Launched eight years in the past, the Beta Xtrainer has all the time been the red-headed stepchild of the boutique Italian model’s filth bike lineup. Designed as one thing between a trials bike and an enduro bike, that includes a extra compact body and decrease seat top, the Xtrainer by no means lived as much as its potential as a novice-friendly path bike able to taking over extremely technical trails—till now. Beta reworked the Xtrainer final 12 months, however we by no means made the time to trip it. There are extra updates this 12 months, and we nabbed the primary one within the fleet. Because it seems, the 2023 Beta Xtrainer is a large step ahead for the mannequin, and I like it.
- Suspension all the time held the Beta Xtrainer again. The Ollé R16V suspension was all the time wanting—we final examined it in 2018. It was each harsh and bottomed simply. Finding out the Ollé suspension wasn’t a easy activity, as they’re uncommon models. You might get the $2500 suspension improve bundle by means of the Construct Your Personal Beta program, however now your price range path bike would have a price ticket of over $10k.
- Beta has gotten severe in regards to the Xtrainer’s suspension, and it really works extremely nicely, which makes a world of distinction. The properly balanced motion is supple and proof against bottoming at path driving speeds. This isn’t an enduro bike—when you’re seeking to cost your method down a path, Beta has an RR that can swimsuit you properly. The 2023 Beta Xtrainer is for enjoyable path driving speeds and taking over rougher circumstances as you discover tougher trails. If you wish to run an RR tempo, however are searching for a lighter bike that’s inexpensive, you’ll be disillusioned within the Xtrainer.
- Though totally adjustable, we didn’t stray a lot from the inventory settings. Beta suspension testers will need to have labored additional time on the Ollés. We had been by no means tempted to melt the suspension, because it already was plusher than a Beanie Child. Makes an attempt to stiffen issues up unsettled the stability, with the side-effect of shedding traction because the Xtrainer began getting skittery. Weighing in at a featherweight 232 kilos with the brand new, bigger 2.3-gallon gas tank topped off with straight fuel, the Xtrainer is further delicate to clicker changes. We discovered to simply accept bottoming on g-outs in trade for implausible traction and a snug trip by means of even the rockiest terrain.
- The 2023 Beta Xtrainer’s 292cc two-stroke motor has two energy settings—Solar and Rain—and so they make an enormous distinction. The excellent news is that the Xtrainer’s dealing with and suspension motion work with each energy modes—that’s not all the time the case, as a change in energy supply will have an effect on how a motorcycle steers and the way the suspension reacts. So, let’s get into the 2 modes, which go by pictograms relatively than official names. It’s additionally value mentioning that we had a non-stock FMF Turbinecore 2 spark arrestor put in to maintain us authorized.
- The Solar mode delivers an fascinating expertise, and there’s a studying curve for its use. Put the 300-class motor into the Solar mode, and it likes to rev. The facility comes on within the meaty midrange, and can run into a formidable and controllable high finish; on an open highway, it’s good for over 70 mph. On the backside finish, whereas the motor might sound prefer it’s bogging, particularly on hillclimbs, it’s not. There’s sufficient torque out there that while you dial on the throttle, the Solar mode pulls easily into the midrange with out a lot as feathering the clutch. It might be simple to suppose my 115 kilos was not weighing the Xtrainer down, however even with 200+ pound riders aboard, there was no bogging. With 292cc to work with, there’s loads of energy to go round.
- Push the handlebar-mounted button and put the Xtrainer into the Rain mode, and it pulls strongly off idle. As quickly as you crack the throttle, you’ll know which mode you’re in— factor for the reason that indicator gentle on our check bike didn’t work. Energy isn’t abrupt down low, however I needed to finesse my throttle hand. The Rain mode transitions linearly into a robust midrange, and drops off rapidly—it doesn’t wish to transfer into the highest finish. Even so, that vary from idle to the highest of the midrange is large and usable. You dial on the facility predictably with the throttle, making the case-induction two-stroke a splendidly responsive trailbike motor. There’s a new airbox on this 12 months’s Xtrainer, which can have given the powerplant only a bit extra low-end enhance.
- I can take each side of the query of which energy mode to select in several conditions. It’s not merely a matter of Solar for quick conditions and Rain for sluggish. When choosing my method by means of a rocky stream mattress, the comfortable low-end of the Solar mode was good, so long as I didn’t want a blip of fast energy to stand up a step. When slaloming by means of the creosote bushes within the desert, I most well-liked the Rain mode as I might simply steer with the rear with out having to run the motor at excessive revs. Determining the very best mode for circumstances takes a while, and it is dependent upon your driving type.
- For many who need much more energy supply choices, the facility valve is adjustable. The draw back is that it requires a software to regulate, so you’ll have to put a while in to tweak it to your style. We had been proud of the usual setting for the all-around driving we do. We will go from technical rocky single-track to large hillclimbs to sandwashes in quarter-hour. Whereas there could be a greater setting for many who stay in a single-terrain space, we’re proud of the inventory setup for various driving.
- Beta might have made it simpler to change energy modes. Whereas the handlebar swap is an enchancment over the frame-mounted swap on the RRs, I can’t attain it with my thumb whereas sustaining my maintain on the left grip—and my arms will not be small. The switchgear has a non-functional flip sign swap that will be nice as an influence mode selector.
