Italian off-road motorcycle specialist Beta has a knack for making versatile, well-rounded machines. Personally, I was quite impressed with the approachability and versatility of the XTrainer. From grassroots 125 enduro bikes, all the way to race-winning big-bore MX machines, the Florence-based marque has off-road performance coursing through its veins.
And one thing Beta’s been known for is listening to what its customers want. That’s why for 2025, the company has rolled out the 450 RC, a dirtbike that Beta calls a “do-all four-stroke model,” and one it says customers have been waiting for for quite some time now.
So, what exactly makes the 450 RC so special?
Well, for starters, it’s based on the 450 RX motocross race bike, as it shares the same platform as the RX, but with some extra features that make it a more sensible machine off the motocross track. These features are designed to provide the rider with some extra convenience when out on the trail.
You know, stuff like an electric starter, an 18-inch rear wheel (as opposed to the RX’s 19-inch rear wheel), a larger fuel tank, and extra protection—a formed plastic skid plate, handguards, and race model tank panels—to account for stuff that the wilderness will throw at you.
Beneath the surface, the 450 RC is powered by a 450cc four-stroke thumper mated to a five-speed transmission. The performance can be fine-tuned via an ignition map switch that includes traction control, too.
Now, there are tons of other features on the new 450 RC, all of which can be scrutinized on Beta’s official website. But I think what makes the 450 RC so special is the fact that you essentially have two motorcycles in one. Beta explains that this bike is ideal for folks who want to race enduro through the woods on weekends and race on the motocross track on weekends. So yeah, quite a broad spectrum of riders.
But make no mistake, the 450 RC is one serious bit of kit, as evidenced by all of its top-tier components from some of the biggest names in off-road racing. Its price tag of $10,999 USD surely reflects this, but all things considered, the value it brings to the table is pretty good, especially if you’re someone who takes off-road riding very seriously
Source: Beta Motor