Tall riders didn't notice,...
Tall riders didn't notice, but shorter, more aggressive riders felt the Beta dropped into tight trail turns.
Editor's Note
This year's Dirt Rider Torture Test was set up like a screening for a reality TV show: Bring what you have and prepare for whatever happens. The idea was to show up at the Torture Test with the best all-around, one-bike-does-it-all off-road dirt bike, with no guidelines or requirements from our side. It was wide open, but everyone knew going in that it would be tough to make the cut to get into the final group of bikes you see in the magazine. Of course, they didn't all make it to the pages of Dirt Rider. Some missed out ever so slightly, some by a longer ways. This is a full test of one of the bikes that missed the final cut. The competition was tough but lurking in this field of bikes you can likely find an example of the perfect bike that fits your needs, or learn what other riders or people in the industry think is the best bike in the whole world. For the people and companies that built each of these bikes, it was the best bike they could deliver. -Jimmy Lewis, Editor Dirt Rider Magazine
About the bike:
Based off of our popular 525 RR, the 540 RX was designed to meet the needs of off-road, MX, and enduro riding with just one bike. Race an enduro or cross-country one weekend, remove the lights and meter, install the front number plate, and you are ready to moto the next! Aimed at the "Vet" racer, the bike's power is everywhere without being abrupt. American Beta has developed this model so that the veteran racer will appreciate the amazing power and handling while the young guys will be stoked that it will get them up the nastiest hill climbs that make their 250Fs cry like a baby! Keeping with the tradition of "There's no replacement for displacement" the Beta 540RX is only for those who fantasize about being on top!
Beta Racing; www.americanbeta.com;
540cc Big Bore Kit: $899.99
50mm Marzocchi Factory Shiver Forks: $2350.00
Long Shock Shaft $64.95
Adjustable Billet Triple Clamps: (Included with Fork Kit)
Boano Race team Graphics and Seat Cover: $199.99
Titanium fastener kits: $549.00
Carbon Fiber Skid Plate: $191.99
Carbon Fiber Air Scoop: $105.99
Beta "flyswatter" Hand guards $54.95
Billet Oil Plug: $28.99
Carburetor Mixture Adjuster: $25.99
Factory Rear Sprocket: $59.95
Clutch Cylinder Guard: $44.99
Factory Beta Footpegs: $234.99
Kris Keefer felt the Beta...
Kris Keefer felt the Beta 540 engine was strong from mid through high rpm, but overall he didn't feel very comfortable on it.
Dirt Rider Post Torture Evaluation: The best all-around bike because:
This is the best big-bore four-stroke motor around. It has mega-usable, but gigantic, boost in the maintenance-friendly KTM 525 package. That means that you adjust the valves with a 10mm wrench and a screwdriver. How sweet is that?
Not the best all-around bike because:
The feel of the Beta is a little top-heavy, and that makes it feel like it wants to fall into turns. For those who think that all a KTM needs to be perfect is a linkage, we offer the Beta as exhibit B.
Before the Torture Test each company that submitted a bike sent a detailed list of the modifications to its entry, and a description of why it chose those mods. None of us test riders ever saw the list until our testing was completed. Since I hadn't seen the reasoning behind the Beta 540 RX, I was struck by a couple of things after the test. Ace tester Dave Donatoni turned some of his fastest moto-test laps on the Beta, and I found that interesting that an off-road bike like the Beta could hammer on the track like that. Now that I look at the parts list and bike description it makes perfect sense. The stock 45mm Marzocchi Shiver fork is not one of my favorites, and it just doesn't feel solid enough for a semi-heavy, mega-powerful bike like the stock Beta 525RR let alone a 540. This bike has an extended shock and a 50mm Marzocchi Shiver motocross fork. Both ends are modified for combination track and trail by Precision Concepts. For sure that explains why the Beta performed so well on the track.
The next observation concerned the engine. My team of five test guys hit the trails with five bikes, found a good, repeatable loop and rode the same section with every bike. When I got to the Beta, I thought, "No wonder I always loved that KTM 525 RFS engine. The power is so stinkin' great!"