Beta's Dominate Italian GP

Doddy
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Doddy 9/4/2018 7:11pm
9/4/2018 7:11pm
What makes a Beta a better bike than any of the others? Serious question.
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navalseabee
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navalseabee 9/5/2018 5:01am
9/5/2018 5:01am
LungButter wrote:
You really think the Beta is a superior bike to KTM? I'm not even sure how to respond to that and I'm not even close to...
You really think the Beta is a superior bike to KTM?

I'm not even sure how to respond to that and I'm not even close to a KTM fan boy.
Johnny Depp wrote:
Get a ride on one at the Demo tour.
Yea they're not that impressive that's for sure, if I wanted a boutique brand id look at Sherco or GasGas first.
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DoubleA
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DoubleA 9/5/2018 5:03am
9/5/2018 5:03am
Crazy how I use to race Enduros with Brad. Great to watch him do so good.
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.kyle
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.kyle 9/5/2018 5:11am
9/5/2018 5:11am Edited Date/Time 9/5/2018 5:12am
I was at an mx track (in north of England) a couple of months back and Brad and Matteo were there. They were FAST!!
There was a couple of fast mx lads there who couldn't keep up. It was very impressive to see Brad and Metteo's speed - I naively didn't expect enduro guys to be quite that fast especially on an mx track.

I only spoke to Brad, but he seemed like a decent guy (even if he didn't say thanks for the pics I emailed him lol).
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mmcmx
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mmcmx 9/5/2018 7:38am
9/5/2018 7:38am
.kyle wrote:
I was at an mx track (in north of England) a couple of months back and Brad and Matteo were there. They were FAST!! There was...
I was at an mx track (in north of England) a couple of months back and Brad and Matteo were there. They were FAST!!
There was a couple of fast mx lads there who couldn't keep up. It was very impressive to see Brad and Metteo's speed - I naively didn't expect enduro guys to be quite that fast especially on an mx track.

I only spoke to Brad, but he seemed like a decent guy (even if he didn't say thanks for the pics I emailed him lol).
The "enduro guys can't ride mx" was certanly true, but not anymore.
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 9:43am
9/5/2018 9:43am Edited Date/Time 9/5/2018 10:22am
LungButter wrote:
I've ridden several Betas. They are heavy and they feel heavy to me. I'll take my dialed in YZ 250 over any of the other 2...
I've ridden several Betas. They are heavy and they feel heavy to me.

I'll take my dialed in YZ 250 over any of the other 2 stroke options out there.

I can't comment on the 4 stroke Betas but aren't they quite heavy as well?
Beta 2t's are not any heavier than anything else if you take off the extra "stuff".

https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1159931-14-300-rr-weight-loss-proj…

"To my disbelief the scale read 220 lbs"

Same for the 4 strokes, but they are more at the Jap bike weights, not the Austrian ones, but they stay together.
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 10:13am
9/5/2018 10:13am Edited Date/Time 9/5/2018 11:05am
Doddy wrote:
What makes a Beta a better bike than any of the others? Serious question.
Rideability, torque is probably the biggest factor. They don't spin the rear wheel and hook up where others don't. To many, this is interpreted as slow because of how it feels, but you are moving forward when others are spinning and clutching/shifting. It's a concept that is underappreciated, and the Alta exploits.

Amazing chassis (steel) that turns on a dime and never headshakes.

Beta's are extremely versatile as a result of these attributes. Extreme, Single track, GP, MX, and street all come easily with the same basic platform. All models use a wide ratio 6 speed gearbox to enhance versatility and smooth power delivery.

They do very well in West Coast racing also as a result of this. Chance Fullerton just took the Hare & Hounds 250 Pro Championship last week on a 2t Beta with 1 race left.

https://www.betausa.com/sites/default/files/Beta%20USA%202018%20Race%20…

Max Gerston won the West Hare Scrambles Championship last year on the 390 4t (which most feel has the best torque characteristics).


Nick Burson won the West Hare Scrambles Championship in 2016 on the 480 4t.


Cody Webb won the Endurocross Championship on the 2t.


Ride one if you can: https://betausagallery.com/beta-usa-demo-tour/

Beta is a proven bike with a legitimate track record and distributor. They also have BYOB (build your own Beta) that no other manufacturer offers so you can customize one the way you want and have it delivered ready to go with free labor.







