Beta RR Cross Country

Italian manufacturer Beta has released a 450cc four-stroke off-road machine called the Cross Country, based on its RR 4T enduro bike but also designed to “represent the return of Beta in the field of motocross at the amateur level”.

Already flummoxed? Well, according to Beta, the $11,450 Cross Country has been conceived because enduro racing in many countries is evolving into more close-circuit competition, often on modified motocross tracks. Hence, the Cross Country has been designed to meet that shift, and the company also claims the bike is “an ideal way to begin… motocross with a reliable and easy vehicle”.

There are a number of key differences between the RR 4T and Cross Country, with the latter featuring a new Marzocchi upside-down 48mm fork, a revised shock absorber, modified rear suspension link, a new frame, and the electrical system has been “simplified and rationalised”. There’s also a 19-inch rear wheel and the engine’s internal gearing has also been shortened.

At this stage, the Bendigo (Vic) based Australian Beta importer will only be bringing two Cross Country units down under, with one of them to be used for competition by former moto trials gun and now enduro and extreme enduro competitor Trevor Campbell.

Campbell will campaign the Cross Country in the Victorian off-road title, and also compete in the Australian Four-Day Enduro.

Meanwhile, the second Cross Country will be sold by the Australian importer, and you can get all the contact details here.

With the four-stroke range now packing a punch, Beta is also set to unveil 250cc and 300cc two-stroke enduro bikes at the Milan motorcycle show in November, using engines developed entirely in-house by the boutique manufacturer.