200 or 300?

[victorykid]

OK, It's been a while since I've been on dirt and I feel the need (no....desire) to get back to riding there. So, I've been looking at my options with the different bikes and the Gas Gas keeps tuggin' at my heart strings. My problem is figuring out which model would be my best choice to start back with.....an EC200 or an EC300? I'm 5'9" and 230# at the ripe old age 0f 66. I've been riding on the street for a good while and realize that dirt riding would help me be a better all around rider......not to mention the fun factor! I always try to keep up with the new stuff involved with dirt riding and watch the SX and MX series along with the enduro scenes. Boy, the dirt bikes sure are much better built today than they were back then! Just to let you know, I'm an old Bultaco racer and fan! I'm serious about this renewed start into dirt bike adventures and need some sound advice. So, let me have it! Don't hold back! Give it to me straight........Yea or nay. I just want to do some fun riding not racing and I'm (unfortunately) on a budget too, if that would really matter. Thanks for anyone's help and advise......The Kid

 

[Coop]

Are you thinking new or used? 200's are fairly rare used unless you look at KTM and not GasGas.

 

[jhendr3702]

i am 50.. been riding forever also.. thought i needed to add a 200 but as an old trail rider, we just did not get along..it is going back up for sale..
i am on a 250 right now and it has plenty of everything.. a 300 is a great bike also.. a 200 is a "busy" bike..

 

[Wheelieman69]

Awesome I love to see guys your age in the sport. Makes me happy to think at that age there is a good chance I can still enjoy riding in the woods. I agree that the 250 would be the best choice but that is different for everyone. I ride a 250 and recently rode a 2004 200 and I loved it because it made me faster but part of that is because it's more like a 125 where as you have to stay on the pipe a lot more so it's kind of a double edge sword to me. Yes the bike is lighter and nimble but you have to ride it different. It's not like a 4 stroke which kind of makes you lazy if you will, because you can relax more than on a 2t. I think it really depends on your riding style and how your going to ride and even the type of terrain your going to ride. There are so many good choices out there for bikes you just need to do you research. There is a lot of really knowledgeable people on this forum that should be able to guide you as well. Good luck and enjoy whatever toy you purchase.


Wheelieman

 

[hannesd]

i'd rather say get a 200, just set it up right, get squish corrected and it'll be plentyfull of fun and grunt. (i'm at 80kg geared up, fair bit lighter),but it's day and night of difference since i set squish/compression better but still not optimal) and put the right set of jets and suiting needle for your needs and conditions.
i had the 300 and sold it,it was too much of a bike for me, i must say i didn't really set it up right as i did with my 200 now...
just wanted to let you know that i don't ride my 200 as a 125 tough...
i don't hve to rev it at all to get something

here to defend the underappreciated 200s

whatever you buy, realise that us amateur riders don't even need half of what our bike can give you, so lighter (cc's) is better as far as i'm concerned

ciao, Hannes.

 

[Wheelieman69]

No the 200 is greatly appreciated in fact I liked it better than my 250 but I couldn't ride that like i ride my 250. It is just a different machine. I had to stay on the pipe at my weight to have the power where and when I needed it. But definitely appreciated !


Wheelieman

 

[bowhunter007]

At 44, I stay relatively fit. My 300 was fun, but encouraged laziness on my part. As I grew into my new toy, I stepped down to a 250(s) for a busier ride. Haven't convinced the wife a 200 is a necessary staple...yet. If I were to choose the "best" all-around 2t bike, for me...definitely a 300. It'll stand & rip when you want, or sit and chug Good luck with your decision.

 

[Beta Steve]

My vote, definitely goes to the 300. Sure if you are a young racer a 200 can be forced to go faster, with a lot of effort on your part. A 250 might be a nice compromise, but for me, there is no replacement for cubic displacement. Rip, chug or anything in between, you won't have the bike to blame for your shortcomings...

 

[Zman]

I am sure you will have fun on all three. I would highly recommend going to ride one of each. Your decision will become much easier.

 

[Neil E.]

I'm 60 and have to say the 250 is a good compromise. It doesn't need to be on the pipe, and will still go when you want to pick up the pace. The 300 can be tiring if you like to keep the revs up.

 

[GMP]

I'm 54 and very competitive in my class on the 250. Its also a great trail bike. It does everything well, not too much and not too little. You can ride it on or off the pipe and it will lug if needed. On the 300 you will find you spend a lot of time avoiding being on the pipe. 200 is the opposite.

