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bmadson
MCUSA Scribbler

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 1038

Posted 10/8/2007 7:33 AM (GMT -8)

Unless you are an avid trials rider, or recent emigrant from Southern Europe, the chances of you being intimately, or even remotely familiar with Beta Motor Company is likely slim. Here's your chance to get to know the Italian firm a little bit better, check out MotorcycleUSA's 2008 Beta Off-Road Lineup - First Rides

louemc
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451

Posted 10/8/2007 12:10 PM (GMT -8)

Sounds like Beta is on the way to being a note in History. The management has to be suffering from fuzzy thinking typical to older Philosophy.

Focus the forces, Be The Force

OhioSteve
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 861

Posted 10/8/2007 6:21 PM (GMT -8)

Check out this page on powersportsnetwork. It has some of the funniest pidgeon English I have ever read.

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_vehicle_detail.asp?VehicleCode=42957

I can't imagine someone without a brain tumor choosing these clowns over KTM. Now, if they can find 300 rich dirtbike guys with brain tumors, then I predict success.

I am the foremost expert on my opinion.

ro7939
Registered Member

Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 57

Posted 10/9/2007 12:50 PM (GMT -8)

Boutique bikes? Why do journalists encourage such profligacy? Journalists had a field day promoting Dreer's Norton & look what consumers got: zilch. At least Beta apparently actually has bikes for sale (wow! all 300 of 'em). Just what the motorcycle world needs, a bike like a Ferrari. Have you priced a replacement mirror for a Ferrari lately?

What OhioSteve said above...

I think Beta is doing beta testing on the brain activity of dumb rich guys...Any takers?

"A fool & his money..."

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director

Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460

Posted 10/10/2007 3:07 PM (GMT -8)

Sometimes I cannot help but believe you guys are are brain damaged. While it's usually good to see what you guys have to say, sometimes I just dont get it. It's not like anyone is putting a gun to your head and telling you to buy a bike, this test and others like it are simply an example that we are providing you, and the rest of the web-world, of the options available in the market these days. MotorcycleUSA.com is supposed to be a place for people who love bikes to come and find info, pictures and video on as many different brands, styles and generes as we can get our hands on. Then, when the only thing posted is a load of nonsensical BS. Granted I did have to look up 'profligacy' to make sure I got the point - so... as journalists we generally embrace the good side until the bad stuff rears its head and as far as the Boutique Bike statement goes, they said it, not us. We are merely the messengers... Seriously, you guys are all a part of the voice of the forum on MCUSA and when the best you can come up with is a bunch of bitching and complaining and ripping on a bike/manufacturer like this - it makes me wonder WTF the point of us going through the effort of putting together a test of anything that is not the best bike in the world according to Lou, Steve...and now Ro (Who is this guy anyway?).

Back top the Beta: Who cares if they are over priced (Ever heard of Starbucks?) and only 300 will be made. There will be people who buy them. I would venture to bet that a lot of folks who ride off-road religiously will feel the way you three do. But I bet there's a few who feel otherwise. If you don't like it, that's fine. But Not everyone wants to ride one of the Big 4 clones and maybe there are some folks out there who rode a Beta back their glory days and now have the opportunity to support the modern evolution of the marque as it attempts a comeback. Maybe the new owners at Beta are just trying to make a buck. Maybe they just want to see a dream turn into a reality. Either way isn't that worthy of a conversation. You can't tell me they dont look cool? And KTM has proven to be a decent motor as well so it has potential to be a decent bike. Again, just because a bike like this isn't cut from the mold you or I approve of doesn't mean its necessarily a POS. You know, some insigtful participation into these forum discussions (Which I know Lou and Steve are capable of because of I seen it happen a couple times) would actually be refereshing. Why not take the angle that Beta making a comeback is actually interesting or a wait and see approach before laying into them so harshly...Maybe start the converstaion about how it may or may not stack up in a comparison. Show us the work is worth the effort by taking pride in the insight you guys can offer as some of the most exerienced people on this forum.

Fire it up Holmes!

OhioSteve
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 861

Posted 10/10/2007 7:11 PM (GMT -8)

My comments were aimed at Beta, not motorcycle-usa. I REALLY appreciate this website. I tell everyone that it is the best website. I love learning about a wide variety of bikes, not just sportbikes.

Let me explain my views in more detail. I admit beforehand that my views were based upon emotion.

On two occasions I have personally heard horror stories about getting parts from small manufacturers. In one case the guy owned a Chinese bike. In the other case the person owned a moto guzzi. In both cases they waited MONTHS for parts. In both of those episodes I actually talked with the person having problems.

I have read scores of posts on powersportsnetwork.com complaining about waiting for parts. Almost all of them bought a bike from a small company.

So that is what biased me against Beta initially....I suspected that dealer support would be non-existent.

Then I read their website and their entries on powersportsnetwork.com. This showed that they could not even afford a real translator. That reinforced my views.

But what really pushed my buttons was their arrogance. To call yourself the "Ferarri" of dirtbikes...that is such a lofty claim. It made me snicker a bit when I read it.

I am the foremost expert on my opinion.

Hilde44
MotoUSA - Dirt Guy

Date Joined Sep 2005
Total Posts : 469

Posted 10/10/2007 10:51 PM (GMT -8)

No one from Beta ever claimed to be the Ferrari of the dirt bike world. They only seek to be perceived similarly. As for the parts fiasco, Beta has a pretty strong list of accessories which are available through their dealers along with stock replacement parts, all of which should be available simultaneously, or very shortly after, the bikes are on showroom floors.

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director

Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460

Posted 10/10/2007 11:42 PM (GMT -8)

Alright. Steve, that is the type of discusion I am hoping to get out of our pro forum players. With legit questions we might be able to get some insight on stuff like this. Maybe JC can go to his media relations contact and let them say theor peace. How many dealers will they have? What's the support network like? Maybe that has something to do withthe decision to only produce limied models...so they can provide support without running out of spares, etc... maybe..?

I think Beta would be playing ignorant if they didnt take that into account so something I just thought of was withat since they use KTM there must be a certain number of compnents available through KTM. But the bodywork, subframes, radiators (Maybe?), exhaust, and other such vital pieces would obviously be Beta specific.

Fire it up Holmes!

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