Beta Xtrainer 300 2T and Beta 390 RR 4T, our test among the Bergamo tapes

Beta the 390 in Racing trim is an absolute first), of which they retain the most successful elements. The Beta Enduro elliptical cross trainer 300 (you can also write Xtrainer, it is always pronounced “crosstrainer), revolutionizes the enduro market with a compact, light, easy and intuitive motorbike. Represents the only true motorbike on the enduro market aimed at all those who intend to have a motorbike with which to have fun safely and, at the same time, develop their technical skills.

This bike is compact, lightweight and allows for an easy approach, making it the ideal tool for those who want to ride an enduro for the first time. Xtrainer is the ideal tool for those approaching the world of enduro for the first time as well as for those who, as expert enduro riders, want an object with which to test themselves and develop their riding skills. The bike is probably even more suitable for a small person like me (1.73 tall), being able to put me at ease straight away, even if the second tester, our Tomas Del Campo, from his 1.83 tall and of a much more robust build than mine, he still felt comfortable riding the small Xtrainer 300 2T.

Il perimeter framestable and light, it is coupled with a sensitive and progressive 43 mm fork and a dedicated mono shock absorber. It immediately puts you at ease and the front does the same, being able to put the front wheel wherever you want. The exit from the tightest hairpin bends of the ribbon from our test, located in the province of Bergamo, in the Treviglio area, it is done in second full gear, with the engine pushing full without any uncertainty, the gears are very short and for this reason they allow us to traverse like a true enduro rider.

The rear wheel tends to spin before giving traction, for this reason the small 2-stroke engine advises you to insert an extra gear, perhaps because it turns very high, pushing really hard and progressively in the acceleration. The arms are less subject to tiredness while driving, and this allows total control of the vehicle, even for the less trained.

The engine derived from the fantastic 300 cc, is refined in delivery in a maniacal manner; has been rendered docile, linear and progressive, but ready to react when called upon to do the hard work. Then they also thought it might be handy to have a mixer and they developed it with control electronics capable of dosing the oil according to engine rpm and load, solving the hassle of preparing the mixture, as well as optimizing it perfectly. In fact, on average it works at 1%, always perfectly measuring the quantity of lubricant needed, without "smearing" with too much oil, or with a mixture that is too lean, which could lead to mechanical damage.

Then, if you want to learn enduro, or if you simply want to become better, Xtrainer is what you are looking for: the first real enduro bike for everyone. This bike is easy to ride, even for those who are not expert enduro riders, with a set-up that immediately appeals, in fact, the bike absorbs bumps without breaking down too much, therefore always remaining stable, try it!. The front brake is of the disc type with hydraulic control. The position of the brake lever can be adjusted by turning the adjusting screw. For the rear one, the basic position of the brake pedal can be changed using the lock nut (positioned under the dust cover) and the adjusting screw.

The brakes are 260 mm discs at the front while for that back it's always on disc, but by 240 mm, I believe there is no better (my personal opinion) when braking, even in the middle of the curve and braking at the last centimeter, it maintains excellent modulation, you brake with one finger for the front, while the rear is regulated in such a way which, if you want to block the wheel, you need to push quite aggressively with your foot. The small Xtrainer brakes and stops even if the ground is very uneven. Only one note for the clutch, but perhaps we weren't able to adjust it properly, as it released too close to the knob. The riding position, however, is excellent, with the triangulation between saddle, handlebars and footrests bordering on perfection, even for quite heterogeneous heights. The ignition button does its excellent job, throughout the day it never caused any problems, even when restarting with the gear engaged. The price for the small Beta 300 Xtrainer is: €6.690

Let's move on to its big sister, the Beta 390RR 4T Racing MY 2017

After the great sales success and the important sporting goals achieved, the company has increased the advantages and the distinctive characteristics of the RR: ease of driving, immediate and sincere feeling, design and quality. There have been many refinements carried on all models in the range, some directly derived from competitive experience of a higher level.

