Beta Riders Club Discussion Forum

thumperrider1 wrote:Does the suzuki needle increase bottom to mid or just make things smoother? I've ran them in my gasgas300 but i'm trying to find more bottom to mid grunt and add some top end overrev.

I cannot distinguish any difference in low end. I tend to run a richer pilot with the Suzuki needle. I also have an auto clutch that covers off idle well.

Moved out to Arizona and ride at 5000+ ft. Went back to stock power valve spring 1 turn in from flush. I also had RB do a head mod, shortened the fmf Q silencer, and geared it down 2 rear teeth. A lot more change than I thought I would have to do but before this the transmission felt gappy.

So was Ron able to mod the head to the desired squish and compression? We heard that it was tough with the Beta due to the steep OEM squish angle.

He took the squish from 1.7 to 1.2 mm. Compression was raised very little so I would guess it was limited what he could do. It runs really clean and has good power in the midrange. It was worth the money.

1.2mm is fine, my GGs were always between 1 and 1.2. The width of the band and how tight it matches the dome of the piston(determines MSV) has a lot to do with the outcome as well. Being mine is a 300 at sea level, I'm not interested in a lot of additional compression. I think the tame stock compression is one reason why the bike is so managable and never even thinks about getting hot. Also contributes to the great top end longevity. Thanks for the report, I'll contact Ron about it when its time for a top end.

Off idle is just like stock - really smooth. Bike does not get hot at all. After dropping my gearing my 2nd is pretty low but 3rd and 4th are really versatile. I found I count really keep my momentum and drive. The stuff I'm riding is very rocky with granite sand. Slick for dry terrain so if you get in the upper revs a lot of spinning going on. Can hook up in the midrange so like to get there and short shift for traction.


I did originally go to a thinner base gasket to drop squish from 1.9 to 1.7 so Rob then had to remove .5 to get to the 1.2

Did the stock squish band remain consistant across its width (match piston dome)? If so it probably wasn't too tough to machine. Where you get into issues is when its way off on the inside edge, then you have to work based on that edge, and cut everything else back to match. Not always that much aluminum available.

The solder samples were quiite consistent and flat. Stock was good

Thanks, makes perfect sense. And your right, it is worth the $$ and a great value mod. Ron's work is outstanding. This is all anyone needs unless a lot more compression is needed for altitude. On a 250 @ 5K' I think you have proven that.

Went to the jetting recommended by Beta and set the power valve to 1 turn In form flush. Runs outstanding at 5000 feet with the RB head mod.