2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test Photo Gallery

Using the rear brake is what takes the most getting used to. It has a spongy feel and doesn’t really grip the 240mm rotor until deep in the pedal stroke. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

We enjoyed the fact that this is a dirt bike first and streetbike second. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

We rode the Beta alongside an industry benchmark, the KTM 530 EXC, and it held its own. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

The Beta is a bike that likes to explore. The Italians do a good job of mating the KTM motor with the rest of the machine for a well-rounded package. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

This street-legal supermoto is really a dual sport at heart with a set of 17-inch motard wheels, stubby front fender and a shortened kickstand the only differences between the standard RS and the RS-supermoto models. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

The ability to go from dual sport to motard is great, but the bike needs further modifications to be completely effective, primarily larger brakes and revised suspension. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Side-to-side transitions are much slower with the enduro wheels, but the bike feels light either way in the grand scheme. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

There's a lot going on inside the airbox. The battery rotates out of the way and once the charcoal canister is gone, filter changes are much easier. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Added ground clearance is a benefit off the pavement and the Beta needs all it can get. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Pirelli Diablos provided much better grip on the street, though they aren’t a gummy race tire. As dirt riders we’re not accustomed to thinking about tread wear in this sense, but even with the hard track use we hardly scuffed the Diablos, so they should last a commuter for quite awhile. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

A 255mm Braking wave rotor gives good feel up front. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

We had a lot of comments about the Beta in general; riders wondering what it was and how it performs. Interestingly, once they found that it has a KTM engine, every rider perked up and seemed to warm to the idea of possibly owning one for themselves. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

There’s no keyed ignition, but there is a steering lock for security. The 525 also boasts billet hubs. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Emission controls are a necessary evil. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

It isn’t a racer, it’s a super-fun street legal divebomber. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

The Beta 525 RS-supermoto is a dual sport at heart with some cool options for street fiends. We liked playing in both modes. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Suspension is handled by a 45mm Marzocchi Shiver fork and Sachs shock. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

We removed the charcoal canister, check valve and vacuum hose. The bike instantly ran better, though it felt like it revved out sooner. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

Single track required too much use of first gear; even though the motor has plenty of grunt to lug around we got tired of abusing the hydraulic clutch. - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test

'The gearing on the track is a little too tall,' confirmed our supermoto tester, Pekarek. 'I would add two teeth to the rear sprocket for track riding. For around town I wouldn’t touch it.' - 2009 Beta 525 RS Bike Test