Beta RR 300 Racing 2024 Review

It’s easy for any motorcycle manufacturer to find something to brag about when it comes time to push its chosen model. Marketing departments are tasked with selling the sizzle, sometimes even when the sausage has little more than bold new graphics and no race wins on the board.

Beta hasn’t had to worry about that for a long time with its RR 300 Racing because the bike has dominated the Enduro World Championship since 2016. Steve Holcombe won the Enduro 3 Class from 2016 to 2019 aboard the RR 300, before fellow British racer Brad Freeman took over from 2020 to 2023. At the time of writing, and with just the GP of France left to run, Freeman holds a commanding 37-point lead in the 2024 title chase. That’s quite a resume for any machine.

On the local front, Queensland rider Ruben Chadwick claimed the 2023 Australian Hard Enduro Championship aboard a Beta RR 300 Racing and earlier this year, Chadwick placed 20th overall at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, making him the highest placed Australian rider ever at the infamous event. As you can see, Beta has a lot to brag about when it comes to its 300cc two-stroke platform but it doesn’t really do that. But it does continue to improve on their winning formula to make sure it remains at the front of the 300cc two-banger pack.

The 300cc two-stroke enduro category is incredibly popular with Australian riders and it’s easy to understand why. You get the thrill of riding a two-stroke with good power for all applications and they are easy to ride. However, not all 300cc bangers are equal with the offerings from KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS offering a form of fuel-injection while the Beta, Sherco and Rieju use traditional reed induction fueled by a carburetor. Where the Beta stands alone is its new-for-2024 twin spark-plug cylinder head.

Beta claims the twin spark plugs improve distribution of fuel ignition points in the combustion chamber, improving torque and overall power. Fuel consumption has also improved and despite the increase in torque and power, the twin plugs help make the power delivery smoother. More power that’s easier to use. What’s not to like about that? The bonus of the twin spark plugs is if you do happen to foul a plug, the engine will still run on one plug.

Also new for 2024 is the frame which offers increased rigidity to improve turning stability and a new rear brake caliper. The hand guards are also new and the graphics have been tweaked to stay fresh and attractive.

The Beta RR 300 Racing is a top-tier model that is truly race ready. Like all Beta Racing models, the RR 300 comes with a 48mm Kayaba AOS closed-cartridge fork and a Kayaba C46 shock. These Kayaba suspenders are widely regarded as premium components with a wide range of adjustability.

The RR 300 Racing also features a quick-release red anodised front axle, black ergal racing footpegs with steel pins and a large contact surface area, a ZF dual-material rear sprocket, racing seat with holder pocket, black anodised gear lever and rear brake pedal and red anodised oil filler cap and chain tensioner blocks. There’s plenty of bling, if that’s your thing.

The RR 300 Racing stands out with its unique colour scheme. The blue front guard and headlight surround sits so well against the Beta red and the black swingarm, black rims and black triple clamp and outer engine cases. It’s a slick-looking machine.

The bike comes fitted with dual engine maps with the switch mounted on the head stem, just above the fuel cap. Riders can select the sun map for full power or the rain map for a more subdued power output. Furthermore, the power-valve is adjustable via a simple external 5mm allen-key screw.

There are three options for mounting the handlebar clamps and the clamps are off-set which can be turned 180-degrees to offer more or less distance from the rider. This allows the rider six possible handlebar mounting positions which is a great feature. 

Beta has stuck with traditional premix for fuelling the Racing model. This may seem outdated to some but, for a pure racing machine, it does away with the oil-injection components that can be found on the standard Beta RR 300.

In real life, the Beta is a sexy-looking bike. The colour combinations are excellent, and it always gets plenty of praise when riders see it for the first time in the flesh. The start procedure is simple. Fuel-tap on, choke on, hit the start button and the RR300 Racing fires into life. The engine has a smooth and crisp sound, but it’s understated. It’s not throaty or loud.

After clicking the bike into gear and releasing the clutch you immediately realise this bike does not vibrate like most 300cc two-strokes. It purrs out a sweet two-stroke sound and produces smooth power without tingling your senses on vibrations. It’s smooth and strong.

My first ride aboard this bike was on moist loam and sand and I couldn’t quite get my head around the power. I moved into a single-track between the trees and immediately felt that the bike was designed for exactly this. I slipped into rutted corners and cruised around them with ease.

It had been a while since I’d been on a new two-stroke and I found I was riding it by noise, more so than feel. I was loving the exhaust note so much I was over-revving it and making my life hard. I went between map modes and found the rain map was best for me that day.

I left that test track confused and not satisfied with what I was looking for in this bike so the next weekend I headed for a sweet 5-minute single track special test loop that is mainly all second gear stuff between trees, over a couple of logs and in and out of dry creek gullies. I let the engine do all the work and I could not wipe the smile from my face. I let the torque do the talking and I could rev it out on the straighter parts. I clicked third gear once on each lap.

We broke out the stopwatch to test the rain map against the sun map and to my surprise I was on the exact same second at the completion of each lap. There is a distinct difference in the maps and when things got harder due to rider fatigue, the rain map made life easier. I could definitely see the benefit of the rain map when riding rocks or anything slippery. The sun map is best for ripping loam and sand.

I really enjoyed this bike in enduro-style conditions. It turns well, the brakes are excellent, the suspension is supple and progressive, and the engine is brilliant. If you are looking for bang-for-buck and rider-friendly performance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better bike.

ENGINE
Engine type: Liquid-cooled two-stroke
Capacity: 292.6cc
Bore x stroke: 73 × 69.9mm
Compression ratio: 11.4:1
Fuel system: Keihin PWK 36 Carburettor
Star: Electric

TRANSMISSION
Type: 6-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Molybdenum steel
Front suspension: 48mm KYB Closed Cartridge
Rear suspension: KYB
Front brake: Hydraulic Nissin single disc
Rear brake: Hydraulic Nissin single disc

DIMENSIONS
Claimed dry weight: 103kg
Overall length: 2172mm
Seat height: 950mm
Wheelbase: 1482mm
Ground Clearance: 320mm
Fuel tank capacity: 9.5lt

OTHER STUFF
Price: $16,495 plus dealer delivery
Colours: Red
$16,495 plus ORC and dealer delivery