I have one that I use for my 93 Audi 100 and I install a roof rack on the back of the truck to tie it down to as well. it works but does not allow me to get into the trunk. Here is the one big problem that I have when using it. The rear fender acts like a wing and starts flopping around wildly back there at certain speeds so I usually have to remove it. Its all good but still a pain. I have not used it much in the past year. I made it from 1" angle iron and its solid. The car is also big and does not sag much but you notice it back there. I wouldn't dare put this on my miata. Those are a bit out of the defender 90 relm but the roof rack on the back door can help or just use the spare to hold down to.
--Biff
Don't let them psych you out jonnyc. This sport is a mental one and the one thing you won't have to worry about is that engine. Change your oil, clean your air filter, keep coolant in it, feed it fuel and ride it with a smile.
--Biff
I got to ride my buddies this past weekend and I was impressed. I have always felt that the beta was heavy in the front but the evo feels really light. As for the kill switch stator issue... I couldn't say but i do know that i believe that in 09 the kill seems very tight. Not to take focus away from that here is what I do like.... WITH PICTURES! Mind you this is from a perspective of a die hard gasgas fan who is totally biased for gasgas. I respect good design and I feel that beta has good design with the EVO. <<disclaimer
I post my likes first. Start positive!
Again the front feels lighter. I like that.
First here is the bike. Props to firstgear trials supply you know who you are....
Linkage! PERK! Sure its a bit more work but it makes for a really fast responding bike. Hopping on to a 1.5 foot log on the rear wheel it came right up with a little solid feel.
There were these little steel tabs on the skid pan at the back. This can only help but reinforce what will be a stress point. I dig it.... PERK!
The fan control switch was tucked away into the top of the radiator. Very neat! held in with a C clip. Again simple. What a PERK!
The power seems about the same as my gasgas 300 which is great. I think that beta really kept what was good about the rev3 in this regard.
Ok here is what I didn't like.
The clutch on Beta's seem soooo on/off and always has to me. There does not seem to be a transition. Maybe its setup maybe its normal but every one I have ridden has felt this way. I am not a beta rider but I know that after some time getting used to it this would not be an issue. Not enough of an issue for me not to buy one. On top of that the pull also feels a bit high for a modern bike.
A weak link on the gasgas is exhaust. This 90 degree bracket on the beta seems like it might pose a problem in the future but then again it might not. It really looks like a crutch to me but I could be over reacting. In two years and several crashes later i would like to see what this same bracket looks like.
The rear spring is too soft. I am 185 lbs and it goes almost to the fender with me on it bouncing on flat land. If I were to get one the spring would have to be heavier. I was riding on simple flat land stuff and this was causing me to bottom out. Given a bit more spring I think that it would be perfect. Left stock in a rocky creek this would pose a problem. Going back to linkage they might have missed a decimal here on the math but its not far off.
What I would do to this bike. Remove two opposing springs in the clutch to lighten it and smooth out the transition. For most clubman riders this would cause enough hold and work to the advantage.
Give it a heavier spring for the rear.
Set the foot pegs back a bit. Make it feel even more pivot able in the rear.
All of this is very achievable for the Beta EVO.
None of it would keep me from considering one.
I won't get one because I am biased. Biffsbeta just doesn't sound as cool as Biffsgasgas to me.
Cheers
--Biff
HA! I like the way you think!
That or put 49 cc cylinders piston and heads on them then sell us the cylinder piston and head as an add on kit.... Ut oh i think I have given away too much. Brilliant!!!!
--Biff
Very possible Cope! Removing the front forks rear wheel and shock and you would be surprised of where you can fit one of those things. Congrats man that looks like a great rig! I have no clue where you would land at the ttc but bush pilots in Alaska may be able to give a few pointers... hahahah
--Biff
MotoMike has me all hooked up and is sending me one.
I looked at the reflex and its about the same as a cb125 intake which i have a ton of.
My intake is missing the lower plastic shield which would cause the bowl to heat up.
As i was removing it from the head today it crumbled so its time for it to go.
I sent the head to my works machinist who is awesome so we are getting along just great today.
We will be sorted soon.
--Biff
Thanks Motomike.
I didn't bring the intake to work but I will run home and get it. I will pm you when I get it. Im here in the States on East Coast time so I will try to pay attention when calling.
Nsman.....
Hmmmm you may have something there. I will check it out. Its cracked on the outside of the bolt holes.
