Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1547331
8 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com 2027 Beta 200 RR X-PRO 2027 Beta 200 RR X-PRO Silent Assassin Silent Assassin By Kurt Flachbart By Kurt Flachbart Photos By Ed Mercer Photos By Ed Mercer As an older rider, one who's been playing in the dirt for the vast majority of my life, I rarely get too wound up while tes ng a bike, but now and again, a bike comes along that fits you oh so well; like an extension of your limbs. Picture zero disconnect from your finger ps to each and every knobby. It's such a special feeling when that machine impress- es you so much you're giddy with excitement. This is how I felt a er spending a few hours of quality me on a glorious fall a ernoon aboard the 2027 Beta 200 RR X-PRO, and I'll do my best to paint the picture. It's no secret that we like small bores here at Trail Rider. What's the draw, you ask? First and fore- most, the light, flickable feel is hard to beat. Now don't get me wrong, I do have a so spot for big- bores, but some mes we must choose the right tool for the job at hand, and when you're ripping ght single-track or challenging low-speed tech- nical terrain, a big bore will wear you out much quicker than a light, nimble machine. In situa ons like this, it's o en best described as "the bike rid- ing you versus you riding the bike". Given our bony northern New England loca on, I tend to spend much more me on a small-bore motorcycle, as the enjoyment factor for this old dude is much more pleasurable. Basically, small-bores bring me to a nice place in my head. A place where I feel good about myself: a place where I feel confident in my abili es on a motorcycle, and the 2027 Beta 200 RR X-PRO has proven to bring me to that spe- cial place I cherish so much. Now we're no strangers to the Beta 200; our ini al introduc on to Beta's 200 line was the 2023 200 RR. We liked it. In fact, so much that we bought it, as we didn't want to give it back when Beta USA Brand Ambassador Rodney Smith called for its return. How does the 2027 200 RR X-PRO differ from the '23 200 RR, you ask? Well, let me do my best to explain. The main difference be- tween our '23 200 RR and the '27 RR X-PRO is the seat height of 36.6", about an inch shorter than our '23 model. As expected, ground clearance and footpeg height are also about an inch less. As a guy with a 30" inseam, having the ability to dab or put a foot down in the nas es is confidence-in- spiring when tes ng one's abili es or out for just an enjoyable trail ride.