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YellowZonker 9/5/2018 12:00pm
9/5/2018 12:00pm
Betas are great bikes, and a cool alternative to KTM. Having said that, they were described to me by the local riders as a generation or 2 behind KTM. After riding them, I'd have to agree.
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 12:53pm
9/5/2018 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 9/5/2018 12:55pm
YellowZonker wrote:
Betas are great bikes, and a cool alternative to KTM. Having said that, they were described to me by the local riders as a generation or...
Betas are great bikes, and a cool alternative to KTM. Having said that, they were described to me by the local riders as a generation or 2 behind KTM. After riding them, I'd have to agree.
I've had the exact opposite experience with my friends, they think the Beta feels like a works bike. There have been some shocked people when they see their lap times compared to their own mounts, they felt slower but were faster. I have created a bit of business for some pumpkins at 812 suspension after they got off mineSmile
GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/5/2018 12:59pm
9/5/2018 12:59pm
early wrote:
Maybe nobody cares about Enduro racing and Beta is cherry picking a dead series instead of racing the big boys.
Beta and Holcombe won the E3 world title in 2016 and the EnduroGP world title in 2017, while the Austrians were still there. After being beat by both Phillips/Sherco and Beta/Holcombe, they were pretty pissed.
If anybody is cherry picking, I guess it's the two brands who left for a tailor made championship/marketing tool built by themselves for themselves, which doesn't have much to do with enduro as it's been in Europe for ages.
Beta makes great bikes, very well built, quite reliable, with real torquey enduro engines. Not the greatest suspension around, not "better" per se than a KTM, but a very viable alternative.
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early
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early 9/5/2018 1:04pm
9/5/2018 1:04pm
early wrote:
Maybe nobody cares about Enduro racing and Beta is cherry picking a dead series instead of racing the big boys.
GODZILLA wrote:
Beta and Holcombe won the E3 world title in 2016 and the EnduroGP world title in 2017, while the Austrians were still there. After being beat...
Beta and Holcombe won the E3 world title in 2016 and the EnduroGP world title in 2017, while the Austrians were still there. After being beat by both Phillips/Sherco and Beta/Holcombe, they were pretty pissed.
If anybody is cherry picking, I guess it's the two brands who left for a tailor made championship/marketing tool built by themselves for themselves, which doesn't have much to do with enduro as it's been in Europe for ages.
Beta makes great bikes, very well built, quite reliable, with real torquey enduro engines. Not the greatest suspension around, not "better" per se than a KTM, but a very viable alternative.
Who was racing the Austrian bikes in 16/17?
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 1:11pm
9/5/2018 1:11pm
WESS round winners so far, Husky, Husky, Yamaha, Sherco. Those pesky competitors..

Beta's Sachs suspension has been often superior to WP product, and Holcombe is about the only one running stock suspension, everyone else is on "works" suspension.
Rejser
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Rejser 9/5/2018 1:43pm
9/5/2018 1:43pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
WESS round winners so far, Husky, Husky, Yamaha, Sherco. Those pesky competitors.. Beta's Sachs suspension has been often superior to WP product, and Holcombe is about...
WESS round winners so far, Husky, Husky, Yamaha, Sherco. Those pesky competitors..

Beta's Sachs suspension has been often superior to WP product, and Holcombe is about the only one running stock suspension, everyone else is on "works" suspension.
I´m sure the guys waiting for new shiny red elox fork tubes that don´t fall apart inside think the Sachs is very superior.

And Holcombes bike is not nearly as stock as they try making you believe.
early
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early 9/5/2018 2:15pm
9/5/2018 2:15pm
GODZILLA wrote:
The guys KTM hired to race them.
Real slow second class minions, BTW...
Tongue

https://blog.ktm.com/excellent-enduro-team/

https://www.sixdays.nl/2017/03/21/ktm-enduro-factory-racing-team-ready-…
Well, sometimes ya get beat. Looks like maybe KTM pulled the EnduroGP money and dumped it in Jeffrey Herlings' back yard
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GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/5/2018 2:27pm
9/5/2018 2:27pm
Rejser wrote:
I´m sure the guys waiting for new shiny red elox fork tubes that don´t fall apart inside think the Sachs is very superior. And Holcombes bike...
I´m sure the guys waiting for new shiny red elox fork tubes that don´t fall apart inside think the Sachs is very superior.

