As to the rear shock... it is set up very soft from the factory. I'm 6'0, 200lbs and had to nearly bottom out the rear spring to get the sag where I wanted it. I also put about 10 turns into the front forks. After these changes, the suspension is awesome, much better than my Rev-3 (especially the rear). It zaps much better and absorbs hits better as well. Also easier to hop the rear (the front hops better to, but I think that has more to do with the lighter weight and new engine position).
Mine was also jetted very well from the factory, haven't noticed it dribbling gas out of the carb either. Also, this is the first Beta I've had that hasn't tried to eat the rear mud flap. Overall, I'm very happy with it and think the changes they made were pretty much all for the better.
I've only owned Beta's, so I'm used to the on/off clutch (I actually prefer it), but I will agree that it would be nice if the pull were a little lighter.
John and Steve had always advised against a 270 for me as well.... but then He does know how bad my riding is
The 08 does seem very much easier to ride than previous 270's i have tried. Main reason i am having one is that this is the first brand new bike i have had since i was 17, it will have to last for many years so i figured there is no way i would wear out the 270!! (that is my excuse and i am sticking with it).
... cheers for the info on the v-force. Maybe i will put it in and see how it goes. I have a vmar top triple clamp to go on as well as a black headlight and some carbon bits. A white front mudguard will also be fitted when i find one that looks ok.... sadly my Raptor Ti hangers from my 05 don't fit so looks like an ebay job
Just a heads up... if the V-Mar triple clamp is for the '06 or prior year bikes, it won't work. The triple clamp for the '07/'08 is thinner. I tried to use a V-Mar clamp that I had here and found that out after I had everything taken apart... doh!
I put a set of V-Force in my '08 270 and must say that it made a great bike even better. Smoothed out the bottom even more and lets it rip up top. Only change I made to the jetting was to drop the pilot 1 size when I had the carb out to put in the reeds.
I've been to Big Rock a few times on the enduro bike, but not on the Beta yet. Also, if I wouldn't be intruding, let me know when you guys are planning some riding near the OH/KY border and I'll try and head down there. I'm only about 1 1/2 hours from either Big Rock or Cincy. I'll PM you my email address.
Also, just an update on the 270. I just installed the VForce reed block that I had and they made the throttle response even crisper. This bike responded to the reeds more noticeably than my '04 did. I know they made some engine changes along with a new ignition, so I'm guessing the new formula is just more receptive to the increased airflow from the VForce.
Those are the stock pegs in the picture. I don't know why exactly, but they make my feet ache after a short time. It may be the large gap in the center. The aftermarket pegs all seem to have a center support which eliminate such a gap.
As to the throttle, it does come stock with the black tube. I have an aluminum tube (fast) to go on it. I may try and get used to the slow throttle though, as maybe it will calm me down in the sections. I'm trying to learn to ride slower and the fast throttle probably gets me into more trouble than I realize. Plus, the 270 engine is so good, that even with the slow throttle, it never feels lacking in power or response.
I don't know what all they have changed from '04 to '06, but the more I ride it, the more I can't believe how much better it feels than the '04. Everybody mentioning the rear traction is absolutely spot on. It gets superb traction and the rear end compensates well for bad hits. Maybe Bou's style just fits me better than Caby's...
And Milt, I'm gonna bribe Adam to keep my lines hop requirements to a minimum, lol. Front wheel hops are the most frustrating thing I work on learning. No matter what I try, it just doesn't seem to be clicking. I'm getting decent with the rear wheel though. You guys every do any play riding down there in KY?
I agree, it's good to get detailed feedback on the new models and the original post here was very useful. I noticed from the picture that the decals from the frame, where your boots rub, have been removed. Did they come off easily?
The bike comes without the decals applied. I like the look of the frame without the decals so I haven't decided on whether to install them or not. The swingarm decals are the same way, but I did put those on straight away.
I'm pretty surprised that I haven't seen any chat about '06 models now that they are out, so I thought I'd stop lurking and stop a topic.
I got mine on Monday and have got about an hour and a half or so of riding in on it thus far. I am coming from an '04 model 270 that I bought from new.
A little background to put my comments into perspective. I'm in my second full year of trials riding (I ride the Advanced line), and have raced enduro bikes for the last 15 years. I'm 32 and took up trials as a "cross-training" tool but quickly became addicted and now ride it more than my enduro bikes. I've owned 3 bikes, all Beta's, one 250 and now two 270's.
Likes
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+ The engine changes are very nice. The engine sounds very different from my '04. It still has a "Beta Pop", but not as noticable. It has a nice even pull from bottom to top with tons of torque. Very tractable power and no break-up on the top as it revs out.
+ I love the suspension on this thing. I never could get my '04 to feel firm enough. Right out of the box, the '06 feels spot on for me. I'm not much of a hopper, and with the firm front forks, I can hop even less. However, it is more than made up for by the bike as a whole reacting much better in pretty much every other situation. My zaps on the other hand, are just the opposite and have improved greatly. I can zap nearly twice as big an obstacle as I could on the '04.
+ The new plastic looks sharp. The rear fender is flat black with no gloss at all when you see it in person. I thankfully haven't tested the durability of it yet, but it feels about the same as previous years.
+ The kill switch/headlight switch. It is now mounted down on the bars between the triple clamps. My '04 had that big clunky monster of a switch up on the bars near the clutch pearch.
I just recently bought a new front fender for my '04 and it developed a crack within the first hour. Right at the point where the metal bracket underneath ends. I agree with the others, I drilled and zip tied this one up as at $65 a pop, they get expensive quick.
I was having this same problem on my Beta at my last trial... long 2nd/3rd gear climbs and the motor would start to cut out or just quit altogether. By the end of the day, the plug fouled as well. I dropped one size on the main jet and put in a new plug. So far that seems to have cured it. It now pulls strong from top to bottom in every gear.
I bought my first trials bike about 3 months ago from Ron at usbeta and have nothing but praise for them! I overnighted a check and had my bike in 3 days (from Vermont to Ohio). Yesterday (July 1), I had a stator go bad and they overnighted me a new one and covered it under warranty with no questions asked. I was floored! Let me tell ya, no regular dirt bike dealer that I've ever dealt with takes care of their customers that way. I also got on the preorder list for a 2005 Rev 3 250. Gotta get the last one before they switch to 4 strokers.
Round 4&5, Trials Inc - Tilton Il (1.5 Hours West Of Indianapolis)
in USA Trials Reviews & Previews
Posted
TI always runs a Vintage class. Should be at least 1 or 2 others there.