2018 250 vs 300 (and compared to past years)

[AZRickD]

How does the 2018 250 compare to the 300 in a seat-of-the-pants aspect (I can read a dyno chart).

Even being a 250 2T guy for the last decade, I am still leaning towards a 300 this time around. But if the new 250s have more oomph (especially with a head mod), than previous years (my 2011 250 with a RB-Designs head mod), then I could see the 250 still being a strong contender.

In the chart below, I am seeing significant gains from the 2017 model year.

However, for the 2018 MY, the 250 is only down 5 HP at 7500 RPM and only down 2HP at 5000 RPM

Torque on the 250 is only down 2 or three ft-lbs at 5000 RPM (beginning of the meat of the power band) and 7000 RPM (the peak).

Maybe I was unjustly overlooking the EC (or XC) 250

 

[Gibnut]

I?ve ridden the 2018 300 enough to be able to compare it to my bike.

Let me start by saying it is no 250! It feels heavier & turns slower in s/t. The extra bottom end gain is pronounced through the seat of the pants over a 250, though.

I am coming off a 2014 Beta RR250 (with a KYB SSS fork) that I put a 300 kit on. Before I bought my EC250, I read the same dyno chart above & thought ?I don?t need 60hp?. I was right.

Since I had my head modded by TSP, the bike is running like a ?280?. My bike is quiet, has heaps of bottom end, thick & strong mid-range and a singing top end. I rode my brothers 2013 EC300R back to back with mine on the weekend. His motor has had a full rebuild by a friend of ours who is an expert mechanic. The crank was balanced carefully. The result is a monster motor that is quite peaky for a 300 yet has the most torque of any 300 I?ve ridden. Too much motor for me.

I?m 93kg on the bike & ride rocky s/t with rock steps mostly & very happy with my capacity choice.

 

[memphis2857]

The 300 has a boatload of extra grunt up to about 3,000 rpm’s. After that it won’t rev as quick or as high as the 250. If you are a rider that likes to lug and short shift then the 300 is for you. As far as saying the 300 feels heavier, I didn’t notice one bit of difference in handling. Maybe it felt “heavier” because it revs slightly slower?


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[AZRickD]

Interesting comments.

I did tweaks to my 250 to make it more luggy. 36mm Lectron. Different pipes. Geared down one tooth in the counter sprocket. RB-Designs head mod. Rekluse.

I sold it to SS-109 who has reportedly converted it back to a ripper.

My 2011 250 had all the power and just about all of the torque I required. Maybe some better technique clutching out of tight corners would help.

 

[Gibnut]

Don?t get me wrong - they are both excellent choices & I wouldn?t rule out another 300 in my future. Yes, the 250 still requires a bit more clutch work. But with the lowered squish, it has more grunt than stock. My pv adjuster is un-touched from new (2 turns? Not sure). This effectively delays the bike coming on song & allows for more effective clutch slipping when carrying higher revs to climb.

It?s the extra inertia I am feeling when standing in tight s/t on the 300 that makes it feel less nimble. Doesn?t stop 3 of my riding buddies who all have 2018 EC300?s, though!

You can tame a 300 - taller gearing, fat jetting, etc. But you can?t add cubes to a 250.

 

[SS109]

She's still a lugger just set up a little more to my riding style.

A 1/4 turn leaner on the Lectron for snappier throttle response, went back to 13T front sprocket to get some more top speed in the washes, and swapped on the FMF Gnarly over the factory pipe for a little more low end grunt.

The big change was going to larger tires front (Goldentyre Fatty 90/100) and rear (Shinko 525 cheater 120/100) to help achieve maximum traction. With the fat 120/100 tire and Rekluse I run a gear high and just let the Rekluse do it's thing. I can climb some gnarly loose hill climbs in 3rd with no problem.

IMO, a 250 is about the perfect sized bike. You can lug is pretty good (especially with good jetting and a Rekluse) yet have the quick revability when you need to get the front end up quickly for rocks/logs or clearing g-outs. The only 300 I would even consider is the EC Ranger since it's detuned a bit which should help with traction. I would imagine with a Rekluse it would be like a Tote Goat/Rokon in it's ability to crawl up things.

 

[Jetster220]

I've got a '18 XC300, when I first got it and rode it, I questioned if I made the right call, but after some (de)tuning I've got it where I love it. I put on a FMF Gnarly pipe, 3 teeth smaller rear sprocket, Rekluse clutch, and JD Jet kit, it pulls like a smooth tractor now and I love it.

 

[AZRickD]

I could see putting the EC pipe on an XC if more linearity were required.

SS-109 ? I recently noticed in deep sand that I had a bit of a mid-throttle dead spot. I couldn?t detect it anywhere else. To fix it, I increased the upper fuel in the power jet and increased the fuel in the bottom with the metering rod — hoping it would meet in the middle and fatten up the middle of the hour glass, so to speak.

I had to wonder if I might?ve cranked the metering rod a little too much, but since I like mellower power off bottom, I was okay with it.

 

[SS109]

SS-109 ? I recently noticed in deep sand that I had a bit of a mid-throttle dead spot. I couldn?t detect it anywhere else. To fix it, I increased the upper fuel in the power jet and increased the fuel in the bottom with the metering rod ? hoping it would meet in the middle and fatten up the middle of the hour glass, so to speak.

I had to wonder if I might?ve cranked the metering rod a little too much, but since I like mellower power off bottom, I was okay with it.

I haven't noticed any dead spot since I bought it from you. It has been pulling great in the washes.

 

[J. JuJu]

I've got a '18 XC300, when I first got it and rode it, I questioned if I made the right call, but after some (de)tuning I've got it where I love it. I put on a FMF Gnarly pipe, 3 teeth smaller rear sprocket, Rekluse clutch, and JD Jet kit, it pulls like a smooth tractor now and I love it.

Hi

What gearing are you running on it now ?

 

[Jetster220]

Hi

What gearing are you running on it now ?

I'm running 13/49