Words: Trent Maher

Beta Motorcycles has long been recognised for its strong presence in the off-road world, and MotoOnline recently headed to Queensland Moto Park for the national media launch to ride the RR X-Pro range, in addition to select RR Race models, for this Tested review.

Image: Supplied.

QMP provided a variety of conditions for enduro testing, from dusty, rocky trails to fast-flowing fire roads and the occasional muddy section. With over 10 bikes from the RR X-Pro and RR Race fleet to ride, it was the ideal setting to put them through their paces.

Starting with the RR X-Pro, this model range has undergone the most changes for 2025. Previously known simply as the RR range, the revamped RR X-Pro has been redesigned to suit a wider range of off-road riders.

The line-up features eight models, with four two-strokes (125, 200, 250 and 300) and four four-strokes (350, 390, 430 and 480). The RR X-Pro is built to take on the toughest conditions with an all-new stronger frame, a 20 millimetre lower seat height, the ZF SHC single spring front fork, X-Trig FlexFix bar mounts, and a tugger strap on the front fender. These bikes are designed to go wherever you want to take them.

What does all of this mean? Riding these bikes, it’s clear that the target market for this range is weekend riders looking to hit the trails with friends and enjoy a comfortable ride. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to tackle more technical, slower sections, this bike is perfect.

The ZF suspension has been set up on the plusher side, soaking up every rock, tree root, or bump on the trail. It offers a super-comfortable ride at slower to intermediate speeds. However, once you push the RR X-Pro harder, for me at least it started to feel a bit soft, creating a harsher feeling in the hands.

The lower seat height is a game-changer in tight, technical sections, especially for shorter riders. Getting your foot down a bit quicker in tricky situations makes for a much more enjoyable ride. The geometry of the bike is another highlight – the ability to move the bike around in tight sections is a huge advantage. Even in the larger capacity bikes, the same flexibility and manoeuvrability remain.

When it comes to the engines, the 125 and 200 two-strokes are light and fun, with not enough power to get you into any real trouble. I would recommend these models for beginner riders who want to learn the fundamentals and progress into more challenging rides. The 250 and 300 models, however, offer more torque at lower speeds, making them ideal for technical hill climbs or navigating rocky beds. They also have enough power to cruise comfortably on intermediate trails.

The four-stroke models are in a different class altogether. A noticeable drawback is the lack of a 250 four-stroke, which would be ideal for entry-level four-stroke riders. However, the 350 and 390 are perfect for intermediate to expert riders. Both have a flatter power delivery off the bottom-end, requiring you to ride in a lower gear as most of the torque is in the mid-range.

These bikes feel incredibly light and nimble, making them easy to throw around. The 430 and 480, the larger four-strokes, offer significantly more bottom-end torque. While not arm-wrenching, these engines have enough power to pop the front wheel over obstacles with ease. The downside is that they feel a bit heavier in tight sections, but once you get them on open trails, they’re a blast.

In general, the RR X-Pro range showcases Beta’s commitment to designing bikes for weekend warriors who enjoy hitting the trails. With plenty of features and a competitive price point, the Beta RR X-Pro is certainly worth considering if you’re in the market for an off-road bike.

Image: Supplied.

Next, we move on to the RR Race range. As the name suggests, these models are ‘race-ready’ versions of the X-Pro, with modifications to the engine, suspension, and frame. Key upgrades include CNC alloy footpegs, a lighter, high-performance Nissin front caliper for better braking power, more progressive feel, and modulation, and a larger 22 millilitre rear axle for improved stiffness and torsional resistance.

The Race models also feature a mapping switch on the handlebars for easy map changes and traction control activation, as well as a 48 millimetre KYB AOS closed cartridge fork and a KYB C46 RCU rear shock. Quick-release front axles for faster wheel changes and reinforced handguards are some additional features that set the RR Race apart from the X-Pro.