- The diaphragm-spring hydraulic clutch is implausible. The motion is predictable, and the contact is lighter than you’d count on for a 292cc motor—and that may be a good factor for the reason that attain to the lever is pretty far. For a path bike designed for ease of use, that is stunning. You possibly can modify the clutch lever, nevertheless it’s a nice line to make sure the clutch continues to be disengaging the transmission when two-fingering it. The pull and engagement are additionally adjustable, although that includes pulling the clutch cowl. Whereas we’re discussing the transmission, the six-speed shifts effortlessly, and there’s all the time the fitting gear out there.
- With glorious suspension motion and a splendidly supple motor, the intuitive dealing with of the 2023 Beta Xtrainer is the cherry on high of a Sunday trip. With the compact dimensions of the chassis, even smaller riders will really feel in management. With the suspension journey restricted to 10.6 inches at each ends, the middle of gravity is low. The supple suspension, controllable motor, and lack of mass mix to make me really feel just like the grasp of the bike. Even once I get off form on the Xtrainer, a uncommon incidence, I can rapidly deliver it again to stability. This builds confidence and encourages me to push my boundaries.
- The Shinko 216MX tires all the time discover traction. The tires are DOT- and FIM-approved, so the knobs don’t exceed 13mm in top. Regardless of that handicap, they work nice in sandwashes and are good in hardpack. Nonetheless, when you don’t want avenue legality, stepping as much as a full off-road knobby appropriate on your native circumstances when the Shinkos put on out is sensible.
- The brakes are robust—possibly a bit too robust. It’s simple to modulate the entrance braking, although I did handle to get a bit too aggressive on a downhill and auger in as soon as. The rear brake doesn’t have as a lot really feel as I would love. These seem like the identical brakes used on the heavier and sooner RR fashions. Slower riders will certainly wish to examine pads with much less chew.
- Though the seat top is 35.8 inches, it feels a lot decrease—one thing I not often say on a dust bike. Due to the magic of sag, at five-foot-six and with a 30.5-inch inseam, I’m nearly flatfooted on the Xtrainer at a cease in my Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro boots. This offers me all types of confidence to take the Xtrainer locations I won’t wish to take a full-sized filth bike. It makes all the pieces simpler, together with turning round on a decent path. If you add within the slender seat and light-weight weight, the 2023 Beta Xtrainer feels nearly trials-bike gentle, which is completely implausible till you strategy its high velocity. It does begin to get nervous when tapped out in sixth—a small value to pay.
- Life with a carburetor may be sophisticated. Once we began the 2023 Beta Xtrainer for the primary time, the pilot jet was clogged. The orifice is tiny, and on shut inspection revealed there might need been some particles in there. Attending to the pilot is a little bit of a ache, although it did require eradicating the in any other case glorious 36mm Keihin PWK carburetor—no, I didn’t do it; Editor At Giant Invoice Kranhold carried out the duty ably together with his private Beta expertise.
- Jetting is spot-on, working nice in altitudes starting from round 2500 ft above sea degree to a few mile up. All it took for crisp operating was a bit of dialing in of the idle and air circuits. The brand new lithium-ion battery fires up the Xtrainer immediately—bear in mind to make use of the choke when it’s chilly. Additionally, don’t neglect to show off the petcock on the finish of the day and empty the float bowl. We might like to see EFI on the Xtrainer ASAP.
- An oil injection system makes issues simpler in a combined storage. It’s good to have the ability to run straight fuel within the gas tank. You don’t should have separate gas provides—when you’re out driving and require refueling, you received’t must have two-stroke oil with you. The oil tank lives underneath the seat; no instruments are required to entry it. You do should take away one bolt to get to the air filter.
- The 2023 Beta Xtrainer will please nearly anybody apart from the quickest go-fast guys. This newest iteration of the Xtrainer strikes it to the entrance of the trailbike class. At $8299, it’s dearer than the Kawasaki KLX300 ($5699) however lower than the Yamaha WR250F ($8899)—maybe two of the Xtrainer’s closest opponents. Nevertheless, it’s exhausting to argue in opposition to the effectiveness of sunshine weight, a low and compact chassis, a versatile two-mode two-stroke motor, and (lastly) glorious suspension. Xtraining was by no means so enjoyable.
Images by Don Williams
RIDING STYLE
2023 Beta Xtrainer Specs
ENGINE
- Sort: Two-stroke single
- Displacement: 292cc
- Bore x stroke: 73 x 69.9mm
- Compression ratio: 11.55:1
- Fueling: Keihin PWK 36mm carburetor and case induction
- Exhaust valve: Beta Progressive Valve
- Cooling: Liquid
- Beginning: Electrical (kick optionally available)
- Lubrication: Digital oil-injection
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Diaphragm type w/ hydraulic actuation
- Ultimate drive: O-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Perimeter-style chromoly
- Entrance suspension; journey: Rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable inverted Ollé R16V 43mm fork; 10.6 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Absolutely adjustable linkage-assisted Ollé R16V piggyback shock; 10.6 inches
- Tires:
- Entrance tire: 80/100 x 21
- Rear tire: 140/60 x 18
- Entrance brake: 260mm floating disc w/ Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 57.8 inches
- Seat top: 35.8 inches
- Floor clearance: 12.6 inches
- Footpeg top: 15.4 inches
- Gasoline tank capability: 2.32 gallons
- Oil tank capability: 22 ounces
- Moist weight: 232 kilos
2023 Beta Xtrainer Worth: $8299 MSRP
2023 Beta Xtrainer Overview Photograph Gallery
