Beta has come out of the dugout swinging for the fences in 2020. While its 300 has a strong following, criticisms centered on the old-world feel of the powerband, excess vibration and lethargic handling. The 2020 300RR is pretty much a brand-new machine. Beta made big changes to the chassis, and the new engine and handling traits are making major headlines.
WHAT’S NEW FOR THE ITALIAN MACHINE?
The all-new frame features redesigned geometry and enhanced rigidity for improved agility and stability. Weight has been shaved and durability increased with precision-cast components, and vibration has been reduced via new head bolts. The frame is thinner, targeting maneuverability in technical off-road terrain. It is narrower at the base, which improves handling over difficult sections and typical off-road tracks. The subframe is an all-new composite design, which is stronger and now houses the air filter, electronics (battery) and oil reservoir for the oil injection. The bike sports new, wider aluminum footpegs, built-in grab handles in the subframe and a unique push-button removal system for the new seat, plus a more ergonomically friendly and larger-capacity fuel tank (2.55 gallons). The brakes are Nissin, and the tires are Michelins, with the rear being a shorter-knobbed Eco tire.
Sachs components are used again for both suspension ends, though they have been totally revised. The inner cartridge is new, lowering the center of gravity, and is valved for greater plushness and improved action on square-edged hits. On-the-fly adjustments are made easier, since the compression, rebound and preload adjusters are all on top of the fork. The Sachs shock is lighter and has been fit with a new top-out system that helps the rear tire maintain traction. The compression valving is more progressive, and a new shock bumper helps with bottoming resistance.
The big news is that the engine has been fit with a counterbalancer to fight vibration. It is a six-speeder, carbureted via a 36mm Keihin, and features electronic oil injection. A V-Force reed cage controls the fuel/air mixture flowing into the cylinder. It features a dual map switch that alters the engine mapping to meet the demands of varying terrain. The plated exhaust pipe is new. The muffler is long and lacks a spark arrestor, and Beta has updated the cooling system. The hoses are run inside the frame, and the coolant flows through more efficient radiators.
TRAIL TIME—LOVIN’ THE NASTY STUFF
This machine comes jetted superbly. Our machine started (via the button) instantly, and even though our testing starts at the desert floor at around 2,500 feet of elevation and rises to over 8,000 feet, the 300RR ran incredibly clean. For 2020, the 300RR still comes equipped with oil injection. This is another great feature that operated flawlessly during testing. The oil injection also keeps the exhaust tract much cleaner, as all of the unburnt oil doesn’t drip out of the silencer.
One ride on the 2020 Beta 300RR will make you realize how far modern European two-strokes have come and just how important a counterbalancer is. The Beta has very minimal vibration in the handlebars or the footpegs—much less than in years past. This is a huge improvement, especially for long days on the trail.
The Beta’s power is both pleasurable and easy to manage. It craves technical singletrack riding. It can be lugged down to a crawl without stalling, whereas most other bikes would flame out on you. The bike prefers to be ridden in the low- to midrange meat of the powerband, making it very easy to get traction in downright nasty situations. The bottom-end power feels much stronger and smoother than in years past, and short-shifting works well.
On top, the power is decent but not memorable or strong enough to make you want to rev it and stay pinned. It likes staying in the middle. This keeps the suspension relaxed and the rear tire snagging traction. It also helps with control. Oddly enough, the dual map switch is located on the steering head just above the fuel tank. It works really well. The rain map softened the hit and allowed for very smooth throttle applications. In the sunshine mode, it is definitely more aggressive, and you can feel the bike rev quicker and with more authority. For most of our technical testing, we rode the bike in the rain mode to get the most traction possible.
Beta has also improved its cooling system, routing the hoses inside of the frame and employing new radiators to help with heat transfer so that the bike can operate at a lower temperature in extreme conditions. We never boiled the bike over, even in intense enduro conditions, which is very impressive considering there is no fan on the bike. The Brembo clutch worked superbly with an easy and light pull, making slow, technical riding much easier on our clutch hand.
