First off, a quick re-cap. Beta called up and asked do I want to try out the 450 RX. I said yes. Picked it up and went for a quick shakedown. Realised the grips are terrible and they came off real quick, replaced with some stock Honda ones I had lying around the garage. Bought a funnel for the first time in years to accommodate the tiny gas tank hole. Talked my head off about how smooth and torquey the engine on this Beta is, and how it’ s a great stepping stone into a 450 power delivery for any newbie. Now you’ re up to date. But if you’ re new here and want a more action-packed re-cap from last month’ s column, click the link above.
UPDATES The 2025 Beta 450RX arrives with a revised KYB suspension setup aimed at improving its motocross chops. While the bike maintains its off-road DNA, Beta has made meaningful changes to the internal valving in both the fork and shock to make the bike more comfortable in faster, bumpier terrain.
ON TRACK The KYB fork is plush and smooth through initial travel, giving the bike a settled, compliant feel in small chop and through braking bumps. That said, the front end tends to dive under hard braking or in G-outs, especially for faster or heavier riders. The fork doesn’ t have a harsh spike, but it can lack a little hold-up when pushed aggressively. The rear KYB shock has a similarly soft initial feel, which helps with comfort and traction on acceleration bumps and rough straights. Midstroke support is probably where it lacks the most, but, again, for the faster, more aggressive rider. I was able to find a pretty happy setting by going stiffer on the compression and a little slower on the high-speed rebound. I am at the heavier end of the spring rate( 95kg) so another size up on the spring would really benefit me in the long run. Beta has retained the same spring rates from 2024 but altered the internal damping, which
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