http://www.motorcycl...o-Shootout.aspx
Not surprised personally. The rocky sections that they did most of the testing look quite familiar for us in the south part of EU (cannot claim equally for the desert parts though....).
However, dyno numbers look low for the Beta, we have tested all our bikes from 2010 to 2012 (on dynojets) and were always between 45 to 47 RWHP. Still anybody can observe that the Beta engine is the last to sign out (practically doesn't).
Beta wins 450 shootout
Started by
dirtbird
, May 09 2012 12:38 PM
68 replies to this topic
Posted 09 May 2012 - 04:47 PM
Doesn't surprise me either. I wonder if people will ever give this bike the kudos it deserves?
Posted 09 May 2012 - 07:18 PM
dirtbird, on 09 May 2012 - 12:38 PM, said:
http://www.motorcycl...o-Shootout.aspx
Not surprised personally. The rocky sections that they did most of the testing look quite familiar for us in the south part of EU (cannot claim equally for the desert parts though....).
However, dyno numbers look low for the Beta, we have tested all our bikes from 2010 to 2012 (on dynojets) and were always between 45 to 47 RWHP. Still anybody can observe that the Beta engine is the last to sign out (practically doesn't).
Not surprised personally. The rocky sections that they did most of the testing look quite familiar for us in the south part of EU (cannot claim equally for the desert parts though....).
However, dyno numbers look low for the Beta, we have tested all our bikes from 2010 to 2012 (on dynojets) and were always between 45 to 47 RWHP. Still anybody can observe that the Beta engine is the last to sign out (practically doesn't).
Thanks for the post! This test had an interesting scoring system..seems like it makes sense to me.. As far as the power goes all of these bikes have great power but the whole package in the trails is what's great about the Beta . There really isn't much to do to the bike for the majority of riders it seems. All the new bikes are great too. It isn't like anyone is going to lose buying any of these bikes but there is something about Beta's that are special to me and I like ktm's and other more popular bikes. I wouldn't think that at my stage of the game I'd be with an exotic. I am curious though that the gasgas and husky weren't in the mix. It seems they should be in there although I don't think the order would be especially different. I do like everyone being present at the party. I also love the styling of the Beta in it's current form. The red looks great to me...maybe because I have ridden Honda and a long time ago loved my Bultaco pursang.. I don't know but the Beta looks badass along with working like a top enduro bike should.
Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 09 May 2012 - 07:22 PM.
Posted 10 May 2012 - 06:57 PM
I tested a RS520 the other day and I liked the feel of it. Even with it being new, not broke in, smoged out, and carburated, it was very pleasant to spin around the block on. Quick response from the throttle and well balanced. Ergonomics felt good in standing as well as sitting I am only 5'7" w/30 IS and could easily touch the ground. All the gears felt smoth through the acceleration. Don't look like its hard to get parts, CA has the NA distributer is in Paso Robles, not sure if they are anyplace else in the USA. I hear if its not in the USA it only takes a couple weeks to get it from Italy. Definitely a contender in the bigger CC DS bikes for us smog restricted nanny state suckers. I ride and own 08 up 450 and 610 Husky's EFI and this bike felt great to ride.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 03:46 AM
PALMER84ONE, on 10 May 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:
I tested a RS520 the other day and I liked the feel of it. Even with it being new, not broke in, smoged out, and carburated, it was very pleasant to spin around the block on. Quick response from the throttle and well balanced. Ergonomics felt good in standing as well as sitting I am only 5'7" w/30 IS and could easily touch the ground. All the gears felt smoth through the acceleration. Don't look like its hard to get parts, CA has the NA distributer is in Paso Robles, not sure if they are anyplace else in the USA. I hear if its not in the USA it only takes a couple weeks to get it from Italy. Definitely a contender in the bigger CC DS bikes for us smog restricted nanny state suckers. I ride and own 08 up 450 and 610 Husky's EFI and this bike felt great to ride.
I too took a 520 for a quick spin (while I was ironing out the details of my own Beta purchase). It has a great powerband. Of course those Husky's are a nice ride too!
Looking forward to hooking up with you and going to CNF when I get my Beta! Gosh, It's been years since I have ridden up there! My Beta is being built as we speak. How cool is it going to be to ride LEGAL with a plated dirt bike. Seems like I was always looking over my shoulder when riding my 650R and 300. This bike will open a whole new door for me! Just a few more weeks….
Posted 11 May 2012 - 11:47 AM
Ride, on 11 May 2012 - 07:39 AM, said:
Seems like for a pretty obscure bike it gets a lot of positive press.
