Is the 2023 Beta RR300 Racing the bike you can buy that is truly ready to race? We give it to ADB’s ex-race Geoff Braico to find out.
People aren’t interested in all the fuss of preparing bikes and testing things out. They just want to ride a bike that you walk off the showroom, slap some numbers on and go racing. Gone are the days where you would have to get your suspension on your enduro bike revalved, or modify it to gain more power. Brands like Beta have done all the hard work for you so just put down your hard-earned cash and go racing on a bike like the 2023 Beta RR300 Racing.
WHAT’S NEW
The biggest news for the 2023 Beta RR300 Racing models is that they now have KYB front and rear. The original Racing versions that were released a few years back had KYB twin chamber forks partnered with a firmer spec ZF shock. Not anymore. The 2023 Beta RR300 Racing sees a KYB shock added to the parts list and it’s a very welcome addition in my eyes.
Don’t get me wrong, the ZF shock did hold its own to a certain point but it wasn’t a KYB unit. I remember riding the 2021 Beta 250 Racing and I was a big fan of the KYB forks but the ZF shock fell a little short on the harder, faster hits so I was eager to get out there a see what the new KYB rear end felt like.
Another feature exclusive to the two-stroke Racing versions is that they don’t have the same injection as the standard RR models. Beta has stuck to the old school pre-mix system for the Racing models rather than the automatic mixer on the RR bikes. They claim it makes the bike lighter which in turn makes it more agile.
The engine in the 300 Racing also receives a bit of an update in the way of the new higher comp cylinder head with modified porting and a differently calibrated power-valve setting. What I think that Beta means by all this technical terminology is that the 300 Racing motor is fast as shit.
What is the difference between the RR and the Racing?
First up, there is the cost. The RR 300 retails for $14,395+ while the 2023 Beta RR300 Racing will set you back $16,295+. So, yeah it’s a bit more but at the end of the day, what does that $1900 extra get you?
The list is actually quite decent. A quick release front axle, Metzeler racing tyres, CNC alloy foot pegs, rear sprocket with anodised aluminium core and steel teeth by ZF Sprockets, blue gripper racing seat, anodised black gear lever and rear brake pedal, gearbox oil filler cap, engine oil filler cap and oil filter cap anodised red aluminium, chain tensioners in red CNC alloy, New Racing graphics and red and blue rim decals, 48 mm Kayaba AOS closed cartridge fork, Kayaba C46 RCU Mono and finally, the racing models are pre-mix as mentioned above. So, does all that add up to the extra $1900? Yep, and what a deal!
By no means does this suggest that the standard RR models aren’t worth the money as they are a very, very capable machine. They still have all the same DNA built into them as the Racing, however, they are a softer, easier ride with a mellower, rider friendly powerplant and softer, plusher ZF suspension so that you can enjoy the ride all day without wearing you out.
On the track
Push the button and fire the beast up. Damn it sounds strong and it’s not even warmed up yet. I rolled out onto the track and set off on my first lap around the loop.
It’s been a good while since I have ridden a 300 two-stroke and as I’m riding I remember how easy these bikes are to just go and trailride. There’s so much power at your disposal but if you’re just trailriding, the power is so soft and useable. It’s easy to enjoy the ride. The loop had a good mix of grasstrack hills and turns with some techo, rooty, rocky little pinches in and out of creeks and the 300 Racing was right at home.
This bike was jetted to perfection. From the bottom to the top, this 300 Racing ran clean and crisp and it felt like every part of the motor was working perfectly in sync. The throttle response was perfect and no matter what part of the rev range you’re in, you have the perfect torque without too much clutch. The bike was running that good. And that was just trailriding, I wasn’t even finished my first loop!
I found myself enjoying the 300 Racing’s motor at a fast trail pace and the bike was extremely easy to manage at that pace too. The power is very different to that of the injected two-strokes as they have a more linear, softer delivery. However, I prefer the extra snap and grunt that the Beta Racing’s traditional two-stroke motor offers as that is what two-stroke life is all about.
I knew the bike was fast but the Beta 300 Racing is a weapon. It’s definitely not an unrideable motor in my eyes by any means but you want to be on your best behaviour when you twist that throttle. Luckily the thing is so light and the brakes work a treat because it stops on a dime.
Because the jetting was so spot on, there was no shortage of power anywhere in the rev range. You can rev the bike in second gear and it would pull no problem or you could lug it a bit more and short change your way through the gears. Either way, the 300 Racing is not short on power and let’s not forget about the sound and the bark that the Beta offers. I think it’s safe to say that the 300 Racing is one of the best sounding 300 two-strokes going around today.