On the frame, with the now tested chrome-molybdenum steel structure with a double cradle split above the exhaust port, the following innovations from true racing motorbikes are inserted:

- Sachs fork: increased the stroke by 5 mm, for better shock absorption, and adopted Liqui Moly oil, with better temperature stability characteristics and excellent sliding qualities,
- Sachs shock absorber: new high/low speed adjustment system, now more precise and independent from each other. It is therefore possible to better customize the setting for every taste and driving style,
- steering plates: new design that guarantees greater lightness and rigidity,
- you look for silver wheels with black spokes: supplied by Excel, which has always been a leader in the sector,
- digital instrument: new design, in addition to the already present functions of hour meter, odometer (partial and total), instant, average and maximum speed, the battery charging function is added,
- new fuel cap with integrated valve.

Fine development work was also carried out on the engines which, thanks also to the contribution of the official pilots – Steve Holcombe and Johnny Aubert for the 2nd ed Alex Salvini for the 4T – have made it possible to introduce important innovations. For the 250 and 300 2T, as already happened in the previous version, the automatic mixer is adopted on all displacements: in addition to guaranteeing a perfect petrol-oil mix in any conditions of use and rotation speed, the hassle of having to prepare the mixture and always have a supply of oil with you in case of refueling is eliminated. Both engines have been subjected to European legislation Euro4 – for units produced in the second half of the year – and to the preparation of the control unit for a connection via CAN, which allows dialogue with generic diagnosis tools.

The matter is different for the 390, 4T on which it was electronic injection confirmed which, thanks to its great reliability, ease of management and extraordinary progressive delivery, has generated numerous positive feedback received from end users. The system is proven Synerjecta 42mm throttle body in diameter. On all engine sizes - already compliant with the European Euro4 regulation - indicators are introduced new camshafts, with modified lift profiles that radically change the heart of the 4T engines, making them even easier to drive, but maintaining absolute reference performance. Then some renewed valve springs, which, combined with the camshafts, significantly improve the rolling of the engines at idle and reduce the effect of the engine braking. Also in this case, the control unit is set up for a connection via CAN.

When riding, the 390 RR seems very light giving a sense of manageability in the narrow and at the same time it is also very stable in the fast, also because the track was very slippery, a type of terrain that is not easy to get used to. It highlights a docile and precise chassis, behaving always with balance and precision even when changing direction. The driving position seems natural and correct for an average-sized person. Low saddle, high handlebars and even a little narrow. We really appreciated the height of the saddle, which is lower than other motorbikes and therefore allows even the less tall (I'm still 1.73 m tall) to reach with their feet on the ground.

The gearbox responds very well to the movements of the lever, the gears are easily engaged with minimal pressure on the lever and there is no risk of inadvertently engaging neutral, thanks to the soft clutch lever which requires very little force to operate it. The feeling of being able to make the engine sing without feeling like Alex Salvini or Johnny Aubert is wonderful. Outside the tight hairpin bends, drifting is guaranteed and fun to ride too.

The surface is bumpy, irregular, but the suspensions guarantee a high level of comfort for amateur enduro, guaranteed by excellent communication of the chassis, both with a pace that is not the fastest, but also more capable pilots will appreciate this beautiful Sachs even more! In fact, the fork slides very well, at the front we find this fantastic Sachs, which guarantees excellent stability even in the deepest potholes. A very spirited engine, that of the 390, harnessed by a high-level chassis.

The injection and the improvement of the engine structure make it a truly excellent motorbike, both for beginners and for those more expert in the trade. Our test lasted until sunset, in the end we were a little tired, thanks to a bit of lack of training, but we returned home happy and satisfied from a day riding two great enduros! The price of the Beta 390 RR 4T Racing is: €8.990

Gianluca Cuttitta's clothing in the test :

Helmet: Scorpion Exo VX-15 Evo Air Gamma
Glasses: Cemoto
Jersey, pants, gloves and boots: Alpinestars

Tomas Del Campo's clothing in the test:

Shirt, trousers and gloves: Alpinestars Techstar Venom
Knee Pads: Alpinestars Vapor Pro
Boots: TCX
Helmet: Bell Moto-9

Thanks to Citroën Italia for providing us with the Jumpy in these photos. In addition to the road test, we subjected it to a "field" test, the details of which we will soon give you on our pages.

Tomas Del Campo collaborated