The Italian family-run Tuscany-based Beta Motorcycles has released their 2020 RR enduro bike range and there is a plethora of features to be excited about. The 2020 enduro range is comprised of eight models, four two-strokes (125/200/250/300 cc) and four four-strokes (350/390/430/480 cc).
During the press launch, the Beta marketing department made it clear that the 2020 model year has been another transformational milestone for the 170-employee passion-driven company. The four-stroke models are all new, from the chassis, motor, subframe, suspension to fasteners, brand new plastics and ergonomics. The two-stroke lineup received a new frame (same geometry as previous model but stiffer), revised airbox, brand new composite subframe, new plastics and ergonomics and many more updates.
Here are some of the details for the new 2020 lineup to whet your appetite before you read our complete review in the next issue of Inside Motorcycles.
Chassis
• New frame with redesigned geometry and rigidity for increased agility and stability. Weight is reduced and reliability boosted with the use of precision-cast components, while comfort is improved and vibration reduced thanks to new head bolts. The frame is also narrower at the base which improves handling over difficult sections and typical off-road tracks. The four-stroke model frames receive new geometries and flex characteristics while the 2T model frames retain the same geometry but with 15% stiffer flex.
• Modified swingarm now longer for the four-stroke range and the 200 cc two-stroke model, for better stability and traction.
• Completely redesigned tailpiece, greater strength to reduce breakage during off road riding. This will be a welcome upgrade to those who broke many-a-fender when whiskey throttle took over. All filter box components and related accessories are now housed inside the fender and subframe (electrical components and oil reservoir for two-strokes).
• New air filter boot, which provides a more waterproof design and according to the Beta technical staff a more precise EFI tuning and carb jetting.
• New Filter mounting system, providing quicker and more accurate installation similar to other manufacturers currently on the market.
• Improved fork design compared to previous version, with new inner cartridge to lower the center of gravity providing the perfect level of plushness while also improving the action of square-edge impacts. Internal valving has been updated to work in-line with the new frame design.
• New rear shock absorber with a new spring top-out system to improve grip and contact with the ground during hard braking.
• New longer shock bumper with more progressive compression. This ensures good protection of the buffer and improves bottoming resistance.
• New valving, to work in-line with the new frame.
• Cooling system with water hoses placed inside the frame and more efficient radiators. This apparently improves heat transfer and allows engines to operate at lower temperatures even in the most extreme conditions.
• Larger capacity fuel tanks, of 9.1 litre (2.4 US gallons) for four-strokes and 9.5 litre (2.55 US gallons) for two-strokes. Besides providing greater range, the new fuel tanks improve ergonomics and ease-of-movement in the seat.
• Wider handlebars for greater control.
• Exhaust with new layout in line with the bike’s new rear section.
• Side stand with bigger foot.
• New precision-cast footpegs that are better at shedding mud and teeth to increase boot grip.
• New chain guide, longer to suit new swingarm.
• New brake pedal, more robust and with larger bearings.
• Shorter 430/480 cc gearing compared to previous models.
Engine
Four-stroke (350/390/430/480 cc):
• A complete redesign, with the aim of reducing the weight and bulk of moving parts, achieved by raising the clutch and moving the crankshaft back (it does not make the bike longer). Moving the center of gravity closer to the swingarm pivot makes for significantly better handling. An overall weight reduction of around 1 kg (2.2 lb)
• A redesigned magnesium clutch cover, redeveloped to improve the oil flow into the clutch assembly more efficiently.
• Magnesium flywheel cover, redesigned in line with the rest of the engine, now with a more functional and modern look.
• New water pump system that improves flow-rate and therefore the efficiency of the cooling system’s ability to transfer heat, keeping average temperatures lower, improving performance, and providing a more simplified cooling hose system.
• Cylinder and head redesigned matched with the updated cooling system to lower engine temperatures.
• Oil circuit redesigned to provide better heat transfer between oil and water in the front section of the crankcase in order to keep the oil temperature lower.
• Clutch with redesigned discs in a new material to ensure smoother and more modular gear shifting.
• Redesigned gearing, now shorter and lighter.
• New gearshift mechanism with lighter cam to improve shifting.
• Gearshift lever redesigned in line with the new engine and frame layout.
• Addition of a neutral sensor.
• Updated EFI mapping.
Two-stroke (250/300 cc):
• Now with a counter-balancer to reduce vibration by increasing inertia and improving the power delivery curve. The counter-balancer improves the power delivery throughout the rpm range.
• Cylinder head redesigned (250 cc only) to improve torque at low rpm.
Two-stroke (125 cc):
• New cylinder with modified exhaust port and diameters.
• New exhaust flange.
• New exhaust valve system and new boosters. New clutch cover with air purging system operated by the modified clutch mechanism; modified oil inlet cap position.
• New exhaust valve drive, opens at a different rate to improve power delivery.
• New expansion chamber.
Ergonomics
The new lineup comes with a new redesigned tank, making it very easy to practice the proper riding technique ie. crotch as far forward as possible when cornering. The foot pegs are slightly higher to keep your feet away from catching the ruts or tree stumps and definitely noticeable compared to previous model. The seat is definitely soft, and after about 10 minutes of seated riding, the foam compressed completely and many of the testers (including myself) were feeling the plastic seat pan under their butt. The cover is also quite slippery which allowed for quick movements around on the bike, but we prefer the gripper seats available on the market today as they allow you to stay planted during hard acceleration and in gnarly terrain, especially hill climbs. This seat however; nicely motivates you to stand up while riding. When standing, I found the cockpit extremely comfortable for my 6-foot 2-inch frame and wouldn’t change much to make it perfect.
Overall I was extremely pleased with many of the updates that Beta has made for the 2020 model year and it showed that they really listened to the feedback from their clients. Their goal for this year was to make the most rideable enduro bikes on the market at a very competitive price and I must say that they really hit their mark with the 2020 lineup. Watch for our complete review of the 2020 Beta Enduro RR lineup in the October 2019 issue of Inside Motorcycles, on newsstands and in mailboxes this August.
<
Discussion about this post