FEATURE I 2023 CYCLE NEWS BIKES WE LIKE
P140
SEAN FINLEY
FAVORITE: 2023 BETA
300 RR RACE EDITION
Like last year, my favorite motor-
cycle I rode in 2023 was a 300cc
two-stroke off-roader. We did a
multi-day test of all the "headlight"
300cc two-strokes, and I had the
most fun riding the Beta 300 RR
Race Edition. The Beta Race Edi
-
tion models come standard with
KYB forks and shock rather than
the Sach's components found
on the standard RR models, and
I loved the settings and perfor
-
mance. The suspension has excel-
lent compliance on the small stuff
but allows you to push the pace
without blowing through the travel.
I equally liked the performance
of the carbureted motor. It is pep-
pier than the fuel-injected KTM and
sister brand TPI bikes and also
provides ultra-usable power down
low. I have yet to have a chance to
ride one of the new generations
of KTM TBI fuel-injected bikes for
comparison. Fuel injection is argu
-
ably better for changes in altitude,
but the stock carburetor jetting was
just about perfect on our test bike,
and it ran well at sea level and up to
5000 feet of elevation.
