THE RIDER & BIKE: JYE DICKSON’S BETA 480 RACING
I started riding when I was five-years old, started racing flat track straight away and then moved over to motocross a year later. My most memorable achievement would probably be getting an equal fourth outright and third in my class in my first year doing the AORC series. I have been racing enduro for a year and a half now, last year being my first full season. Enduro rekindled my passion for dirtbikes; after four years of racing ProMX mixed with some injuries and the COVID-19 situation, I definitely got burned out and needed a change.
So this is my first year riding for Beta Australia, Ash Martin (Race Team Manager) approached me at the final round of AORC last year saying he’d like to get me on a Beta for 2024. After talking to some people and hearing all the good reviews and success they have had in the EnduroGP, it was an easy decision.
I’m really enjoying the new bike; I feel really comfortable on it especially in the tight technical bush which is one of my weaknesses. My goals for this year are to try to better my riding every time I’m on the bike and let the results come to me.
THE MECHANIC AND TEAM MANAGER
ASH MARTIN
Ash Martin (Beta Motorcycles Australia Race Team Manager) does the initial prep of the bikes but the maintenance of the bikes throughout the year is the responsibility of the riders and their preferred mechanics in their state. Each rider is very hands on with their bike, but they do get support from fathers/partners during race days for filters etc.
The bike is outfitted with a range of high-performance components and protective features. It has Beta anodised red front brake and clutch master cylinder covers, along with Beta MX-style start and stop switches. The cooling system is enhanced with Beta radiator braces and a Beta silicon radiator hose kit. The bike also features a Beta factory muffler for optimised exhaust performance.
For the footpegs, Jye uses AS3 factory wide footpegs while Andy [Wilksch] has a personal deal and uses Scar footpegs. Protection for the clutch and ignition components differs: Jye’s bike has a P3 carbon clutch cover guard and a P3 carbon ignition cover guard, while Andy’s bike uses an AS3 clutch cover and an AS3 ignition cover.
Other protective components include an AS3 alloy rear disc guard, an AXP extreme chain guide, and a P3 carbon skid plate. The bike also features a brake snake, Polisport swingarm protectors, and KustomMX graphics. Additionally, it has a Beta red clutch slave cylinder guard and AS3 brake and clutch slipper clamps.
The seating is covered with a Guts Racing seat cover, and the handlebars vary between riders: Jye uses ODI handlebars, while Andy has a deal for Scar handlebars. Jye’s bike is equipped with an Axiom wheel set featuring Envy hubs and DID rims, whereas Andy has a different wheel setup based on his personal deal.
For traction and durability, the bike is fitted with Pirelli tyres and Nitromousse Platinum mousses, providing excellent performance for off-road and hard enduro conditions.
Jye is a very smooth rider and is very easy on parts. Most of the parts added are for protection to ensure reliability during the extreme conditions the riders can face at the race events. Performance-wise, the four strokes have the Beta factory muffler mounted with the stock header, with the Beta open mapping to suit. The engine is otherwise completely stock. The suspension is the stock KYB components with valving to suit the riders’ preferences; Jye uses Chris Woods Performance for his suspension tuning.
