Beta Alp 4.0
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Make Model | Beta Alp 4.0 |
Year | 2005 - 06 |
Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves |
Capacity | 349 cc / 21.3 cu in |
Bore x Stroke | 79 x 71.2 mm |
Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Induction | Mikuni BST 33 |
Ignition | Electronic |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 20 kW / 27 hp |
Max Torque | 28 Nm / 2.9 kgf-m 21 lb-ft |
Clutch | Wet, multi disc |
Transmission | 6 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Tubular steel, double closed cradle |
Front Suspension | Hydraulic fork, 48mm ? |
Front Wheel Travel | 200 mm / 7.9 in |
Rear Suspension | Single shock adjustable spring preload |
Rear Wheel Travel | 220 mm / 8.7 in |
Front Brakes | Single 260 mm ? disc, 2-piston caliper |
Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm ? disc, 2-piston caliper |
Wheels | Alloy, laced spokes |
Front Tyre | 90/90 -21 |
Rear Tyre | 140/80 -18 |
Dimensions | Length: 2185 mm / 86.0 in Width: 860 mm / 33.9 in Height: 1230 mm / 48.4 in |
Wheelbase | 1410 mm / 55.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 300 mm / 1.8 in |
Seat Height | 865 mm / 34 in |
Dry Weight | 133 kg / 293 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 10.5 Litres / 2.8 US gal |
Fuel Reserve | 3.5 Litres / 0.9 US gal |
Fuel Consumption | 5.6 L/100 km / 17.7 km/l / 41.6 US mpg |
Standing ? Mile | 16.1 sec |
Top Speed | 131.1 km/h / 81.5 mph |
Review | Motorcycle News |
The Beta Alp is available in two 350cc versions, one looking like a trials machine, the other a Supermoto. If you are keen on trials then the slightly lighter Alp 200 might be enough for you, but the Beta Supermoto 350 makes a decent commuter/weekend fun bike, although it's a tad expensive for something using a fairly old tech 350 motor.
The Beta Alp Supermoto has long travel suspension and you sit quite high up - it has an 870mm seat height by the way - which gives you confidence in urban traffic. You can hustle this motorcycle through jams Monday-Friday no problem and the Supermoto comes with some classy spoked alloy wheels too.
There's nothing wrong with the Beta Alp's old 350 Suzy lump, in fact it's renowned amongst off-roaders as one of the toughest engines you can hammer through a swamp all day long. But the motor can be a bit buzzy above 60mph and there's a fairly low top speed to be had, which makes you wonder why Beta didn't get a deal sorted for the newer Suzuki DRZ400 motor instead.
You cannot fault the Beta Alp's Suzuki engine - that will probably outlast the next ice age. There's also something to be said for choosing a motorcycle built within the EU instead of one of the many low budget Chinese trail bikes which can be had for peanuts off the internet.
The Beta Alp 4.0 Trail looks pretty basic as you might expect and although there's no mirrors on it, you do get a front mudguard, although what use that would be in a muddy stream is anyone's guess. The Supermoto version has the same basic layout; no mirrors, dinky indicators and small headlight/nose fairing and both versions have a matt black exhaust which looks like it might suffer corrosion if not kept scrupulously clean.