2008 Beta Trials Skin Deep?
Published: 17th January 2008
Author: Dan Clark Photos by Sutty
At first glance a fancy white rear mudguard and flash black rims are the only changes to the ’08 Betas but dig a little deeper and you’ll find they’re packing much more than model good looks…
On a bitterly cold Wednesday morning the DBR team and my bad self headed to a secret test spot above the trials capital of t’world – that’s Silsden, Yorkshire – to test the ’08 Beta trials range. Like many of the other trials bike manufacturers’ 2008 models, the new Betas don’t look to have changed that much from the previous year apart from a few cosmetic bits and bobs – namely a new white rear mudguard and sexy black rims. So what have Beta been doing all year?
When you dig deeper into the specs of the new machines you soon realise that they have been working hard and tweaking what we already know is an incredibly well-made and beautiful bike to ride.
I started off on the 125cc bike which this year has had a whole heap of development work carried out to develop maximum power out of that tiny engine. Mods include a new Keihin carb and crankcase and airbox tweaks – the same ones used on Jack Challoner’s works bike on which he won the European and A Class British championships this year.
The 125 feels so light to move about on and the engine note sounds to have more power than the previous model - and it does. All the little changes add up to a totally new and improved Beta 125 which was pulling me everywhere in second gear. The Keihin carb kept the motor running clean throughout and it helped me feel like I could put all my confidence in this bike knowing that it wasn’t going to bog or splutter at a bad time.
I feel that the 200 is aimed at the rider who wants a bike that isn’t going to get out of control and it’s perfect for the adult beginner. It has plenty of power if you have it on full song but the bottom-end is very soft and it’s very easy to find grip. All the bikes – including this one – come fitted with a flywheel weight which helps soften the delivery of the power and these can be taken off if you want more snap. The 200 is a great bike and shows that Beta are providing bikes to suit all.
The 250cc is the best seller of the range and for me the one I prefer to ride. The bikes are looking fantastic this year and it is one of my favourite bikes because of the styling with the frame but also for the quality of the bike – every part is machined and crafted to perfection like a piece of art.
The bike has new Paioli fork settings for better rideability. The suspension absorbs big hits well and sits stable through rocky sections and helps you get plenty of grip too. This bike feels balanced and has been tested to death to get this right. The engine performance has stepped up a level again this year with the small changes making the engine run so smooth and clean right through the range. The motor feels more responsive but retains a smooth delivery and is suited for riders of all abilities in my opinion.
Moving on to the big daddy of the Beta range. The 270 has always had huge amounts of power for the expert or bigger-boned rider. This year the changes include mods on the cylinder head and a new single cylinder chamber silencer which gives the bike a smoother delivery at low engine speed but also increases power and acceleration at the top-end. In the wrong hands this bike would do more harm than good but a confident rider can take it anywhere.
I really like the 270 this year – especially the styling – as the cowboy bars feel nice and it’s easy to feel at one with the Betas as they have nice low footpegs which make the bike feel easy to balance and light.
The 250cc four-stroke Rev-4 is a bike that was brand-new last year. It was clear back then that Beta had got it right and this year’s bike is no different – it’s light and doesn’t sound like a motocrosser! With four-strokes there’s a bit of an art to starting them and once I’d figured out the Rev-4 needs just the tiniest amount of throttle the bike started first time every time. New for this year is a hot-start lever on the carb so if you fall off or stall the motor pull this lever and it makes it easier to start.
This bike - like the others in the Beta range - has had major changes and for me the four-stroke is the best in its class. When you’re riding you don’t feel that huge engine-braking effect that you feel on other four-strokes and you can actually ride it like a two-stroke on the bottom-end which helps make you feel confident enough to flick it about.
The
power delivery is smooth and progressive, ideally suited for clubmen riders - though
I hear there may well be a 300 Rev-4 coming soon which should suit expert and pro-standard
riders better.
Rev-3 125
Capacity: 124cc
Bore and stroke: 54mm x 54mm
Front suspension: 38mm Paioli (165mm travel)
Rear suspension: Paioli (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 165mm disc
Carburettor: Keihin PWK 28mm
Gearbox: Six-speed
Wheelbase: 1310mm
Seat height: 660mm
Dry weight: 70kg
Rev-3 200
Capacity: 195cc
Bore and stroke: 64mm x 60.5mm
Front suspension: 38mm Paioli (165mm travel)
Rear suspension: Paioli (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 165mm disc
Carburettor: Keihin PWK 28mm
Gearbox: Six-speed
Wheelbase: 1310mm
Seat height: 660mm
Dry weight: 70kg
Rev-3 250
Capacity: 249.7cc
Bore and stroke: 72.5mm x 60.5mm
Front suspension: 38mm Paioli (165mm travel)
Rear suspension: Paioli (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 165mm disc
Carburettor: Keihin PWK 28mm
Gearbox: Six-speed
Wheelbase: 1310mm
Seat height: 660mm
Dry weight: 71kg
Rev-3 270
Capacity: 274.5cc
Bore and stroke: 76mm x 60.5mm
Front suspension: 38mm Paioli (165mm travel)
Rear suspension: Paioli (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 165mm disc
Carburettor: Keihin PWK 28mm
Gearbox: Six-speed
Wheelbase: 1310mm
Seat height: 660mm
Dry weight: 71kg
Rev-4 250
Capacity: 249.6cc
Bore and stroke: 77mm x 53.6mm
Front suspension: 38mm Paioli (165mm travel)
Rear suspension: Paioli (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 165mm disc
Carburettor: Mikuni SEBSR 33-79
Gearbox: Five-speed
Dry weight: 75kg
Seat height: 680mm
Wheelbase: 1319mm