Actually the Beta is not that obscure. The guy I bought mine from has a whole fleet of them he uses for ADV rentals. One of the beauties of the Beta is parts availability and reliability.
While not a Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha, It is by far WAY easier to get parts for than a KTM! And the parts are at a decent price. I did a lot of research before purchasing mine.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 03:00 PM
ballisticexchris, on 11 May 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:
While not a Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha, It is by far WAY easier to get parts for than a KTM! And the parts are at a decent price. I did a lot of research before purchasing mine.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 04:47 PM
ballisticexchris, on 11 May 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:
Actually the Beta is not that obscure. The guy I bought mine from has a whole fleet of them he uses for ADV rentals. One of the beauties of the Beta is parts availability and reliability.
While not a Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha, It is by far WAY easier to get parts for than a KTM! And the parts are at a decent price. I did a lot of research before purchasing mine.
While not a Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha, It is by far WAY easier to get parts for than a KTM! And the parts are at a decent price. I did a lot of research before purchasing mine.
I talked to Dave yesterday! Very interesting story he has!
Posted 11 May 2012 - 04:53 PM
Ud_Luz, on 11 May 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:
Unless you have all the parts in your garage I don't know how you could possible get parts any faster than my KTM dealer. KTM has set up an excellent parts distribution at good prices. Heck, Europeans and Australians are buying from the US because of the prices.
Nobody was asking about KTM!
Beta does do a great job with parts. They have all parts needed at American Beta if your local dealer does not have them. The aftermarket support is the one downfall I personally miss being an ex DRZ owner. Beta will continue to grow and become a force to reckon with but never to the point KTM is at, at least I hope! Quality control suffers when you produce more than you can keep an eye on!
Posted 11 May 2012 - 05:03 PM
happy seal, on 11 May 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:
Nobody was asking about KTM!
Beta does do a great job with parts. They have all parts needed at American Beta if your local dealer does not have them. The aftermarket support is the one downfall I personally miss being an ex DRZ owner. Beta will continue to grow and become a force to reckon with but never to the point KTM is at, at least I hope! Quality control suffers when you produce more than you can keep an eye on!
Beta does do a great job with parts. They have all parts needed at American Beta if your local dealer does not have them. The aftermarket support is the one downfall I personally miss being an ex DRZ owner. Beta will continue to grow and become a force to reckon with but never to the point KTM is at, at least I hope! Quality control suffers when you produce more than you can keep an eye on!
Incidentally, you're the one that brought up KTM in your post. All I did was respond. Why does that upset you?
Posted 11 May 2012 - 06:44 PM
Ud_Luz, on 11 May 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:
Actually I like Betas. The 525RS I rode was brilliant. I think in this economy Beta will be like GasGas, just a niche player.
Incidentally, you're the one that brought up KTM in your post. All I did was respond. Why does that upset you?
Incidentally, you're the one that brought up KTM in your post. All I did was respond. Why does that upset you?
I'm not upset, sorry if I came across that way! Sometimes I can't type what I think and the other way around. I didn't mean to bring up any other bike other than to make the point that I wanted to choose something different and that was after your reply anyway. Chris brought up KTM originally. Sorry if I offended anyone, wasn't my objective!
Posted 11 May 2012 - 06:57 PM
happy seal, on 11 May 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:
I'm not upset, sorry if I came across that way! Sometimes I can't type what I think and the other way around. I didn't mean to bring up any other bike other than to make the point that I wanted to choose something different and that was after your reply anyway. Chris brought up KTM originally. Sorry if I offended anyone, wasn't my objective!
I'm guessing Beta can do well with pushing the street legal versions since many of us need that now, ergo the 500exc I just picked up.
I think hands down the Euro enduro bikes are the best. Slowly many others are figuring this out. Beta should capture even more of these sales.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 07:45 PM
Ud_Luz, on 11 May 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:
I'd like to try a new Beta but there's no dealers around here nor have I seen any newer ones anyplace to get a quick ride. I think Clay, the new GasGas distributor, is fighting the same thing. GasGas has picked up a few sales because KTM 300's are a bit scarce. KTM was pretty much a niche brand too when suddenly overnight they gained large market share with the e-start 400/520 in 2000.
I'm guessing Beta can do well with pushing the street legal versions since many of us need that now, ergo the 500exc I just picked up.
I think hands down the Euro enduro bikes are the best. Slowly many others are figuring this out. Beta should capture even more of these sales.
I'm guessing Beta can do well with pushing the street legal versions since many of us need that now, ergo the 500exc I just picked up.
I think hands down the Euro enduro bikes are the best. Slowly many others are figuring this out. Beta should capture even more of these sales.