Beta redesigned its chassis for model year 2020, and this is another significant improvement. The bike is lighter than in years past, and the overall balance of the machine feels planted. It is much narrower through the seat and footpegs, and this makes the bike much easier to maneuver on the trail when you need to change direction in a hurry or weave through trees. As balanced as the chassis feels on the trail and over the rocks, you can feel the trials influence on the brand. The Beta steers and tracks smartly, requiring little input as you navigate obstacles. The cockpit is a bit compact but fits average-size pilots well. Our older, taller editors definitely wanted a thicker saddle and the bars mounted farther forward.
The evolution of the Sachs suspension has helped with the 300RR’s off-road appetite. The new fork definitely stays up in the stroke better than last year’s and takes in the harsh whack with more zeal. It’s not hugely plush on little hacky stuff, but did improve as we got more time on the machine. Kudos to the adjusters placed on top. We bounced around two to three clicks both ways on the compression, depending on the terrain and speeds. We left the preload adjuster where it was. In the backyard, we set the sag at 105mm with the rider aboard. Our tester Ryan Koch, who, at 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, is on the slighter side, praised the machine’s planted feel and its natural tendency to go where he pointed it. In whoops, the machine feels light, both suspension ends are balanced, and it tracks straight, even under duress. In the loose rocks and tree-root-littered mountain trails, the fork and shock absorbed the trail debris with control and a consistent feel that resisted deflection. It’s a big improvement over last year, and the lighter feel and more precise handling help to solidify the package.
ODDS AND ENDS
The subframe is composite this year as well, and the bike also got a new airbox and air-filter design, making filter changes a simple task. Beta also tucked most of its electrical components away nicely and neatly in the new airbox, which enhanced the waterproofness. Wider pegs are also among the long list of changes, making standing on the pegs much more comfortable. The wider handlebars weren’t that noticeable, but there were no complaints, and the bend of the handlebar was very comfortable. A noticeable difference is the seat foam, which is softer than in years past, making seat time much more comfortable. The seat can also be removed with a very trick push-button system on the subframe and is much easier to line up than in years past. The Nissin brakes were strong and consistent, and we never experienced any fading with extreme use.
One other change is the wider kickstand foot. In years past, if you stopped on the trail, the bike would sink into the ground and fall over. Beta added a wider plate at the bottom of the kickstand so there is no need to fear dropping your bike at a trailside stop. There is also a redesigned speedometer and odometer with a slimmer overall size. The fuel tank is larger at 2.55 gallons, so we were able to do 50-mile loops on the bike easily. The smallish enduro headlight is not bright enough for serious night riding, but it is nice to have if you need to get back to your truck and it’s getting dark. The overall redesign of the bodywork is much slimmer-feeling and fits together much tighter, making for an extremely clean appearance. Also, the wheels are strong, and we never had any spokes come loose during testing.
It’s strange that this machine does not come stock with handguards. Did they forget that this is an off-road/enduro bike? The Beta also lacks a spark arrestor, something mandatory if you plan to ride on public land. For some, the lack of a kickstart is a concern.
SO, WHERE ARE WE?
Overall, the Beta 300RR is an updated, refined and ready-to-ride machine. It is monumentally improved over last year’s machine. The chassis is thinner, more maneuverable and feels lighter. The suspension isn’t cushy, but it stays up in the stroke and helps with the bike’s handling manners. The engine loves the chug and track mode of conquering terrain. Hard enduro pilots and riders who prefer obstacle-charged riding will love the powerband, the six-speed gearbox, the hydraulic clutch and button start, all with less vibration. The bike requires very minimal setup and is easy to adapt to. With the updates and changes, Beta has made a huge jump into the modern world of two-strokes.
In the big world of competitive 300 off-road machines, the Beta is a player. Look for a comparison among the stars of that world down the road.
