Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/946956
VOL. 55 ISSUE 8 FEBRUARY 27, 2018 P93 bars have a neutral bend and, as already mentioned, the seat is firm. Brakes are super strong and have good feel, as does the hydraulically operated clutch. It's hard not to compare the Beta 500 RR-S to the popu- lar KTM 500 EXC. It's a bike by which all other dual sports are judged. Many have asked where the RR-S stands against the EXC. This was probably the second-most asked question that we heard while the Beta was in our hands. Here are some quick, notable, on-paper comparisons: the Beta has less engine displacement, 478cc versus 510.4cc, the Beta holds less fuel, two gallons versus 2.25 gallons, the Beta is fitted with Sachs suspension com- ponents, the KTM runs WP Xplor components; the Beta's rear shock rides on linkage, the KTM is attached directly to the swingarm; the Beta has a larger diameter rear brake rotor, 240mm versus 220mm rotor; the Beta has a lower seat heat, 36.6 inches versus 37.8 inches; the Beta has push- button seat removal, the KTM requires tools; the Beta comes with a skid plate, the KTM does not; the Beta has less ground clearance, 12.6 inches versus 14 inches, and the Beta, at $9999, cost $1000 less than the KTM. As far as weight, the KTM is lighter. Our Beta test bike, with a full tank of gas, weighed in at 269 pounds; our 2017 KTM 500 EXC (which is nearly iden- tical to the 2018) weighed in at 258 pounds. Similarities are numerous: both are fuel injected via 42mm throttle bodies, they both have six-speed transmissions, hydraulically operated clutch- es, easy-access air filters, see-through fuel tanks, hand guards, steel frames and fully adjustable suspension. There is, however, one very important thing that the Beta has that the KTM does not and that is having the ability to customize your 500 RR-S to the hilt even before you take delivery of it via Beta's Build Your Own Beta Program. This is a very cool thing. Check out Beta's website for more de- tails on this service. We went through the program once and it really is a pretty neat deal. Although this test is not in- tended to be a comparison be- tween the Beta and the KTM, we can still tell you that the Beta certainly rivals the orange bike when it comes to on-trail performance. Without ques- tion. The Beta 500 RR-S is an impressive dual sport machine and well worth looking into if you're in the market for a seri- ous, full-on off-road bike that won't get you a citation when you roll onto the tarmac. Here's to those putting in the hard work in Rignano Sull'Arno—good job, you've impressed us once again. CN 2018 BETA 500 RR-S ($9999) ENGINE: ........ Liquid-cooled, 4-valve, 4-stroke, single BORE X STROKE:........................100 x 60.8mm DISPLACEMENT: ....................................... 478cc COMPRESSION RATIO: ...............................12.1:1 IGNITION: .... DC-CDI with dual map selection, Kokusan; 200 watt output at 6000 RPM LUBRICATION: .... Twin oil pumps; separate oil for engine and clutch, 0.8 liter each Fuel System: 42mm Electronic Fuel Injection CLUTCH: .....................................Wet multi-disc PRIMARY RATIO: ........................................ 31:73 TRANSMISSION: ....................................6-speed FINAL DRIVE: ........................ O-ring chain, D.I.D FINAL GEARING: ....................................... 15:48 FRAME: ...........Molybdenum steel with double cradle split above exhaust port ELECTRICAL: ...... Trail Tech Voyager GPS unit FRONT SUSPENSION: ......... 48mm Sachs USD fork, adjustable compression and rebound, TFX technology REAR SUSPENSION: ................Aluminum Body Sachs shock w/adjustable rebound and hi/ low speed compression FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ...........................11.6 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .............................11.4 in. FRONT BRAKE: ............................. 260mm rotor REAR BRAKE: ................................240mm rotor FRONT/REAR RIMS: .....................21 in. / 18 in. FRONT/REAR TIRES: ............. Michelin Enduro, DOT approved WHEELBASE: ........................................... 58.1 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ........................................ 36.6 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ............................ 12.6 in. FOOTPEG HEIGHT: ................................16.25 in. FUEL TANK CAPACITY: .................... 2.0 gallons WEIGHT (WET, NO FUEL): ......................246 lbs. WARRANTY:..........12 month Limited Warranty S P E C I F I C A T I O N S