and do a great job, but the KTM is signifi-
cantly less vibey than the Beta.
What sets these two bikes apart the
most is their suspension. The KTM's
suspension feels more at home for mo
-
tocross, which doesn't surprise us. KTM
has more motocross experience than
Beta. The Beta suspension is consider
-
ably soft for hardcore MX use, especially
on big, fast and pounding tracks like Glen
Helen Raceway, where we spent much of
our time testing these two motorcycles.
The KTM is more MX-ready right out of
the crate with top-line MX-developed WP
Xact components. It's a true SX model
with a similar feel and activity as the
other SX and SX-F lines in orange. It is
very good stuff in stock trim.
The Beta is closer to an Austrian "XC,"
closed-course stock-bike setting but
even softer still. We increased clickers a
lot (we lost count), but it's just too softly
sprung, and the valving needs to be cus
-
tomized for serious MX racers. But it's
well suited for a chill day at the track or a
vet rider who isn't so much worried about
lap times and more concerned with hav
-
ing a good time.
VOLUME ISSUE MAY , P109
