2024 BETA 500RS Dual Sport TEST

#dirtbike #offroad #sports #motorcycle
Rodney Smith personally delivered our 2024 Beta 500RS a couple of weeks ago. You gotta love it when a five-time GNCC champion drops by, hands you the keys to one of the greatest dual-sport bikes on earth and just says “Have fun.”We’ve been doing our best. The Beta is an incredible bike. It’s the least bottled up of the fully certified 500cc dual-sports-even the KTM and Husky 500s can’t keep up. Two years ago, Tom Webb loved the bike so much that he purchased one for himself and he still prefers riding it over the many test bikes he has available. This year, there aren’t many changes for the Beta dual-sport line. The most noticeable one is a change in the name. It’s now called the 500RS rather than the 500RR. For 2024, the “RR” suffix refers to the dirt-only four-stroke models in Beta’s line up. Those haven’t been available for a few years, and that takes a little pressure off the street-legal models. It doesn’t have to serve two different masters. It does, however, make it difficult for Beta dealers to keep all the models on the showroom floor. As in the past, there are four dual-sport bikes that look virtually identical. The 500 shares its chassis and most of its motor with a 430, a 390 and a 350. When you ask Beta officials why they don’t thin down the herd, they say it’s like trying to decide which of your children you love the most.The more mechanically oriented changes for 2024 include formed radiators to increase the turning sweep from lock to lock, a softer seat, a new front brake hose, new fork settings, new graphics and a redesigned taillight/license-plate holder. The 500RS has a double overhead cam motor with a six-speed gearbox. The suspension is by Sachs, the brakes are Nissin and the tires on our test bike are Maxxis. All RS models include the Trail Tech Voyager GPS unit with the ability to upload and download riding routes. Other features include a trip meter, a speedo, a tach, engine temp, outside temp and a voltmeter.
This is one of the very few dual-sport bikes that doesn’t need anything. Most owners of Austrian dual-sport bikes eventually go looking for more power, and that can be difficult. It’s not like you can just install a pipe and go racing. The mapping on all the street legal bikes is very lean and the CPU is supposed to be tamper-proof. We know lots of riders who have managed to jail break their ignition systems, but the point is that you don’t have to do that with the Beta. Apparently, Beta is willing to fly closer to the sun with the stock emission settings. The bike is also a little louder than other dual-sport bikes, but still very quiet by dirt bike standards.Riding it is just like riding a real dirt bike. It’s reasonably light (255 pounds without fuel on our scale) and reasonably powerful. You still have to understand that this is a trail bike not a 450 race bike. You can go hill-climbing with the boys and not be shamed, but if you think you’re going to visit a motocross track, you will run out of steam quickly. Likewise, the suspension is very trail oriented. It’s great for rocky trails but is very soft and will wallow and bottom if you get carried away. The brakes are excellent and it has a super light clutch pull. We also love all the detailing. The mirrors fold out of your way, it has decent handguards and the new license plate bracket still hasn’t gotten sucked into the rear wheel.If you’re one of those guys who has to modify everything he owns, suspension should be the first item on the list. Put motor work in third or fourth place. We will have the Beta side by side with the new KTM 500EXC very soon and that should be a very interesting comparison. The full test will appear in the March, Buyer’s Guide print edition of Dirt Bike.
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[@mikeisland7382]

I know you're "Dirtbike" but please consider a 10 mile highway section for your dual sport reviews. We all have to get to the trail and it would be nice to know the amount of vibes in the handlebars, pegs and seat. Great looking bike.

[@DirtbikeXpeditions]

Well, I have the 430 and I can tell you it isn’t a lot of fun on asphalt. If all you are doing is short stints to connect trails, then it’s not too bad, but I wouldn’t want to spend too much time on roads with it…

[@mikeob6410]

I balanced the wheels on my 23' 350RR-S. It makes a huge difference on the street.

[@tieoneon1614]

It would be better to classify the Beta's and KTM's and street legal Enduro's, not Dual Sports. They absolutely suck to ride any amount of pavement more than 10 minutes.

