Beta Motor

Beta motor (also referred to as Betamotor, or simply Beta) is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer predominantly known for its line of trials bikes. These competition models are designed without seats and feature shorter suspension travel. Their unique construction is adapted to the sporting events in which they are used, where drivers must navigate extremely difficult off-road courses without touching their feet to the ground.

The company began in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturer called Società Giuseppe Bianchi. By the 1940’s post-war demand for motorized transportation demanded that the business reinvent itself as a motorcycle company to stay competitive. The new “Beta” name was taken from the initials of the company owners, Enzo Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi.

The 1948 CERVO was the first Beta cycle to roll out the company’s doors, followed by the CIGNO. These were extremely lightweight models, and would be followed by the slightly more robust ITAL-JAP in 1950 which featured a 125cc engine.

The 1950’s saw Beta evolve its product line to fit the dirtbike and sportbike markets, creating a variety of single-cylinder engines in bikes such as the ASTRO 98 and the FOLGORE 175. The new 175cc bikes began winning competitions in Italian hillclimbing and motogiro events.

As the decade turned, the company also began producing its own motors in-house. This new technology was soon a part of every bike in the Beta line. A new production plant was erected at Rignano Sull’Arno outside Florence in 1972, and this has remained at the center of Beta’s operations ever since.

Beta’s commitment to off-road bike design intensified in the 70’s and 80’s as the sport became more popular. The company began with the production of specialized bikes for enduro and motocross competitions before expanding into the trials bikes that would become their best-known. Motocross wins came first, but in recent years Beta trials bikes have won four consecutive World Trials Championships, three world titles six indoor world championships and five European titles.

Today, Beta cycles use KTM brand motors, with the factory producing fifteen thousand of their own engines and seventeen thousand bikes each year. With an annual profit of over 40 million euros, Beta was financially sound enough to begin exporting their trial bikes to the United States starting in 2008. In 2009, the export line expanded to include their street-legal line of enduro bikes. The American Beta website also offers a “Build Your Own Beta” subsite, with an extensive supply of accessories to help riders customize their bikes.

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Products
Beta Alp 200 2-in-1 two-wheeler: Off-roader and trial bike New trellis frame New suspension		Beta Minicross R 10 2-in-1 two-wheeler: Off-roader and trial bike New trellis frame New suspension
Beta Motor Alp 125 Trial bike designed mainly for younger riders Wet multi-disc clutch AET ignition system		Beta Motor EVO 80 Designed primarily for first-time younger riders Hydraulic disc brakes Hydraulic multi-disc clutch
Beta Motor EVO 80 Junior Designed for budding dirt-track riders ages 4 to 7 10-inch wheels Air-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke lamellar 49 cc engine		Beta Motor MiniCross R12 Designed for budding dirt-track riders ages 8 to 12 2.50-12 and 2.75-10 front and rear tyres Air-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke lamellar 49 cc engine
Beta Motor Minitrial Designed for riders ages 6 to 9 Single-speed transmission Steel tube frame		Beta Motor RE 125 4T Designed for both experienced and first-time adult/young adult riders Enduro tyres for driving comfort Tail-mounted carrier
Beta Motor RR Enduro 50 Mask and front headlamp design Multifunction digital dash Frame featuring elliptical sections		Beta Motor Urban 200 Fuel efficiency and low maintenance Electric and kick starts 5-speed gearbox