A household name in trials riding for more than 25 years, Italy's Beta made a first foray into enduro racing in 2005 with a brand new chassis developed in-house and engines supplied by KTM. Some time later, the company hired two engineers from the Austrian manufacturer and launched its new RR lineup in 2010.

As early as 2012, Beta started gaining a strong reputation by creating quality machines and making steady enhancements in terms of performance and reliability. The colours then changed from white to red, sending a clear warning sign to the rest of the industry.

The 2015 model year brings a number of improvements and upgrades, with Beta choosing the Milan Motorcycle Show to introduce the all-new RR Enduro 4T 350 EFI in both stock and factory configurations. Designers really nailed it; the machine has a genuinely European and professional look -- nothing to do with bland Japanese imitations.

Photo: Betamotor

Nearly all-new engine
One of the biggest changes for 2015 is the fuel-injected engine. Developed with the collaboration of Synerject (from Sherco fame), it features a 42mm throttle body and benefits from an optimum air-fuel mixture in all conditions thanks to temperature and pressure sensors. This sharpens throttle response and reduces engine brake.

Based on the 400cc unit, the 349cc engine (88mm bore x 57.4mm stroke) in the 2015 Beta RR Enduro 4T 350 EFI uses a new crankshaft with reinforced shoulders, as well as a lighter and shorter connecting rod. The piston is lighter and more robust thanks to a structure derived from Formula 1 called “box-in-box,” which enables a reduction in vibrations and an increase in performance. The wrist pin is coated with a Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) treatment to minimize friction and wear.

More aggressive camshaft profiles, a redesigned balance shaft, revised cylinder head conduits and combustion chamber, lighter and smaller crankcases, an improved cooling system, and a more powerful starter round out the list of engine modifications. Oh, and I almost forgot: The intake sleeve was completely redesigned to guarantee better fuel supply.

Sharper chassis
The chassis of the 2015 Beta RR Enduro 4T 350 EFI received some upgrades, too, including a 48mm Sachs upside-down fork featuring a new design of the extension piston with “three-slot” geometry in order to improve the oil flow and make it more direct so as to absorb violent shocks more progressively. To improve the overall smoothness of the fork, particularly on the initial breakaway friction, a spring-support release system was included to eliminate rotational friction. Moreover, all the connections were adjusted to increase precision.

The molybdenum steel frame with a double cradle split above the exhaust port remains unchanged, contributing to the bike's reduced weight (113kg). The Nissin braking system consists of a 260mm front disc with a dual-piston calliper and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston calliper.

Racing-oriented ergonomics
The 2015 Beta RR Enduro 4T 350 EFI offers a similar riding position to the outgoing model, but different from competitors. Perched 940mm off the ground on a more inviting seat that puts the rider close to the handlebar, expect to stay in attack mode at all times both seated and standing. The controls are intuitive to use, Beta promises, and the bike has that narrow shape agility-seeking riders love. Softer seat foam and plusher handlebar pads enhance comfort. Alas, hand guards don't come standard on the base model, so enduro enthusiasts will have to spend extra bucks to get them.

Race-ready Factory model
While the carburetor-equipped RR Enduro 4T 350 performed nicely in various bike comparisons around the world last year, Beta upped the ante with a super-racy Factory model fed by an electronic fuel injection system. This one features a premium 50mm Marzocchi fork, Excel wheels, a quick-release front axle pull, a titanium exhaust header, and a transparent white fuel tank, among other things.

Designed as a lap-time crusher for tight enduro tracks, the new 2015 Beta RR Enduro 4T 350 EFI favourably compares to many established players in the segment. It's an authentic race enduro bike with a focus on precision and ultimate performance, yet it can also ride legally on the road. Awesome!