SMILES
• Superb bottom-to-mid power
• Spot-on jetting
• Counterbalanced motor
• Push-button seat removal
GROANS
• No handguards
• No spark arrestor
• Stiff initial suspension feel
• Top-end power could be stronger
FAQs
How much horsepower does a 2020 Beta 300rr have? ›
In short, very well. One of our test riders said that the Beta 300 RR Race Edition is the closest thing to an MX bike with a headlight due to the amazing bark of the motor, especially compared to the TPI fuel-injected Austrian bikes that deliver an almost electric powerband without the thrill factor.
What are the changes in the 2020 beta 300rr? ›For 2020, Beta has completely redesigned its off-road lineup. The entire range of RR and RR-S machines get a completely new, stiffer chassis with updated geometry and a new composite sub-frame.
Is the Beta 300rr a trail bike? ›The 2023 Beta 300 RR is a great trail bike, buoyed by a superb motor and wonderful handling. Although more demanding riders will have to do some suspension work, everyone can appreciate the basic 300 RR package.
What is the fuel range on a Beta 300rr? ›This led to pretty good mileage at approximately 35 mpg with the 2.55-gallon tank providing 90 miles or so of range.
Are beta bikes any good? ›Aside from the suspension, the Beta looks and feels top notch. The Brembo hydraulic clutch has nice a light pull and offers great feel, while the Nissin Brakes perform well, too, (both front and rear) with plenty of power and predictability.
Does beta use KTM engines? ›While their first models utilized KTM motors, their more recent models, like the Beta 300 RR, is made of 100 percent Beta parts which include the precision of Italian engineering. The 300 RR made by Beta is similar in appearance and performance to both the KTM 300 XC and Husqvarna TE300.
Are beta motorcycles made in China? ›Beta is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles. Beta are best known for their popular observed trials bikes.
What is the fastest Suzuki sports bike? ›Suzuki GSX1300 R Hayabusa: 194 mph.
What is the MSRP for a 2020 Beta 300RR? ›The retail price of the 2020 Beta 300 RR is $9,199, which makes it the least expensive bike in this group.
How much does a Beta 300r weigh? ›
Since the XTrainer is designed for a novice to intermediate rider, the engine is smoother and less of a “hit” or snap than the 300RR. The suspension is softer, and the chassis is slightly smaller are the other big factors when comparing the XTrainer vs 300RR.
What kind of oil does a Beta 300rr take? ›Tusk 2-Stroke Transmission Oil Change Kit Motul 3000 10W-40 For BETA 300 RR 2013-2022.
How much horsepower does a Beta 300rr have? ›We ran the 300 RR on our rear-wheel dyno to determine peak output from Beta's standard model 300 two-stroke off-road bike. We documented 39.3 hp at 8,300 rpm and 28.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,600 rpm.
What is a fast quarter mile bike? ›By quarter-mile time, 12 seconds or less
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, 9.47 sec. Ducati Desmosedici RR, 9.49 sec. Suzuki Hayabusa, 9.7 sec. 1981 Suzuki Katana, 11.32 sec. Triumph Daytona 900, 11.40 sec.
The Energy Saving Trust says that the most efficient speed you can travel in a car in terms of achieving the best fuel economy is 55-65mph. Any faster, though, and the fuel efficiency decreases rapidly.
What is the difference between 2017 and 2018 Beta 300rr? ›The 2018 Beta 300 RR is one of those machines, weighing a claimed 10.4 pounds lighter than the 2017 model. The 2018 bike comes with several updates to the engine; the biggest changes are a new cylinder and crankshaft, a new clutch, and a new frame geared at being stiffer for better turning.
What is the best rpm range for fuel economy bike? ›Even at idling, the engine consumes a decent amount of fuel so make sure that the idling rpm of the motor isn't very high. Throttle input also plays a major role in extracting good mileage of the motor. Be gentle on the throttle and shift the gears between 3,000 to 4,000rpm.
