2023 RR390: Beta’s Best Bike Ever?!

When we got our first look at Beta’s 2023 RR range of enduro models midway through last year, it came with a surprisingly large list of mods. We say that not because Beta is conservative when it comes to mods on new year-models, but because the Italian brand’s RR range had already copped a heap of upgrade attention in 2020, 2021 and 2022 - meaning the 2023 bikes were widely expected to get little more than some fresh graphics. No so. For 2023, Beta’s RR range actually got a cross-section of subtle but significant mods to engine, suspension, bodywork and mapping.
So, how have these mods translated into performance and/or rideability gains for Beta’s biggest-selling four-stroke, the RR390? Put it this way. Enduro legend, Geoff Ballard, is not one to dish out praise lightly. So, when GB says Beta’s 2023 RR390 has proved to be one of the best - if not the best - bikes he’s ever ridden straight out of the crate, it kind of makes you sit up and listen...

[@Helmet_Tester]

I switched from being a lifetime Honda rider to the 23 390RR and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!

[@glahut93]

My next bike definitely

[@Chopper1392]

Well thats the comment im looking for😅 full time honda rider through and through

[@TheHemiphil81]

Im my opinion i think the beta,s looks better than most bikes made..

[@CodyAsh86]

I ride a 15 250RR race edition. Just got the wife a new 23 Xtrainer 300. I’m now looking at a 390RR since her xtrainer is soooo smooth

[@200xcBruce]

I am so happy my first Beta was a 21 200 RR it is perfect for what I do.

[@jeffloucks2120]

Beta 390 is easily my favorite 4 st ridden.

[@enduro_j]

I wanna try this bike next

[@joelappin9735]

Great riding, Alexis. 3 psi is should be about right for weight and skill.

[@reineherrera8897]

This thing with an auto clutch must be a dream.

[@SierraCreative]

I love my 390 rr-s !!!! Amazing stuff Beta!

[@johnstafford8405]

Yes so do I best choice I've made in a long time 👍

[@davidgrunklee8407]

Big rebates on them now in usa...tempting

[@SierraCreative]

I got one! love it! @@davidgrunklee8407

[@offroadtrailrider77]

How are the vibrations and engine braking compared to the newer KTM 350 excf?

[@johnbolton9483]

Love my 200RR ! Know i'm thinking 390RR for higher elevation riding one day(Florida here).

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

I have had four Yamaha WR 450’s and still have one. I just bought a new 2023 Beta 300RR and you can’t get me off it! Doesn’t have the top speed of the WR even with the six speed tranny as it seems to have closer ratios, bonus is you have a gear for every situation unlike the 450 with its wider ratios and five speed tranny. After Jonny Walker “acquired” a 200RR from the Beta boys and then entered and won a race on it, I have to have one! The WR’s being put out to pasture. I might miss the “alligator wrestling” novelty of the WR but not much. Cheers, from North Eastern Ontario Canada! Geoff’s opinion is gospel but I’m going to have to stay with the two strokes..

[@ml5955]

@@TheKitchenTechnician really interested in your opinion on the 390 feel and handling. Does it have a noticeable lighter feel v the 450, and how does it turn, side to side feel, and does the front end give the rider confidence? The riding I do is all over the spectrum from high speed whoops, to slow rocky technical where flameouts can be dangerous. Thank you and cheers from Arizona USA 👍🇨🇦🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇦🇺👍

[@yukonjon5964]

@@ml5955 if we are talking 4 strokes... the 390 is your bike. does it all. way more nimble than a 450.

[@ml5955]

@@yukonjon5964 thanks for the feedback 👍. Helpful too 👍

[@yukonjon5964]

@@ml5955 yep. but yeah, the smaller the cc the more nimble a bike is just because of rotating mass gyro effect. but torque is nice too. in this case they are saying the longer stroke and more custom built off-road nature of the Beta 390 design means it has more torque than an MX 450, or feels like it. have not seen a dyno of it. but it really sounds like a winner for mid speed enduro stuff.

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

WR 450 or Beta 390 Geoff? I have a new Beta 300 RR and a 2008 WR and I’m so smitten with the 300. So much less work to ride than the 450. After Jonny Walker “acquired” a 200RR and then entered a race and won on it, I’m ready to sell the WR and get a 200RR to compliment the 300RR. I guess I’ll have to test ride the 390 first. Geoff’s opinion is gospel! Cheers from North Eastern Ontario Canada!