Yea I've been riding my Beta 525 everywhere and been neglecting my 2 stroke a bit. I rode the 520 . It is a bit better and I love my 525. ...and of course it is street legal. That's an amazing thing. ..an awesome trail bike that is street legal. ..even if I have hardly ridden on the street.
Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 11 May 2012 - 07:49 PM.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 09:33 PM
I think the brand that offers more sizes is the winner. Beta has the 350, 450, and 520 with a plate and still carburated. KTM has the 350 and 500 with nothing in between now EFI. Husqvarna still does a 250, 310, 449, 511, and the 630 all EFI since 2008. I love my Huskies but the EFI can leave you stranded in the boonies. Had to get a tow on mine, buddy lost his fuel pump on his Berg. If EFI is going to do that the Beta looks beta and beta every time I research it. As for KTM, I just can't get past the orange. They are overly produced now and have had many problems as well as the other brands. A bike that only has 3/4 of a quart of oil for the whole motor and trans is kind of scary.
On a good note, George Erl of Uptite, New Beta bike sales and ex-Husqvarna, is now going to really get the brand the cool add on parts they need. Not that the B your B doesn't have some cool things. All I would need it the bigger tank. Oh, and did you notice the rear sprocket is solid! Total retro old school looking. They can definitely use a little improvements like any brand.
See you on the Mountain Chris.
On a good note, George Erl of Uptite, New Beta bike sales and ex-Husqvarna, is now going to really get the brand the cool add on parts they need. Not that the B your B doesn't have some cool things. All I would need it the bigger tank. Oh, and did you notice the rear sprocket is solid! Total retro old school looking. They can definitely use a little improvements like any brand.
See you on the Mountain Chris.
Posted 11 May 2012 - 10:17 PM
PALMER84ONE, on 11 May 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:
I think the brand that offers more sizes is the winner. Beta has the 350, 450, and 520 with a plate and still carburated. KTM has the 350 and 500 with nothing in between now EFI. Husqvarna still does a 250, 310, 449, 511, and the 630 all EFI since 2008. I love my Huskies but the EFI can leave you stranded in the boonies. Had to get a tow on mine, buddy lost his fuel pump on his Berg. If EFI is going to do that the Beta looks beta and beta every time I research it. As for KTM, I just can't get past the orange. They are overly produced now and have had many problems as well as the other brands. A bike that only has 3/4 of a quart of oil for the whole motor and trans is kind of scary.
On a good note, George Erl of Uptite, New Beta bike sales and ex-Husqvarna, is now going to really get the brand the cool add on parts they need. Not that the B your B doesn't have some cool things. All I would need it the bigger tank. Oh, and did you notice the rear sprocket is solid! Total retro old school looking. They can definitely use a little improvements like any brand.
See you on the Mountain Chris.
On a good note, George Erl of Uptite, New Beta bike sales and ex-Husqvarna, is now going to really get the brand the cool add on parts they need. Not that the B your B doesn't have some cool things. All I would need it the bigger tank. Oh, and did you notice the rear sprocket is solid! Total retro old school looking. They can definitely use a little improvements like any brand.
See you on the Mountain Chris.
Is that right? 3/4 of a quart of oil for the whole motor and trans?...didn't know it was that little. ..What kind of cool add on things would you be talking about?..It seems to have most everything now but the more the merrier...What would you suggest could be a cool add on that isn't available?
Edited by hawaiidirtrider, 11 May 2012 - 10:20 PM.
He is a really nice guy. I'm very happy with my purchase!
Posted 12 May 2012 - 11:44 AM
Ud_Luz, on 11 May 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:
Unless you have all the parts in your garage I don't know how you could possible get parts any faster than my KTM dealer. KTM has set up an excellent parts distribution at good prices. Heck, Europeans and Australians are buying from the US because of the prices.
I'm just going by my personal experience being a KTM owner. Simple things like pipe O rings, Hiem joint for PDS, etc have all been on backorder when I needed them. Not to mention the major "teething issues" that goes with owning a KTM. Of course, my 300 is dialed in. So I will be keeping it.
And I do have a boatload of KTM parts in my tool cabinet! LOL
Posted 12 May 2012 - 12:18 PM
hawaiidirtrider, on 11 May 2012 - 10:17 PM, said:
What would you suggest could be a cool add on that isn't available?
Even though I don't know George personally, he will more than likely do like he did with Huskys and have some cool "custom stuff" to make the Beta easier to service/work on etc...
Edited by ballisticexchris, 12 May 2012 - 12:18 PM.
