Beta Evo 300 SS Review | SS = Super Smooth

The advantage of the 300 motor is that there is plentiful usable torque. Crossover riders want something that is fun on the loop, and that usually means power. The 300 SS doesn’t spin up like a pro-class 280, but it’s still plenty of fun. The secret is to short shift it, and let all the inertia stored in the flywheel and primary gear pull you along, while offering superior traction.

2017 Beta EVO 300 SS riding

If you want to use the 300 SS as an extreme trail bike, and don’t mind the lack of a seat, it’s capable of taking on the toughest trails more easily than almost any trials bike. There are mounds of torque and easy traction to be had, plus it will mask your mistakes.

Riding trials is also stress-free on the 2017 Beta Evo 300 SS. The motor purrs along, putting just the right power to the ground, and resisting the temptation to spin the rear tire. The Michelin Trial Competition X11 (not the newer X-Light) has been a standard for decades, and it works extremely well. Wet or dry, the X11 finds traction and is completely predictable.

With the agreeable motor, the 300 SS’s handling also benefits. The chassis is fully ready for competition; the bike weighs in at just a claimed 146 pounds dry and offers plenty of ground clearance—over a foot.

It’s an agile chassis, with high quality suspension. However, the fork and shock combo do not have quite the level of responsiveness you will find in the Beta Factory model trials bikes. Realistically, only a more experienced or sensitive rider will find the difference to be significant.

2017 Beta EVO 300 SS seat height

Beta observed trials motorcycles are known for their turning capabilities, and the 2017 Beta Evo 300 SS accentuates those abilities. The handlebar sweep is wide—nearing 180 degrees—and that means you can make some serious turns happen on the SS. The power delivery is a great aid in successfully completing the tightest turns on the most challenging terrain.