No longer a boutique Italian dirt bike brand, Beta is a major player in off-road motorcycle racing. The 2018 Beta 300 RR and 250 RR enduro bikes get significant upgrades this year, in addition to going on a serious diet.1. The 2018 Beta 300 RR and 250 RR are more than 10 pounds lighter than last year. Over six of those pounds come from the new frame, while the motor sheds nearly four pounds.2018 Beta 250 RR
2. While not all-new, the 2018 Beta two-stroke motors are seriously updated. There’s a new cylinder, crankshaft and connecting rod, combustion chamber, and power valve timing for the 300 and 250. Additionally, the 300 gets a new piston and cylinder head for smoother power delivery.3. There’s a new clutch and shifter on the 2018s. The clutch changes focused on weight loss, progressive feel, a compact design, and consistent action as operating temperatures change. The star wheel and detent mechanism for shifting has a new design to reduce false neutrals and improve the feel when shifting.4. The kickstart lever is gone. The 300 RR and 250 RR are now e-start only from the factory, though a kickstarter can be ordered as an option. The lithium battery has lost weight, while getting more power.2018 Beta 300 RR5. If you’re not ready for a fuel-injected two-stroke, the 2018 Betas still run traditional carburetors. Oil injection returns, so you don’t have to prepare premix.6. Beta worked to give the 2018 300 RR and 250 RR more precise handling. The new frame adjusts the torsional and flexural rigidity to give the rider a better feel for the trail.7. Ergonomics have been improved. The airbox and rear subframe are now slimmer (as well as lighter) so the rider can move around more easily.8. The 2018 Beta 300 RR and 250 RR get improved suspension. Still using Sachs units, the 48mm fork gets new sliders and settings, while the shock’s settings are also reworked to match the fork. The sliders are both lighter and more resistant to flex.9. There’s no price increase for 2018, and the Beta 300 RR and 250 RR run the same price: $8499 MSRP. The bikes arrive at the dealers in August.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
