Beta RR Enduro 2019, news from ZF for the suspension and a "pimped-out" 125, the new 200 2-stroke! [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

Say the BETA brand and think of enduro. You say enduro and you think of the world championship. You say Enduro World Championship and…..you think of Beta. Too patriotic a premise? Perhaps, but Beta is the company that in recent years has won two EnduroGP World Manufacturers' titles, one Enduro3 World Title and one EnduroGP. Not happy, however, the Tuscan company also took home the Junior Enduro World title. Given and considering that results in competitions are fundamental for the image of a company and its products at least in this area, the 2019 RR enduro range that we are preparing to test was born under the best auspices.

Beta is an Italian manufacturer, which in recent years has constantly grown on the market, with small but constant steps, which without overdoing it strengthens its presence in the specialized and hard-fought enduro sector (and beyond) every year. As usual, he took us to his homeland, Tuscany, to test the entire RR enduro 2019 range, starting from the new 200, undoubtedly the most awaited novelty, which completes a panorama of 4 2-stroke and as many 4-stroke models . From 125 to 300 the former, from 350 to the monstrous 480 the latter. We tried them all, jumping from one bike to another and we will try to make you enjoy the same sensations that we experienced.

The 200 2 Stroke deserves a chapter of its own. It essentially supports the "entry level" in the world of enduro branded Beta, the 125, also in the price list, which is vitaminized and enriched. The engine maintains the crankcase, while the thermal increases in bore and stroke, with the result of an engine that is still "easy", but with more power, but above all more back. It forgives a wrong gear and always gets you out of the way, without leaving you in trouble. Similarly, the chassis is the simple and light one of the 125, expertly retouched, while it gains the automatic mixer and electric ignition, with the elimination of the kick start, as on the entire range with the sole exception of the 125. In this way similarly, the 2019 innovations in terms of suspensions are present on all RRs, including the 200. We are talking about the fork (now branded ZF, the group to which the Sachs brand belongs) which gains very comfortable adjustments on the upper heads, which can be used without tools and while sitting on the motorcycle seat. It has a new end stop pad, a new sheath with special anodization which greatly improves its smoothness and new feet, more rigid and lighter, as well as new protections. The rear shock absorber is also a completely redesigned ZF one with a 46 mm piston, smaller and more compact in size. The Nissin braking system, common with all motorcycles, is superb and always effective. Powerful and modular, we can't say anything, both for its behavior with the 200 and for all the other models in the range.

But who is the 200 for?
As mentioned, it is a vitaminized 125, therefore perfect more for the amateur than for those who want to dedicate themselves to competitions, also thanks to the presence of additional conveniences, such as the mixer and electric ignition. It remains a "race ready" vehicle, but Beta's approach is clearly to offer an easy, enjoyable and fun bike for those who want to make less extreme use of it.

For those who want something more "exaggerated", but also more challenging, there remain the 250 and 300, the best-selling Enduro on the market, which benefit from all the 2019 updates. Similarly on the 4-stroke range, which goes from the 350 , which we recently tested in the 2018 Racing version, going up to the 390, 430 and finally to the 480. As regards prices, once again, Beta amazes with many new features, while maintaining the price list unchanged, except for a small increase regarding the 125, which rises to 7.990 euros. 200 more are needed for the 250, another 100 for the 300. For the 4-stroke, 8.990 euros is the price of the 350 and 390, to which 100 euros must be added for the 430 and the same amount more for the 480.

The Racing versions will arrive in the coming months, with more refined and "race-ready" components, in addition to dedicated graphics, usually offered with an increase of 500 euros. As for the new 200 2 Stroke, it is not yet present in the price list, because it will be available later, with a price which, barring any big surprises, will be just over 8.000 euros, between those of the 125 and the 250.

Angelo Pezzano collaborated

Clothing used by the tester:

Jersey and pants: Alpinestars Techstar Screamer
Gloves: Alpinestars Aviator
Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7
Knee, elbow and torso protectors: Alpinestars
Helmet: UFO
Mask: Scott Prospect