Beta (motorcycle manufacturer)

Beta is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles. Beta are best known for their popular trials bikes. In 2005, they launched a range of enduro motorcycles using KTM engines. In 2010 they launched the new RR series, with a new engine made in-house. Beta motorcycles have been used by world trials champions such as Jordi Tarrés, Dougie Lampkin, Albert Cabestany and Enduro riders Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman. Production in 2018 was expected to be in excess of 20,000 motorcycles, ranging in size from 50 cc to 480 cc.[1]

Betamotor S.p.A.
Private
IndustryMotorcycle manufacturing
Founded1904 (1904), Florence
FounderGiuseppe Bianchi, Arrigo Tosi
Headquarters
Rignano sull'Arno
,
Italy
Area served
Worldwide
Websitewww.betamotor.com
A 2000 Beta Rev 3

History
Beta 160 Vulcano Sport, 1955

Beta has its origins in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturing company named "Società Giuseppe Bianchi",[2] originally based in the town of Via Bellariva and later moved to Florence. The company started making motorcycles in 1948. The name Beta comes from the initials of Bianchi, Enzo and Tosi, Arrigo who ran the company at that time. Focusing on two-stroke street bikes through the 1950s and 1960s, the company began development and production of off-road motorcycles in the 1970s.

Beta made a range of motocross and enduro bikes during the 1970s and 1980s.

Beta motorcycle riders Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman collectively have won the last three (2017 - 2019) EnduroGP EWC championships.

Trials models

Beta have produced motorcycles for observed trials since the early 1980s and are now one of the leading manufacturers.[3] Unlike the Trail models, the trials and Enduro bikes have used Beta's own engines.

  • TR240 (1983-4)[4] First trials model, twinshock suspension 125cc, 200cc engines, the majority with reed valve induction.
A 1983 Beta TR240, 200cc air-cooled engine, twinshock suspension
  • TR32, (1984-5) Air-cooled, monoshock model, produced in parallel with the twinshock model, same engine as TR240
  • TR33, (1985-6)
  • TR34, (1986-9) Very successful trials model, stripey paintwork, 125cc - 260cc engines
  • TR35, (1989–91) Air-cooled engine series
  • Zero, (1989–92) Water-cooled monoshock
  • Synt, (1992-4) Water-cooled monoshock
  • SuperTrial, (1992-3) Air-cooled engine
  • Gara, (1993-4)
  • Techno, (1994-9) 125cc version from 1995
  • Rev-3, (1999–2008) 2-stroke trials
  • Rev-4, (2007–08) 4-stroke trials
  • Evo [2009-] 2-stroke and 4-stroke

Enduro models

The Beta Enduro bikes used KTM engines from 2004, though 2009. Starting in 2010 in-house designed motors appeared in their enduro bikes. There are currently 5 two-stroke and 8 four-stroke models. All four-strokes have DOHC, separate engine and transmission lubricants, Nissin brakes, Brembo hydraulic clutches, Excel Takasago rims and 6-speed gear boxes.[5][1] All RR-S Dual-sport bikes come standard with the TrailTech Voyager GPS.[6] The bikes designated RR-S are full-on versions of their electric start, fuel-injected, four-stroke dirt bikes, outfitted with the bare minimum required for a license plate. They all include an AGM battery, a 200W stator, handlebar-mounted ignition map switch, fold-away mirrors, and a factory-installed radiator fan. The RR models are the "Race Editions" featuring performance tweaks and stiffer suspension but no street gear. [5]

Beta off-road bikes by type (bold print: currently available in the US)
2-stroke

Enduro

 4-stroke

Race Edition

 4-stroke

Dual-sport

125 RR 350 RR 350 RR-S
200 RR 390 RR 390 RR-S
250 RR 420 RR 420 RR-S
300 RR 500 RR 500 RR-S
X-Trainer 400 RS 520 RS
Beta E3 bike at the 2010 WEC GP of Italy

For the 2020 model year Beta revamped their 4-stroke lineup with new motors.

Trail models

The Alp trail motorcycle models have used air-cooled Suzuki DR-model engines and have a good reputation as commuters and 'green-lane' trail bikes. With a low seat height and a reputation as an easy to ride motorcycle, they are ideal for beginners to off-road riding.

  • Alp (2000-), 125 cc, 200 cc and 350 cc models. Air-cooled bikes with Suzuki engines.

Street

Beta RR Motard Track

gollark: Mostly my IRC client does nickserv automatically.
gollark: Just never missspelll things.
gollark: IRC is basically as secure as Discord.
gollark: Sort of. Not really.
gollark: I run a homeserver.

See also

References
  1. Bruno dePrato (5 December 2017). "Beta Is Italy's Least Likely (But Maybe Most Deserving) Motorcycle Hero". Cycle World Magazine. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  2. "Beta Company History". Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  3. Beta Trials UK Technology Reference Site
  4. Beta TR240 www.twinshock.org.uk Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Mark Barnes (August 16, 2018). "Beta 390 RR-S – First Impression". Motorcycle Consumer News. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  6. "BETA MOTORCYCLES: NEW MODELS FOR 2020". Dirt Bike Magazine. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
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