New Bike Inbound
Discussion
so, having had to basically start from scratch in terms of road legal biking since moving to Canada, I've been on the lookout for an affordable and fun way to get back on the road on 2 wheels and to do my full M license to boot.
Wonderful Canada doesn't recognize my previous UK M/C license entitlement meaning I've had to go through the full program of learner courses with the only consideration being the waiving of the time constraints between licenses. For example, you usually need to wait a minimum of 18 months between obtaining your M2 license before you can take the full M class test. And in that time, your insurance is hellish as you're basically classed as a learner.... happy days.. not. On the bright side though, I'm permitted to go straight to my M license without waiting due to the time I've held my UK bike license but I still need my own insured bike to do it, schools don't cover bikes for the M license as it's an on road test...
So, Superbikes are out with insurance quotes ranging from $10k to $37k!!! So what to get... Didn't fancy a 390 class KTM etc, and been wanting a dirt bike/ enduro anyway as there's a ton of off-roading by me. Some of which requires a blue plated and insured bike anyway...
So..in answer to my laundry list of wants and constraints.... say hello to the Beta 390 RR-S (S meaning street)
|https://thumbsnap.com/4s1VnF4U[/url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/NkyeF6uF[/url][url]
They call it a Dual Sport here but it's basically a full 390 RR enduro race bike with lights, indicators, mirrors, traction control (yes, you read that right!!), a GPS dash and a hooter.
Same engine as the RR, same suspension as the RR, same wheels and brakes as the RR, just a few road accoutrements and the ability to be 'Blue Plated" and therefore fully road legal. As such, it'll serve to allow me to build up some local no claims history and get back to the Superbikes in a couple of years....
On the bright side, I just bought a boat that only needs a $45 skipper certificate and fuel in the tank... so fishing is on until the bikes are back..
Wonderful Canada doesn't recognize my previous UK M/C license entitlement meaning I've had to go through the full program of learner courses with the only consideration being the waiving of the time constraints between licenses. For example, you usually need to wait a minimum of 18 months between obtaining your M2 license before you can take the full M class test. And in that time, your insurance is hellish as you're basically classed as a learner.... happy days.. not. On the bright side though, I'm permitted to go straight to my M license without waiting due to the time I've held my UK bike license but I still need my own insured bike to do it, schools don't cover bikes for the M license as it's an on road test...
So, Superbikes are out with insurance quotes ranging from $10k to $37k!!! So what to get... Didn't fancy a 390 class KTM etc, and been wanting a dirt bike/ enduro anyway as there's a ton of off-roading by me. Some of which requires a blue plated and insured bike anyway...
So..in answer to my laundry list of wants and constraints.... say hello to the Beta 390 RR-S (S meaning street)
|https://thumbsnap.com/4s1VnF4U[/url]|https://thumbsnap.com/NkyeF6uF[/url][url]They call it a Dual Sport here but it's basically a full 390 RR enduro race bike with lights, indicators, mirrors, traction control (yes, you read that right!!), a GPS dash and a hooter.
Same engine as the RR, same suspension as the RR, same wheels and brakes as the RR, just a few road accoutrements and the ability to be 'Blue Plated" and therefore fully road legal. As such, it'll serve to allow me to build up some local no claims history and get back to the Superbikes in a couple of years....
On the bright side, I just bought a boat that only needs a $45 skipper certificate and fuel in the tank... so fishing is on until the bikes are back..
Edited by Steve Bass on Friday 10th February 18:41
Interesting you didn't get your full bike license transferred/exchanged. They did with mine 3 years ago (in BC however).
Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Edited by Rich_AR on Friday 10th February 19:42
Rich_AR said:
Interesting you didn't get your full bike license transferred/exchanged. They did with mine 3 years ago (in BC however).
Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Ontario doesn't recognize the uk mc entitlement just the time held allowing you to short cut the normal waiting times between license levels. Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Edited by Rich_AR on Friday 10th February 19:42
As for the bike, I have great support from my Beta dealer for my trials bikes so it's a no brainer....
-Cappo- said:
Desert Rose use Beta bikes for their customer fleet now, the techies and Patsy speak very highly of them. I've only spoken to one guy who rode one, he's very experienced and competent off-road and he said they are good.
Indeed. I've been running Beta enduro and trials bikes since 2012 and never had a single problem. Great support also played a big part in the appreciation but this 390 RR is really getting rave reviews and is considered a step above the KTM and Husky equivalents...
Steve Bass said:
Rich_AR said:
Interesting you didn't get your full bike license transferred/exchanged. They did with mine 3 years ago (in BC however).
Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Ontario doesn't recognize the uk mc entitlement just the time held allowing you to short cut the normal waiting times between license levels. Nice bike btw, like that dash, I wonder how tough it is after an off - any reason you went with Beta over the KTM/Husky road legal enduro offerings?
Edited by Rich_AR on Friday 10th February 19:42
As for the bike, I have great support from my Beta dealer for my trials bikes so it's a no brainer....
Yeh, you'll need decent dealer support owning a Beta.
Jokes aside, I had a brief ride on a 300 RR last year, I liked how tactile it felt in the tight stuff.
Edited by Rich_AR on Friday 10th February 23:54
Rich_AR said:
That's annoyingly frustrating. How expensive is it to get the full license over there?
Yeh, you'll need decent dealer support owning a Beta.
Jokes aside, I had a brief ride on a 300 RR last year, I liked how tactile it felt in the tight stuff.
If you take the tests through a recognised company, its about $1000 for both courses. Yeh, you'll need decent dealer support owning a Beta.
Jokes aside, I had a brief ride on a 300 RR last year, I liked how tactile it felt in the tight stuff.
Edited by Rich_AR on Friday 10th February 23:54
The issue is actually the time you are considered to have held your Ontario license. Regardless of driving history, they hammer the feck out of you for the fact that you're a "new" driver in Ontario. Only US and Canada driving history counts
Its what it is so might as well crack on with it and pony up...
The Beta 4T engine uses a split case design so engine oil and transmission oil are separated. So engine oil changes are recommended at 30hrs and the valve clearances to be checked and adjusted at 100hrs.
One disappointment is they used plastic oil pump gears which need replacing at 100hrs but there’s a metal gear set available which I’ll swap out to from new.
It’s a competition bike with lights basically so that’s not too bad all things considered.
On the license front however some good news. MTO has confirmed that I don’t need to wait the 18 months to get my M license so I’ve booked it for September…
One disappointment is they used plastic oil pump gears which need replacing at 100hrs but there’s a metal gear set available which I’ll swap out to from new.
It’s a competition bike with lights basically so that’s not too bad all things considered.
On the license front however some good news. MTO has confirmed that I don’t need to wait the 18 months to get my M license so I’ve booked it for September…
Krikkit said:
That doesn't sound too bad, although the plastic oil pump gears are an odd one. Presumably they went with serviceable plastic gears as the metal ones end up fatigued and failing?
More likely a bean counter decided to save 3 cents and use plastic on a low load gear... Also, it seems the inlet valve shims need changing out at 100 hrs or so, owners are typically finding them just a bit on the tight side. But fair play to beta for designing a head where the cams and timing chain are a doddle to work around...definitely in he home mechanic's realm of feasibility to do...
other than this, they're apparently a really solid, reliable motor...
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