NoTraction

Lovely and sought after maybe but not particularly Sportsman/Clubman friendly. Not to worry, it’s getting p/exd tomorrow! It’s been emotional….

It has a slow throttle. I’ve bought some thicker base gaskets (0.5mm, 1mm) based on the assumption the one fitted is a thinner one. I’ll get it apart tomorrow and see what’s on there.

I was just thinking that maybe it is fitted with a thinner than standard one. Just checked the squish, it is 1.35mm. Anyone know what it should be for a standard setting?

I wonder if any Beta experts can help with this one? Long post I’m afraid… I recently bought a 2023 Factory 250, unwittingly a supposed ‘Euro Spec’ (or at least non-UK) version, the seller didn’t actually enlighten me to that detail. Usually this means no flywheel weight and a higher compression cylinder head insert, I believe. I bought it because I wanted a Factory for the better brakes, forks, yokes and rear shock and was of the belief that power wise, for UK spec models anyway, they were the same as the standard Evo. So, when I found out it was non-UK spec I took the flywheel off and the weight is present, and I fitted a standard head cover and low compression insert. I had to change the head cover as well as the insert as the head and insert fitted had been shaved down by 0.5mm, there was ‘-0.5’ etched on the head cover. And hence, the low comp insert wouldn’t fit on without also changing the head cover. I thought this would calm it all down and make it soft like a Beta Evo usually is. However … The bike is still quite feisty and has a hell of a lot of compression when kick starting. It’s not the soft kick I associate with Betas. I rode it back to back today with a standard Evo 250 which suited me much better power wise, I am only a ‘wobbler’. I rang Beta UK and they weren’t sure what to suggest themselves surprisingly but said they would look into it. Hopefully they’ll get back to me. I don’t understand why (a) the original head and cover had been shaved and marked ‘-0.5’ but more importantly, (b), now I have fitted a low comp head, why does it it have such high compression still? - it really is a different animal to the standard Evo and is a bit of a pig to start sometimes as a result, you really have to boot it. Assuming the basic engines are the same, I don’t understand how this can be, or what to do about it to make it a more rounded ride for me. If you want to fire up rock steps it’s the bike for you but I bought a Beta for the smoothness and ease of starting. This ain’t it! The guy at Beta said it might have a more performance oriented cdi on it but he wasn’t sure. I can’t see how this would change the compression when kick starting the bike though. If you’ve managed to read this far and can shed any light on this issue I would be very grateful as I’m at a bit of a loss what to do next. Thanks!

Well, I have only had two hours on it so far but it seems very tractable and responsive without. Instant power but nothing alarming. I’m going to try a low comp head just for the hell of it because I have one but it probably doesn’t need it. I tried adding a flywheel weight to my Gas Gas but didn’t like the run on so I took it off. Oddly, on the Fantic I can’t imagine it without the heavy flywheel however it is a very low powered and also heavier bike so probably not a great comparison. So I was really just asking as I feel I’m probably not getting the ‘true Beta experience’ and wondered if I was missing out on anything, lol… Lovely bike, handles superbly..

I’ve put a slow on it - but what I’m really interested in knowing is how much and what difference the flywheel weight makes in isolation. UK bikes come with them as standard, mine is a non UK bike and didn’t so I’m just curious.

Does anyone have experience specifically of how much difference the flywheel weigh makes on a 250 Factory? I just bought a ‘23 model but wasn’t told it’s not a UK model, hence it doesn’t have the weight or the low comp head. I’ve ridden it for a couple of hours and love it, however one of the points of buying a Beta was to experience the soft power delivery etc for which they are renowned (usually with low comp head and flywheel weight I believe) which is clearly going to be different to my bike. So although I’m happy to ride it as is, I’m curious to know if I’m missing out on the experience somehow by having a slightly more potent set up (Euro spec)? My other bike is a Fantic 200 which has a flywheel the size of the Moon and so I’m wondering if it would be prudent to fit one to at least narrow the gap or if the difference is so minimal as to not be worth the bother. Cracking bike, already find it more sure footed in the tight stuff than either my TRS or my Gasser previously..

Thank you. They certainly look the part 👌🏻

Amazing little bike 👍

No, only had 3 in it. What I meant was, compared to my 2 Stroke trials bike (Gas Gas at the time) I just couldn’t get the hang of getting traction on wet muddy banks. It would lose traction, then I would be stuck, and it was heavy. Plus compared to a ‘proper’ trials bike, the high seat really didn’t help in those situations. Just saying, I would love to try a proper Mont trials bike (4rt) for a while but would seriously question whether it’s a good idea in place of an ‘easier to ride in the slop’ 2T here in the southern UK… Id like to add, it’s great to be able to generally chew the fat and ask/receive knowledge and casual opinions on Trials Central. On the Facebook ‘groups’ it’s hard to ask anything without getting a barrage of opinionated and mostly irrelevant comments whenever you start a thread. Add to that you have to use your ‘proper name’, it’s easy to get a load of ‘he said, he did, I know better than you’ contributors haunting your profile. I much prefer proper forums like this that are less personal and more topical. Long may it serve.. 👌

