The time finally came for me to sack up and get back to racing a State Off-Road Championship round. I took aim at round four of the Mitas Tyres Victorian Off-Road Championship presented by Christenen’s and Bolton Motorcycles. The race was staged at Sanders Apples, the home of ADB’s own Daniel “Chucky” Sanders and I was keen to get amongst the action on the BETA RR 350.
Last issue I explained I was going to fit some new tyres but that did not happen. I just couldn’t bring myself to part with the Pirelli Scorpion XC mid-soft rear and MX32 front. Plus I hate changing tyres so this theory was really working for me. Editor Mitch didn’t share my vision and demanded I send the new Bridgestone Battlecross hoops to him so he could enjoy their awesomeness.
I had the suspension serviced by the cool kids at SPMX the week before the race. I figured with 8-hours on the bike the fork oil could do with a change and it’s always great to have an expert look over your bike. This was the smartest thing I could have done when preparing for this race. Mostly because all I managed to do was fit a clean air-filter, set the tyres to 12psi and fit a set of printed numbers from SKDA and fill the fuel tank.
I rocked up to round four feeling excited in the aftermath of round three. There were weary riders and very muddy bikes sprawled across the paddock. It was obvious the track and conditions in Chucky’s backyard were somewhat of a battlefield. It suddenly dawned on me that I was about to take the Beta RR350 into the bush for the first time on a race day. Perhaps I am an idiot.
After a shit sleep in my swag inside my van parked on a hill, I rocked up to the sighting lap on race day and proceeded around the sprint loop. I rode with caution and just took it all in. The track was awesome with plenty of changes in altitude and some fast stuff and a bit of tight twisting stuff.
With the Championship well underway and this being my first event I was sent to the back of the line. But as I worked my way onto the first sprint of the day I could feel the cheesy grin across my face getting bigger. Man this bike is good in enduro conditions and the work SPMX had done to the RR350’s suspenders was stupendous. The action is still plush and soft for all of those annoying small obstacles like tree roots and choppy holes but it also soaks up the bigger hits and I could just ride over them and keep the throttle on.
I had a bloody time that day completing the five sprints and left feeling like I had done my bit to make the world a better place. That’s probably over-selling the experience but man, I had a good time and it allowed me an experience to really appreciate what this bike is truly built for. The disclaimer here is that I am in the slow class of the over-45 division and I hardly set the track alight with any speed or skill but I held my own and finished mid-field. I am happy with that and keen to do some more.
BETA RR350 ENDURO
RRP: $13,695
WARRANTY: Six months parts and labour
DISTRIBUTOR: Beta Motorcycles Australia
WORDS // STEPHEN TUFF
PHOTOS // LAURA TUFF AND JEN BLACKSTOCK
