The 2025 model year marks another step forward in the evolution of the Beta Motorcycles brand and it’s epic to see the small Italian manufacturer growing and pushing itself even more to be better than in years gone past. After scoping out the 2025 Beta X-Pro range at the recent Aussie media launch held at Queensland Moto Park (QMP), it quickly became clear that the small family-owned manufacturer from Italy means business, with an expanded range of bikes including models to suit the absolute greenest of beginner riders all the way up to elite racers.
Flying up to Queensland, I knew I was in for a big day with so many new bikes to ride. As I pulled into QMP there was a sea of Beta weaponry with 12 bikes ready and waiting to ride. I did a quick calculation: 12 bikes with a 9.30am start, a 15-20-minute loop, a lunch break and a 4pm quitting time, in addition to all the fun and games that go with photos and videos; nope, there would not much down time for a break throughout the day.
Fortunately, the Beta Australia crew had all the bikes running perfectly, and mother did us a favour by serving up a a storm the day before and a relatively cool test day, so I managed to throw a leg over all the bikes on offer.
At the ned of it all, I don’t even remember the plane taking off for the ride home – I was toast!
THE 2025 BETA X-Pro LINE-UP
Beta has simplified its range this year and now there are three distinct sectors designed for Enduro conditions: X-Trainer, X-Pro and Race models.
The X-Trainer range includes a 250 or 300 option, and these are scaled-down versions of the X-Pro and Race models aimed at novice riders and those who love a lightweight platform with maximum capability. These bikes are red and grey.
The new X-Pro range consists of the ‘standard/base’ model bikes that are full-blown Enduro weapons, and there are eight of them, including 125, 200, 250 and 300 two-strokes and 350, 390, 430 and 480 four-strokes. These bikes are white and red.
Finally, like previous years there is the Race range, and this consists the same bikes as the 2025 Beta X-Pro line except these bikes are dripping with trick gear and are ready to roll off the showroom and straight into competition. These bikes are Blue and Red.
Pick your poison and away you go!
WHAT’S NEW?
There is a fair bit to unpack from the new 2025 Beta range and while they are not completely new machines, there are still a bunch of changes and updates to each of the bikes. The Xtrainer, specifically the 300, is the best-selling Beta motorcycle in Australia. I nearly fell over when I heard that. The Xtrainers haven’t changed too much for 2025 apart for the sweet new red/grey look, but at 99kg dry, the bike is a super light and compact machine suited to riders of all skill levels. It’s lower, lighter, easier to ride and, most importantly, its’s fun. I was pleasantly surprised by these bikes; the mellow power, the soft suspension, the tiny feel of them, they really are a fun bit of gear. Obviously, there is a limit to what you can achieve on them because of their compact size, and I would like a little more snap off the bottom, but they are heaps of fun.
I’m a fan of the white and red colour scheme of the new X-Pro range. In addition to the colour update, the ’25 X-Pro bikes all feature a stronger frame, 20mm lower seat height, a brand new ZF SHC (Separate Hydraulic Chamber) single spring fork, updated ZF shock, a new in-’bar mounted map switch, updated Nissin brakes, and a whole host of other tweaks and upgrades.
The two-stroke bikes are loaded up with electric start, oil injected engines (except the 125) and Keihin carbies. The power delivery is strong and clean, and as far as each model goes, even though they share so many identical parts and pieces, they still all have their own individual feel about them. The smallest bike in the line-up, the RR 125, is a little weapon. For 2025, it scores a new piston and cylinder head to increase overall power and torque. While the RR 200 remains unchanged for 2025 it’s still a great bike to ride. The RR 250 has had an engine update with the addition of a dual spark park cylinder head that results in improved throttle response and more power throughout the rev range. The RR 300 receives a new piston that’s same as the Racing models, but other than that it’s the same as the ’24 bike.
The four-stroke range of X-Pro machines has not changed a whole lot for 2025 other than all four of them receiving lighter and smaller crankcases which they can thank the RX 450 for. The reduced crankcase size leaves more space for the pipe and makes the bikes a bit easier to work on. I’d almost put money on Beta making some bigger changes to its four-stroke bikes in the near future.
OUT ON TRACK
As usual, on this launch I started with the smallest bike and worked my way up the range. This method allows me to grasp just how much more powerful and torquey each of the bikes are with a capacity increase, and while the Betas only increase in size in small increments, it’s interesting to feel that extra 50cc when you step up the through the range.
With its 2025 engine updates, the RR 125 feels stronger and faster than ever before. It’s quite linear in its power delivery for a 125 and although it doesn’t have the get up and go of a 125cc motocross bike, it’s still plenty capable of shredding through the trees. The suspension feels balanced and while the fork was a tad soft for my liking, I found that I had a big smile every time I rode the RR 125.