And Holcombes bike is not nearly as stock as they try making you believe.
Sure wouldn't say the Sachs suspension is what's best about a Beta.
GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/5/2018 2:32pm
9/5/2018 2:32pm
early wrote:
Well, sometimes ya get beat. Looks like maybe KTM pulled the EnduroGP money and dumped it in Jeffrey Herlings' back yard
Sure you do. They also weren't happy with the way the championship was handled and wanted it to lean more towards spectacular extreme races than "traditional" enduro. Since they couldn't come to an agreement with the promoter, they built their own championship with RB.
early
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early 9/5/2018 3:09pm
9/5/2018 3:09pm
GODZILLA wrote:
Sure you do. They also weren't happy with the way the championship was handled and wanted it to lean more towards spectacular extreme races than "traditional"...
Sure you do. They also weren't happy with the way the championship was handled and wanted it to lean more towards spectacular extreme races than "traditional" enduro. Since they couldn't come to an agreement with the promoter, they built their own championship with RB.
Can't say KTM made a mistake, at this time.

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mattyhamz2 9/5/2018 3:14pm
9/5/2018 3:14pm
Doddy wrote:
What makes a Beta a better bike than any of the others? Serious question.
Johnny Depp wrote:
Rideability, torque is probably the biggest factor. They don't spin the rear wheel and hook up where others don't. To many, this is interpreted as slow...
Rideability, torque is probably the biggest factor. They don't spin the rear wheel and hook up where others don't. To many, this is interpreted as slow because of how it feels, but you are moving forward when others are spinning and clutching/shifting. It's a concept that is underappreciated, and the Alta exploits.

Amazing chassis (steel) that turns on a dime and never headshakes.

Beta's are extremely versatile as a result of these attributes. Extreme, Single track, GP, MX, and street all come easily with the same basic platform. All models use a wide ratio 6 speed gearbox to enhance versatility and smooth power delivery.

They do very well in West Coast racing also as a result of this. Chance Fullerton just took the Hare & Hounds 250 Pro Championship last week on a 2t Beta with 1 race left.

https://www.betausa.com/sites/default/files/Beta%20USA%202018%20Race%20…

Max Gerston won the West Hare Scrambles Championship last year on the 390 4t (which most feel has the best torque characteristics).


Nick Burson won the West Hare Scrambles Championship in 2016 on the 480 4t.


Cody Webb won the Endurocross Championship on the 2t.


Ride one if you can: https://betausagallery.com/beta-usa-demo-tour/

Beta is a proven bike with a legitimate track record and distributor. They also have BYOB (build your own Beta) that no other manufacturer offers so you can customize one the way you want and have it delivered ready to go with free labor.







I know chance personally and he is a great rider. Probably the only guy I know in the area on a Beta, but he knows how to ride it!
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GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/5/2018 3:15pm
9/5/2018 3:15pm
I feel the exact opposite, but it's a matter of personal taste.

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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 3:50pm
9/5/2018 3:50pm
Rejser wrote:
I´m sure the guys waiting for new shiny red elox fork tubes that don´t fall apart inside think the Sachs is very superior. And Holcombes bike...
I´m sure the guys waiting for new shiny red elox fork tubes that don´t fall apart inside think the Sachs is very superior.

And Holcombes bike is not nearly as stock as they try making you believe.
GODZILLA wrote:
Sure wouldn't say the Sachs suspension is what's best about a Beta.
Let's compare it to 4CS and all of the air forks of the day. Even today AER internals are regularly swapped.

Fork tube wear is not uncommon among many brands today, why do you think people pay extra for Kashima? It could have been better, but dirty fork oil doesn't ruin your suspension. The '19's are new components, same company.

