We have to look back a long way to remember the origins of the Alp concept, when the philosophy at the time was to offer the user a true trial frame with small extras that increased their comfort on long journeys. Subsequently, we witnessed a radical evolution that sacrificed a large part of its trial airs, in order to satisfy the needs of the user through greater versatility within a segment that has been popularly called
trial excursion
.
While it is true that
Beta
now has new and great competitors in this segment, such as the reborn Ossa, which offers the
Ossa Explorer 280i
-see test here- or concepts that also take a four-stroke engine as a base, such as the KTM Freeride 350 -see test here-. While it is true that, in addition to the features, the price of these two models is considerably higher. The most comparable options, in terms of price and performance, would be the Gas Gas Randonné TX 125, also with four strokes, or also the Scorpa T-RIDE.
On this occasion, the Italian technicians have sought to give a new impetus to a model that was already beginning to show signs of the passing of the years. One of the latest changes that its 4T mechanics have received is the adaptation to European regulations, for which we find a silencer equipped with a catalytic converter, with more generous dimensions reminiscent of its sister, the
Beta Alp 400
.
Another of the details improved in the latest evolution, which also affects dynamic performance, was the incorporation of a new braking system signed by Grimeca, ready to cover the strong shortcomings of the previous model. Work was also done on the front axle, where the Alp received a larger disc, complemented by a four-piston brake caliper.
SIMPLICITY IN THE BETA ALP 200
The big secret of this little trail is that it has no secrets. Perhaps the exterior aesthetics, somewhat sober and with an absence of purely off-road details, foreshadow that this is a very limited bike. However, once you sit on their backs, everything starts to take on a different color. In general, its dimensions are quite contained, with a very reasonable ground clearance, and an almost essential detail nowadays: the electric starter.
Once the ignition key is activated, the system works as long as the kickstand is retracted, or failing that, the clutch is engaged. Once this point is over, its valves begin to beat, with a hoarse and discreet sound at the same time. The smooth response of its 4-stroke mechanics and the absence of vibrations make driving more pleasant, both on road and mountain sections.
On asphalt it performs with ease, because the great torque of its engine allows us to drive in high gears reaching cruises close to one hundred kilometers per hour.
On the other hand, in this terrain the Beta Alp 200 is penalised by excessively soft suspensions that cause inaccuracies in heavy braking, and the fact that it has one hundred percent trial tyres.
Once in its habitat, this little two-hundredth brings out its desire for fun, proposing a challenge: the steeper the terrain, the more I will surprise you. And it’s true, on wide tracks it rolls without problems, but where bikes older than it would have serious problems, the Alp allows itself the luxury of daring to practice “light” trials, because both its part of the cycle, as well as its torque, invite you to entertain yourself among the stones.
RELIABLE AND PRACTICAL BETA ALP 200 ENGINE
Mechanically, the arrival of the catalytic converter has reduced the performance compared to its predecessor, decreasing the power by almost twenty percent.
The data is not alarming, but its high final weight and the greater retention capacity of the exhaust are an important conditioning factor if we are going to ride accompanied.
In terms of suspensions, in Beta they found the magic formula that perfectly combines trial with the rest of the specialties. Its Paioli front fork with a rather soft setting, is perfect for riding in the mountains, although on asphalt it is easy to bump into it. At the rear, the feel is much harder, due to the fact that in Beta they have tuned the shock absorber thinking about the extra weight of the passenger, sometimes causing a strange sensation due to the imbalance between both trains.
What has improved a lot is the performance of the braking system. On this occasion, the larger disc and the four-piston caliper do their job perfectly, with everything correct at the back, no changes. In short, for an affordable price we can enjoy a quiet, ecological motorcycle with a wide range of close to one hundred kilometers that will make us enjoy the mountain with a new philosophy, but without limits.
Text: David Quer / Photos: Beta
