Better Beta beauties
By TMX Archives on 15th Jun 06
2006 REV 50, REV 80 and REV-3 125STEVE Saunders gave the '06 Beta trials machines a thorough test at Silsden early this year, but the multi-Brit champ confined his talents to the 250cc and 270cc versions of the Rev-3 models, leaving a major percentage of the Italian marque's range untested by team T+MX. Enter the 'Swaledale Four', Chloe Richardson, Harriet Peacock, James Stones and Jonathan Richardson, and three little Beta beauties from the Rev-3 range - a Rev 50cc, the popular Rev 80cc and its big brother, the REV-3 125cc model.
The specification summary, courtesy of Beta's head man, John Lampkin, illustrates the amount of work that Beta has put into the smaller end of their range.
Taking the 50cc version as a starter, the main theme, and the most important for the youngest riders in British Youth, are the advances in bottom end punch after considerable cylinder porting and piston design.
The more responsive power unit makes the machine more rideable, a premium for the six-year-olds who require positive vibes at such a young age. The cycle parts are more or less carried over from '05 designs as that vintage was about right from the day it was launched. The colour and graphics match its bigger brothers, or sisters, as you wish.
The Rev 80cc seems the same as last year, at first glance, but with a different colour scheme. Look closely though and you will see that the silencer has grown in length and is supported by a stronger support bracket.
The '05 support was a little fragile so the change is to deal with that problem and also secure the longer silencer. The alteration to the exhaust system is not cosmetic though. Further work on the engine cylinder porting to release a better spread of power and gain at the upper end of the Rev range necessitated the exhaust pipe and silencer changes.
The Rev-3 125cc has been given the full makeover treatment. A brand new cylinder design starts the ball rolling, backed by new electronics. The combination provides a cleaner, crisper running engine with even stronger bottom end thump and more top end urge. The bottom end of the rev range provides what is probably the strongest power on the 125cc scene.
The brakes and clutch are now Gremica units, just the same as used on the larger Rev-3 machines. Both items have been included as they provide better feel for the rider.
The chassis is the same as the larger models too, but with lowered foot-peg mounts, handlebars, and a very slight change in fork angle. These changes combine to give the machine a more stable, planted ride. The rear shock unit is also carried over from the 250cc model but with a softer spring and revised settings.
That package will deal with any event in Club, British, Euro, or World but JLI also offer an after-market package entitled 'Racing Kit' which offers a new middle exhaust, different jets for the carb and modified ignition settings. The upgrade is really aimed at skilled riders because it offers a considerable increase in power right across the Rev range and at a mere £103 including the dreaded VAT, it is a very heavily subsidised offer.
So, off to excellent Cogden Hall again to let the test commence. To be fair, I must stress that Chloe and Jon Richardson are Beta riders, and have ridden the range this year and last and that provides two testers who know Betas backwards, and two that don't, so let's allow the formidable four to get on with Laurence Allison's streams, limestone rocks, and thick evergreen woods.
Ladies first, so Harriet starts the ball rolling.
''I was very impressed by the Beta 80, I never realised how good the little bike was.
''It has loads of useable power and the front end was light with very good suspension, the throttle was very smooth, light and easy to control, as was the clutch, and it all combined to make it a well balanced bike to ride. They've made it more agile this year. It rode up the stream bed easily on the suspension. It was smooth over the rocks under the water and the front wheel glided over rocks as if they were not there.
"I did find that the 80 had loads of power to climb the big hill above the stream and the top end power in particualr was very good. It was on the steepest banks that I found the top end performance of the power came in.
"Overall I think the Rev 80 is a good, very competitive little C class machine. It's not too big for the majority of riders, has good power and handles well. Overall a good package.
"Wow, what a bike that 125cc is. When I first got on it I thought 'how can you ride this bike?' However, when I had adjusted the clutch, and brakes to find a rideable position (no offence, Jonathan) it was fine and I started to feel a lot more comfortable.