Phew, glad it’s not just me…. I’d have them all if I had the space and money! Hard work when it’s one at a time….. 😉

The itch I really wish I could lose is the wish to try a 4T, either Montesa or Beta. I did have a 4Ride for a while and I could not find traction in the slippy stuff so you’d think that would be enough for me. But it’s hard to get past the look/sound and quality of the 4RT. This is the trouble when you live the bikes for the bikes sakes, not just as a sports apparatus to do a job… The most sensible thing for me will be to save a few more shekels and get a new shape Gas Gas, I know it, I liked my Gas Gas more than my Beta 200. I’m just always curious about the options… want to try everything!

I see there’s been quite a few advertised updates for the 23 and on models (not sure if there is any difference between 23, 24 and newly announced 25 apart from cosmetics). They look cracking. But can anyone report on whether the differences are enough to warrant upgrading from a ‘21 model? How different are they and do they start any easier? I’m talking the 250 model TXT Racing predominantly. Considering it as they look lush but wondering if they are worth an early upgrade. Sportsman/Clubman level rider so nothing adventurous. Interested to hear any reviews, good or bad.

Slippery mud is unfortunately a major consideration in this part of the world, if it wasn’t for that worry there would probably be a Montesa or Beta 4T in the garage already - and I think the Montesa is edging it in this discussion purely because of the fuel injection for me over the carbed Beta 4T….

It is kind of a thing over here - you’re really ‘left field’ and out there if you don’t ride a 2 stroke Beta or maybe a Gasser if you don’t like the sharp turning angle. I had a Beta Evo 200, it was a nice bike but I felt way more suited to my Gas Gas. But I’m really enjoying riding an older Fantic 200 I have in trials and so was considering a Mont or poss 4T Beta as a bike for some easy trials, some trail riding with a long distance kit, a bit of observing. And because I’ve got a monkey on my shoulder about trying a 4T and then either enjoying it or getting it out of my system! To be fair, a sharp wind could blow me in the direction of a ‘23 or newer Gas Gas which would be my ideal bike for purely trials progression but I just fancy trying something different and a bit more versatile for a while.

I wouldn't be put off by the occasional need to do a bit of valve adjustement...

Thanks for the detailed description, that pretty much covers all I wanted to know 👍

Thanks guys - helpful stuff 👍

Following on from my other Beta thread... can anyone comment on what the Beta 4t Evos are like? Are the 300's a mellow well handling bike? And how do they stack up against the 4RT? I've had a slight hankering for a 4RT and like the idea of a 4 stroke generally but whenever I mention I usually get told that it will be no good in the mud (we get LOTS of that where I am) and that 'Ill get fed up with the weight of it. Not so worried about the weight, it would be lighter than my Fantic, I'm sure! But after enjoying my TRS and previously my Gas Gas (which I loved) I'd be a bit concerned about buying something thats going to be a pig to ride then regretting it, just because it looks and sounds nice... stick to a two stroke, they all say....! But is it it the case and is the Beta 4t of either 250/300 variant any more forgiving/better/worse in wet muddy UK conditions..?

I rode my Fantic 200 yesterday in awful wet muddy conditions on the Sportsman route. Out of 12 riders in class there were only 5 finishers and I came third, albeit with quite a score! This was against modern bikes, first place Bultaco, second place Beta Evo, third me (Fantic), fourth Bultaco, fifth Vertigo …. Make of that what you will!

Funnily enough, I just sold my TRS250RR electric start model last week. I'd fitted a low comp head insert and tweaked a few bits to calm it down (couldn't find an 'R' when I wanted one) and it was a good bike. But I get bored and i wanted to ride the Fantic more so it went to someone more deserving of the electric leg!

I believe the Factory versions have a different/better clutch.

What do you normally ride (bike and level)?

Have the changed the geometry on the new GG’s then? I didn’t realise that.. I guess that will be a different beast again then….

I see, that makes perfect sense… I’m not a particularly intrepid rider, Sportsman/Middle route sometimes depending on the day… so won’t be doing much hopping…. Things I liked about the Beta 200. It started easy, power was mellow, erm ….It started easy… (did I just say that?). I didn’t like how it would tuck under so easily… the Gas Gas … it felt more stable to me, the build quality was good as far as I could see, the fuel tank lifted out… I didn’t like starting it after it had been upside down on a bank… enter the TRS with Estart (Didn’t like the noisy clutch and the wires hanging out everywhere. Regardless what people say, I didn’t think it was that well finished…jerky rattling clutch…) So assuming there’s nothing special about the Evo 250 I may just get another Gasser..