 

[nmrider]

I'm 68 years old I ride with a bunch of younger guys and keep up pretty well on my "12 300 the bike justs works.

Harold

 

[hannesd]

I'm 54 and very competitive in my class on the 250. Its also a great trail bike. It does everything well, not too much and not too little. You can ride it on or off the pipe and it will lug if needed. On the 300 you will find you spend a lot of time avoiding being on the pipe. 200 is the opposite.

that's the thing with a 200, when you set it up correctly (SQUISH,jets needle), there's not really the need to be on the pipe ALL the time.
ok, i don't weigh that much, tops 80kg geared up, but still it has all i need.
i don't have to worry all the time that the bike's gonna take a ride with me and not vice versa

before the squish correction,i HAD to be on the pipe to somewhere.
just there's day and night of difference.

ciao, Hannes.

 

[Jakobi]

I'm 60 and have to say the 250 is a good compromise. It doesn't need to be on the pipe, and will still go when you want to pick up the pace. The 300 can be tiring if you like to keep the revs up.

I'm 54 and very competitive in my class on the 250. Its also a great trail bike. It does everything well, not too much and not too little. You can ride it on or off the pipe and it will lug if needed. On the 300 you will find you spend a lot of time avoiding being on the pipe. 200 is the opposite.

I'm in the boat with these two after making the transition from a 300 to a 250. Its no less bike when its on the boil, but not as much work to hold on to and still offers more than enough chugg off the pipe to crawl up a nasty single trail hill. The best of both worlds!

 

[3beejay3]

I'm in the boat with these two after making the transition from a 300 to a 250. Its no less bike when its on the boil, but not as much work to hold on to and still offers more than enough chugg off the pipe to crawl up a nasty single trail hill. The best of both worlds!

+1. The 250 is a good versatile bike.

I'm faster on smaller bikes though, but can't keep that pace all day. My 250 I can ride at the same pace all day.

 

[Caravan Monster]

I.m.o. all the capacities will work on the trail. I'm 5'9" / 200 lb. Had a 300, which was easy to ride on the trail, but too much bike for me toward the end of a race. Got a 200 now, which is also capable on the trail. It will sit at 60 mph for mile after mile on the tarmac, but as mentioned above, the 200 needs squish and jetting to be right. If / when I replace the 200, I'll probably try a 250. The 200/250/300 are all the same chassis and more or less same engine cases with different top ends, the contrasts are in the power characteristics.

Leftfield suggestion, I find I'm riding the trials bike more than anything at the moment. It's the way forward if you want to learn new bike skills. Worth a look if you can get to a club where tuition is available.

 

[victorykid]

Thank you all for this great advice and sharing your experiences! I had not thought of using a 250. I did get to briefly ride a '13 300 Friday and I was impressed! What a beautiful bike! I do believe that there wouldn't be much weight difference between the 250 and 300 tho.......I did a quick experiment with lowering the bike almost to the ground and then brought it back up vertical again. Very easy....but, can I still do that after a good days trail riding?? I'm not a skinny guy any more! But, I think getting back into dirt riding will help me lose some weight. I'm going to try and ride a 250 if I can find one soon. But, for sure I'm sold on a Gas Gas. That 300 was set up perfect and I enjoyed every moment. It even made this old timer look good after all these years!!! I'm excited everyone! Best Regards, The Kid

 

[fastfoodfred]

I'm faster on smaller bikes though, but can't keep that pace all day.

This is me. I'm only 40, but feel an additional 100 years older. I've been riding on and off road for nearly 30 years and have found myself going smaller in displacement (not in pant size). I rode my dealers demo 300 and decided to trade him for my Aprilia 450 (high strung mistress) and sell my yz250f just because I realized how lazy of a rider I am. I also realized that I am good with being lazy. It allows me to ride for more than an hour at a time.

I know, I could've bought a kickstand for the Yammie for under $200, but I love this 300. It kicked me in the soul.

 

[djroggen]

IMHO a 300 is a much easier to ride motorcycle than a 250. A 300 is not intended to be revved out. A 250 you need to keep it higher in the revs to ride it to its potential. If you get a chance to ride a 300 without the mini flywheel, and jetted correctly you can run a gear tall and have loads of traction. The 200 I rode was a good bike but too little hp for me, I needed it to be strung out 95% of the time. I can't ride like that for an extended period of time.