Beta 250RR First Rides

[water racer]

Between a very busy summer at the raceboat shop and lots of rain, just now got some good rides on the new Beta. I will also say I have had a bit of a mental hang up caused by my complete satisfaction from my Husqvarnas.
First ride was on a natural terrain MX track and I found the bike to be extremely quick, I was expecting a tractor, it jumped with a twist of the throttle, stopped just as quick, and turned easily. I was feeling like the bike might be too aggressive for me, but the saving grace was it never did anything unexpected and was fun to ride.
Next up was an actual trail ride and this is where it shines. I felt comfortable immediately, ran a gear high and it pulled very smoothly. Suspension worked great for eastern conditions, seemed to ride over everything with out consequences. I am 6'-3" and this is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden in the standing position. It still has a fairly low seat height for smaller riders.
My biggest impression is the front feels very light and flickable while being planted at the same time.
I have ridden auto clutch bikes exclusively for about the last six years, almost to the point I can't ride without one. I have not put one in the Beta yet, and I have found that you can not stall it unless you lock up the rear brake without the clutch. I went up some technical hills without ever touching the clutch, just letting the the motor grunt, even remembering to toot the horn as I weaved around some orange bikes on the ground. (Whoops, I am sorry, I guess orange bikes are loved now)
I let a more experienced A class KTM rider, ride it some, and he loves it, saying it is obviously a very well thought out bike, not something just thrown together to get in the business.
I have not turned a carb screw or suspension clicker, and the bike flat works the way it is, and I can't think of one thing I need to do to it other than the hand guards I have already put on.
I am very excited about the bike and really looking forward to more time on it, and I am ready to let my Huskies go.
Hopefully I have not offended anyone by talking about the Beta, have been a member here coming up on four years, and feel I have always been fair and loyal.

 

[Coffee]

Sounds like you are having fun!

 

[john01]

Great real ride reports and I appreciate it. There will be no new Huskys after they run a few left over 14's. IMHO the guys that don't care for the KTM's like me had better start looking for something else. I may try out a Beta and for sure the Sherco. The thing I never could come to grip with on the KTMs were the ergos and ride feel they gave me. The Huskys all give me a feeling of comfort and control I just couldn't get with the KTM's. So in that department how does the Beta feel as compared to the Huskys? Congrats on your new Beta.

 

[K5PL5]

Love to see some pics..

 

[robertaccio]

Thanks for posting Water Racer, have not had opportunity to ride the 250RR, but have some seat time on 2 different 300RRs.
1 OEM stock the other has full TBT suspension. The TBT bike was even bars above the OEM bike (which is just all ready really nice as you stated).
So a 250/300 with TBT or Stillwell suspension.......wow super good machine, with nothing more than the usual personal suspension attention (all else ready to ride/race). These are well thought out machines, simple and to the point, nothing fancy no crazy brain surgeon engineering. Just solid build to work standard engineering. Their results are proving their value in competitive venues at the even the highest levels

 

[water racer]

Great real ride reports and I appreciate it. There will be no new Huskys after they run a few left over 14's. IMHO the guys that don't care for the KTM's like me had better start looking for something else. I may try out a Beta and for sure the Sherco. The thing I never could come to grip with on the KTMs were the ergos and ride feel they gave me. The Huskys all give me a feeling of comfort and control I just couldn't get with the KTM's. So in that department how does the Beta feel as compared to the Huskys? Congrats on your new Beta.

I felt more comfortable on the Beta than even my Huskies, and I always felt very good on them. There is something smooth about the bike because my arms did not even get tired and I have not ridden since the last race I did the end of June. I traded out with an A Rider on his 2010 KTM 250xcw for the last part of the ride. The KTM had a nice smooth motor with no hit, but the seat was worn and it hurt to sit, and I found it very difficult to stand because the bars felt like they were tucked back towards my stomach. I made it, but I was ready for my bike back.
John, I know you like to do some MX, not sure of what the suspension is capable of, but the engine after you go past the incredible low end hits quick and screams.

Robert, Your summation is right on the money.

 

[LandofMotards]

Have you played. With the power valve at all? Just curious if it really changes the motor like it sounds like it would. Glad to hear you're loving your new bike! Hopefully you're pushing them all out the door quick

 

[Motosportz]

These and the Shercos are on the radar for us that don't want TKM/Bergs. Good stuff and lots of fine choices. Thanks for the nice write up and yes, you have for sure earned the right to talk about them here and not just here to bash huskys now that you have something else.

 

[wallybean]

There was a wright up on the sherco in a Spanish e-mag and they liked it as much as I could tell from the google translation. Seems very similar to the Beta but with an electronic power valve and no kicker. Both look like great choices and depending on price point should easily compete with the other brands. I don't mean similar in looks as much as in execution of design.

 

[water racer]

I have been hearing some good things about the Sherco performance although I heard two different guys say fit and finish not so good. They also have put the starter on the bottom which most seem to like.
I like the stability of the Beta company and if you take a look at the American Beta website, you will see they already have a lot of aftermarket parts sourced.

Have not played with the powervalve yet, like I said before , have not turned a screw. Most reports I have seen say the factory setting is pretty good.

I don't want to push my luck by posting pictures here, but hope to find someone to help get a blog type website up and running for the dealership so I can post a lot of different things.

 

[LandofMotards]

I have been hearing some good things about the Sherco performance although I heard two different guys say fit and finish not so good. They also have put the starter on the bottom which most seem to like.
I like the stability of the Beta company and if you take a look at the American Beta website, you will see they already have a lot of aftermarket parts sourced.

Have not played with the powervalve yet, like I said before , have not turned a screw. Most reports I have seen say the factory setting is pretty good.

I don't want to push my luck by posting pictures here, but hope to find someone to help get a blog type website up and running for the dealership so I can post a lot of different things.

I always wanted to build a site, I'll help
Oh and post pictures because this thread sucks without them lol
I know you said you haven't done anything to your bike, I threw it out there hoping your test it. You're a Beta dealer now, the only way to learn about a new bike is to screw with it

 

[johnnyboy]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-HXAKubzi7w

 

[LandofMotards]

Those videos work, I want one lol
That guy could do that on any bike, it really is amazing how pumped up videos get you for a product. Great marketing

 

[ScottyR]

I have been hearing some good things about the Sherco performance although I heard two different guys say fit and finish not so good. They also have put the starter on the bottom which most seem to like.
I like the stability of the Beta company and if you take a look at the American Beta website, you will see they already have a lot of aftermarket parts sourced.

Have not played with the powervalve yet, like I said before , have not turned a screw. Most reports I have seen say the factory setting is pretty good.

I don't want to push my luck by posting pictures here, but hope to find someone to help get a blog type website up and running for the dealership so I can post a lot of different things.

That is anything but the truth. I have ridden the 300 4T and the 250 2T and they are really nice bikes. The fit and finish is on par with anything on the market today.

Sherco is privately owned by a French billionaire. Money isnt an issue with them.

 

[twowheels]

Have not played with the powervalve yet, like I said before , have not turned a screw. Most reports I have seen say the factory setting is pretty good.

I don't want to push my luck by posting pictures here, but hope to find someone to help get a blog type website up and running for the dealership so I can post a lot of different things.

Stock PV setting is really good. Dialing it in makes the bike plonk along like a trail bike, dialing it out makes the power snappier. I've played with it and come back to stock. Gearing and jetting are similarly well-sorted out of the box. Suspension needs sprung for rider weight obviously, and the forks on 13s needed work, but the shocks were really good straight away.

There is a new site - betarider.org - that has a well differentiated structure for Beta discussion.