Speaking of smiles, the 2025 Beta X-Pro 200 is a super fun machine; it was my favourite bike of the day. It’s light, it’s nimble and the engine offers a perfect balance of power and rideability. It’s got decent grunt for a 200cc machine, and the power is delivered in an easy and fun way, yet it still has a nice top-end that you’ll want to access by revving it hard. The ZF suspension felt the best on this bike out of the range too.
I’d rate the 2025 Beta X-Pro 250 as my second favourite of the day. The trails at QMP are open and choppy, with a mixture of hills and gullies to blast up and down. The 250 was in its element throughout the loop and the engine updates definitely result in improved throttle response. The engine is torquey enough off the bottom that you can chug your way around and while the it appreciates a little revving and more rider input, it still remains planted and settled on the trails, making it easy get along with. The only gripe I have is that the ZF suspension feels a little soft on the bigger capacity bikes with their added inertia. The fork dives a lot more on the 250 than on the 200, and while I wound up the compression to firm it up, it still felt like it could have done with a heavier spring rate in the front.
The final piece of the two-stroke puzzle, the 2025 Beta X-Pro 300, is the big dog of the range; the most grunt and the most power of all the Beta two-strokes and not a bike to be messed with. The 2025 Beta X-Pro 300 is a torque monster and can easily work its way out of the toughest hard enduro situations. I played around on some of the rock steps at QMP and it didn’t matter how little momentum I had before the obstacle, I could crawl up and over it, no hassle. It’s an impressive engine and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular among the hard enduro crowd. Much like the 2025 Beta X-Pro 250, I found the ZF suspension on the 2025 Beta X-Pro 300 to be on the softer side, but I think for average riders, the new ZF settings are pretty solid.
Moving along to the four-strokes I headed out on the 350 first. The 350 is an easy bike to ride with a super linear power delivery that inspires confidence. The engine doesn’t rev super-fast but it does ensure that power gets to the ground with great effect. The traction that the Beta four-strokes deliver is impressive and it’s rare to get out of shape under acceleration. The ZF suspension on the 350 is firmer than on the two-strokes and the bike seems to sit higher in the stroke. I reckon this suspension could work well in the bigger two-stroke bikes.
Next was the RR 390 and this was my pick of the four-strokes for the day. It has a little more grunt and liveliness that the 350 and, as a result, it feels poppy and responsive out on the track. I think if you threw a motocross exhaust system on it, it would really free up the engine.
The RR 430 sits in an interesting spot; I found I wanted a bit more grunt out of it, almost as if I wanted it to be a 450. It’s an excellent bike, don’t get me wrong, but I just wanted a little more spice on top of what the bike was offering.
Finally, the biggest of the four-strokes, the RR 480. This bike is made for faster trails and fire roads and it’s quite potent off the bottom and pulls through the gears with relative ease. On the faster sections of the loop, the RR 480 was right as home, and it’s always fun to rev out a big-bore machine up some big hills.
RACE RANGE
Just as I finished riding the eight 2025 Beta X-Pro bikes, I was reminded that there were two more special bikes to ride. The Beta Australia guys had specially air freighted two of the new Race models in so I had the chance to give them hell. A RR Race 2T 300 and a RR Race 4T 350. Honestly, as tired as I was, I was stoked to ride these bikes. They are the same platform as the X-Pro bikes, but they are littered with bling parts and trick bits and, more excitingly, KYB suspension front and rear. These bikes mean business.
The 48mm KYB AOC closed cartridge fork and C46 shock are exactly what the doctor ordered, transforming the Race models into exactly what the name says, race machines. The bikes sit taller and ride firmer which in turn gave me the confidence to push harder around the loop. Regular punters may find that the KYB stuff is a little too firm for them but with a few clicker adjustments, you can mellow it right off and make tailor it to suit your riding level.
Both the 300 and 350 Race machines are awesome to ride, and I really wish that we had a motocross-type exhaust system for the 350 to release that bad boy into the wild. If you want a bike that is ready to go with no mucking around, then for the extra $1500-$2000, the Race bikes are a great buy.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The new 2025 Beta X-Pro range is yet another step forward for the brand. The updates across the range makes each of them more rider friendly and easier to ride. And with the three different colour schemes for each range, it’s now much easier to distinguish them, which might make it easier for riders to choose what flavour of Beta they want.
The bang-for-buck with these bikes is a big plus too, as most of the Beta range is priced cheaper than the direct competition.
My favourite bike of the day was the new 2025 Beta X-Pro 2025 Beta X-Pro200, and I urge anyone who has the opportunity to ride one to do so. It’s so much fun.
As far as the rest of the bikes go, they are each unique in their own way and have their own special features and feel to them, and with so many sizes available, you can be sure that there is a Beta out there for you.