"The 125 is a lot like the Beta 80, very surprising in many ways. It felt nice and light at the front end which I thought made it easier to steer than some machines.
"The clutch was smooth and progressive and had a good solid feel to it, while the engine was just as you would expect from a Beta, but even more refined. It had plenty of bottom end power and it revved out good and proper, which the older model didn't, as my bother has experienced on his 125. It is definitley improved in this area.
"The 125 looks very 'together' and rides very well. I like the colour and the graphics and in the near future I might well be tempted to try one again, although I do like my Sherco.''
Enter the speed merchant, James Stones, a nine-year-old who likes to explore the third part of any throttle, engine size immaterial.
"I have been waiting to try a Beta, any Beta, as I have seen so many around at events but have never had a go on one.
"First off, the 50. If revving was a sport, it would win! I took the little Beta up quite a steep hill, flat-out in second gear and I thought it was going to blow up, it was revving that hard. It ran out of power (it was not a steep hill James, it was a mountain side - BR) so I knocked it down to bottom gear and it just carried on, up and up, to the top. What a good little bike. I found you had to keep it really buzzing to get the best out of it, but I was very impressed with it overall.
"The Beta 80 was the bike I was keen to try and the difference between the 50 and 80 is big. The 80 is very smooth and controlled on the throttle but has plenty of power when you need it. Suspension, brakes and gears were all fine and I have no complaints about any of these areas except that I did find first gear a bit too slow. I tried using second gear in the beck sections and it was much better. The bike has a very low seat height which makes it feel quite small, even with full sized wheels, so you always feel in control of the bike. I can now see why it is such a popular machine with C class riders because it is a very good bike.
"The Beta 125, like other 125 machines I have ridden, has too much power for me to handle so I can't really give it a good test. It was quite soft power low down, but still has plenty of fizz when let loose. It was set up for Jonathan (it was his Beta) so first gear was high, which is his preference.
"All three bikes looked super smart with orange and black plastics and having ridden them I think that they ride as well as they look."
And finally we move on to the regular Beta riders, Chloe and Jon Richardson who know all the finer points of the Rev-3.
Chloe makes very valid points. ''I used to have a 50cc Beta and it was easy to ride. The medium-wheel 50cc bike really helped me to learn many techniques. It was great to test it again.
"When I started it up it revved out clean. It has a nice smooth throttle action and has four gears to get everything moving. The steering feels as if I am in control and I was able to use second gear easily up the Cogden Hall stream and over the rocks.
"The rear suspension, like all Betas, is linkless and was really springy. It seemed to soak up anything I hit hard and gave me confidence. The front forks worked well on the logs and stones too. Overall the Beta 50 is a nice bike to ride.
"The 80cc model has a lot more power than the 50 and it has six gears. The range of gearing is great for different types of terrain. "The machine looks slim, with full sized wheels, and they grip easily on muddy hill climbs. The hydraulic clutch is light and easy to use and that made it easy for me to use on tight corners.
"I found that the tyres rode with loads of grip on rocks and in the stream. I rode the bike down the steep grassy meadow (1 in 3 gradient) in bottom gear to check the brakes, which worked perfectly. Hopping over the dry rocks at the bottom of the hill was no problem with the nice bouncy suspension.
This is a great bike for all types of terrain and riders. The red and black colour scheme is cool and especially the black mudguard though a flick on the back one like the 125 would make it even cooler.''
And so to the acid test, Jonathan Richardson, leader of Class B in the national championship, winner of two rounds at the time of writing, and a 125cc Beta Rev-3 rider.
The 80 Beta is suitable for young riders. It is easy to start and put into gear and has a soft, easy to use clutch as I noticed when Chloe started using it!
The stream at Cogden Hall is slippery but the 80 has no problem finding grip as the standard Michelin tyres sent me clean on every attempt. I did try a big step and the Paioli suspension worked well and shot me onto the back wheel with ease.
