Trail Rider Magazine

September/October 2014 17 2015 Beta 290RR Engine Type: Beta-Built single cylinder, 4- valve, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, electric start with back up kick starter. Bore: 88mm Stroke: 63.4mm Displacement: 386 cc Compression Rao: 12.5:1 ignion: DC-CDi with variable ignion ming, Kokusan. 80 wa output at 6000 RpM. Spark plug: nGK lKAR 8A-9 lubricaon: Twin oil pumps with car- tridge oil filter. Separate oil for engine and clutch .8 liter each Carburetor: Keihin FCR-MX 39mm Clutch: Wet mul-disc Transmission: 6-speed Final Drive: O-ring chain Chassis Frame: Molybdenum steel/double cradle w/quick air filter access. Wheelbase: 58.7" Seat height: 36.8" Ground Clearance: 12.6" Footrest height: 16.2" Steering Rake/Offset: 26.5 degree rake/23mm Offset Dry Weight: 234 lbs. Fuel Tank Capacity: 2 US gallons Front Suspension: 48 mm Sachs USD fork, adjustable compression and re- bound, TFX technology. Rear Suspension: Aluminum Body Sachs shock w/adjustable rebound and hi/low speed compression Front Wheel Travel: 11.4" Rear Wheel Travel: 11.4" Front Brake: 260mm floang rotor Rear Brake: 240mm rotor Front/Rear Rim: 21" (Front) 18" (Rear) Front/Rear Tire: Michelin Enduro Compeon Warranty: 6 month limited Warranty D id you happen to noce the funky-looking goggles that we used with the Beta test? Those are the new Visor Goggles by Zowa and they are an interesng idea. The top fits over the helmet just below the visor while the base of goggles rest in the tradional locaon below your eyes and along the bridge of your nose. When you get past the novel appearance of them, you will find that they work well and have a few benefits over tradional goggles. The obvious benefits are increased field of vision and that they will fit over glasses. However, what we liked best is the larger volume of space between your face and the lens that these goggles pro- vide. Because the goggles rest further from your face, they trap less heat and allow it to escape via the larger venlaon ports at the top of the goggle. And because they hold less heat, they are less prone to fog up. The lens is an-fog and made of Lexan. Tear-offs and different colors are avail- able as well. Over all I found the fit to be comfortable and that the pressure over the bridge of the nose is minimal – this maers if you have encountered goggles that fit too ghtly across the bridge of your nose and restrict air flow. Overall the Zowas are an innovave idea and worthy of two thumbs up. You can order them for $58.00 at www.zowaopcs.com. the 2014 we tried last year. We are ex- cited to see just how good the suspen- sion will perform when properly broken in. As we mentioned above, the Beta is surprisingly slender feeling. In terms of agility and feel, it's closest to the KTM XCF-W 350. Initially, the Beta was over- steering the corners, we then raised the forks in the triple clamps to 6mm which made it turn much better. As it turns out (assuming that info on the web site is correct), the Beta comes fit- ted with triple clamps in the 23mm off- set position, so raising the forks is a necessity in the tighter terrain we ride. Still, the Beta is a quick and agile turner. For a follow up, we may try to get our hands on some 20mm triple clamps to see if there is a notable im- provement. Overall the 390's agility and quick turning makes it a joy to sling through the single track trails. You have likely read reviews about the 350 and 450, but the 390 thus far has received little attention, which is too bad because it is an excellent eastern woods bike straight out of the show- room; it's agile like a 350 but with bot- tom end grunt that most 350 riders would prefer. There is no pressing need to run out and purchase a bunch of high-end aftermarket components for this bike either. A few sensible changes will transform this machine into an expression of personalized glory. So, we are not done with the 390 just yet. We are going to see just how well we can get it set up for the eastern woods, then share what we have learned. Look for a follow-up review soon. Tim Pilg, owner of American Beta, has joked in the past that we need to move to Southern California to facilitate access to these bikes. My re- sponse is always that the Betas are ex- cellent eastern woods bikes and that they should move east. The 390 is no exception, and undoubtedly the best kept secret in Beta's line up. Zowa Visor Goggles

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