Beta Motorcycles: Badass Bikes With A Fierce Following
Over And Out is super proud to be sponsored by Beta USA. Typically known as more of a specialty manufacturer as opposed to a global behemoth, Beta has always distinguished itself with original design and engineering, hand-craftsmanship, and excellence in balance and suspension.
Think quality over quantity, customer satisfaction over market share. Beta has put its passion and knowledge to work - from the earliest years of motorized transportation to producing some of the choicest motorcycles for off-road riding, racing, enduro, hard enduro, trials and dual sport.
We chatted with the President of Beta USA, Tim Pilg, to give our followers a little insight on why Beta Motorcycles rule, and why we think the ladies at Over And Out will love taking a Beta 200 RR or Xtrainer for a ride.
WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT BETA? WHAT MAKES BETA SPECIAL?
Beta USA President, Tim Pilg (pronounced like ‘Pildge’) explains: “Beta is a different company in that they build motorcycles still based on passion, not profits. In true Italian form, Beta is very passionate about design, integrity, and the art of building products. We are a family-owned company and have been in business since 1905.”
Beta sees themselves as their own competition, which is a great outlook and one that many off-road riders and racers can identify with. There’s a big world of manufacturers and riders in the off-road space and Beta claims their own powerful niche with a phenomenal engineering team and an ethos based on passion for the sport and enjoyment of the ride.
FOR A LITTLE BACKSTORY, HERE’S A QUICK DOWNLOAD ON BETA’S INCREDIBLE HISTORY…
Born in the bicycle world as "Società Giuseppe Bianchi" in the early 1900’s, which forged forward into motorcycle production in the 40’s as motorized transportation developed, then merging the initials of the two company leaders (Enzo Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi) to form the company name we now know. Beta then grew into building to a full range of mx and enduros along with the popularity of these sports back in the 70’s. In the early 80’s when Japanese manufacturers made a massive influx into the industry, Beta expanded more into the Trials niche, which allowed them to survive and push on until the early 2000’s when they resumed strong presence in the enduro world.
Today, many of the other motorcycle manufactures depend on robots to construct their products. Beta relies on the experience and passion of craftsmen to build their motorcycles. Still based out of Florence, Italy, the family-owned leadership of Beta is still hands on, working directly with Beta engineers to test and develop modes.
“Simply put, they are 100% in contact at all stages from design, production, and final testing.” Tim says. And, coming from the trials world, they’ve been able to transfer specific details and concepts back to enduro, delivering control that has translated to the Media world as “Rideability”. More on that later…
OK SO LET’S TALK BIKES. WHAT MODELS ARE IN BETA’S LINEUP RIGHT NOW?
“We offer different sizes in Trials, Off Road and Race, Dual Sport, (what we call Street Legal Off Road):
The Trials line includes four youth models as well as a 125, 200, 250, and 300 sizes in 2 strokes and a 300 in a 4-stroke.
The 2-stroke Off Road line up consists of 125, 200, 250, and 300, offered in both standard and Race Edition models, plus the XTrainer. The 4-stroke Off Road lineup is consists of 350, 390, 430, and 480 in Race Edition.
Then there’s the Dual Sport range (aka Street Legal Off Road, as they are designed for 95% off-road use) are offered in 350, 390, 430, and 500. They are 90% the same as the above Race Edition of-road models but have the required street equipment.”
WHAT DO YOU FIND PEOPLE LOVE THE MOST ABOUT BETA MOTORCYCLES?
“Rideability! It is our tag line that was not created by us, but rather by the press and owners all saying the same thing in that our bikes are just more enjoyable to ride than the others. Our engineers all ride and focus their attention on the riding experience while designing a new model, so that’s ultimately where this quality comes from.”
YOU MENTIONED THE BIKE OWNERS. ANOTHER THING I LOVE ABOUT BETA IS THAT THERE IS SUCH STRONG BRAND LOYALTY AMONG BETA OWNERS. WHAT MAKES BETA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER OFF-ROAD COMPANIES?
Tim explains, “I look at the market differently, I believe in “all boats ride at high tide” so I feel we are our own competition. It is our job to make sure our customers are happy with the bikes. The other guys that build bikes have their own agendas and we cannot control that, we just have to make sure our side of things are good and our beta owners are smiling.”
Beta does not function like a corporation. They are a true family run business. They have deep roots and solid bones. They don’t worry about market share, and don’t worry about rushing a product to market. They ‘ride their own ride’ so-to-speak, which is just another philosophy many brand loyalists can appreciate.