"Overall, the 80 Beta is a very competitive machine.
"As for the 125 Beta, this model is suitable for pretty much most Youth riders and it would definitely suit some Adults as the aluminium frame makes it strong, sturdy and it proved to have plenty of power when I put it through its paces at Cogden Hall.
"The '06 engine has a new electrical system which helps it to rev high and clean and also gives more power throughout the range compared with last year's model.
"The suspension is also an improvement on the '05 model. The new rear shocker is longer which does give more grip as I found during the test. We had plenty of rocky, slippery streams and the bike was mega on them. The front forks have been modified and they feel much softer, and are great for doing stoppies. The footpegs have been lowered and it helps the balance and control on corners also.
"The new Grimeca master cylinders work well, as I found at the test when I dropped off a steep rock and had to stop suddenly on another rock. The gearing runs through a 420 chain with a nine-tooth front sprocket and a 42-tooth back sprocket, making for a fairly slow bottom gear, but it is just right for the majority of sections in second gear.
"The red and black colour scheme is cool and the rear fender looks awesome with the diamond light and flick at the end. The Beta is a low maintenance machine and before a trial I clean the air filter, clean and oil the throttle, oil the chain, fill up the petrol tank and look at section one."
So there it is folks, three little charmers equipped for action and suitable for all ages. Beta has hit the nail on the head in 2006.
Thank you to our four testers and Laurence Allison for allowing T+MX to play on his rocks, and in his stream, once again.
SPECIFICATIONS
REV 50
Engine: Single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid cooled
Capacity: 49.88cc
Bore x Stroke: 40mm x 39.7mm
Carburettor: Dell'orto PHBG 19
Transmission: 4-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc
Ignition: Leonelli
Chassis: Steel
Fuel Tank: capacity 2.5 litres
Brakes: Dual piston 175mm front and 150mm rear
Front Suspension: Hydraulic fork with 33mm shaft. Travel 160mm
Rear Suspension: Monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Travel 146mm
Front Wheel: 19 - 1.4 - 36 hole spokes
Rear Wheel: 17 - 1.6 - 36 hole spokes
Weight: 64kg
Wheeelbase: 1210mm
Ground Clearance: 270mm
Seat Height: 650mm
REV 80
Engine: Single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid cooled, lamellar duction in the cylinder
Capacity: 79.6cc
Bore x Stroke: 45mm x 44mm
Carburettor: Dell'orto PHBG 21
Tranmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc
Ignition: AET
Chassis: Double wave aluminium beam
Fuel Tank: Capacity 2.5 litres
Brakes: Dual Piston 175mm front, dual piston 150mm rear
Front Suspension: Hydraulic fork with 33mm shaft. Travel 160mm
Rear Suspension: Monoshock with adjustable spring preload, 39mm stroke. Travel 150mm
Front Wheel: 21 - 1.6 - 36 holes
Rear Wheel: 18 - 1.85 - 36 holes
Weight: 64kg
Wheelbase: 1230mm
Ground Clearance: 295mm
Seat Height: 652mm
REV-3 125
Engine: Single-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid cooled, lamellar duction in the cylinder
Capacity: 124cc
Bore x Stroke: 54mm x 54mm
Carburettor: Mikuni VM26/208
Transmission 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc clutch with cush-drive rubber
Ignition: Electronic AET 12V - 85W
Chassis: Double wave aluminium beam
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.2 litres
Brakes: Four piston 185mm front, dual piston 165mm rear
Front Suspension: Hydraulic fork with 38mm shaft. Travel 165mm
Rear Suspension: Monoshock with adjustable preload, stroke 51mm. Travel 175mm
Front Wheel: 21 - 1.6 - 32 holes
Rear Wheel: 18 - 2.15 - 32 holes
Weight: 72 kg
Wheelbase: 1310mm
Ground Clearance: 310mm
Seat Height: 660mm
Specification: