Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545069
June 2026 X-PRO was the supple suspension. I'll be honest, I had my concerns that the KYB forks and shock with their firmer valving, intended for the more de- manding rider, would feel harsh in the slower, tech- nical terrain I enjoy so much. As you'll read deeper into this feature, my concerns were a moot point. Ergonomically, the 2026 Beta 430 RR Race fits my 6-foot, 200-pound (or so) frame like a glove. The cockpit is perfect with the seat, pegs, and bars all within a comfortable distance. The bike begs to be ridden on the pegs and is comfortable doing so with plenty of weight over the front re to keep it planted. Unlike Betas of the past, the Nissin brakes are nowhere near as touchy with a nice progressive feel. The hydraulic clutch pull is rela vely light and also quite progressive. As instructed by our local Beta dealer, Jim Myrick at Maine Cycle, I le the clickers alone and allowed the suspension to break in before forming an opin- ion. As expected, out of the box, the 430 RR Race wasn't as plush as the 350 X-PRO, but it wasn't bad, meaning it didn't deflect or do anything scary. It was just firm, and I typically prefer a plush ride. Once I felt the suspension had sufficient break-in me, I began to play with the clickers. To get a feel for how they react, I wound the compression and rebound all the way out on the forks and about half- way out on the shock, then hit the rocks hard to see how the bike responded. What I learned impressed me. The range between the factory (middle) se ngs and all the way so is night and day. Unlike some bikes where there's li le to be felt by changing click- er se ngs, the KYB suspension on the 430 RR Race offers se ngs for all abili es and terrain condi ons. As a guy who's somewhat of a freak when it comes to properly tuned (sprung and valved) suspension, I'm thoroughly impressed with the wide range of adjustments of the KYB suspension on this 430 RR Race, and soon found a happy place that was perfect in the rocks between the factory se ng and full out. Handling-wise, the bike is extremely surefooted and confidence-inspiring. It's a fast and powerful weapon when twisted, and I might have go en a li le too comfortable too soon and ended up in a rock-filled washout at speed. Oh yeah, the pucker factor was high, but fortunately, the bike took it all in stride, tracking straight and true without doing anything funny. Some mes we need this, and this is the exact point I began to trust the bike and its quality suspen- sion components so as not to hurt me.