News
February 7, 2012
Paso Robles, CA
Beta team rider Chris Bach is all set to go for Round 2 of the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro series being held in Greensboro, Georgia. Known as the Cherokee National, this event has been running for 46 years and this year marks the first time for Chris Bach. The Indiana racer is looking forward to moving up the results after a positive 12th place finish in round one.
Chris explains, "with only a few weeks to prepare for the sumter event, i set realistic goals for myself. I fell just short of my goal of a top 10, but mostly in part of rear brake issue in the 4th test after I hit a tree. I rode well, and was actually very happy with how the day went, my riding, and my Beta 450 RR. I am looking forward to the upcoming days to prepare for Georgia".
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| Bach feeling good on his new Beta at round 1 |
Chris Bach's sponsors include American Beta, Stillwell Performance, WMR, FMF, JGR Suspension, Maxxis, Fly, Sidi, Scott, Hammer Nutrition, Fasstco, Regina, Trek Bicycles, Concept 2, Rockwell Timekeepers, Dirt Tricks, and Ride PG.
American Beta is the sole US importer of high quality Beta motorcycles. Beta motorcycles are handcrafted in Florence, Italy offering a complete range of Off Road competition, Dual Sport as well as class-leading Mototrial motorcycles.
Beta Announces 2012 Race Team
January 5, 2012
Paso Robles, CA
American Beta is proud to announce their race team plans for the 2012 season. 2011 proved to be very rewarding for the Italian-based manufacturer and this year is looking to be even more exciting.
Returning to the team for 2012 are both Chris Bach and Cody Webb. Bach will be riding a 450 RR Factory edition in the GNCC XC1 Pro class with extra support from WMR Competition Performance and will also be contesting in the AMA/Rekluse National Enduro series for 2012. Cody Webb will compete in the AMA/Geico Endurocross series including the ESPN X Games. Webb will also contest in select extreme enduros including Hell's Gate and the 2012 Tennessee Knockout.
A new addition to the Beta Endurocross team is current Open Amateur Champion Max Gerston from Scottsdale, Arizona. Gerston will be riding a 350 RR. Also returning to the Beta squad is 17 year old Justin Sode racing the A class in all GNCC events as well as the National Enduros. Rounding out the team is Clay Davies from Fillmore, Utah competing in the AMA National Hare & Hound series aboard his 450 RR.
New to the American race program is the addition of Stillwell Performance. Alan Stillwell will manage Beta's Endurocross team as well as help in the development of the Beta Amateur team for off road including GNCC, Enduro, Hare & Hound, Hare Scrambles, and Endurocross events. Amateur racers can email their resumes to racesupport@americanbeta.com . Stillwell Performance has put together special support packages for racers.
Alan Stillwell explains, "I'm very excited to be managing the Beta Factory Racing program for X Games and EnduroCross this season. Beta is aggressively expanding their racing efforts and the 350RR has incredible off road potential. I watched the bike closely this past season and was very impressed. We will be testing extensively with Cody Webb in preparation for the season opener on May 4th in Las Vegas. Cody set the fastest hot lap time at the final race and finished the season with a strong 5th overall in points. Together we are looking forward to putting the Beta 350RR on the top of the podium this year! The Beta Amateur Support Program is a great way for aspiring riders to race a fully dialed in RR model and take advantage of the Factory Team's testing and setup. Support riders will be able to purchase bikes and parts at a discount and also buy Factory Team motor and suspension setups. Through the company's unique "Build Your Own Beta" program riders can pre select their options and have suspension dialed in for their specifics-all prior to delivery. It's the closest thing to a factory bike you can get!"
Beta's 2012 World Enduro team has signed Finnish rider Marko Tarkkala to team up with current Beta rider Oscar Balletti. Both riders will compete in the World Enduro Championship in the E3 and E2 class respectively. The team will be managed by Fabrizio Dini. Also continuing is the Boano Team of Deny Philippaerts on a 450 RR.
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Bach is ready for 2012
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In Mototrial, (formerly known as Observed Trials) Cody Webb returns to the team ready to earn the title back that eluded him in 2011. Webb will be contesting the AMA Mototrial series aboard his factory-prepped Evo 300 in the elite Pro class. Also returning to the team is 7-time Expert champion Ray Peters riding the Beta Evo 300 4-stroke. Rounding out the factory supported team is 2011 High School class champion Nick Fonzi. "The Fonz" will move up to the ultra competitive Expert class for 2012.
Team Manager Ron Lee of RL Racing explains, "2012 looks to be another exciting year for Team Beta at the Moto Trials Nationals! Cody Webb in Pro and Ray Peters in Expert class going after the #1 plates that slipped away last year. Nick Fonzi, after winning the High School class in 2011, is moving up to the Expert class- another contender for Team Beta. I'm looking forward to another awesome year of supporting all the Beta riders at the Nationals. I would like to thank our trial team sponsors Dunlop, Kal-Gard, Jitsie, and Matrix Concepts for their support."
