IMO, after tried the complete 2012 Betas' range, i'd say :
450 is a man bike, i mean powerfull and tiring at end of the day (my personal 1st choice)
400 is not my favourite at all, same weight with big sista but less power
350 is a very nice bike, enough power for narrow woods and so easy, push less when in 1st gear around a tree, no need to pull clutch to avoïd to stall (my personal 2nd choice)
525 is fun bike for wide open
Of course we, Euro, have a bit different use with you guys...
Last but not least some important failures with '11 350, 2 friends of mine, in less than 1000Km !

Let us know when you get it sorted out, and what it is like after.

The lower seat height is a big plus for both my girl and I, as I am soo getting tired of tight single tracking with a 38" seat height (I'm short) as desert and wide trails are fine, but northern California single-track trails are right outside my front door....
Thanks kindly,
Mark

Ps. By the way, I do not have to try one, prior to purchase. As with my Aprilia RXV550 I bought without a ride on one. But do require finger-printing one. I'm hoping for a reliable bike that can run  up to 10k miles prior to refurbishing.

glangston, on 06 July 2012 - 07:31 PM, said:

Well, it seems the bike just needs a good warmup then holds the idle nicely.   It is very smooth and you immediately notice the wider ratios as you go through the gears.  The ride feels plush on the street....have to get it out on the trail soon.

the fuel mix screw on the ds models is turned in real far...making them lean at idle .then initial warm up is slow.we install a adjustable fuel mix screw which can be turned with your fingers so it can be set to the needs of the day.dan

Ok, I'm starting to get more and more excited about the new Beta 350RS, as just reading the CycleWorld shootout.

Yes the Orange bike is #1, but I think the Beta runs second, and the Husky #3....

If  my friend and I had a 34" inseem's the Orange bike might win (for us)  but the almost 1" lower seat height of the Beta is a big selling point for me.

Now before you say (well you can lower them) I've already played that game on my CRF450x, and am not willing to decrease suspension travel to get a lower seat. Also the simplicity of the Beta s very cool in my book.

Yet reading about a notchy transmission is a big negitive, as loving my Aprilia/GASGAS/Honda super smooth transmissions I would seriously hate a slow shifting notchy trans.... I'm still hoping for a few more articles on this subject.....

Just went and rode one,  wouldn't say knotchy more like very positive.
I think what people feel and call knotchy compared to the J model bikes is the Euro transmission gears have longer dogs on the gears and more of a negative angle cut on the dogs.  Reason for this is so when in adverse conditions you don't accidently kick it out of gear or misshifts.  Main reason for gear box problems is jumping out of gear and poping dogs off.
Having said that Euro transmissions are beefier and built to last longer.
If you get a new bike every year it's no big deal.
Later George

hm450, on 08 July 2012 - 10:57 AM, said:

What were the failures?

I don't know exactly but one of them after 350 km and once again after 1000 km ! He sold the bike very upset ! ('11 350)

Another friend of mine bought a '12 350 and after 1500 km no problem at all and very satisfied

YHGEORGE, We will be a dealer pretty quick just waiting on the paperwork and the 2013 bikes to show. I will stock atleast 1 new bike and have a 498RR and 400RR avalible for demo rides.

I am a racer and coming off of a new KTM that I can't come to grips with.

For me I am a long time Yamaha guy but switched to the orange koolaid because Yamaha's new bikes are a joke. I have done a lot of research on the Beta's and I'm not a least bit concerned with owning this "exotic"!!

Unlike the other "dealers" in this area we will be racing the bikes, stocking bikes, stocking parts, working with vendors to produce some new products for these bikes and I will figure out what parts that cross ref with current offerings for other brands. Hope this helps.

bmeador, on 29 August 2012 - 02:44 AM, said:

Helps a lot and I appreciate your info. I have been doing this for forty years and what you state is what I expect in a dealer. I rarely trail ride, 90% of my riding is HS or Enduro. Because of the distance I have to travel just to unload and the expense of traveling, lodging and events, I want some knowledgeable backup. Please pm me when you get rolling. Thanks again.

Will do. Are you coming to the Crosstimbers enduro in oct? We will have bikes for you to check out.

YHGEORGE, on 29 August 2012 - 08:45 AM, said:

Kinda late to the chit chat here, but isn’t the theme of Beta BYOB? Build Your Own Beta? So why would a dealer floor something that is put together for the individual rider? Sort of defeats the purpose of BYOB.

You can buy and drive that day what most americans like. Get the extra parts from BYOB and install. You will be able to keep your stock parts as well. If the dealer was a good shop, they would sell you the parts at dealer cost which is between 5-20% (based on sales) off BYOB.

Edited by weantright, 29 August 2012 - 01:23 PM.

youngztr, on 29 August 2012 - 01:04 PM, said:

Not in the least. I would expect most riders  even considering Beta would have long term experience in the sport. As a very long time rider I do not get all fuzzy and emotional about a bike purchase. I want to put my hands on a bike and feel it out a little before I put down $8 to $10K.  After some scrutiny I may want to purchase/order one. I will always buy totally stock and then mod to fit my needs as they arise.  I keep my bikes several years, I want to know what I'm getting before I consider  marriage.

Edited by YHGEORGE, 29 August 2012 - 02:54 PM.