2012 EC250 or EC300

B

Black01

New member
I'm not yet a Gas Gas owner:( I just sold my 2007 cr250 which I did everything possible to make it an enduro bike)
Im not sure which bike to buy. I've been told the 250cc bikes like the Ktm xc250 and Husqvarna WR 250 have more top end and less bottom then the 300cc in the same model. I rode a 2010 Ktm XC 250 and felt like the get up and go left a little to be desired. I realize that an enduro bike won't hit like the cr, but was hoping the EC might be the bike to get me the most complete power band. More then enough bottom with some get up and go if I need to tackle something steep. Has anyone tried the ec250 and ec300? Does the 300 just feel like a more powerfull package through every power range? Im a little concerned about people claiming Gas Gas bikes are more suited for shorter riders. Does the 2012 suit a guy 6' better. Or would I be better off on a Ktm xcw. Any other info would help me finally make this difficult choice. I'm also looking at the Ktm XCW, husaburg TE. Thanks black01
 
The 2010/2011 models have a lower seat height and peg clearance than other brands which gives them the small feel. They aren't cramped to sit on though. The 2012 models have changed frames, rear shock length, and linkage which gives them a taller seat height and more clearance under the pegs.

My 2010 has run the stock EC300 top end and head, then an S3 head with 1.9mm squish using the high high insert, then a complete S3 250 cylinder and modified insert squish 1.2mm and 14:1 CR. I would recommend you set the port timing, squish and compression ratio regardless of what brand you decide to buy. Imo its the biggest bang for buck mod. If I was a racer I'd do it before even taking the bike out on its first ride. As a casual rider at the first top end.

The 300 has more power in the bottom/mid area. More punch and more torque. The 250 is softer with a more pronounced hit in the mid range. The 250 is easier to keep on the pipe without beating you up. The 300 is a beast and provides more reward when changed earlier in the rev and by using the torque. Both will scream at the top end when you open the throttle. The engine also responds really well to jetting changes and you can tune it to hit harder and be more pipey, or smooth things out simply by changing the needle. My preference at this point is the 250 as it gives me the biggest grin by allowing me to use more of the power thats available. The lighter piston revs up quicker. You can also change the flywheel if you get a kick only model which will make it snappier also. 2k2 vs 2k3. The same applies across all brands like you have said. 250 more of a revver and 300 more of a grunter.

The comment from my mate who owns a TE300 when he rode the gasser was that the bike didn't lack power/punch and that it steered really well. When you turned it just went there. Thats what these bikes are all about.
 
Black01 said:
I'm not yet a Gas Gas owner:( I just sold my 2007 cr250 which I did everything possible to make it an enduro bike)
Im not sure which bike to buy. I've been told the 250cc bikes like the Ktm xc250 and Husqvarna WR 250 have more top end and less bottom then the 300cc in the same model. I rode a 2010 Ktm XC 250 and felt like the get up and go left a little to be desired. I realize that an enduro bike won't hit like the cr, but was hoping the EC might be the bike to get me the most complete power band. More then enough bottom with some get up and go if I need to tackle something steep. Has anyone tried the ec250 and ec300? Does the 300 just feel like a more powerfull package through every power range? Im a little concerned about people claiming Gas Gas bikes are more suited for shorter riders. Does the 2012 suit a guy 6' better. Or would I be better off on a Ktm xcw. Any other info would help me finally make this difficult choice. I'm also looking at the Ktm XCW, husaburg TE. Thanks black01
Click to expand...
I have just purchaces a ec 300 r and i love it , cant give you any advice on the 250 as iv only rode the 300 .
The new bike is taller than the old model as i found out several times yesterday when i couldnt reach the floor and toppled over , if your over 6ft you wont have that problem though .
There was a few ktms with us yesterday and allthough there was the usual gas gas piss taking they did say the bike was so sexy looking :D
 
E-start? Good or Bad?