--Biff
I need to replace my plastic carb spacer on my tl125 engine. I have heard that something else shares this block but i can't seem to locate anything. I can't seem to get my hands on an oem one and I tried a hand built one (not made by my hand) and it seems to transfer the heat. My oem warps the carb when tightneded down so I want to find a honda spacer. I have searched but am comming up dry. Thanks for your help and sorry if this was in an earlier post. I couldn't find one. Cheers
--Biff
I hear that Smage is down in Tennessee right now riding in the new year. Am I correct Phil, Norm or Craig?
He looked like he was feel well in november.
--Biff
Lookin good Cope!
My brother in law and sister have a Cesna as well. He is a Marine f18 pilot and loves to fly.
They could take day trips from Ashville to Orlando like it was no big thing. You spend a bit more in fuel but tons less in time.
This should make picking up your daughter in FL a lot easier when its done.
--Biff
Man that was awesome!
We were all out of shape but Sundays ride really felt good.
About 4 hours of riding and we were all cramped up.
Joe got a bicycle on Saturday and mastered it by Sunday.... Sickens me.
Here are some pics and vids with the phone. Sorry about the quality.
Good pic of Roosen on the logs.
And some vids.
--Biff
So there i am dreaming away myself to an enchanted island... Hot babes the whole nine yards. The next thing I know I am now riding over this huge pyramid thing.... So me being the responsible one I call Kutchey and tell him that I am taking over the barn and building something huge. An expensive trip to Lowes and I am seeing this come true. He was crazy enough to let me do it... Tomorrow we go back to lay in some rocks and logs and ride the thing in. Its strong as h#ll but knowing me i will break something bike me or the obstical. Zippy got let off the leash so he can come yet the wifey told him to stay off of it. Hahahahahhahahahahha Oh boy i need help!
Too bad Kutcheys 09 Beta wont be there... The 08 beta will have to do. Picks and vids will follow the festivities. If your in michigan tomorrow give a call and stop on by.
--Biff
My dad was riding Enduro's all through out the 70's in upstate New York. He found that a tire lasted two events. Chains lasted one event and Monday mornings were hard to move. He got my sisters to ride motorcycles but never really endorsed them riding competitions. In about 79 he was talked into riding a trials with a buddy on my sisters hodaka wombat and was hooked. I was 3 at the time and broke just about any bike i got my hands on riding non stop. In about 84 I had saved enough allowance to buy my 75 tl125. I couldn't touch the ground so to start it i used the kick stand. Broke off many o kick stands that way. I loved that bike and my parents knew it. The would punish me by draining the tank and not giving me fuel. In about 86 i started riding competitions in western new york. Eventually in about 89 i updated to a ty350. All through out highschool i was the nerd who led this double life on a trials bike. Eventually when college rolled around and several bikes later i decided that women and cars were more important and i sold the motorcycles but kept the trials bicycle. Cars were so much more important that I decided that I wanted to get into the industry. Durring my 8 year tenure I found scca and road racing. Realizing that i would never have the money for anything like that women aren't as stable as a trials bike i decided to buy myself a gasgas as a graduating present. My job allows me to ride when i need to ride and this sport allows me to keep getting to work on mondays so i am hooked. Only since college have i really taken the sport as serious.
--Biff
FYI for those who will be drinking beer sitting in front of the couch because it too damn cold out there here in the states on a wensday night november 26th... <wow long
Discovery channel has a half hour show on trials bikes. Apparently according to the guys in bike trials dot net they are showing how the trials bicycles are stronger than your generic wally world mart brand... Should be some interesting tv. Ooo zippy and cope they have cheer leaders on right after that!
Discovery channel link
--Biff
Cope you have a point.
At that same station they had credit for $1.77 but cash was 1.67.... Why??? Does it really cost you a buck more per 10 gallons to call AIG just to make sure that i have the credit? Just dumb.
They say that the oil for the diesel is foreign but it comes out of the same base refinery and same cooling towers.... Sure there are some different additive packages and after separation treatments but it does take more heat to get the fuel diesel sectioned out. Other than that they pretty much have the same number of steps getting to the end product. You can get more gas out of a barrel usually but that also depends on the quality of the crude.
Looks like it is time to trade in that cummins for a hemi there cope. I can say that diesel cars are not being looked at up north and our only options seem to be from europe. More hybrids on the way from this end of the big 3...
--Biff
The technology is not with us yet.... My best guess is that you would need at least 138 mega pixals and an Imax theatre fully equipped with barf bags...... hahhahahahhahaha!
--Biff
Welcome Sawyerjack!
What country are you in? Try starting with the simple stuff. Check the plug, change the fuel, clean the air filter. You may want to also post in the Beta section of the bike specific forum. Have a great day!
--Biff