A 2000 Beta Rev 3

Beta is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles.

Betamotor S.p.A.
Type	Private
Industry	Motorcycle manufacturing
Founded	1904; 115 years ago, Florence
Founder	Giuseppe Bianchi, Arrigo Tosi
Headquarters	Rignano sull'Arno , Italy
Area served	Worldwide
Website	www.betamotor.com

Beta are best known for their popular trials bikes In 2005, they launched a range of enduro motorcycles using KTM engines In 2010 they launched the new RR series, with a new engine made in-house Beta motorcycles have been used by world trials champions such as Jordi Tarrés, Dougie Lampkin and Albert Cabestany

History

Beta 160 Vulcano Sport, 1955

Beta has its origins in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturing company named "Società Giuseppe Bianchi", originally based in Florence. The company started making motorcycles in 1948. The name Beta comes from the initials of Enzo Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi, who ran the company at that time. Focusing on two-stroke bikes through the 1950s and 1960s, the company started focusing development and production to off-road motorcycles in the 1970s.

Trials models

Beta have produced motorcycles for observed trials since the early 1980s and are now one of the leading manufacturers. Unlike the Trail and Enduro models, the trials bike have used Beta's own engines.

TR240 (1983-4) First trials model, twinshock suspension 125cc, 200cc engines, the majority with reed valve induction.

A 1983 Beta TR240, 200cc air-cooled engine, twinshock suspension

TR32, (1984-5) Air-cooled, monoshock model, produced in parallel with the twinshock model, same engine as TR240
TR33, (1985-6)
TR34, (1986-9) Very successful trials model, stripey paintwork, 125cc - 260cc engines
TR35, (1989–91) Air-cooled engine series
Zero, (1989–92) Water-cooled monoshock
Synt, (1992-4) Water-cooled monoshock
SuperTrial, (1992-3) Air-cooled engine
Gara, (1993-4)
Techno, (1994-9) 125cc version from 1995
Rev-3, (1999–2008) 2-stroke trials
Rev-4, (2007–08) 4-stroke trials
Evo [2009-] 2-stroke and 4-stroke

Enduro and motocross models

Beta E3 bike at the 2010 WEC GP of Italy

Beta made a range of motocross and enduro bikes during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Beta Enduro bikes have used KTM engines since their return in 2004, though 2009 sees the launch of bikes with Beta's own power units.

Trail models

The Alp trail motorcycle models have used air-cooled Suzuki DR-model engines and have a good reputation as commuters and 'green-lane' trail bikes. With a low seat height and a reputation as an easy to ride motorcycle, they are ideal for beginners to off-road riding.