[@walterschwarz5579]

I would disagree my beta 500 has no issues with lengthy pavement stretches. Hardly any vibrations is smooth and handles pavement no problem. Mine is a 2023 and by far the best bike out of the crate I’ve ever ridden. Now of course mine is completely set up with all the bells and whistles that might make the difference 🤷‍♂️

[@justletmecomment6453]

Put on Pillow Top grips and a Seat Concepts seat and call it a day. You're not buying this to be comfy.

[@ridemotoeveryday]

Love my 21’ RRS. No mods needed, just add protection! Great bike and great dealer experience and parts availability!

[@jimg.6437]

I bought this bike a month ago,it's an Amazing machine! Moto track,Trails, open Nevada desert it was at home everywhere! Came off a 21' CRF-450RL and this Beta is 100× better all around!

[@coreyh751]

I currently got the rl whats better in your opinion?

[@habibi750]

How was it riding on the highway?

[@lophophorawilliamsii9740]

Looks awesome

[@flintridgedesigninc.1351]

I still love my 2017 500 RRS. The BYO program is awesome, and I ordered mine with stiffer springs and rear shock, LED headlight, tail-tidy, bar bash guards, and sprockets. Easiest build ever! I also like the sound of my older exhaust pipe. I'm digging your test location. I'm just above Pasadena and I ride up the Crest to hit a ton of fun trails and the desert. It's one of the best bikes going and it made me a lifelong fan. Best of luck to their supercross effort.

[@encoded7403]

Saving my cheese for the 390 rs ride that thing to Glen Helen.

[@chrisvozza6530]

Sweet bike I would consider buying

[@ridemotoeveryday]

Love my 21 500rrs. Never had any major issues and Beta is top notch in customer service!

[@vince5946]

great vid:) No mention of the all new header pipe though, I was curious about that.

[@paulgoss7596]

dig the slo-mo footage.....reminds me on "On Any Sunday"

[@aixpert291]

I absolutely love my 23 390-rrs!!!

[@bionicstar1]

Great review, I think this bike is at the top of my future bike buying list. Im really looking forward to a comparison video between the Beta, KTM and Husky. It just seems dollar for dollar you just get so much more and you dont have to spend money on ECU or a GPS, which means more dough for suspension tuning.........just slap some protection on and you are golden(at least until you get itchy)-LOL. The only negative of the Beta seems to be that big honking flapping around license plate holder, which is easy to correct.

[@Learn-more610]

Imagine: A stock dual sport with a bright headlight🤯🤯

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

lol

[@TubbyTrialTeam]

Nice review on the beta.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Thanks for the visit

[@leanit5756]

You gotta give some info on vibration for a dual-purpose thumper. I took a big financial hit ditching two EXCs and a CRF450L over excessive vibration. Don't want to make such a mistake again. How does engine vibration on the Beta compare to the EXC50F / CRF450L?

[@hometownguy7184]

Imo. Music is not needed in these videos

[@johnw4192]

Things dreams are made of .

[@SCORPi0N5150]

Nice review. Curious what riding area the test riding was done? Kind of looks like Northern California...

[@user-lo5to8qk3z]

Looks like Glen Helen

[@alangolightly9850]

Better than sherco 500 you just tested ?

[@Fireextinguisher945]

300 test including the race edition beta?

[@kweholt]

The Betas are absolutely beautiful bikes. I owned a 2022 and I think it's one of the best looking bikes out there. Downsides are suspension and durability when compared to KTM. I thought the Sachs fork was terrible. The plastics are more brittle and the radiators are WAY more exposed to damage than the Austrian bikes, that is a problem for less than talented riders like myself. My bikes are going to get dropped early and often. For that reason I have preferred the orange bikes.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Right on!

[@brumfiba]

Woah woah woah I thought we were getting some rock music with this dual sport vid based on the intro... Oh well, bass fishing tunes are chill too.

[@brianmartindale2221]

I liked the part without any tunes. Music to my ears

[@tieoneon1614]

Are u the same guy that whined about the music on the last vid, too?

[@brumfiba]

@@tieoneon1614 what? No...