Thanks Jacobi and Diggs for the advise. I'm starting to lean towards the EC 250. Hey Clay I live in Washington State and the Canada boarder. I ride with a group of guys in Vancouver Canada. There is a huge amount gnarly of single track in Vedder and blue mt. Areas. I've noticed that the Spain E-start model are standard models, where in the US they are the Race model with E-start. Is this correct or am I just making things up? If I do get the gas gas should I get the e-start or non e-start. I enjoyed having it on my bros xc for sticky spots. Then again if I decided to put a rekluse in I guess it wouldn't matter. How does everyone find the function of the starter? Seems like the Ktm has tons of problems with theirs.
 
I guy i ride with has 12 ec with electric start and over 100 hours on his bike with no problems , to be honest i wanted an es model but i went with the rae as it has marzocchi and ohlins , i dont think ill bother putting it on as they start real easy anyway , 9 times out of 10 first kick:;)
 
:DI have a 12 E-start and have not had any problems at all starting the bike except when I had a buggered plug.
Nothing would start it then though.
The suspension( marz/ohlins is awesome), nso if you are thinking a rekluse then go the race to get the suspension.
Cheers Mark
 
Best just have a look at diggs thread. He covers all the pro and cons for e vs r models.
 
Ohlins/mars

The USA E-start comes with the marz/ohlins and renthal bars. Basically a race with e-start. At least the shipment that is coming in now.
 
I have a 2011 EC 300 with E start. I'm a vet rider and I've had about 45 bikes. Before the Gasser, I had a CRF 450R and a Kx 250 two stroke. Don't be scared of the 300, it has torque and its fast but the power is very linear. I've raced about everything including a CR500 two stroke. The 300 is in another league compared to any 250 but it isn't a 500 two stroke by any means. This is my first E Start bike and the button is awesome. Jackobi is right, these bikes turn really well. Compared to your Cr250, you will like the Gasser a lot whether its a 250 or a 300. The Gassers are awesome!:D
 
I agree with Moto. Don't be mislead and think that the 300 is an aggressive beast. If anything the 250 is the more aggressive of the two in terms of power delivery. The 300 is a monster to hold on to if you try and ride it like a 200/250 keeping it in the band, but will happily smoothly pull in the low to mid all day long. As I said its very rewarding to ride a gear high, and when you need the big power its always right there. The 300 is probably the better casual trail bike as its so versatile and smooth, but for me I wanted the sheer excitement of riding a bike closer to its limits. I was considering a 2012 200 but decided to do the 250 conversion instead due to price and availability. Maybe try and get a ride on both and see which works best for you.

FWW the top end convo is the same for the 2012 models and it was only $800 for the jug, piston kit, s3 head and inserts, and all the gaskets. So even if you buy one its not overly pricey to experience the other either.
 
I'll throw my .02 in.

I have owned both and EC300 and now EC250.

If you are riding predominately tight gnarly terrain, the 300 is very well suited. It's a bit easier to ride at low rpms and that extra torque helps in the nasty stuff.

If you ride more open terrain, the 250 is a blast. It revs quicker and feels more nimble. It feels like it gets corner to corner faster, but I think it just feels that way.

I ride a bit of both, so I like the 250 a bit better. My 250 is jetted so clean off the bottom though that I can ride it 2 gears higher with any issue and use it like the 300. I love it!

You really cant go wrong IMO as they are both amazing and so fun.
 
The 250 feels lighter because it has less raw snap off idle that makes a bike want to go straight. It will still climb a mountain of rocks off the pipe no problem though.

Remember how everyone used to say that a GasGas is a 7/8 scale bike? Well, the '12 is full scale now.
 
