2023 BETA RR390 (PT 1): THE GOOD & NOT-SO-GOOD LIST

55 minutes in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Photographs: Jarrad Duffy, Geoff Ballard

Collectively, the refinements made to Beta’s RR vary over the previous three years have developed these machines into very good, world-class enduro weapons. A lot in order that, in keeping with Aussie enduro icon, Geoff Ballard, the 2023 RR390 is likely one of the best-performing enduro bikes he’s ever ridden straight out of the crate.

However as anybody who’s spent their hard-earned on a motorbike will let you know, a motorbike’s efficiency is barely half the equation, possibly much less. The standard of the possession expertise additionally has so much to do with what the machine is prefer to ‘reside’ with over the longer haul – every little thing from fastener commonality to ease of upkeep to how sturdy its parts are (or aren’t!).

Now that we’ve racked up 20 hours’ run-time on our 2023 Beta RR390 challenge bike, we’ve obtained a fairly good deal with on what it’s prefer to reside with (and play aboard) – the standout stuff we dig, together with its idiosyncrasies. So, welcome to our two-part collection of insights into the Italian model’s biggest-selling four-stroke.

In Half 2, we’ll spotlight the parts that house owners ought to preserve their eye on and supply just a few ideas and methods with regards to sustaining your Beta RR. However for now, in Half 1, let’s shine a highlight on the Beta RR390’s finest persona traits and standout parts, and those who might nonetheless do with a bit of work…

STANDOUT FEATURES…

THE POWERPLANT: The RR390’s engine is an absolute peach. It’s easy and tractable and versatile, and has a really refined really feel about it, because of completely counter-balanced internals. It’s obtained noticeably extra torque than a 350, however with nowhere close to the gyro impact of a 450, it boasts the side-to-side agility of a smaller-capacity machine. In tight terrain, its torquey and responsive energy works a deal with. However the factor nonetheless pull onerous at excessive revs whenever you’re holding the faucets large open on quick grasstrack.

THE CLUTCH: The Brembo hydraulic clutch (which makes use of a diaphragm spring) has a super-light lever pull plus glorious really feel and really predictable modulation in technical terrain. It completely enhances the bike’s energy traits, and has proved bullet-proof after being mercilessly flogged in excessive terrain.

THE THROTTLE: With no return cable, the 390’s throttle motion could be very gentle and has a super-precise really feel. Funnily sufficient, that really provides to the already responsive, full of life really feel of the engine’s energy supply.

RADIATOR SHROUDS: The brand new radiator shrouds on the 2023 mannequin are extra strong than their predecessors and supply higher grip in your knees. Plus, with the graphics now smaller and additional ahead on the shrouds, they’re a lot much less vulnerable to peeling (that mentioned, it’d be even higher if the graphics had been inlaid).

UNCLUTTERED BARS: With the dual-map/TC change now mounted down on the gasoline tank (simply behind the headstem), handlebar muddle is diminished. And that offers you extra choices in the event you like to maneuver your clutch perch inboard on the bars.

EXTERNAL FORK PRELOAD: Having 9 turns of tool-free exterior fork spring preload adjustment is admittedly useful to assist tune the bike to various situations on the run. Even three-to-four turns makes a noticeable distinction. Bigger, sooner riders will most likely add seven-to-eight turns as a result of, whereas the ZF fork’s new (higher-flowing piston) creates a plusher trip over small pumps for 2023, the front-end does generally tend to dive underneath onerous braking or on steep downhills except supported with that further spring preload. Suspension settings are a work-in-progress for us, so keep tuned for our set-up ideas in a follow-up article.

SMART SEAT: The tool-free seat elimination (through a nifty little recessed button within the subframe) is super-handy and has proved 100% dependable. What a ache within the arse it now could be to must undo bolt(s) to take away the seat on different bike manufacturers – all of which ought to undertake this gem of a function.

AESTHETICS: With their dayglo-red plastics, high-end element spec and race-oriented/purpose-built/minimalist aesthetic, Beta’s RR fashions are handsome roosters that flip heads and begin conversations in every single place you’re taking the factor.

WHAT BETA COULD DO BETTER…

THE SEAT: Ever since Beta moved to the all-new (and far decrease profile) seat for its RR fashions in 2020, we’ve argued that it’s too onerous (there’s a restrict to how huge successful it could actually take up earlier than your arse feels the seat base). So, except you run some further bicycle-short padding for lengthy rides, you’ll find yourself with calcified testicles or red-raw buttocks, or each. The issue is that there’s so little foam depth to play with, it’s troublesome to do a lot about it (we’re open to concepts, of us!). It’ll be fascinating see whether or not the mods Beta has made to the seat on their 2024 RR fashions have improved its consolation.

BRAKE ADJUSTABILITY: Nissin brakes are superior, however when on earth are they going so as to add a tool-free OTF adjuster to their entrance brake lever so you may regulate attain and/or the take-up level with out instruments? Even in the event you’re the one particular person driving the bike, having the choice to make this on-the-fly adjustment for various situations is lengthy overdue. Whereas Nissin are at it, they may additionally create separate adjusters for his or her rear brake’s pedal place and freeplay (a la Brembo’s set-up).

THE SIDESTAND: The usual alloy sidestand is powerful and tucks properly up out of the best way when retracted, and it comes with a bolt-on big-footprint base so it doesn’t simply sink into delicate floor. However it’s 20-30mm too brief, which suggests the bike sits on its ear on the slightest of slopes.

SKIDPLATE FASTENER: The fastening bolt on the entrance of the skidplate sits proper behind the header pipe and may solely be accessed by an open-ended 8mm spanner, slightly than a ring-spanner or T-bar. So, after eradicating the skidplate for an oil change, it’s worthwhile to await the header pipe to chill down earlier than re-fitting the skidplate (both that or undo the skidplate’s rear bolt and bend it out of the best way whilst you do the oil change!?). This is applicable to all RR four-stroke fashions and is the annoying byproduct of the change to the form of their header pipes for 2023.

SWINGARM SCUFFING: We dig the look of the black coating on sections of the swingarm. However in the event you trip loads of rocky or excessive terrain, that black will get scuffed up fairly rapidly – that means a set of clip-on plastic swingarm protectors is cash properly spent.

STEERING LOCK: The steering lock vary (particularly on the four-stroke fashions) is a noticeably extra restrictive than common. Sure, there are adjuster/stopper bolts on the headstock to provide you extra lock, however after little or no adjustment, your fork legs begin coming into contact with the radiators. It turns into even worse in the event you match radiator guards. A small tweak to the radiator positioning (or fashioning bigger indents in them) would produce a tighter turning circle – a function that excessive enduro guys often demand.

HAND PROTECTION: Hand guards don’t come as customary tools on Beta’s RR fashions. Those that got here fitted to our challenge bike (a $66.95 Beta real accent) are fairly flimsy brush guard-style items (although they’re designed to spin on their perches and have proved proof against busting after a number of crashes).

AXLE BLOCKS: The asymmetrical rear axle adjuster blocks are sensible as they allow you to rapidly and simply alter the wheelbase or accommodate ultimate gearing adjustments. However curiously, they don’t line up completely with the adjuster bolts’ heads.

PART 2 COMING…

Keep tuned for the Half 2 article on our Beta RR390 challenge bike within the coming week, the place we’ll spotlight the parts that house owners ought to preserve their eye on and supply just a few ideas and methods with regards to sustaining your Beta RR.

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