#chroniclesofsolid #advnews Beta have just released the 4.0 & 4.0X with some very exciting specs at EICMA 2023. Lets find out if it will be a worthy dual sport! Thanks for watching, COS
I really like this design concept as it harkens back to the idea of the old bultaco alpina series of bikes that were a amalgamation of a trials and dual sport bike. Low speed trails plonking and medium speed dual sporting in one bike. A great resurrection of a old idea!
I have the 200 version for years. Every thing feels havey and big compared to the alp!!. Even the klx300, is so much bigger. It feels like an adventure bike. So it give me the confidence to go everywhere, and i mean everywhere... One more advantage is the full frame, unlike enduro bikes that have that flimsy subframe. I'm loading it withe havey weight constantly, no problem. + rotopax for fuel. The old 350, didn't have the advantage to go on the highway, because of the torque motor, the advantage was for sand mostly, where you need more torqe. The new zontas engine will be a revelation... It's a tesed engine. The philosophy of the alp, is a bike that you can take everywhere without fear. It's the minimalist approach. That low to the ground bike, makes everything easy... If you want to go fast offroad, take wr250r, but if you want to climb, going gnarly, there is nothing like it. My 200 is a keeper, I'm changing the sprokets when im going for a big tour, and I'm doing 100kph, all day. The beta build quality is not something to be proud, the electrical cables, are poorly made. Buy, it's holds up very well. It's the grom for offroad. I have a grom 181, its the bike for the road. It'll go rings around any drz sm or 690smc... I've tried to explain from my experience the philosophy.. Because the alp line is misunderstood in the market. Freedom machine... I'm going straight on the mountain's, i don't need to follow the roads.... Nothing compares... There are few videos about the old model. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AeLNHzm3ugo.htmlsi=38KSb4JMkdbQdazb
On the positive side the seals on conventional forks last way longer. Awesome that there are passenger pegs and grab handles. We'll leave out the negatives for now and say that it looks like a fun little bike.
Great news to see a new DS entering the market. Wonder if it will show up outside of Europe. The suspension definitely looks a disappointment and could be black cloud on what could have been a great all-round bike. Does seem like a re-badged Asian bike. The true Unicorn is the KTM 390 Enduro/ADV R, because, like the Unicorn itself, it only exists in the imagination!
I honestly don't think this is competition to the crf 300. Beta has the alp as a "Enduro-Hiking" bike. Basicslly a bike that can get everywhere with ease, but chill. A bike that you can take on hiking trails and ride there for the scenery and in a chill way. You don't need crazy power and suspension for that.
It depends where you ride it. The Alp 4.0 has more power, more torque and is lighter than a CRF300L. For trail riding or green laning in the UK I think the Alp wins.
I love the X version. I think the biggest problem could be the price. The last version of the Alp 4.0 was considerably more expensive than a CRF so it'll be interesting to see how they price it. Also I wonder about reliability on a brand new unproven Chinese engine.
I immediately liked it when I saw the ' pannier' racks and conventional forks. Beta's trials experience I assume with the forks. They can usually be made to work with small changes. Ride it in the back yard for a year and then see how it goes.
I use a Beta Alp 4.0 from 2009. Light, nimble, tough and easy to repair. Gas consumption is high. Non injected. :( Killer at small city streets and easy 120-130km/h.
Looks mean, kinda MadMaxish! I like that it’s 7” travel, it’s a lil heavy but with its dimensions I can see that thing happy on single trail to highway!
Solid. That CFMOTO MTX concept looks the goods. Dripping with exotic bits like Brembo brakes, KYB fork, Ohlins rear shock. 450cc 270° crank parallel twin with an Akrapovic exhaust. Big tank, 21/18” tubeless setup. Not sure how long the iPad size screen would last off-road but other than that, what’s not to love?
yea the suspension does look a bit off... i can get over the looks of either bike, but the setup probably isnt right for me... looks like the drz isnt being replaced yet!
I like these bikes a lot!! Wish it had a tad bit more suspension travel, however, I can certainly live with what they are offering on this bike's suspension. If this bike is priced competitively, it will likely sell very well. I like the styling, too.
