This month has been a fun one with the Beta 300 Racing, and not just because of the tricky terrain I’ve been tackling on the farm. From blackberry bushes to a hair-raising moment with my daughter, the bike has been put through its paces yet again – and it’s still coming out on top, even if a bit battle-worn.
As if the hard terrain on the farm isn’t tough enough, I made things even harder for myself by heading out without gloves. It was one of those rides where you think, “Ah, I’ll be fine,” but I should’ve known better. My hands got shredded by the blackberry bushes in the gullies while I was moving cattle. I’ve got the cuts to prove it. Every twist of the throttle or tug on the clutch was a reminder that gloves are a must when ripping through thick brush. Let’s just say I won’t be forgetting them next time.
The real excitement (or terror, depending on how you look at it) came when I took my three-year-old daughter for a ride. She loves hopping on the bike with me, sitting up front on my lap as we cruise around the farm. Everything was going smoothly as we rolled through some tough off-camber hills – steep, awkward angles that test you without a toddler in your lap. We stopped on one of these slopes, and I turned my attention for just a second.
In that split moment, my daughter decided to give the start button a push. Before I knew it, we lurched forward, and in a heartbeat, we were both tumbling off the bike. It was one of those moments where time seems to slow down, and all I could think was, “I hope she’s okay.”
Luckily, we both had our helmets on – safety first, always – and aside from some scrapes and bruises, we were fine. My daughter was understandably scared, and I was rattled too, but the real casualty was my clutch lever, which got bent like a banana from the fall. Not ideal, but I’ll take a busted clutch lever over anything more serious any day. The lever needs replacing, but at least the Beta handled the spill like a champ.
Despite the scare and the bent lever, the Beta 300 Racing is still going strong. This bike continues to impress me every time I take it out. The hard enduro terrain here is no joke – it’s filled with steep rock climbs, sharp edges, and descents. The Beta’s low-end torque is perfect for crawling up these rocky hills. You can lug it through even the toughest sections, and it just keeps chugging along.
The KYB suspension is still as dialled as ever. Whether it’s soaking up hits from the gnarly downhill sections or keeping me stable over sharp rock edges, the setup is working flawlessly. I can lean the bike hard through off-camber turns and it stays planted, giving me the confidence to push through terrain that would feel sketchy on a less capable machine.
One thing that’s starting to wear on me, though – literally – is the condition of the tyres. I mentioned last issue that I was planning on swapping them out, but I still haven’t gotten around to it. Life happens, right? But now, I’m definitely feeling the consequences. The current tyres are absolutely flogged. They’ve seen more action than they should’ve, and it’s time to retire them. Every ride I feel them slipping just a bit more than they should, especially on the technical climbs where traction is key.
Even with the tyre situation and the bent clutch lever, the Beta 300 Racing is holding its own. This bike is made for hard terrain, and it’s proving its worth on every ride. The dual spark plug system keeps the engine running crisp, and the suspension continues to deliver in even the nastiest conditions. I’ve got a few things to sort out, like the lever and tyres, but overall, I couldn’t be happier with how the bike is handling the abuse I throw at it.
Mitch Lees
2024 Beta 300 Racing
RRP
$18,395 Ride Away
WARRANTY
Three months, parts only
DISTRIBUTOR
Beta Motor Australia
INTERNET
SO FAR
TOTAL HOURS 40
MODS THIS MONTH: None
