Beta ALP 240 1991 — Specifications

In 1991, as the small-displacement market plunged into a race for power and fairings, Beta released an anomaly. The ALP 240 was not a motorcycle; it was a tool. A mechanical all-rounder designed for pure utility, forest work, or mountain trails, far from any sporting pretensions. Its specifications boiled down to a simple equation: to be indestructible, extremely maneuverable, and capable of bringing its rider back from anywhere.

The engine speaks volumes about this philosophy. A 239 cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine, simply fueled by a carburetor, delivers 12 horsepower at 5800 rpm. These figures are not dreamlike, but they do not lie. With a generous bore of 72.8 mm and a moderate stroke, this engine prioritizes flexibility and durability at the top end. The 10:1 compression ratio and simple air cooling allow it to digest any fuel without complaint. Coupled with a six-speed gearbox with chain transmission, it transforms this Beta into an indefatigable mule, capable of towing a trailer or crawling along a rocky trail at a walk without stalling.

The chassis, in its total austerity, is the other keystone. With a declared weight of 86 kg fully fueled and a 5.5-liter tank, the ALP 240 is disarmingly lightweight. The 2.75-21 tires at the front and 4.00-18 tires at the rear, typical of trails of the time, give it exceptional flotation on soft terrain. The braking, provided by a simple disc on each wheel, is sufficient for a machine whose speedometer stops at 85 km/h. This top speed, more than limited on the road, is in reality an admission: this motorcycle has never been designed for asphalt.

Today, the Beta ALP 240 cultivates its status as a curiosity for initiates. It neither rivals the agile Honda XR 250 nor the robust Yamaha TTR 250 of the time. It exists in its own niche, that of a functional object without embellishment. For the collector of atypical mechanics, the forester, or the rural person looking for a mount without electronics or complication, it represents a lost form of authenticity. It is the motorcycle that is never turned off, rinsed with a jet of water, and which restarts at the first kick. An anti-motorcycle, in short, and that is its entire genius.