My first thought before you even said it was “that suspension looks a little light duty”… i think its overall a pretty nice looking bike, when im ready to get a 4t dual sport id consider this.
Regarding the suspension, I wonder if Beta will put stiffer springs for heavier riders? I remember that Beta did that for the enduro models. I am happy to hear the news, but I am not sold on the new Beta yet.
If you compare it to a wr250r things don't add up: Its heavier by 5kg and only has 5 more horsepower and is let down by the non adjustable suspension. Could be still good if the suspension is good and looks like pricing is under 10 grand Au from my Euro conversion price I found.
German dealers mentioned a pricetag, it is about 6130 Euros. But ist isn't the unicorn for me. Less torque only at high revs, suspensiontravel has to be like on the old Alp 4.0, it was 220 mm travel front and rear.
I like the styling! It's a very modern take on a dual sport. But those weak-ass forks and shock are a dealbreaker. I'm sure it handles like a pogo stick in porridge and 7.5 inches of travel on a dual sport is unacceptable. Not sure how they manage to give up three inches of suspension travel just to knock one inch off the seat height, but that is not a worthwhile trade. Throw some fat inverted forks and a fully adjustable shock on and then we're talking.
I was pretty excited when I saw this as I thought this might be an alternative for my DR350. Unfortunately, it will not be due to the short suspension (almost 10 cm less!). I also think they made very questionable choices for the exhaust as it is at the bottom as well as the low fenders. Why doesn't Beta pack this engine into their existing RR 350 frame (or similar) and make a capable dual sport with long service intervals?
390 would be unicorn for me as its stil a thumper. 490 was a twin and would be heavy and not enough torque down low when i stall it 😬. Now if theyd make a 490 thumper thats a diff story
Saw it today in Milan, I questioned the positions of number plate and rear indicators, that I consider not very good for off-roading, a beta representative told me maybe there will be some companies making aftermarket products in order to solve this issue (????) Btw when I was standing on the foot pegs I was touching the side stand and the exhaust with my heels…
The previous Beta Alp 2 used a frame and other components taken directly from an already established cheap Chinese bike. I expect the new Alp 4's will be more of the same. Should be pretty cheap to buy because of this though.
I'm just in from going to EICMA. Sat on the Beta 4.0 and it felt like it would be more comfortable on the road than the CRF300l (I own one). The X model is way nicer looking. They had both bikes with Beta luggage on them showing that they are gearing them for light ADV work. Whether I'd swap my CRF for one is another matter, I'd be worried about reliability and it's not going to be that much better. I'd a good look at the Himalayan and it looks great. That and the beta 4.0 X were my favourite of the off roady bikes.
I have a Triumph 400X on order for January test ride--i would like to see you cover this bike as well as other dirt worthy scramblers COS...i think they are dirt worthy and ADV worthy lookig bikes with heaps of style and will be my street/scooter/soft luggage tourer and i will be looking to get a longer range travel ADV like the CF moto450MT or other twin cylinder ADV to round out the garage.
I'm also going to test the first Triumph Scrambler 400 X. It's intended to be my second motorbike, for everyday use and a few off-road trips. Between this and the Triumph, it seems to me that the 400x has some advantages, especially in terms of suspension, longer overhaul intervals and more engine. It certainly loses out on weight.
Ya me too--i have owned lots of dual sports and this will be my dual sport do it all but also have style--so a new category: a Trisport: onroad/offroad/style @@mark.e.p
The unicorn all-ready exists. The CRF 450 rl. It has the power with low weight. Fuel injected with 6 speed gear box. The most important part is Honda made many changes to make it reliable with considerably longer intervals than other enduro bikes, and those intervals can be pushed. They changed the piston and many other things. It does need one crucial part. ECU and done. Seriously, the bike is already out there and its a Honda!
Expensive? So a unicorn bike is also supposed to be cheap. I see them used for 8K USD all the time. Service intervals, do you know what they are? Look them up and then look at how far you ride. Most people dont do long rides and could change the oil on this bike once or twice a year.
