopushortuck
thefront.Itrustedthefront-endnotto
do anything unexpected.
Downhill over braking bumps and
whoops, the fork didn’t dive like you’d
expectaplushforkto,nordidIfeelit
packing down. The 390 stayed straight
and the rear didn’t kick around.RR430
Only 40cc separate the 430 from the
390 and although they share handling
characteristicstheirenginesfeelvery
different. The 430’s engine revs slower
andthatcomesdowntotheboreand
stroke.The430hasalargerborebuta
shorterstrokethanthe390,at95x
60.8mmversus88x63.4mm.
You can’t be as lazy as you can on
the480butthat’snottosayyoucan’t
knockoffearly,afterall,isn’tthatthe
Italianway?Whereasthe350struggles
topulluphillsinthird,the430surges
on.Therewasonecorneronthetest
loopthatgotmeeverytime.
Itwasafterafastsectionof
singletrackanditalwayscreptupon
mesoI’dfindmyselfinthirdgear
tryingtomakea90-degreeturnwhich
then went straight up a hill. The 350
didn’t allow for this type of sub-par
riding and demanded second, while
the390wasokaywithsomeclutch,
butthe430wasashappyasLarryto62 | SEPTEMBER 2017 http://www.adbmag.com.auRR390
ENGINE
TYPE:DOHC four-valve
DISPLACEMENT:385.6cc
BORE/STROKE:88x63.4
COOLING:Liquid
COMPRESSION:12.48:1
FUELLING:Synerject EFI
TANK CAPACITY:8L
TRANSMISSION:Six-speed
CLUTCH:Wet multi-plate,
hydraulic auctuation
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, 260mm disc
REAR:Nissin, 240mm disc
RUNNING GEAR
FRONT TYRE:Michelin
Enduro Comp MS 90/90x21
REAR TYRE:Michelin
Enduro Comp VI 140/80x18
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP:TBC
WEB:betamotor.com.au
PHONE:(03) 5439 6333RR430
ENGINE
TYPE: DOHC, four-valve
DISPLACEMENT: 430cc
BORE/STROKE: 95 x 60.8
COOLING: Liquid
COMPRESSION: 12.33:1
FUELLING: Synerject EFI
TANK CAPACITY: 8L
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed
CLUTCH: Wet multi-plate,
hydraulic actuation
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE: 1490mm
SEAT HEIGHT: 940mm
CLEARANCE: 320mm
WEIGHT: 110kg dry
SUSPENSION
FRONT: Sachs 48mm USD,
295mm travel
REAR: Sachs monoshock,
290mm travel
BRAKES
FRONT: Nissin, 260mm disc
REAR: Nissin, 240mm disc
RUNNING GEAR
FRONT TYRE: Michelin
Enduro Comp MS 90/90x21
REAR TYRE: Michelin
Enduro Comp VI 140/80x18
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP: TBC
WEB: betamotor.com.au
PHONE: (03) 5439 6333By the
numbers
Beta is on the rise and the numbers speak
for themselves. The fourth-generation
Italian manufacturer posted a turnover of
73.5 million Euro last year – up 15% from
2015, and its 156 employees churned out
17,652 bikes – up 17%.
Enduros make up 48% of that number
while trials bikes represent 15% and its
leisure range makes up 37%.
Unsurprisingly, the RR two-strokes are
Beta’s best sellers and account for 67% of
enduro sales. The 300 is the top seller and
the RR350 takes the honours among the
four-strokes.
Now with a new range and the addition
of the 125, Beta is looking good for another
solid year of growth.
Aquaplaning was strictly prohibitedThe 2018 models have a nice, slim profi le