The 2024 Beta 450 RX has been escorted around us media moto testing outlets the past couple months and I finally got mine to ride. Since some of you old schoolers like to read as well as bitch to me about how you don’t have much time to watch a 12 minute video, here is a cliff note version of the videos that I have put out on Beta’s new motocross machine.
Engine: This Beta power plant isn’t going to WOW you over with excitement nor will it pull third gear through corners but what it can do is give you that easy to ride 450 feeling. Much like the 24’ KX450 the 450 RX builds its power calculated and smooth and that gives the rider more rear wheel feel exiting corners. Not only can you get more rear wheel traction (you would have more if you put a Dunlop on the back of your 450 RX) but it makes riding the Beta longer, much easier to do than a YZ450F. The Beta’s power delivery also doesn’t like to be revved out in each gear for very long as it prefers to be short shifted. If you rev second or third gear out too long the rev cut is much more drastic than other 450s I have tried to date. You will literally almost come to a complete false neutral feel if you hit the rev limiter on the Beta. If you keep the engine in its sweet spot the Beta’s delivery can reward you, but it simply isn’t an aggressive power. I think it works well for Southern California tracks as we don’t have that deep of conditions so if you ride this machine back east where it’s soft, you might need some more low end or the very least go up a tooth or two on the rear sprocket.
Suspension: Beta outfitted the RX with KYB suspension components, which is a smart move. The KYB AOS fork and rear cushion unit complement the steel frame nicely and had more hold up than I was expecting. There is a ton of plushness over small bumps with the KYB suspension but you can’t ask this stock KYB setting to give you a ton of performance if you want to be aggressive. The fork is too soft for aggressive motocross riding and the rear end feels too stiff off throttle. Simply put, the balance is off, but to me the heart of this suspension can be made to work well with some springs and valving. Since this is Beta’s first attempt at a full-blown MXer, I think they did a decent job at getting a setting that can please some vet riders out there. I stiffened up the fork a few clicks and opened (softened) the high-speed damping a quarter turn in the rear. This was a step in the right direction, but it still needed some work. The RX held up better in the rear with less squat than a KTM and could absorb and drive through the bumps noticeably better while under hard acceleration. Both potential and comfort are there, but fine-tuning it to your liking will take some time.
Chassis: This chassis has edge of tire comfort and that is what I am looking for in a 450 motocross machine. I can’t stand when a chassis is stiff and deflective on bumps while setting up for corners. I JUST CAN’T HAVE IT! The Beta likes to go in a straight line more than it likes to corner which in my eyes isn’t a complete loss. I like that the Beta allows the rider to move around on the track and doesn’t give you the sensation of a narrow tire contact feel. The downside to all of this straight line ability is that it is tough to initiate your corners. The RX feels tall and top heavy when trying to lean into area 1 of corners. Dropping the Beta into a rut takes some coaxing and force by the rider but once it’s in the rut it lays in nice and has superb cornering stability. The downside is once out of area 2 of the corner it wants to stand back up and not continue to lay in the rut/line you want. It will climb out near the end of corners if you’re not forceful with her. I honestly don’t mind this as I know how to make that part of a motorcycle work better, but this is still something to be noted if you plan on buying one or currently have one. ( I will have some set up tips to help you Beta lovers on my own website soon)
What’s The Real Verdict? I honestly think Beta did a good job of introducing a first year motocross machine. There are some things they can work on but the bike is stable, easy to ride and not as soft as I would have originally thought from the off-road manufacturer. I can do without the vibration through the bars/feet and prefer a more comfortable handlebar but for the most part I was surprised. I also think it looks pretty damn cool up close as it is bright and colorful looking. It also makes me more impressed on how well Benny Bloss has done on this thing during Supercross. His bike looks fast which the stock bike is NOT, but I can see why this bike compliments Benny and his whoop speed. Nice work Beta. Is it “Bee-Ta” or “Bay-Ta”? We can sort that out later!
