2011 EC300E maiden voyage

[Bobt250]

I've been riding for 40 years and have had around 30 dirt bikes and my GG is significantly nicer than anything I've ever ridden.

The motor is magic, it handles like it can read your mind and the steering is so light it feels like it has power steering.

It far exceeded my hopes and dreams for what I wanted.

P.S. My clutch squeeled a bit here and there (very slight) but since reading here I know it's nothing to worry about.

 

[john01]

Awesome glad you are enjoying your bike; they are sweet. I like your comment on the power steering feel.

 

[Bobt250]

The steering feeling like "power" steering was the first and most significant thing I noticed.

The suspension was really good too. Don't think it needs a revalve.

 

[gasgasman]

No pics?

 

[Troy F collins]

I agree Bob......I find the bike is very front oriented..also very easy to loft it and place it where you need with a little snap of throttle.....


whats your take on the metzelers...??

 

[Bobt250]

I was running Trelleborgs. The Metzelers "look" like they would work but I don't know, they are still showroom clean.

The electric starter is finicky and kicks out a lot. It frequently takes 2 or 3 stabs at it to get it to start. I think there will be a fix for it but in the mean time I still like it. Twice I didn't make it up a nasty slick hillclimb and I was able start the bike while standing next to it. Very nice.

 

[Krieg]

I was running Trelleborgs. The Metzelers "look" like they would work but I don't know, they are still showroom clean.

The electric starter is finicky and kicks out a lot. It frequently takes 2 or 3 stabs at it to get it to start. I think there will be a fix for it but in the mean time I still like it. Twice I didn't make it up a nasty slick hillclimb and I was able start the bike while standing next to it. Very nice.

My starter has been working fine. I understand there is some adjustment that can be made using washers to change the bendix engagement point. Maybe Clay or a dealer tech could elaborate more. Glad you like your 300! Your comments are pretty spot on with my first impressions. The rear Metzeler on my bike will be gone as soon as humanly possible. So far, it's the only blemish on an otherwise stellar bike!

 

[bputt]

My e-start is also finicky. Especially when the battery gets a bit low from "overuse". I know Rich Smith did re-grease it and also did some fiddling with a washer or something for adjustment. As the day went on during my last ride, the starter became less and less reliable, and was working about 1 out of 4 tries.

I will put a full charge on the battery after my suspension comes back, and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Bobt250]

Rich didn't do the washer swap on mine because it seemed good in the shop. It seemed to get less reliable as the day went on also. A friend was riding it and he resorted to kicking it once because it wouldn't engage. I never had to kick it but it was always a question in my mind every time I pushed the button. I will do the washer swap but I suspect that isn't the ultimate cure. The full charge no doubt helps but my battery was never drained at all during the day.

There were 2 instances of it staying engaged for quite some time. We went through a deep water crossing and when we got to the other side we shut off our bikes to wait for 2 guys who didn't want to cross the water to go the long way around. I didn't realize that the water crossing cooled my engine enough that it needed choked when I tried to start it. It cranked and cranked until I reached up with my pointer finger and pulled the choke lever (very nice the choke being up there). Another time was when someone else was riding it and he dumped it in a big mud pit. When he picked it up it was loaded up and it cranked over several times before it fired. If it would only do that all the time it would be awesome.

 

[Krieg]

Rich didn't do the washer swap on mine because it seemed good in the shop. It seemed to get less reliable as the day went on also. A friend was riding it and he resorted to kicking it once because it wouldn't engage. I never had to kick it but it was always a question in my mind every time I pushed the button. I will do the washer swap but I suspect that isn't the ultimate cure. The full charge no doubt helps but my battery was never drained at all during the day.