What bike does Spiderman use? ›The Spiderman has achieved the vast majority of his success on his current drag bike – a 1,511 c.c., supercharged Puma that McBride has been competing on since 1994. Over the years the motorcycle has been branded as both a Kawasaki and a Suzuki depending on which manufacturer offered contingency money at the time.
What country are beta dirt bikes from? ›An Italian Legend
Beta motorcycles have always been connected with the history and evolution of life on two wheels. The company was founded in Florence in 1905 under the name "Società Giuseppe Bianchi", for building handmade bicycles.
How do I know if my bike is good quality? ›
- Frame: Test ride the bike, the frame is heart of the ride. ...
- Suspension: On mountain bikes, suspension almost goes hand-in-hand with the frame.
- Wheels: Reliability and rotating mass are important.
- Contact points: Tyres, saddle, and handlebars.
KTM AG (Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen; formerly KTM Sportmotorcycle AG) is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and sports car manufacturer owned by Pierer Mobility AG and the Indian manufacturer Bajaj Auto.
Do beta use Yamaha engines? ›Both bikes also use the same engine, a 125 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single built by Moto Minarelli, which is itself tied to Yamaha and Fantic. It's all a very Italian arrangement, but now there are changes coming for 2023.
Where are Beta made? ›Proudly made in Italy since 1905.
Does KTM own gas gas? ›After being acquired by KTM, Gas Gas entered the Moto3 World Championship as a unique constructor using their KTM-based RC250GP.
Who makes Beta Pistons? ›WOSSNER BETA PRODUCTS – Wossner Pistons.
What is the fastest 2 stroke bike? ›In 1988 the Kawasaki KR1 was released.
Which bike has helicopter engine? ›The MTT Y2K Turbine Motorcycle, also known as the Y2K Turbine Superbike, is an American motorcycle powered by a turboshaft engine, made by Marine Turbine Technologies since 2000.
What is the fastest street legal motorcycle? ›- BMW K1200S. First up on this list is a product of the legendary German automaker, BMW. ...
- Aprilia RSV 1000R Mille. ...
- MV Agusta F4 1000R. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. ...
- BMW S1000RR. ...
- Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R. ...
- MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K.
The adjustable power valve also features progressive actuation. Weight with the 2.5-gallon fuel tank topped off is 235 pounds.
How much does a Beta 300 trials bike weigh? ›
Both the 250 and 300 weigh in at a claimed 146 pounds dry with 10/42 gearing and six-speed gearboxes.
How much is a beta 350 RR S? ›2023 Beta 350 RR-S 4-Stroke • $11,499
FIND THE 2023 BETA RR-S THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
The Beta 200 RR Race Edition's engine has some differences compared to the standard RR. The Race Edition gets a different cylinder head and a stiffer single-power valve (there are two power valves on the RR). These changes increase the mid-range and top-end power.
What is the seat height of a 300 2 stroke? ›Seat height, as alluded to previously, is 37.8 inches and the overall dry weight is said to be approximately 10 pounds less than the Ranger.
How much is a Beta 300rr race? ›MSRP: $10,199.00
manuals, accessories and parts books are available online at www.betausa.com under support.
Best Beginner Dirt Bike For Trail Riding
Trail bikes are perfect to learn on because they have smooth power and soft suspension that is easy to handle. The best 2 stroke trail bikes for beginners are: Beta 200RR. Beta XTrainer.
The engine is a bit mellower than the Beta RR models as well as the alternative two-stroke 300s available from other manufacturers, but it is plenty fast for most conditions and the six-speed transmission will allow you to carry plenty of speed in open terrain. In fact, it will comfortably cruise at 75 mph.
What is the top speed of the 2016 Beta 300? ›Top speed standard is right at 95 MPH and is gearing limited yet first gear will get you through an extreme enduro if needed.
