First off – let’ s re-cap on last month’ s first instalment. Beta had called up and asked if I wanted to try out the 450 RX. I said yes, obviously. I picked it up from Bike Force Rotorua and took it home and went for a quick shakedown round the paddock, where I realised a couple of things straight away. The grips are terrible and the gas tank hole doesn’ t fit my quick fill in it. Now you’ re up to date … if you want to get the full re-cap, click the link above to read last month’ s instalment.
CHANGES Some quick history on the Beta 450 RX, which
was first released in 2024. This is the second version and changes to the Italian are minimal. Suspension valving specs are updated and there are now rubber mounts for the bar clamps where previously they were solid. A better, updated battery to help starting finished off the piccolo list. The stock grips went in the bin straight away. I cut them off and replaced them with a set of stock Honda grips. One, because that’ s what I had lying around and, two, because I find these stock grips( and the stock Yamaha ones) soften up after a few hours and are also very long lasting. I did try to get some of the new
40 KIWI RIDER