P92
RIDE REVIEW I 2024 BETA 450 RX
weren't much of an issue in the
first place; it only affected the
first and second gears. It's nice
to have, but we predict it will be
rarely used.
These days, most riders like
to tone down their modern-day
450cc motocrossers, but with
the Beta, many will want to spice
up their 450 RX a bit, and an ECU
adjustment and a slip-on exhaust
muffler should do the trick.
SUSPENSION
Beta outfitted the RX with KYB
suspension components, with
a 48mm fork and a 50mm
shock. They are fully adjust
-
able, of course. The high-end
KYBs
complement the steel
frame nicely. You get just the
right amount of chassis flex
and excellent absorption for the
smaller chops. The suspension
components are good stuff,
but we felt the specs from the
factory were a bit off. The fork is
too soft for aggressive moto
-
cross riding, and the rear end
feels too
stiff out of the gate.
Simply put, the balance is off.
But since this is Beta's first at-
tempt at a full-blown MXer, we'll
cut
them some slack for letting
their off-road expertise trickle
into the RX. We stiffened up the
fork and opened the high-speed
damping a half-turn in the rear.
This was a step in the right di
-
rection. The bike held up better
in the rear
with less squat and
could absorb and drive through
the bumps noticeably better
while under hard acceleration.
Both potential and comfort are
there, but fine-tuning it to your
liking will take some time.
The Beta corners well without
any glaring faults. Its forte are
the flat turns; very controllable
and stable.
WRAP UP
Beta did well with the 450 RX
for a first effort, and there are
plenty of positives to discuss.
The "mellow" power character
makes the bike very rideable,
and vets will appreciate its user-
friendly personality—while still
longing for a bit more bottom-
end. Having handy items like
adjustable engine maps and
traction control also puts it on
par with other bikes in the class.
The steel frame easily absorbs
chop, and, as mentioned, the
bike rails the flat turns. The
Beta's fit and finish are top-
notch. We were impressed with
the RX's coated parts, toolless
seat removal, quick-access
air filter and seemingly overall
(Above) The map and traction-control buttons are
located on the bar pad. (Below) The RX's engine is one
of the more "rideable" 450cc engines out there.