For the World Trail indoor and outdoor championships, Beta has brought back Spanish trial ace Jeroni Fajardo. Riding a factory Evo 300 2 stroke, Fajardo could be a serious threat for 5-time champion Toni Bou. Also returning to the team is James Dabill from England who finished the 2011 outdoor season in 8th place. The team will be managed by former world trial competitor Donato Miglio. English rider Jack Challoner will ride for the Top Trial Team in all World Championship events as well, making for a very strong team in 2012.
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Webb will compete in the Trial series on a RL Racing-prepped Evo 300
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2012 Beta Team (USA):
Chris Bach - 450 RR - GNCC and AMA National Enduro (Pro)
Cody Webb - 350 RR & Evo 300 Factory - Geico Endurocross and AMA Mototrial (Pro)
Justin Sode - 350 RR - GNCC and AMA National Enduro (Open A Class)
Clay Davies - 450 RR - AMA National Hare and Hound (Pro)
Max Gerston - 350 RR - Geico Endurocross (Open Amateur)
Ray Peters - Evo 300 4-Stroke - AMA Mototrial (Expert)
Nick Fonzi - Evo 250 - AMA Mototrial (Expert)
2012 Beta Team (Europe):
Marko Tarkkala - 498 RR - World Enduro Championship
OIscar Balletti - 450 RR - World Enduro Championship
Deny Philippaerts - 450 RR - World Enduro Championship (Boano Team)
Jeroni Fajardo - Evo 300 Factory - World Trial Championship
James Dabill - Evo 300 Factory - World Trial Championship
Jack Challoner - Evo 300 Factory - World Trial Championship (Top Trial Team)
Beta racer Cody Webb Debuted the new 350 RR at the first round of the World Indoor Enduro championship now known as the Superenduro in Genova, Italy. On a track that was faster and more open than the American Endurocross series, Webb finished strong in all three main events with two top fives and a ninth place after bending his brake rotor and losing the front brakes.
"The Superenduro in Genova was a great experience with some positive results. In the first final I was riding timid and took advantage of mistakes from the other riders and made a last second pass before the finish to take fifth. The course had some very fast sections, which I was uncomfortable with for the beginning of the night. In the second final I bent my front rotor early in the second lap and rode the rest of the final with no front brake. I rode to a cautious ninth place. In the third main event I had a bad start, but rode a smart the first two laps and moved up through the pack. On the last lap I made my way up to the third place rider and made a last ditch effort to finish the night with a podium, but I had to come from too far back. I feel as though it was a very successful weekend for me and I can't thank American Beta and the Beta factory enough for giving me this opportunity." Webb comments.
Webb's next extreme event will be at the Hell's Gate Enduro on February 18, 2012.
American Beta has concluded their 2011 racing season on a high note with Cody Webb's performance at the last round of the AMA Geico Endurocross in Las Vegas. The likeable Californian turned the fastest lap times in qualifying and backed it up with a win in his heat race. Webb went on to a 5th place finish in the first moto and a 9th in moto two after a fall.
"I felt really confident after my hot lap time. The track was a little more technical than some of the others and I felt this was to my advantage as my 350 works so good in the tight sections. I was a little disappointed by my results in the two main events however I was pleased with my overall performance for the year and am looking forward to challenging Taddy for the title next year!"
After the race, Webb flew to Italy to compete in Round one of the World Indoor Enduro series this Saturday, November 26th. He will ride a specially prepared Beta 350 RR with a three-speed transmission.
Webb's sponsors include Factory Beta Racing, Dunlop Tires, Kal Gard Lubricants, AXO, Gaerne, Troy Lee Designs, FMF, CV4, Rekluse, Works Connection, TU-Bliss, and DVS, and Country Home Inspection.
One look at the 2012 Beta 520 RS and you can tell it was made to excel in the dirt, with little or no regard to the street part of the dual-sport equation. For basic intents and purposes, it is a dirt bike with the running gear required to make it street legal. Turn signals, mirrors and a license plate holder are about the only addition to the RS model from the dirt-only RR model. Beta developed the RS just for the U.S. market as dual sport sales continue to rise.
With all its red anodized parts and billet bits the Beta is one trick looking machine, and our young test rider Frankie Garcia found the looks of the RS the most appealing between the two machines tested.
“The Beta comes off the crate looking like a full factory race bike with a red anodized shock chamber, red anodized triple clamps, black forks, a bright red frame, and billet hubs. The thing is TRICK!” says ‘Full Factory for Life’ Garcia.
The 2012 Beta 520 RS make no bones about being a dirtbike with the required-by-law equipment bolted on.
On the other hand, think the angular radiator shrouds looked dated and a bit out of place on the bike. Also, I would have liked to have seen the sweet red plastics of the RR carried over to the 520 RS.
Looks are vital, but nothing is more important than the ride for the hardcore shredders at MotoUSA - and that’s where the Beta shines. In the dirt the Beta is top dog in the comparison as it spits out full on dirt bike performance that allows you to roll right past Johnny Law and smile. (Although we did get stopped, anyway)
The punch from the 497.4cc mill pulls strong down low and continues to build power all the way to the top end. Although it feels stronger than the Husky, the numbers from our DynoJet 250i reveal it slightly trails it’s Swedish, uh, German, competition with 39.17hp and 25.50ft-lbs of torque. The 15-pound lighter curb weight of 276 pounds and better Michelin Enduro Competition tires obviously impart a better power feeling when on the trail. From 0-60 mph the Beta just edges out the Husky by a quarter of a second with a 4.76s run.
