optimum ratio and less smoke.
The 2.5-gallon tank will get you
about 45 to 55 miles before you
will be looking for gas. The Kei-
hin carburetor is jetted well and
did not provide any issues.
When it comes time for ser-
vice, the Beta's include tool-less
air filter access and a nice push-
button seat removal to provide
access to the oil-injection tank.
By the way, that 650cc tank will
get you about three tanks of fuel
before having to add more oil
and includes a warning light.
We thought that the Sachs
fork and shock felt a bit harsh
in small chop and rocks but
realized that the stock Michelin
Enduro Competition FIM-spec
tires were the main culprit. They
have very stiff sidewalls and the
tires lasted forever but provided
a harsh ride. We installed a set
of Dunlop AT81 tires and it made
a night-and-day difference in the
compliance of the bike and trac-
tion. The forks are not great, but
they are good, and most riders
will be happy with them. And the
Sachs shock performed well.
After losing a little weight in
2018, the Beta weighed in at
244 pounds on our scales with
a full tank of fuel, which is very
similar to the KTM and Husqvar-
na 250/300 off-road bikes (the
KTM and Husqvarna four-strokes
are shockingly in the same
range, but the Japanese off-road
four-strokes are around 25-30
pounds heavier by comparison).
The 300 RR feels light and re-
sponsive on the trail.
VOL. 55 ISSUE 3 JANUARY 23, 2018 P73
You might be
wondering if the
Beta is competitive,
well, the 300
RR won the FIM
World Enduro
Championship in
2016 and 2017.
That should answer
your question.