[@inrptn]

How's the aftermarket mods support? I'd take this over any KTM / Husky in a heartbeat except for that part worries me.

[@JacobSnover]

Very good, Beta USA is awesome if you're in the states, if not the support is still great. They make most of there stuff in house as well so they know how to help with any issues.

[@zacatecano1986]

How did the power compare to the exc500 ?

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

This bike has a more aggressive powerband out of the box than the KTM. It packs a punch for sure. Its louder too

[@Dashriprock4]

Love the music. Not the stereotypical Alt Rock.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Thank You! Its hard because everyone likes different music but we are trying to switch it up and be different. Not another hip hop music video

[@Dashriprock4]

@@DirtBikeMagazine your production quality, music, narration and content as a whole is Top notch. Always look forward to your videos.

[@daneheinrich2690]

Seperate engine and gearbox oil for increased service intervals?

[@andrewmesser334]

Yes, no clutch fibers in the crankcase

[@ed11.]

Why do you guys insist into out music on a video where all that we want to hear is the bike? Is important to hear the bike and see how it comes out of the turns or how it reacts when you hard braking or accelerating and etc, please keep it on raw bike audio, thank you

[@davedonedis]

Does it stall on technical stuff like Husky and KTM? The KTM brands are almost unridable without a tuner.

[@franzsawertal3649]

will there be a gasgas es 500 review?

[@Peter-ff1tp]

See KTM and Husq 500 reviews? Aren’t they the same bikes?

[@520sweeper]

Welp.. if you're giving away the test bike... I'll take it... 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@jdirt1982]

Has anyone mastered your beta??

[@Pompomgrenade]

That thing screams the world is mine straight up hoodlum machine...

[@chameaudave]

I would like more reviews and less music shots.

[@ddrowdy2]

Well, that was...........

[@barnyardbrio7597]

that's no trials bike!

[@kirkwilliams4942]

What's the with the rusty chain? No excuse.

[@LifeWideOpen780]

Whats with the slow motion shots and the folk music. Terrible editing

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Sorry you don't like it. Would you rather have faster shots and hip hop? Please tell us

[@JacobSnover]

@@DirtBikeMagazine how about more explosions and heavy metal 🤘😂

[@raymondsiewert2720]

The suspension is way too soft, especially the forks. I weigh 155 and blow through the fork easily. They are so soft that the front brake is overly touchy and the front end dives and could can cause a crash on the street ! Other than that, it is a great bike with a great motor ! 390

[@hughjorgan9328]

Meaning you've made sure the springs are for your weight, set the sag, dialed up the compression, and always get your weight to the back of bike when braking? It's always curious when very few people have a complaint, they're either completely right, or completely wrong.

[@thisisntgood71]

Grew up with your magazines, but your KZbin game needs some serious refreshing. All your videos I've seen start with some nice, boring scenery, then lull us to sleep with the rest

[@user-qr6mx4oj6j]

I am cool with the premiere notification, glad to know you are coming out with a review video. Love your content, can't wait. Keep up the good work.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Thank You! That was our goal. Really appreciate I that a lot !

[@diaznutz5054]

It baffles me how people will buy an overpriced KTM that comes with NOTHING vs a bike that cones ready for the trails.

[@gman_273]

6 days to a premiere for a standard review video? please stop this practice. It pollutes our feed with something that won't be here for a week....my guess is the algorithms like it but most viewers don't, unless maybe it's a live video that warrants an interactive comment section.....but for a run of the mill video just let it hit our feed when it's ready to watch.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Sorry you are upset. Just trying to let our viewers know what we have coming soon. Nothing to do with algo.

[@JacobSnover]

​@@DirtBikeMagazine I was glad for the notification, let's me know something good to watch is coming.

[@shereemitch]

15 years ago KTM didnt have all those restrictions ether, but the Japanese brands did. When they sale more bike they will be restricted too.

[@user-gc2qe1yg3m]

next time you consider giving 15,000 to these italian fascists just take a look at those welds @ 2:44 LOL once you start noticing the corners these companies cut, you cant stop finding more ways they kept cutting corners, yet kept charging you more and more and more

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Someone having a bad day!