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Beta Alp 4.0

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Make Model

Beta Alp 4.0

Year

2003 - 04

Engine

Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves

Capacity

349 cc  / 21.3 cu in

Bore x Stroke

79 x 71.2 mm

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Cooling System

Air cooled

Induction

Mikuni BST 33

Ignition

Electronic

Starting

Electric

Max Power

20 kW / 27 hp

Max Torque

28 Nm / 2.9 kgf-m 21 lb-ft

Clutch

Wet, multi disc

Transmission

6 Speed 

Final Drive

Chain

Frame

Tubular steel, double closed cradle

Front Suspension

Hydraulic fork, 48mm Ø

Front Wheel Travel

200 mm / 7.9 in

Rear Suspension

Single shock adjustable spring preload

Rear Wheel Travel

220 mm / 8.7 in

Front Brakes

Single 260 mm Ø disc, 2-piston caliper

Rear Brakes

Single 220 mm Ø disc, 2-piston caliper

Wheels

Alloy, laced spokes

Front Tyre

90/90 -21

Rear Tyre

140/80 -18

Dimensions

Length: 2185 mm / 86.0 in

Width:     860 mm / 33.9 in

Height:  1230 mm / 48.4 in

Wheelbase

1410 mm / 55.5 in

Ground Clearance

300 mm / 1.8 in

Seat Height

865 mm / 34 in

Dry Weight

133 kg / 293 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

10.5 Litres / 2.8 US gal

Fuel Reserve

3.5 Litres / 0.9 US gal

Fuel Consumption

5.6 L/100 km / 17.7 km/l / 41.6 US mpg

Standing ¼ Mile  

16.1 sec

Top Speed

131.1 km/h / 81.5 mph

Review

Motorcycle News

The Beta Alp is available in two 350cc versions, one looking like a trials machine, the other a Supermoto. If you are keen on trials then the slightly lighter Alp 200 might be enough for you, but the Beta Supermoto 350 makes a decent commuter/weekend fun bike, although it's a tad expensive for something using a fairly old tech 350 motor. 

The Beta Alp Supermoto has long travel suspension and you sit quite high up - it has an 870mm seat height by the way - which gives you confidence in urban traffic. You can hustle this motorcycle through jams Monday-Friday no problem and the Supermoto comes with some classy spoked alloy wheels too.

There's nothing wrong with the Beta Alp's old 350 Suzy lump, in fact it's renowned amongst off-roaders as one of the toughest engines you can hammer through a swamp all day long. But the motor can be a bit buzzy above 60mph and there's a fairly low top speed to be had, which makes you wonder why Beta didn't get a deal sorted for the newer Suzuki DRZ400 motor instead.

You cannot fault the Beta Alp's Suzuki engine - that will probably outlast the next ice age. There's also something to be said for choosing a motorcycle built within the EU instead of one of the many low budget Chinese trail bikes which can be had for peanuts off the internet.

The Beta Alp 4.0 Trail looks pretty basic as you might expect and although there's no mirrors on it, you do get a front mudguard, although what use that would be in a muddy stream is anyone's guess. The Supermoto version has the same basic layout; no mirrors, dinky indicators and small headlight/nose fairing and both versions have a matt black exhaust which looks like it might suffer corrosion if not kept scrupulously clean.