We spend a little more time with the 2021 Beta 300 RX two-stroke.
A little bit ago, we had our first ride on the 2021 Beta 300 RX motocross machine. If you didn’t see that, a quick refresher is that Beta, having never had a motocross machine before, is getting into the moto game with this 300cc two-stroke, soon to be followed by a 450cc four-stroke that an MXGP team is soon to be riding in the 2021 FIM World Motocross Championship. After the initial ride, there were a few things we wanted to try with the Beta 300 RX, the main thing being the suspension. We went straight to the horse's mouth and reached out to KYB USA since to see if they could help us dial in the stock suspension. From there we added a mix of parts from Beta’s Hard Parts catalog. They run a program that is very similar to KTM/Husqvarna/GASGAS where they offer bike specific parts through their dealer.
As far as the suspension went, we originally wanted to do a "Race Spec" video with this bike, where Ping gets with the OEM and dials in the stock suspension without really spending any money. But that conversation with Kaipo Chung, suspension guru at KYB, lead us down a bit of a rabbit hole. Kaipo reached out to his KYB superiors in Japan to get more information on the suspension on the bike, which lead to KYB Japan talking to Beta in Italy. Stock, the 300 RX comes with a Sachs shock, but just out of curiosity (and because the MXGP Beta team in Europe is running KYB fork and shock) Kaipo asked KYB if there was a shock that would fit. And sure enough, they sent a KYB shock that is a bit of a prototype that isn't available to purchase. It's definitely not a works shock or anything super fancy, just something that they are playing with comparable to an OEM shock.
While Ping didn't ride the bike a ton in stock form, I, Klinger did have a few rides on the stock RX and I can say with certainty that the bike was way more comfortable and fun to ride after Kaipo did his work. I've also ridden many Beta off-road models in the past, both four-strokes and two-strokes and have really liked the bikes. The one thing overall that we couldn't really change no matter what we did with the suspension was a rigid chassis feel, which is not the way the Beta off-road bikes feel. According to Beta, with the RX being the motocross model, they gusseted the frame (not sure specifically where) as to give the bike a more precise, moto bike feel. My guess is that this might not be necessary. One last thing on this bike that is sort of weird and doesn't help its case is a rock hard and tall seat. Ping and I are neither tall people and touching the ground seemed much harder than typical bikes. Plus having a hard seat can contribute to a stiff overall bike feeling.
Overall, it is awesome to see another motocross option on the market, even if Beta isn't a household name in moto just yet. Like we said in the video, long ago when KTM was more of an off-road only brand and they started down the path of motocross, those bikes felt very different than the Japanese OEMs that had been in the track game much longer. The Beta is similar. This was a fun project and we learned a lot (as I think KYB and Beta did, too). We are excited for their all-new 450 RX whenever that bike hits the USA.
KYB:
Suspension Support and Prototype Shock
Polisport:
Graphics:
Beta Accessories:
For more information go to BetaUSA.com
American Dirt Rider
6/9/2021 8:39 AM
Johnny Depp
6/10/2021 7:00 AM
American Dirt Rider
6/10/2021 7:12 AM
Klinger
6/10/2021 9:19 AM
American Dirt Rider
6/10/2021 10:07 AM
SidewayzMike
6/8/2021 6:36 AM
Johnny Depp
6/7/2021 7:51 PM
Glad to see you spending more time with the Beta. But.. You should try talking to someone who knows how to set one up. Dare Demartile had his dialed at the 2 stroke Championship with a 2nd.
100 mm of sag is plenty. Do you know the length of that KYB shock? Get some weight on the front, get a seat off the enduro models.
dpingree101
6/9/2021 5:38 AM
Johnny Depp
6/10/2021 6:43 AM
dpingree101
6/10/2021 9:10 AM
Johnny Depp
6/10/2021 11:06 AM
That's what I love about Vital, real people on the other end of the conversation. Thanks for the reply.
The part you might not know about Beta's, is that they ALL come choppered out. The fix for most is moving the forks and/or less sag (band aid). Beta's have less travel than the rest, so less sag is needed anyway. I suspect the fatty pipe kept you from moving them enough to fix it. The KYB shock length is critical, savvy setups have made the stock shock 4mm longer and it's a game changer.
Beta's used to have the lowest seat heights, but over the years they have crept up. Low/soft seats are obviously available, but Beta screwed up on the RX seat and fork specs.
The frame is not an issue with a slack front end, or triple clamps. Beta rider's buy very few steering stabilizers and they turn very well, hence 5 EnduroGP championships. They also don't sell many Rekluse clutches since the engine's work so well.
Kartwheel
6/10/2021 3:58 PM
Hey Ping it looks to me like you could have gone a spring rate softer on the forks or maybe just less preload on the springs that were in it. The shock looked pretty good but is for sure a bit softer than the forks. I'm that Factory Spec guy from Australia, you rode that Garage build Twisted Development YZ250 a few years back
that belonged to Kris Puffer who is around 220 lbs so it was sprung waaay to stiff for you.
Anyways just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.
Cheers from Straya
Ken Wheeler