EVOlutionary!
By TMX Archives on 27th Nov 08
BETA'S EVO was one of the best kept secrets in trials. When it was unveiled to a shocked world at the final round of the 2008 World Trials Champs even factory riders Dougie Lampkin and Jeroni Fajardo were seeing the bike for the very first time! British fans got their first chance to see the EVO in the flesh for the first time at the Dirt Bike Show and just as it had been when we saw the initial pictures there was plenty of lively debate about its looks. There was no need for any debate as to how it performed though as on the final day of the Show (Sunday) Jack Challoner was out in a Yeadon Guiseley trial at Addingham Moorside on a straight-from-the-box 270 EVO - and he won first time out - from an experienced field including National winners Dan Thorpe and Chris Pearson.
We just had to get out and sample an EVO as soon as possible with Youth column editor Beth Hoggarth particularly keen to ride the EVO as she already owns a 200cc REV3!
We didn't have time to set-up an official test - and John Lampkin wanted us to wait until he had a 125 model first - so we just headed over to downtown Silsden determined to blag a ride on whatever was in the workshop.
A nice 250 as it turned out and ace mech Chris Griffin was still attaching stickers when we arrived, keen to get a first impression of the EVO. The looks, with that slim single aluminium top tube, are definitely 'different' although most are agreed that it looks better in the flesh than in pictures.
There has also been some debate over the vulnerability of some of the components that would normally be hidden behind the headstock but are more exposed on the EVO, such as the electics black box, coil and radiator filler. The rad filler looks most at risk but only time will tell.
So it was straight up to the 'secret' (and 100% legal) Lampkin testing ground - and was it cold, with a freezing wind whipping across the exposed hillside. But Griffo soon had the EVO cracked into life - and despite the al-new exhaust system with expansion-type front pipe it still sounded very much as every other Beta - although definitely quieter without the familiar Beta 'pop'.
Beth was straight on board and away warming the EVO up. The 250 is very much the base-model and proved to be very easy to ride with soft power and the flywheel weight fitted. More snappy poke can be had by simply removing the weight. There is also a two-stage ignition map on tap with the 'low' setting offering even smoother power delivery. And you can tell the difference in the two modes, the switch isn't just for show.
Our first impressions are that the EVO definitely feels lighter than the REV3. It feels less top heavy and very well balanced and while the steering feels lighter it is not too light. The all-new linked rear suspension actually feels pretty similar to the old linkless system over moderate obstacles and the advantage of the link comes in when the bigger stuff is approached.
Even then, it feels to operate 'slower' than rivals such as the Gas Gas which is very bouncy both front and back. If you liked the REV3 then you will definitely feel at home on the EVO.
Beta has done a lot of work on the engine too, with a new crank, con-rod and piston and the motor really does feel smooth.
The clutch is also all new and during our hour or so worked perfectly, so well that you didn't even notice it.
Likewise the brakes - with even the rear feeling really good. The EVO sports a brand new rear caliper while a different linkage from pedal to slave cylinder seems a big improvement over the REV3.
All in all it was a very positive first impression and we can't wait to see how all the models 125, 200, 250, 270 and (later - December we believe) four-stroke stack-up.
We'll be back...!
Beth says...
BEING a Beta REV3 owner, I couldn't wait to give the all-new Beta EVO a quick run out and see what all the fuss was about. The frame design is a brand-new concept. A single-beam aluminium chassis with its integrated fuel tank, giving maximum strength whilst reducing weight - with the majority of the reduction coming from over the front end. This, when combined with the soft power delivery of the lower setting of the two-stage ignition map, gave more control and, in my opinion, more confidence over hazards.
Despite comparing my own 200cc mount against the new 250cc, I never once felt like I might loop the bike. The EVO feels light - but not too light! And even when the switch was on the 'high' setting and the bike became livelier, the power delivery still remained very smooth.
At the end of the day however, Beta have still managed to retain the 'Beta feel', with the riding position remaining very much the same.
While Gas Gas have definitely raised the bar for 2009 with the Raga inspired TXT, in my opinion Beta have well and truly risen to the challenge, coming-up with a stunning new look with plenty of trick parts giving the bike a sleek, modern look. A truly dynamic ride!
I like it.... and... want one!
Full test of 2009 Beta EVO coming up soon!
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