[@transmotoevents]

As Geoff mentioned, he's ridden a bunch of 450s in recent years and they a tiring and harder to hang onto compared to this 390. The 390 has a silky smooth motor characteristic, and feels a bit lighter to move around compared to a 450.

[@surroncountry]

Do you want a ktm Or a yamaha basically 💀

[@woodsrider117]

What do you think of the 430 rr

[@ozbiker5311]

Great Video guys I'd Love you thoughts on my question I'm tossing up between the new 2024 Husky Fe 350 and the 2024 beta 390 rr you've ridden both, how do you compare the 390 to the new husky FE 350 Marc

[@Thafunkycow]

For my tastes the Beta 390 is superior. The 390 is the same motor as the Beta 350, just with a longer stroke to create those extra cc's. The bore x stroke ratio difference changes the character a lot from a 350: the 390 is happy in low revs, has more grunt and more torque in the bottom end. It still revs out well, but where the 350 likes to be in the mid range to top end, the 390 is best in low end to mid range RPMs. To me this makes the 390 less picky with gearing but also is less prone to stalling in slow technical stuff. Also makes it a surprisingly good cruiser if you're on the road sometimes as it has longer legs because of the long stroke. Some guys prefer 350's though, and that's great too. Depends on your riding style. Intense and precise, on the gas a lot - 350. Like to lug down low, use torque, traction and momentum - 390.

[@tomambrosio425]

I'm wondering whats these blokes would have thought of the race edition with the KYB all around. I'm torn between the RR or Race

[@transmotoevents]

We've got a first thoughts review of KYB forks and shock in this RR model coming soon. Dropping in the next couple weeks!

[@tomambrosio425]

@@transmotoevents waiting for this, completed yet?

[@paulkilmister2223]

I was umming about getting one and now that the God Father of Big Bore off road bikes G.B says it's the go, I'm now convinced that I'm getting one!😊

[@dont3761]

I currently ride a KTM 350 excf looking for a little more bottom end, how does the 390 rate against the KTM 350? is there a big differance between the two?

[@yukonjon5964]

tons more torque with the 390 and wont flame out.

[@BadDirtRider]

I wish they made a 390 RR race edition that’s street legal. I like the color scheme and I don’t want a voyager.

[@orionswitness]

Hi Just wondering f it will cruise at 100km ..with the seat height is it suitable for a 174cm 29 cm seam ?

[@yukonjon5964]

yes

[@tomberrisford850]

What was the weather like there😁😁😁

[@johnfryman4428]

partly cloudy chance of rain 25 C

[@transmotoevents]

Almost always haha! Great in summer but fresh in winter ☃️

[@johndepperschmidt8984]

Geoff people will think you are crazy. You are supposed to hate ZF because of the decal. Thanks for the truth.

[@handsolo6241]

Don't know much of Beta. Where are they made?

[@danielh5127]

Italy

[@madshushan]

390 rr or racing? Zf or kyb?

[@transmotoevents]

What should you choose or what bike have we tested in this video?

[@davidgrunklee8407]

What should you choose!

[@yukonjon5964]

@@davidgrunklee8407 they cover this in other videos... get the rr not the racing. its too stiff unless your a pro.

[@aaronj8600]

I want one but have to kill off my KLX450 first

[@yukonjon5964]

hurry up, cuz you wont regret it one bit. way lighter for one thing.

[@johncresswell4680]

My only thing would be if I bought one and next year ktm byes (not that I heard it)out Beta and then discontinue it because they can’t compete with it ktm seems to bye all there competitors lately Husaberg Husky Gas gas Mv Agusta

[@babar69110]

family business, no need to keep share holders satisfied by artificial results, bying companies

[@matthewkantola8638]

I went back to Beta 300, the 390 rides very heavy on slow technical terrain, just plain wore me out.

[@mixalis6168]

350 or 390 ??

[@transmotoevents]

390

[@mixalis6168]

@@transmotoevents Im on the fence, KTM 350 or Beta 350, 390, older rider i am

[@jeanlavallee2887]

If you like low end, 390, if you like free revving and top end, 350.

[@davidgrunklee8407]

​@transmotoevents is engine braking more on 390 vs 350? I hate engine braking

[@jeanlavallee2887]

@@davidgrunklee8407 buy a 2 stroke