Beta Alp4

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 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.