When you can find something worth talking about not stock on Holcombe's bike, please post a photo because I want to know what will be new on the '19 Race Editions, which sucks that they don't release until November.
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 3:52pm
9/5/2018 3:52pm
GODZILLA wrote:
Sure you do. They also weren't happy with the way the championship was handled and wanted it to lean more towards spectacular extreme races than "traditional"...
Sure you do. They also weren't happy with the way the championship was handled and wanted it to lean more towards spectacular extreme races than "traditional" enduro. Since they couldn't come to an agreement with the promoter, they built their own championship with RB.
early wrote:
Can't say KTM made a mistake, at this time.
I can't disagree that WESS may turn out to be a better series, but to abandon the only FIM series? It's not like they are hurting for money, and Enduro is their legacy that built the whole empire.
Jeremy Macbeth 9/5/2018 5:32pm
9/5/2018 5:32pm
I'm a big fan of the 48mm Marzocchi forks. Easily as good as my KYB. It turns like a dream in tight single track too. I've been really happy with my Beta and, at nearly 50 hard-ridden hours, no real mechanical issues to speak of.
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/5/2018 7:15pm
9/5/2018 7:15pm
Ghostrider145 wrote:
My opinion is that there is no way to claim Beta being better then KTM or KTM better then the rest of the market. Sherco has...
My opinion is that there is no way to claim Beta being better then KTM or KTM better then the rest of the market. Sherco has also been gaining ground on the comp.
Each and ever person demands and prefers some thing different in a bike. I do believe the bigger a manfactuer becomes the more “refined” the bikes design becomes. It’s just natural progression. Beta’s motors are amazing and the chassis is up there in balance with the best of them. Can not comment on Sherco.

Ghost
Way to stay neutralWink
GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/6/2018 12:02pm
9/6/2018 12:02pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
I can't disagree that WESS may turn out to be a better series, but to abandon the only FIM series? It's not like they are hurting...
I can't disagree that WESS may turn out to be a better series, but to abandon the only FIM series? It's not like they are hurting for money, and Enduro is their legacy that built the whole empire.
The only problem is WESS has nothing to do with enduro.
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/6/2018 12:13pm
9/6/2018 12:13pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
I can't disagree that WESS may turn out to be a better series, but to abandon the only FIM series? It's not like they are hurting...
I can't disagree that WESS may turn out to be a better series, but to abandon the only FIM series? It's not like they are hurting for money, and Enduro is their legacy that built the whole empire.
GODZILLA wrote:
The only problem is WESS has nothing to do with enduro.
Exactly, at the French round, where it was like a Sprint Enduro, the regulars got smoked. Johnny Walker finished 10th and was the highest finisher among the contenders. Most of these guys are 1 trick ponies.
GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/6/2018 1:04pm
9/6/2018 1:04pm
The french round actually was what's called a "Classic" here.
"Le trèfle" is very renowned and popular in France. It's a 3 days event, a long but rather cool, almost "touristic" trail ride in beautiful sceneries, aiming mostly at amateurs, with 5 special tests a day, mostly grass tracks. Very easy to ride, very competitive and hard to win since every fast french guy is there.
Best WESS regular actually was spaniard Josep Garcia, who was very good last year in World Enduro and who's struggling this year in the WESS extreme races, since he both has no trials background and small legs...
BobPA
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BobPA 9/6/2018 1:58pm
9/6/2018 1:58pm
I am a bit upset with Beta for getting rid of the red plastics. They looked so good in person all red...
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Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 9/6/2018 2:18pm
9/6/2018 2:18pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2018 2:19pm
GODZILLA wrote:
The french round actually was what's called a "Classic" here. "Le trèfle" is very renowned and popular in France. It's a 3 days event, a long...
The french round actually was what's called a "Classic" here.
"Le trèfle" is very renowned and popular in France. It's a 3 days event, a long but rather cool, almost "touristic" trail ride in beautiful sceneries, aiming mostly at amateurs, with 5 special tests a day, mostly grass tracks. Very easy to ride, very competitive and hard to win since every fast french guy is there.
Best WESS regular actually was spaniard Josep Garcia, who was very good last year in World Enduro and who's struggling this year in the WESS extreme races, since he both has no trials background and small legs...
As I mentioned, "contenders" and Josep is not, although this was an event that better suited his skills. Johnny Aubert had a good ride also, but neither of them is top 10 in points for WESS.
GODZILLA
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GODZILLA 9/6/2018 3:03pm
9/6/2018 3:03pm
OK, you meant main contenders for the WESS title, then you're abslutely right. The only "slight" difference between Aubert and Garcia (apart from their age) being that the spaniard is a factory KTM pilot appointed to race WESS, even though I guess he would have done much better in World Enduro, while the frenchman is mostly focused on the spanish championship with the new Gas Gas (and not racing WESS).
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