I've seen a number of videos with owners who even though they've done the ECU change it still seems to have a stalling problem at low speeds. So for me as someone who likes to ride slowly, enjoying the scenery it's not the Unicorn.
My mate sold his Husky FE501 to get Honda 450 L. Many issues with fueling and stalling so sold the Honda and going back to Husky. I’m surprised Honda can’t get this right and sell a bike ready to ride.
They could still use a high level mudguard with the front fork setup - it could be attached under the lower triple clamp... like all the off road motorcycles of old...
Hate to be a weight weenie here but if in gonna from a 690 R or dr650 to a 350 or 400, id like to save a little more weight than 7kg. Dont quite get whats making this so heavy. The kawa and honda 300s are much lighter. Agreed service intervals are likely fine. Worried about suspension.
Did anyone else notice the diameter of the exhaust in the picture? hat is a TINY pipe for a 350cc motor!!!! Is the motor a trials biased motor??? Low rpm/low gas flow?
Solid, great quick go through, doesn't look very well built, the front shocks look like my 7 year old put 2 chrome pipes together. Beta motorcycle?? I never knew they existed. Maybe I'm just out of the loop. I'm still waiting for that 450 unicorn bike to be built. Gets some sleep mate.
Yes, you are out of the loop, Beta has been around for about 120 years :-) BTW, they make arguably the best Enduro and MX motorcycles. I'd pick a Beta RR 480 over a Yamaha WR450F or KTM 500 equivalent
It sounds like a DR 350R to me . The only 2 thing's that is missing is fuel injection . Carb isn't bad as people make them out to be and a radiator, which really is not a deal breaker . Plus, it has a 6 speed as well . This Beta nah it's not worth the money....
DRZ hasn't been available in Europe for years.DRZ also has larger capacity engine but this has six gears. This is marketed as a soft off roader. If you want more power and lighter weight there's a thousand Enduro Bikes to choose from.
It looks like yamaha better step up it game and come up with something to replace the bullet proof wr250r to compete!! The old outdated xt250 and tw200 just aren't what we want.. curious to see the price on these new betas..
@ed.barker7069 my comment was directly related to the use of the word "Unicorn" I could have made that clearer. But I don't need to ride fat bird to know there are better options out there. But you do you mate.
oh great another cheap and nasty bike like the 300l. except this one looks even worse with the underslung exhaust and low mud guards. even if this was selling for 5k i wouldn't give it a thought. they can't get i right, a light adv/dual sport needs quality durable parts not flimsy race parts and definitely not the cheapest chinese bidder parts, good suspension with adjustment for varying loads, decent power with good reliability, good ground clearance, high clearance mud guards. we know underslung exhausts reduce clearance and get damaged, we know the suspension won't handle varying loads without adjustment, we know low mud guards get chock full of sticky clay and lock up the wheel. we know the muffler is going to get bent in a stack being mounted that low, we know 35hp advertised is more like 28hp at the wheel not what you want loaded for travel a slight breeze will pull it up on the highway. this is a city poser, road rider learner bike.
Why would you get this, as opposed to a CRF300L. It's heavier, less quality, uglier, less upgrades, harder to service - there's no market for manual 300's - if it had a 790mm seat, sure that would set it apart, if it had a 25L tank, again, great. But it's just bland, unimaginative, 'lets copy Honda and see how we do' - I'd rather buy a Honda.
Absolute cheap rubbish! Breath... Sorry for the rant. I would rather buy an AJP SPR range in AUS and that will be very reluctant due to the poor management of that brand in AUS.
La 4.0 non ha niente a che vedere con il motoalpinismo, né con le moto italiane. Forse(!) è buona solo su asfalto, ma anche la vecchia non era gran che in off a causa del peso troppo spostato all'avantreno. Questa ha la mascherina del faro orribile (perché no il faro tondo?); il quadro LCD non leggibile con il sole; i comandi non ergonomici; la marmitta vulnerabile in posizione assurda e senza protezione; la targa in posizione ridicola; il radiatore sporgente senza protezioni; il peso elevato (+ 6kg della vecchia); la sospensione posteriore che "rimbalza"; il motore cinese con un sound che fa pena.
