Beta (motorcycle manufacturer)
Encyclopedia
Beta is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

 manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles. Beta are best known for their popular trials
Motorcycle Trials
Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participants around the globe....

 bikes. In 2005, they launched a range of enduro
Enduro
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...

 motorcycles using KTM
KTM
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen...

 engines. In the 2010 they will launch the new RR series, with a new engine made in-house. Beta motorcycles have been used by world trials champions such as Jordi Tarrés
Jordi Tarrés
Jordi Tarrés is an internationally renowned motorcycle trials racer. He was the outdoor FIM Trial World Championship winner for 7 years...

, Dougie Lampkin
Dougie Lampkin
Douglas Martin "Dougie" Lampkin, MBE, also known as Doug, is an internationally renowned English motorcycle trials rider. Born into a family steeped in motorcycle sport—his father, Martin Lampkin, was the first FIM Trial World Championship winner in 1975, and his Uncle Arthur was also a regular...

 and Albert Cabestany.

History

Beta has its origins in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturing company named "Società Giuseppe Bianchi", originally based in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....

. The company started making motorcycles in 1948. The name Beta comes from the initials of Enzo Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi, who ran the company at that time. Focusing on two-stroke bikes through the 1950s and 60's, the company started focusing development and production to off-road motorcycles in the 1970s.

Trials models

Beta have produced motorcycles for observed trials since the early 1980s and are now one of the leading manufacturers.. Unlike the Trial and Enduro models, the trials bike have used Beta's own engines.
  • TR240 (1983-4) First trials model, twinshock suspension 125cc, 200cc engines, the majority with reed valve induction.

  • TR32, (1984-5) Air-cooled, monoshock model, produced in parallel with the twinshock model, same engine as TR240
  • TR33, (1985-6)
  • TR34, (1986-9) Very successful trials model, stripey paintwork, 125cc - 260cc engines
  • TR35, (1989–91) Air-cooled engine series
  • Zero, (1989–92) Water-cooled monoshock
  • Synt, (1992-4) Water-cooled monoshock
  • SuperTrial, (1992-3) Air-cooled engine
  • Gara, (1993-4)
  • Techno, (1994-9) 125cc version from 1995
  • Rev-3, (1999–2008) 2-stroke trials
  • Rev-4, (2007–08) 4-stroke trials
  • Evo [2009-] 2-stroke and 4-stroke

Enduro and motocross models

Beta made a range of motocross and enduro bikes during the 1970s and 80's.

The Beta Enduro bikes have used KTM engines since their return in 2004, though 2009 sees the launch of bikes with Beta's own power units.

Trail models

The Alp trail motorcycle models have used air-cooled Suzuki DR-model engines and have a good reputation at commuters and 'green-lane' trail bikes. With a low seat height and a reputation as an easy to ride motorcycle, they are ideal to beginners of off-road riding.
  • Alp (2000-), 125cc, 200cc and 350cc models. Air-cooled bikes with Suzuki engines.

See also

  • Motorcycle
    Motorcycle
    A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

  • List of scooters
  • Scooter (motorcycle)
    Scooter (motorcycle)
    A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...

  • List of scooter manufacturers

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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