They also have their own technology and build engines and parts right in-house. This tight Integration from concept to production to delivery means they always know exactly where they stand, they can run leaner, pivot faster operationally-speaking, and all of that allows the brand to focus #1 on their product.
LET’S TALK ABOUT WHY THESE BIKES ARE GREAT FOR WOMEN!
I (Kelly, the founder of OAO) am a female Beta rider, and I don’t ride a Beta because they sponsor Over And Out. But you could say that I ride a Beta for the same reasons that I love Beta as a partner for OAO. After searching for an ideal bike for myself for a few years, (in absence of any 200cc woods models on the market) I found the Beta 200 RR to be the perfect next bike for me, a 5’6” 125lb woods rider. It has the light weight and low-end luggability needed for technical trails, but also has plenty of accessible power and handle any line that’s thrown its way.
Beyond that, these models have a more streamlined design, shaving off a little bit of bulk and sizing that consequentially adds up to improved handling. These are just a few of the reasons why I’m so thrilled to get more female woods, trail and enduro riders on Beta Motorcycles.
WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING BETA MODELS AT OVER AND OUT FOR FEMALE RIDERS TO DEMO. WHICH MODELS WOULD YOU SAY ARE IDEAL FOR FEMALE RIDERS?
“It depends on their riding ability, but it seems that many women are enjoying the Xtrainer and the 200 RR. We offer a lowering kit for both models that reduces the seat height almost 2” for those that are shorter than 5’8.”
IN A RECENT EPISODE OF THE DIRT BIKE CHANNEL PODCAST, THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE SLIGHTLY LOWER SEAT HEIGHT, FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE. SPECIFICALLY THAT BETAS MAY HAVE JUST A SLIGHTLY LESS AMOUNT OF TRAVEL AND CLEARANCE (DEPENDING ON THE MODEL) IN A WORTHWHILE TRADEOFF FOR GREATER HANDLING. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THIS?
“This is mostly true. The lower seat height adds to the improved handling of the bike, but it is the overall design that improves the handling. There are many things that contribute to the overall result of the performance. The engine design, where it is placed, and so on.” Tim says.
Both the 200RR and the Xtrainer offer great overall sizing options. The 200 RR frame is a tiny bit larger than the Xtrainer, yet smaller than the 300 RR. Both offer that low-end luggability many of us crave in tight, rocky woods. The XTrainer might feel a bit more linear (smooth and predictable) in power delivery. BOTH models have proven to be great choices for intermediate riders but have also claimed fanatical admiration from riders of all off-road disciplines.
Both of these 2-stroke models also have the convenience of oil-injection, meaning riders don’t have to pre-mix their gas with oil. Tim adds, “Oil injection has been fantastic! Not having to premix saves time and money. The oil injection uses much less oil, as [the bike] is always [automatically] changing the ratio [for optimal usage].”
BETA HAS TWO AMAZING FEMALE RIDERS ON THEIR PRO TEAM, RACHEL GUTISH AND MORGAN TANKE. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THEM?
“I saw Morgan race EnduroX a few years ago and she has been with our team ever since! She is talented and has been a pleasure to work with. When we added a second woman rider from the East, Rachel was the perfect choice.”
We had the privilege of having Rachel join us last year at OAO, and watching her ride is insanely inspiring. She’s also killing it at extreme events this year, having just taken the top podium spot at Tough Like RORR! Check out our interview with Rachel Gutish here.
WITH THE BETA FACTORY BASED IN ITALY, SURELY THEIR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AS AFFECTED BY RECENT EVENTS, BUT BETA HAS SURVIVED MANY UPS AND DOWNS IN THE WORLD OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS. HOW IS BETA AS A COMPANY AND FAMILY DOING PRESENTLY AND WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
“As a country, we are still “in the woods” with the pandemic.... however, our factory took the right steps from the very beginning, so we are ok, and production is up and going.
Being family owned, we have many advantages in the market because we do business in a way that is different from many others. Beta is focused on quality products that provide the owner with a special feeling when riding the bikes.”
Beta hasn’t been stopped from making updates to their lineup and releasing new models for 2021. They recently released photos and details for the 2021 Xtrainer (already waitlisted at most dealers) and the RR Off Road lineup as well as a new Motocross RX model. We anxiously await release of the other Race Edition and Trials models coming soon, and we can’t wait to hop on these badass bikes at the next Over And Out!