Surprisingly, Beta still chooses to run carburetors on both the RR and RS models. Even so, the throttle response is crisp and there is no sign of bogging from being too rich or lean. However, starting the Beta is where we miss fuel injection. Once hot, the 520 RS was finicky when the starter button was pushed. The Beta just doesn’t jump to life like it’s FI equipped rival, and it takes some cranking to get it to light up. After two days of stopping and starting for photos and video passes, the battery was weak and we even had to kick start it a few times.
The suspension on the 2012 Beta 520 RS is well suited for whatever dirt craziness you throw at it.
Once running, blasting through the six-speed gearbox was precise and solid. Never once did we miss a shift on the Beta. The Brembo hydraulic clutch offered excellent feel and was buttery smooth.
On the brakes, the Beta’s Nissin calipers and Braking rotors are an excellent combination. The 260mm front rotor was strong with excellent feedback, without any grabbiness. Out back the 240mm rotor and single-piston caliper compliment the front perfectly.
Suspension duties on the 520RS are handled by a Sachs rear shock and a 45mm Marzocchi fork on the front. On the street the Beta was a bit stiffer than the Husky, as we expected, but on the dirt the springy bits were more suited to aggressive riding. The fork was a complaint in the rocks but was still stiff enough to really pound through the whoops and g-outs strewn throughout the Southern California desert. The rear shock handled everything we threw at it with composure, and tracked straight and true through even the gnarliest of sections. Whoever was piloting the Beta was always out in front when the terrain got nasty.
Handling on the RS was exceptional in the dirt with quick steering and a lighter side-to-side feel. The only time the front end was unsettled was in slow speed sand washes where the rear end traction would cause some serious pushing. On hard pack surfaces, however, the package was neutral and confidence inspiring. Once on the street, the 520 wasn’t as composed in the corners as the Husky, which really boils down to tire selection. We would gladly give up the stability on the street for dirt domination, but that’s just us.
Doing work behind the bars of the Beta is more hard edged than the TE511.
The seat is narrower and stiff, making long street sections an uncomfortable affair. However, the push button seat release is so trick I would click the button just for fun. Just like the Husky, the Beta’s controls are top of the line with dual density grips that should be the industry standard. One gripe from both of us was that the mirrors are cheap and not up to the standards of the rest of the bike’s high quality components.
When all the numbers are added up the 2012 Beta RS and Husqvarna TE511 are locked in a dead heat with both machines scoring the same amount of points. Both mounts are great choices for the aggressive dual sport rider. But draws are disappointing, and there must be a winner! The Beta scored more points in the subjective categories, and so we are inclined to give it the nod as our winner. With better performance in the dirt the 520 RS just barely edges out the TE511 for hardcore dual-sport supremacy; it was just more fun to ride, plain and simple.
PASO ROBLES, CA (November 3, 2011) Beta Enduro Cross regular Cody Webb will be in Tennessee this weekend to try out a GNCC. This week's GNCC double-header makes for a great chance to have the California native and 2010 Mototrial Champion put his abilities and fitness to the test. Riding a MX Motorsports-prepped Beta 400 RR Webb will compete in the elite XC1 Pro class on Friday and Sunday. Webb Joins teammate Jesse Robinson and Justin Sode for a three-man Beta assult.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to ride the last two GNCC races at Loretta Lynn's ranch. I'm taking this race as a learning experience and to get some more race time before the last round of Endurocross in Vegas. I'm looking forward to having a great time this weekend and get my feet wet for more offroad racing in the future. I want to thank American Beta, the Sode family, and MX Motorsports for making this opportunity possible." Webb explains.
PASO ROBLES, CA (October 6, 2011) Beta Enduro Cross regular Cody Webb raced his Beta 350 RR to 4th place at Round 5 of the Geico/AMA Enduro Cross Series held in Denver, Colorado this past weekend. The Mototrial specialist started the night out with a heat race win over Geoff Aaron transferring him directly into the main event. The likeable Californian now sits 4th in points. Round 6 will be held in Boise, Idaho on October 22nd.
"The race went well considering the unfortunate luck I had coming out of the first turn. I got hit from behind and got hung up on the first log and fell over causing me to round the first turn in second to last place. For the next two laps I battled hard and fought through traffic to make it into fourth place. I could see the three leaders ahead and pushed real hard to catch them because I knew they would gap me if I didn't catch them in the beginning of the race. Mike Brown eventually made a big mistake and I got right on his rear tire. Unfortunately, I pumped up real bad and couldn't push as hard as I was earlier in the race to make the pass for third. I had to settle for fourth, but I was still content with my finish considering the circumstances on the first lap. I was also really happy with the performance of my 350 RR during the race. Once the bike was jetted for the Mile High City, the bike was dialed and had a substantial horsepower increase compared to some of the other fuel injected models. Now it's time to head home and try a few new tricks up our sleeves to keep on improving." Webb explains.
