BETA RANGE ON THE ST BATHANS RANGE I set out on the Beta 430 four-stroke , a model I ’ ve never tested before . I ’ m a great fan of the 480 and was very interested to sample its little brother . Also , on offer was a 390 four-stroke and the 300 / 200 two-strokes . Initially we headed up fairly flat , smooth and straight gravel road , all-beit through several inches of snow . I found it a little unnerving not being able to see the ground , mindful of hidden rocks and ruts . The soft snow offers a slightly floating sensation before the tyres cut through to the surface below . The 430 was great , smooth and easy to ride , still feeling like a large capacity four-stroke , but with just a little less overall grunt . As we progressed up the 4WD track towards Boundary Creek Hut in the valley below the St Bathans Range , creek crossings became plentiful and the track rockier . The most pressing thing on
my mind was to keep my feet dry ( and warm ), but , sadly , a dab at around the seventh crossing made me accept the inevitable . And so , for the next 100 ( or more ) creek crossings my feet only got wetter as the track snaked up the valley . Note to self : Alpinestars Tech 7 boots , while being fantastically comfortable for adventure riding , are not water proof . We stopped briefly late morning at Top Hut for a chat and a drink . In a futile act , I removed my boots and drained the water from them - there were plenty more creeks to come . A decision was made to try and ride to the top of the range , some 2000 metres high according to my map . The climb switched back on itself every 500 metres or so and with very turn the snow depth grew , the wind strength upped a gear and it got colder . Stopping for a photo and parking the 430 very carefully , I still had serious doubts the Beta
38 KIWI RIDER