So the motor is epic, but how does it stack up in the handling department? Short answer, it’s pretty damn good. Beta have developed a working relationship with KYB over the last few years and this year, they have added a KYB shock to the Racing models and it was the final piece of the puzzle that Beta needed.
Don’t get me wrong, the ZF units were decent but they just don’t have the confidence building feel that KYB offer. When I rode the 250 Racing a few years back, I found that the KYB forks gave me a lot of confidence, however, the ZF shock would blow through.
Well, for 2023, that isn’t happening. The new KYB kitted Beta Racing 300 is a solid piece of gear. I will say that it’s probably firmer than the average trail rider would like but for me, I thought that this bike was great. The KYB twin chamber forks hold their own very well and I had no problem with charging down the hills and into the G-outs.
Now with the KYB rear shock, the bike feels balanced and sits higher in the stroke so you feel like you have more suspension to keep you safe. When a bike sits low in the stroke, the ride tends to feel harsher and that is why sometimes, people will soften their bike to make it feel more subtle, but what they are actually doing is going in the wrong direction. Having the firmer KYB setup front and rear now means that the front and rear works more in sync and as a result, the ride is very balanced.
The 300 Racing is a much more well-rounded handling bike now. Being firmer and more “race ready” opens up opportunities to do stuff a usual off-road bike wouldn’t handle. It’s still plush enough to soak up all the small stuff but it really shines when the bike is being pushed along with a bit of pace. I feel like you could take this thing to a motocross track and shred all day.
It’s not like the old days where an off-road bike was a motocross death trap with soft power and suspension. They were great on the flat tracks but once you sacked up and hit the jumps, you had to grease every downramp perfectly. It was a scary time.
These new ‘race’ models offer a faster, firmer and more supportive ride which is awesome because now you can ride safely at places that you wouldn’t normally see a headlight wielding machine especially an exotic Beta like this one. Those motocross guys wouldn’t even know what hit them! They’d love the sound though!
PROS AND CONS
Pros for me is that this bike is a buy and ride machine. You don’t have to fluff about with motor work, suspension work or anything like that. Buy it and go racing. That to me is a really appealing concept and in a world where everyone is so busy, and so time poor, having a bike like that is fantastic.
Electric start is always a nice feature too. Many people don’t even worry about that nowadays because almost every bike has one but speaking from someone who, up until a few months was still kicking bikes over, E start is awesome.
The map switch on the Beta is a nice touch too. The rain/mud map mellows it out while the dry/sun map gives you all the power you need. I also like the simplicity of the traditional two-stroke motor. I feel old when I say these things but I know how to rebuild these kind of motors overnight no problem.
Finally, the Beta Racing colour scheme and all the bling bits that go with it make the bike stand out and feel factory. That’s always a nice little boost to the ego before every ride.
What’s not to like? Honestly, there is only one thing. I don’t know why, but it’s been a literal pain in the arse for many years now and that is the Beta has the hardest, most uncomfortable seat on any enduro bike in the present day. Maybe the Italians don’t get sore arses, but holy shit Beta, get it together and give our butts the soft, protection they deserve.
I wanted to ride this bike more but after a few laps, I had to pull in and put my MTB padded pants on. It’s a killer and obviously, you could get a different seat fitted but on a bike that is so dialled everywhere else, they have missed the boat with seat comfort.
Final thoughts
I like this bike a lot. It’s easily the best Beta 300 two-stroke that has been released to date and I take my hat off to Beta for building this model. The motor is epic, super strong, yet useable and rider friendly and being a more traditional two-stroke platform, you know it’s reliable and easy to maintain.
The new KYB forks and shock are awesome and offer plenty of support and give you lots of confidence to put all that power to good use. Just don’t sit down for too long! But in all seriousness, It’s a super fun bike to ride and it looks the part, is littered with great components and I really enjoyed spending the day listening to her sing through the valley.
BETA RR300 RACING
ENGINE
Type Single cylinder two-stroke
Displacement 292.6cc
Bore & Stroke 73mm x 69.9mm
Cooling Liquid cooled
Compression ratio 11.63:1
Fuel metering Keihin PWK 36
Tank capacity 9.5L
Transmission Six speed
Clutch Wet multi-disc
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1482mm
Seat height 930mm
Ground clearance 320mm
Claimed Weight 103.5kg (dry)
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm KYB fork 295mm travel
REAR KYB Monoshock with progressive compound lever 290mm travel
BRAKES
Front Wave 260mm disc double-piston floating caliper
Rear 240mm wave disc single-piston floating caliper
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar NA
Front tyre 90/90 – 21
Rear tyre 140/80 -18
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $16,295.00
BROWSER Beta motor.com.au
BLOWER 07 35184000
Warranty 6 months parts and labour