Italian motorcycle manufacturer Beta reveal an all-new RX250 4T motocross model, finally, arriving at the races with an in-house developed, small-capacity four-stroke with a dedicated engine and chassis for motocross…for now.

Last weekend’s round two of the 2026 Italian Motocross Championship brought out the stars of that sport – Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings both on their new machines for the first time – but it was also a big day for Beta as they made public their all-new 250 four-stroke model.

A 250F has always been lacking from Beta, despite the enduro range always being a comprehensive one with many options to suit whatever you want to do off-road. Add in there the RX 350 2T which came along and wowed us last year, despite being a closed-course, five-speed MX model.

The debut of the Beta 250 4T “prototype” was all about gathering extra data, Beta say, putting it on track “to compete directly with their rivals and gather essential data for development”.

All-new 250 4T engine

What’s interesting here is Beta have never made their own 250cc four-stroke engine for motocross or enduro making this a completely new step for the Italian manufacturer.

Way back when they first started to make enduro bikes besides the hugely successful Trial ranges, Beta did have a 250F but it had another manufacturer’s motor (KTM we think) and it didn’t last.

Instead, they focused on their two-strokes and have obviously had huge success with multiple world championships thanks to Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman.

More recently Beta successfully developed the four-stroke range which for enduro is all higher-capacity motors (350, 390, 430 and 480) and on which Holcombe also claimed a world title.

But, with the 450 RX motocross model, these are all based on the same motor unit with the same crankcases and so on. A lighter, smaller and cheaper four-stroke is long overdue and finally it is coming – although in RX (MX) guise first.

Lighter, smaller capacity 4T overdue

From what we can see this new engine is not a simple redesign or development of the RX450 4T or the enduro models. It looks like a prototype at this stage but is smaller and clearly a new design of its own. (Sorry, we haven’t yet sourced decent or official images of the bike).

Where and how it sits in the frame makes us think it is also a new frame too, judging by the lower frame rails and engine mount positions.

You can assume the components like swingarm, subframe, brakes, plus plastics and seat etc. will be the same but adapted from the other RX models, but with their own off-set and of course different internal suspension settings. It is electric start and the engine is electronic fuel injection.

This being a prototype model, nothing here is official and could change, but a bike out there at the races with the R&D manager Fabrizio Dini (and enduro race team manager by the way) is a sign of intent.

Those on the ground in the Italian MX paddock explain this is a pre-production model but as far as the development goes they are ready. A production date is not set but it sounds like summer depending on the parts finalisation and production schedules.

One thing leads to another but we naturally can’t wait for this six-speed enduro model.

More on the Beta Enduro range here: 

2026 Beta X-Pro Enduro model line-up test video

First look: 2026 Beta RR X-Pro Enduro Models – 2T Engine Updates & Nissin Brakes

First look 2026 Beta RR Race Enduro Models – 250 two-stroke engine updates

 

Photo Credit: The Italian Mole