2011 BETA Evo Review

The 2011 BETA Evo series, produced by an Italian company in Florence, offers seven models of offroad motorcycles. The 80 models are small versions meant for youth, in spite of the Senior designation for one of them. They are under-powered, but things get better as the series numbers go up, with engine-to-displacement ratios running from 0.6 for the 80 Jr to 1.98 for the 300 Four-Stroke. Accessories are available for all but the 80 models. From the 125 on up, the accessory list is the same for all other models. Base prices cover the range between $4599 for the little one to $8499 for the top line machine. For this, BETA delivers lean, nimble, athletic motorcycles with few frills and more thrills.

Evo bikes are nimble all across the range. Except for the 250 and 300 four-strokes, the engines use old-school, two-stroke technology, with a gas/oil premix for fuel. That being the situation, the bikes meter fuel via carburetion. The kick-starter comes from that old school too. The 2011 BETA Evo does have liquid cooling, a more modern feature. The bikes sport chunky, knobby tires, excellent for hitting offroad dirt and clambering over rocks. The rear tire is obviously fatter than the front one, both in width and in sidewall height.

There is over a foot of clearance under the body, for ultimate tricky maneuvers on rough ground and over logs. The seat and rear fender form one continuous line, and that fender rides far above the rear wheel. In an unusual styling element for this class of bikes, the front fender closely hugs the perimeter of the tire. Most in the class have high-riding front fenders. There are no brush guards, chassis protectors, or engine guards. Those elements would seem important for a machine specifically designed for the rough and tumble outdoors. There are no fork guards or hand guards either. Bags and storage are considered extraneous for mototrial bikes, so none are available. The specifications below are shown for the 2011 BETA Evo 290, the third model down from the top line 300 four-stroke.