There were 2 instances of it staying engaged for quite some time. We went through a deep water crossing and when we got to the other side we shut off our bikes to wait for 2 guys who didn't want to cross the water to go the long way around. I didn't realize that the water crossing cooled my engine enough that it needed choked when I tried to start it. It cranked and cranked until I reached up with my pointer finger and pulled the choke lever (very nice the choke being up there). Another time was when someone else was riding it and he dumped it in a big mud pit. When he picked it up it was loaded up and it cranked over several times before it fired. If it would only do that all the time it would be awesome.

You have a choke lever on the bars?

 

[Bobt250]

Yes I do. In the picture it's what looks like a cold start lever. It's attached to the clutch master cylinder reservoir. It's very nice. Some people don't like it there but I don't know why.

 

[Krieg]

Yes I do. In the picture it's what looks like a cold start lever. It's attached to the clutch master cylinder reservoir. It's very nice. Some people don't like it there but I don't know why.

Hmmm. Did you add it, or did it come with the bike? Mine has the reservoir cap to fit a lever, but no lever?

 

[Bobt250]

It came that way (in the U.S.). You are in Australia right?

Shouldn't be a problem to add it. It's just a cable to the carb. There is a kit to remove it because some people don't like it. Maybe someone here has the cable and lever that they removed?

I saw a thread somewhere where people were talking about removing it.

I like it a lot. Maybe I'll find out why others don't like it. I think they said it was getting pulled accidentally and that the cable isn't threaded into the carb body very far. My hand guards protect it from stray saplings and such and as for the threads....I don't know.

 

[moto9]

Yes I do. In the picture it's what looks like a cold start lever. It's attached to the clutch master cylinder reservoir. It's very nice. Some people don't like it there but I don't know why.

People don't like it because it has a tendency to get stuck open or partially open, causing misdiagnosed jetting issues.

 

[Bobt250]

Mine moves freely. I wonder what would make it stick.

 

[Krieg]

It came that way (in the U.S.). You are in Australia right?

Shouldn't be a problem to add it. It's just a cable to the carb. There is a kit to remove it because some people don't like it. Maybe someone here has the cable and lever that they removed?

I saw a thread somewhere where people were talking about removing it.

I like it a lot. Maybe I'll find out why others don't like it. I think they said it was getting pulled accidentally and that the cable isn't threaded into the carb body very far. My hand guards protect it from stray saplings and such and as for the threads....I don't know.

Nope, I'm in the USA. Odd that I didn't get one. Also, did you get two carb needles with your bike? I got pilot and main jets, but no second needle.

 

[Bobt250]

I didn't get anything extra.

 

[Troy F collins]

I know that there were problems apparently supplying the jet kits on some bikes....I think they ran out of stock....


as for the Hot start lever come choke lever....I like it

just have to make sure that you dont pull the cable out of it seated position....make sure it has ample play at all times....

I was reading that the D/S riders in Europe like to use it to cool out the motor after a long WFO run...?

Not sure Krieg why you dont have one.....ask your Dealer

 

[Krieg]

I know that there were problems apparently supplying the jet kits on some bikes....I think they ran out of stock....


as for the Hot start lever come choke lever....I like it

just have to make sure that you dont pull the cable out of it seated position....make sue it has ample play at all times....

I was reading that the D/S riders in Europe like to use it to cool out the motor after a long WFO run...?

Not sure Krieg what you dont have one.....ask your Dealer

Thanks Troy. Right now, I'm thinking I'd be better off without a lever on the bars. It would be nice to have the full jet kit though.

 

[twowheels]

Thanks Troy. Right now, I'm thinking I'd be better off without a lever on the bars. It would be nice to have the full jet kit though.

Krieg: Your dealer should have alerted you to the parts shortage - its noted in a letter from the factory that comes with each bike. Not sure about the 2011 300s, but my 2010s and 2011 XC250 came with the following:

needle: CHN
pilots: 35, 38, 40 ['11 250] or 42
mains: 115!!!, 172, 175, 178, 180

The pilots and mains (with the exception of the little guy) are worth having, but I've been selling CCKs for a replacement needle.