52 replies to this topic

[Chas_M TT Addict]

Although I have not played around with fork offset changes in my Beta, I have found that in my three KTM's ('02 520 EXC, '04 540 EXC and '08 HTR 350 XCF-W) that decreasing the fork offset from 20mm to 18mm provided me with better, more stable, more planted steering.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

Chas_M, on 18 February 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

Although I have not played around with fork offset changes in my Beta, I have found that in my three KTM's ('02 520 EXC, '04 540 EXC and '08 HTR 350 XCF-W) that decreasing the fork offset from 20mm to 18mm provided me with better, more stable, more planted steering.

I was kind of shocked to find that the stock was 16 on my 09 Beta and I went up to 18.5 with the brp ..or was it 18?...It's not like the stock was bad at all. It actually is great..for what I ride.I just wanted to try the different offsetts to see the difference. Maybe for desert or other types of riding you could tell a difference at high speed . It seems so from those that have posted.

[Chas_M TT Addict]

I really like the stock 16mm offset on my '09 Beta. On one hand the steering might be a little cumbersome on the tightest trails but on the other hand I would hate to give up any of the built-in stability by increasing the fork offset.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

Chas_M, on 19 February 2012 - 07:33 AM, said:

I really like the stock 16mm offset on my '09 Beta. On one hand the steering might be a little cumbersome on the tightest trails but on the other hand I would hate to give up any of the built-in stability by increasing the fork offset.

First off the stock Beta handling is excellent for tight stuff and other all around stuff of what I ride here in Hawaii(don't spend a lot of time over 60 mph in dez for ex) but I wanted to try some different settings just to see. I figured I could always go back to stock at any time and sell whatever other triple clamp for others to try for their type of riding if it didn't fit my riding style . Actually my bike initially felt sharp quicker steering with the brp 18 clamp .. That kind of threw me off. I guess I didn't know really what to expect but I didn't expect that...The former owner of the brp clamp said he liked it better of the red Beta after market multi choice offset and the stock. Of course I consider that everyone has a different opinion so I just had to try for myself.Still it is encouraging news from someone that actually has tried all three clamps. I rode my friends 2010 520rr . I wasn't able to ride the bike very much for very long but noticed more similarity as the newer gen Beta is a sharper turner(and very balanced). I basicly tried to match the feeling in my 525 with just level in the fork clamp and sag setting to start. Even with such minimal adjusting my bike did get a bunch more similar than I expected. Maybe at some time in the future I'll ride more newer gen Beta's and try to mimic the feel just a little more with just suspension adjustment.. If it doesn't work... all I can just go back to my earlier settings.. All in all I've got to say that suspension adjustment is tricky ..for me at least. I notice that for one thing you have to ride the bike alot and know how the bike works in a bunch of different situations and you have to remember those feels so you when you make changes you can make some better changes later by remembering the earlier feeling of the bike . The weird thing is when you get the new change(like a different offset triple clamp) There is a level of you just riding the bike different to get used to it and still making little adjustments... Then unless the feel is more significantly not to your liking you get confused on what you think is better when judging setups. I guess I'd just have to go back to the stock clamp (or ride another 09 Beta) to remember the better or perceived worse tendencies... Suspension and setup can get sticky. Reading and trying to understand suspension theory is confusing also. The transference of that knowledge to tuning your bike is another jump. In the end it is still trial and error ,learning and time spent. I think my 18 offset brp is better since it is quicker steering and I have adjusted to riding it different. I've also been riding a bit more too so I'm just more used to it . This all makes me wonder how magazine guys go about testing motorcycles and motorcycle mods. I can see where the assessments can be tainted toward the specific riders tastes , riding styles and heght and even height and weight. ..also there's rider ability/level... There's peg, handle bar, seat, tires and other ergo choices to play with too . Isn't it all fun?

...We can always just ride it how it comes stock too. LOL

It works awesome stock ...but then we wouldn't find improvements . I guess this is why we can spend some money on specialist doing suspension mods. Let others figure it out and then we can mainly just ride the bike .

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 19 February 2012 - 01:43 PM.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

Ok this isn't a crossreference .. It's just a beautiful 350 beta.. and it's good to look at...

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

I will put some Buchanan spokes on my Beta for sure. This is where most of the top motorcycle brands suck..except maybe gasgas. I don't like painted spokes. I like nice strong thick stainless steel spokes with matching strong stainless steel nipples. I like the special tool and system that excell has on their nipples but I don't like aluminum that those are made with. It's easy to strip the threads. So I'll go this route. I might even get a wider rear rim .

http://www.buchanans..._spoke_sets.asp

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

The guy from offroadfanatic had one of these seats on a new ktm 500 and he was using it for racing and likes it. i think it's for dualsport designed intitially but if it works for other things that's great.
Seat concepts..

http://seatconcepts....t=0&sort=normal

I like and have a gutz high soft seat on my 09 but this looks interesting too... it's got a wider more flat mid to rear side.. just another option .

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 22 March 2012 - 03:09 PM.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

I don't think I put this force accessories countershaft sprocket guard here. Beta stuff used to be on the force website but I don't see it there now. I got the older version ktm rfs version on my 09 and it looks pretty good and solid. ..Hope it never has to get tested.

http://www.betamotor.../betaenduro.php

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 30 March 2012 - 01:40 AM.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

I forgot about this place... I was looking here when I first got my bike then forgot about it.. Nice stuff. France...didn't check the prices yet..

http://translate.goo...6prmd%3Dimvnsfd

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

Beta MIVV exhaust

http://translate.goo...Fwww.mivv.it%2F



It sounds pretty quiet too.

Might as well check out Leo Vince too.

https://www.leovince...e=BETA&Model=RR 520&CC=520&Year=2010&Image=FD-3576_1.jpg&Type=FULL-SYSTEM&SoundRating=&Description=X3 MOTOCROSS/SM FULL SYSTEM TITANIUM WITH CARBON END CAP&PartNum=3576&RetailPrice=1099&Notes1=Includes Spark Arrestor&shipping=5

Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 27 April 2012 - 04:30 PM.

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

JD Jetting kit? I don't think I put this in here. I personally haven't used it but have heard of others having good results...

http://www.jdjetting...home.php?cat=11

[ballisticexchris TT Bronze Member]

Well, I might as well "go public"….

[hawaiidirtrider TT Addict]

Ok I've never put these on a bike before but I just got these from the classified section. I don't know how many they have but I did see some on the americanbeta site too. I just have the stock RS hose on my 09 RS with the thermostat taken out. After a couple of years I guess it's a good idea to change out the hose. Is it really worth the extra money from stock hose? Supposed to be tougher and it looks nice with some improved flow. Ok I bought a set to try:

http://www.thumperta...__fromsearch__1