Black01 said:
Thanks Jacobi and Diggs for the advise. I'm starting to lean towards the EC 250. Hey Clay I live in Washington State and the Canada boarder. I ride with a group of guys in Vancouver Canada. There is a huge amount gnarly of single track in Vedder and blue mt. Areas. I've noticed that the Spain E-start model are standard models, where in the US they are the Race model with E-start. Is this correct or am I just making things up? If I do get the gas gas should I get the e-start or non e-start. I enjoyed having it on my bros xc for sticky spots. Then again if I decided to put a rekluse in I guess it wouldn't matter. How does everyone find the function of the starter? Seems like the Ktm has tons of problems with theirs.
Click to expand...

If you're riding technical stuff I think the 300 would be better but then I think the 300 is better everywhere. I really like it because it is so versatile. You are correct that most of the e starts are the standard models but here in the US they are Race models. I ride a kick start model with a Rekluse so you start it once and then ride. The very first container of 2011 e starts had some alignment issues but the later ones, including '12s seems to be very reliable.
You have two great dealers in Washington....Tasky's and Skagit. I believe they both have 300s and 250s in stock.
You are welcome to call me to dicuss if you wish. 615 347 6519.
Clay
 
The very first container of 2011 e starts had some alignment issues but the later ones, including '12s seems to be very reliable.
Click to expand...

My 2011 had an alignment issue. Jim at Gofasters sent me the new gasket set for the cover. It was a simple fix, and the estart works great.
 
Black01 said:
I'm not yet a Gas Gas owner:( I just sold my 2007 cr250 which I did everything possible to make it an enduro bike)
Im not sure which bike to buy. I've been told the 250cc bikes like the Ktm xc250 and Husqvarna WR 250 have more top end and less bottom then the 300cc in the same model. I rode a 2010 Ktm XC 250 and felt like the get up and go left a little to be desired. I realize that an enduro bike won't hit like the cr, but was hoping the EC might be the bike to get me the most complete power band. More then enough bottom with some get up and go if I need to tackle something steep. Has anyone tried the ec250 and ec300? Does the 300 just feel like a more powerfull package through every power range? Im a little concerned about people claiming Gas Gas bikes are more suited for shorter riders. Does the 2012 suit a guy 6' better. Or would I be better off on a Ktm xcw. Any other info would help me finally make this difficult choice. I'm also looking at the Ktm XCW, husaburg TE. Thanks black01
Click to expand...

I am 6' even and my '12 fits me well. I am running taller bars (enduro Hi Flexx) and it fits as good as my 08 YZ did. Feels great standing. Nothing feels cramped and all the controls are right where they should be.

IMO the ktm 300 feels a little weak compared to the gasser 300. It may have jsut been the jetting of the 300 I rode, but the GasGas 300 feels like it pulls harder through the entire rpm range and has a better hit. I rode a 12' ktm 250xc as well, it felt more like my YZ, a little more pipey and a better hit but it didnt have the bottom end the 300 had. I think the GasGas 300 is a great mix of torque and hit. Honestly if I only had the option to buy KTM I would have put a 250xc in the stable.

I was in the same boat, 250 or 300. I went with the 300 and couldnt be happier. It has TONS of bottom end but still revs up and has a nice hit. It pulls hard but its still very rideable in the nice tight stuff. I only have 10 hours on it and its still taking some getting use too compared to the YZ, the bottom end is the biggest difference, mid to top feels a lot like the YZ with the gnarly on it.

e-start is still working great.

If you like to lug a little or tend to ride a gear higher I say 300, if you are a ripper and stay on the pipe all day I say 250.
 
The 250 lugs as well, just not as hard as the 300. It will not stall even with a light flywheel. You just have to jet it right, too lean/too clean and it feels flat down low. Its just a little less yank off the bottom and a little more hit up in the mid. Revs a bit faster with somewhat less vibes. I ride both ways depending on conditions and it works good.
 
I have a fully RB-modded (head/carb) '05 EC250 with a 52T rear end.

It lugggz, I thought, until I rode just a base model, demo 2011 EC300.

Not the same, not the same, not the same. :D

I'm getting a new 300.
 
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