What oil does beta recommend? ›All the factory recommended supplies for an oil change on a beta 4-stroke including Motul Transoil Expert 10w40, Motul 7100 4T 10w40 and an OEM Beta Oil Filter.
What is the mix ratio for beta oil? ›At the Beta USA dealer meeting, it was recommended for that particular oil to be mixing 70:1.
Do dirt bikes take full synthetic oil? ›
Dirt bikes and other performance bikes require oil that has an ester, which is a synthetic additive.
How much horsepower does a Widowmaker bike have? ›| Engine | 748cc, air-cooled, oil injected, 3-cylinder, two-stroke |
|---|---|
| Power | 74hp @ 6800rpm |
| Torque | 77.4 Nm @ 6500rpm |
| Trasmission | 5-speed, chain final drive |
| Frame | Tubular steel, double cradle |
The engine produces a peak 48.8 horsepower (36.4 kW) at 8,800 rpm and 30.6 foot-pounds force (41.5 N⋅m) of torque at 7,500 rpm, with a 9,000 rpm redline.
Is 27 mph fast on a bike? ›Average Speed on Flat Ground: 25-28 mph
The average speed for professional cyclists while traversing on flat terrain is 25-28 mph. The average amateur cyclist travels about 17-18 mph while on flat ground.
The average cycling speed ranges from 10 – 14 mph (16 – 22.5 km/h). This means it will take your average cyclist between 4.25 and 6 minutes to bike a mile. Bear in mind that many factors will affect your time taken to cycle a mile.
Can you go 60 mph on a bike? ›It's aerodynamics. Aerodynamic drag increases roughly with the square of your speed, and to get up to 60 mph on a conventional bike, you'd need to produce about 4000 W—which some sprinters can do for a few seconds. So to go anything like that fast, you'd need to be in an aerodynamic HPV.
How much HP does the Beta 300rr have? ›It's not like other 300cc enduro bikes, since it only has about 40 horsepower at best. However, the broad torque curve is what makes the XTrainer so good in the woods. The off-idle and mid-range torque allows you to use the clutch less, short-shift, and get over logs and rocks easily.
How much horsepower does a Voge 300rr have? ›| Type | Single Cylinder, Four-Stroke |
|---|---|
| Engine cc | 292.4 cc |
| Maxpower | 28.6 Bhp @ 8500 RPM |
| Max torque | 25 NM @ 7000 RPM |
| Fuel System | Fuel Injection |
The retail price of the 2020 Beta 300 RR is $9,199, which makes it the least expensive bike in this group.
Is a Beta 300 a KTM? ›While their first models utilized KTM motors, their more recent models, like the Beta 300 RR, is made of 100 percent Beta parts which include the precision of Italian engineering. The 300 RR made by Beta is similar in appearance and performance to both the KTM 300 XC and Husqvarna TE300.
What is the fastest Kawasaki motor? ›
The race-only Kawasaki Ninja H2R will catapult you up to 240 mph. Those looking for a street-legal version can purchase the Kawasaki Ninja H2 instead, which has a still-impressive top speed of 209 mph.
How much HP does a KTM 350 have? ›With a Dunlop D404 street tire mounted on its rear wheel, KTM's 350cc four-stroke cross-country racer produced 50.3 hp at 12,000 rpm and 26.8 pound-feet of torque at 8,600 rpm.
What is the difference between Voge 300ac and 300R? ›Both bikes have identical frames and engines, the only difference being the bodywork and front-end suspension. The 300R has large diameter conventional forks and the AC has upside-down units.
What is the top speed of a Voge 300ds? ›Overall, it's a good buy, just don't expect the smoothness of a twin cylinder because it is a big single and vibrations at high engine speeds are a trait of thumpers. MV Agusta signed a partnership with VOGE to develop and produce the Italian brands range of small bikes.
How much is the Beta 300rr race edition? ›Prices range from $10,399 for the flagship 300 RR Race Edition to $8999 for the 125 model.