As with the X-Pro range, we didn’t have all the capacities available for testing – only the 300 two-stroke and 350 four-stroke – which thankfully was enough to get a good sense of the differences between the two ranges. The target audience for the RR Race models is more advanced trail riders or off-road racers, and the difference is immediately apparent. The RR Race bikes are slightly higher than the X-Pro models, which gives the impression of more ground clearance.

The most noticeable difference between the RR Race and RR X-Pro is the stiffness of both the suspension and the chassis. The KYB suspension on the RR Race models offers more predictability and gave me the confidence to tackle more challenging sections of trail. The handling is also sharper, which is a distinct advantage when pushing the bike through technical sections.

In terms of engines, the two-stroke models of the RR Race range – while similar in characteristics to the X-Pro – offer more punch. The 125 and 200 are still built to be the fun, light bikes of the range, but with the more rigid chassis, allow you to attack technical section with more intensity. The 250 and 300 are likely the sweet spot for the two-stroke range, offering plenty of power and easy handling in tight trails. I particularly enjoyed the 300 for its smooth power delivery, which was easy to control.

For the four-stroke models, the 350 and 390 have similar characteristics to the X-Pro, but – according to Beta – have a little more low-down torque and slightly more top-end power. These bikes would suit nearly all off-road riders, whether recreational or racing. While the 430 and 480 are more for expert riders, the 480 especially being a fantastic option for open fire trails, was a blast on sweeping corners in the X-Pro trim. I could pull up onto the rear wheel in any gear. It feels a bit big in tight sections, but once you’re on an open trail, it’s incredible, so I would’ve loved to try in Race specification.

Both the RR X-Pro and RR Race four-stroke models come equipped with a mapping switch and traction control as standard. The dry and mud maps – as they call it – offer different power delivery profiles. The dry map is more aggressive off the bottom-end, while the mud map softens the power and moves it toward the mid-range. A fanstastic feature for me was the traction control, especially in the drier conditions at QMP, as it helps keep the rear wheel in check during tricky, slick sections of trail.

Overall, it was an amazing day riding the RR X-Pro and RR Race bikes. With so many bikes to try and all offering unique traits on the trails, it was a great way to evaluate the strengths of both ranges. One thing to note, all of the bikes we rode were fitted with Pirelli tyres, which do not come standard on the bikes.

For casual trail riders looking to get out and enjoy the ride with friends, the RR X-Pro is the clear choice. However, if you’re more serious about your off-road endeavors or looking to race, even at an amateur level, the RR Race offers all the features needed to compete at a higher level. If you’re unsure about which capacity or model suits your needs, Beta also hosts test days around the country.

A massive thank you to the entire Beta team for organising such an amazing day of riding. With so many models to test, it was a busy day for everyone involved, but the crew from Beta made sure everything ran smoothly and that we were all well looked after.

Specifications

RR X-Pro range
Engine types: Two-stroke (125, 200, 250, 300) – Four-stroke (350, 390, 430, 480)
Transmission: Six-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch:Wet multi-disc with reverse opening
Traction control: Four-strokes only
Front suspension: 48mm ZF SHC fork
Rear suspension: ZH link suspension
Front brake: Nissin caliper, 260mm front disc
Rear brake: Nissin caliper, 240mm rear disc
Tyres: 90/90 – 21 Michelin Starcross 6 / 140/80 -18 Michelin Starcross 6
Availability: Available now
Further information and pricing: www.betamotor.com.au

RR Race range
Engine type: Two-stroke (125, 200, 250, 300) – Four-stroke (350, 390, 430, 480)
Transmission: Six-speed
Starter: Electric
Clutch:Wet multi-disc with reverse opening
Traction control: Four-strokes only
Front suspension: 48mm KYB AOS closed cartridge fork, 310m travel
Rear suspension: KYB link suspension, 315mm travel
Front brake: Nissin caliper, 260mm front disc
Rear brake: Nissin caliper, 240mm rear disc
Tyres: 90/90 – 21 Michelin Starcross 6 / 140/80 -18 Michelin Starcross 6
Availability: Available now
Further information and pricing: www.betamotor.com.au