‘Works’ Beta James Dabill

During the course of the year at the Trial Magazine office we occasionally get phone calls that I consider to be ‘Lottery Wins’: The opportunity to have a test ride on a full-factory works trials machine is very rare as the manufacturers do not like to give the opposition any indications as to the performance of their machines. This time, however, Beta UK importer John Lampkin was on the other end of the phone when I took the call: “Yes I have obtained permission from Beta in Italy for you to test the machine of works rider James Dabill that he has been riding recently in the WTC, it’s the actual machine he rode to fourth position at the Penrith world round” – Result! What did we find out? The phrase ‘Beta Bullet’ was the conclusion, read on to find out why Watching any of the top riders in the world in action at the WTC always draws the utmost admiration from myself and others. Athletes mounted on machines developed with one aim – to win. As with any top-performing athlete in any sports discipline when they achieve the satisfaction of winning – or, in the sport of motorcycle trials, achieving a clean ride through the most demanding hazard – it usually looks so easy; the question is are they special riders or is it the machine? Let me tell you, after watching Trial Magazine test rider Phil Disney perform on James Dabill’s Factory machine it is without a doubt the ability of the rider or, in this case, the pilot of the ‘Beta Bullet’ James Dabill. Trial Magazine would like to thank Beta UK importer John Lampkin, James Dabill and Beta in Italy for allowing us this opportunity to test the machine.