UP CLOSE: 2023 BETA 200 RR
This is the 2023 Beta 200 RR – with possibly the greatest CC rating on the planet. Obviously, that’s very subjective, however, I would argue that if it’s not the greatest, it definitely tops the podium as the most fun-est.
Beta motorcycles is an Italian manufacturer that offers one of the largest ranges of dirt bikes on the market. From four-stroke to two-stroke, the CC capacities on offer range from 125 to 500. Interestingly though, Beta does not make a 250F motorcycle, instead, they leave that job to their lowest capacity 4T, the Beta 350 RR. But we aren’t here to talk about that…we are here to revel in the delight that is the Beta 200 RR.
The 200cc engine comes straight from the 125 platform. It receives a larger barrel and some tweaking to the engine, mapping, and power valve. It also inherits a hybrid expansion chamber that sits somewhere between the 125 and 250 – which of course makes sense. And it is dynamite. It’s fun and it’s electric and it’s exciting. The 200cc two-stroke is an amazing capacity for a bike that wants you to really ride it in an aggressive nature. You can give it every inch you got, without the worry that it will turn around and say ‘nah mate’, spit you off into the trees, or leave you hanging off the back for dead.
The 200RR takes most of its components from the 125, with a larger barrel and some minor internal/mapping wteaks.
While conversely at the same time, this engine has enough down-low torque to allow you to mellow out and tiki-tour around. Follow the kids, play on some logs, and hone those specific riding techniques. The engine can make you feel just like JS7, while also allowing you to practice being Billy Bolt. And I like that a lot. It is the only readily available 200cc 2T on the market. And why is that?
Mixing gas isn’t a huge deal. You get some pre-mix oil, mix it with your gas and put it in. Having said that, the 200 RR comes equipped with an oil injection system and it makes the whole process a real joy. The seat comes off without the need for tools, and the oil container is super-simple to fill. The word is that you should top it up every 3-4 tanks of gas and then you basically forget about it. Interestingly though, the 125, plus all the RR Racing models do away with the oil injection – I don’t think this is performance-based, but purely saving weight related. The convenience is more than worth a tiny weight gain in my opinion and anything that extends my riding time and decreases my fiddling time gets a gold star from me.
Beta has worked on the plastics of this 2023 model year and attacked the shrouds in particular – slimming down the cockpit a smidgen to an already slim-feeling motorcycle. They have also added a smearing of black to the colour scheme, saving the eye-catching blue accents for the race models. Now as I said, the bike was already very slim feeling and this iteration follows that same path. Without riding the 22’ model back to back, it is hard to notice any significant change in shrouds. However, what I can say is that there is plenty of freedom to move around in the seat, and assuming a really sung position through the turns feels natural, as does getting your leg out for the tighter turns.
Following in that same vein, the frame carries over from 2022 and I have no issues with that. It’s an obviously Euro-feeling bike from as soon as you swing the leg over. The seat is super flat, easy to move around on, and the whole bike is slim through the legs. It feels small, but not crampy. Handlebar adjustments allowed me to get comfortable enough where the ergos felt very natural and it wasn’t long before I felt right at home on the bike. For myself personally, the handlebars have a little too much sweep. I had to roll them back a ways to get comfortable while utilising the further most forward bar mounting positions. I would like to ideally like use a neutral bar mount and run a flatter handlebar. Again, this would be my personal preference. But this was not an issue for overall comfort, and no one who took the 200 for a ride ever felt uncomfortable or uneasy with the handling with the final setup I had chosen..
Probably the hottest topic around when it comes to the Beta range is the suspension components. The base models all run the ZF shock and fork combo – and have done so as far back as I can remember. For 2023, Beta has done some revisions to the front fork, by way of creating a freer flowing oil passage through the fork pistons, aiming at a smoother damping action and more comfort through the initial movements of the fork. This results in an undeniably better ZF fork than the last Beta we rode. It doesn’t seem to blow through the stroke as easily, the initial park of the fork action is still plush, and adjusting the clickers, which are all done by hand, really makes a difference that you can feel.
The ZF fork does an incredible job at making the ride plush and easy, plus it’s adjustable by hand.
The rebound adjustment is on the left fork leg and compression can be found on the right one. Also on the right fork is the pre-load adjuster, which you can adjust 9 full turns to harden up or soften off the front, depending on your weight. The forks do have a tendency of using up all the travel when you come to larger hits and when landing to flat off a jump. But these forks aren’t designed to race - especially with someone who is topping 100kgs. In fact, if you are intending to race, Beta have their RR Racing models which come with better KYB front bump sticks.
Similarly, the rear shock is the ZF brand and this also performs pretty well for the type of riding this bike was intended to do. It is initially plush and great for getting traction on slippery surfaces, tree roots, rocks, and ruts. It holds up better than the forks on bigger hits and does a good job of tracking the front and helping keep the bike feeling stable and straight at speed. It will bottom out on the big stuff, but to a lesser extent compared to the fork.
Thge compression on the rear ZF shock is also adjustable by hand which is a nice touch.
The combo together makes for a bike that is easy to ride, nice and plush, tractable, grippy and smooth, able to navigate any tricky terrain with ease, and perfect for a rider who is looking to keep at a slow to high trail riding pace. Shifting to a more fast, racing-orientated discipline, you would see the limitations of the 200 RR suspension become more apparent. But again, that is probably why Beta has a Racing model range specifically for racing.
The cool thing, which is now kind of a moot point thanks to NZTA, is that the Beta 200 RR comes with everything you need to, historically, make this a road legal bike. Which would have been a bit of an icing on the cake scenario. I would definitely ride this the long way to and from work if that was an option. Having said that, it means it comes with all the enduro specs you might ever need. Enduro computer, side stand, headlights (high and low beam), tail light with brake light, bash plate, horn, 18-inch rear wheel, hydraulic clutch, toolless access air filter and oil filter, and probably the very best mapping switch on the market today, allowing you to choose between rain and sun…should it be raining or sunning.
The airbox is toolless and easy to access, as is everything under the seat.
The only gripes I could drum up were both located in the steering department. The steering lock on the Beta is not very tight when compared to pretty much any other manufacturer. Now, this kinda matters and it kinda doesn’t, depending on who you are. For me being tall enough to plant my feet nearly anywhere, making a U-Turn on the track wasn’t difficult. It was more of an issue when trying to maneuver the bike around, shifting back and forward etc. However, my friendly neighbourhood photo shoot pilot, who is a little smaller, did have some issues spinning around during our photo shoot. This doesn’t impact actual track riding much as you are naturally leaning the bike over to assist in turning, (or at lest you should be) which on almost all occasions negates the lack of steering lock.
The other noticeable aspect I found was the forks slightly touched the radiators on full lock. Just ever so slightly enough that you can see a small mark on each radiator. I don’t think this will ever result in smashing up a radiator during normal operation, but I could just imagine if you had a big crash and twisted your radiator without noticing and continued to ride…could be something to be aware of.
Summed up in one word…Fun. The 200 RR makes you feel like a rockstar, because you can thrash it without the fear of getting buckwild from too much power. It also allows you to improve your technique with its beautiful power curve, slim ergos, and plus suspension. You will be the trail ride king, especially when the track gets techy. It’s one of those bikes you would have in your stable just because it is so fun. And let’s face it, that’s why most of us ride, right?
Appreciation goes out to Beta New Zealand for the loan on the bike, Whyteline Paeroa for making it happen, and Maddix Park for the testing venue.