No direct link. Only a teaser cover...
http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/Me2...0&tier=3&nid=91D230A75B8D4805B30F4FD75FAF7E83
http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/Me2...0&tier=3&nid=91D230A75B8D4805B30F4FD75FAF7E83
Dirt Bike Gas Gas article
- Thread starter Clay
- Start date
motorhead
Member
Made it to bookstore today. Pretty good test write up. Liked the part about no relavance in the real world regarding weight. They also talked more about riding the bike in the elements they shine in, as opposed to it 's desert prowess.
Think I'll cancel Dirt Rider and try Dirt Bike again after 20 some years.
Think I'll cancel Dirt Rider and try Dirt Bike again after 20 some years.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
just got sept issue of dirt rider - review is pretty bland - doesn't point out any positives - they kinda dwell on the fact that it's sprung soft and lacks midrange(?). didn't touch on handling much, did they even ride it 
overall pretty vague review.
overall pretty vague review.
My 2011 250 comes with 6 gears. I don't know why, I only use 3 of them!!
That's funny! I got into 6th once.....on a paved road transfer section at the Cherokee enduro.
Heh. One of my friends asked me how many gears I had in my bike. He got pissed when I said, "I'm not sure - I know it has at least 4."
JayC
I got the issue (edit: Dirt Bike) last night.
I thought it was Very positive.
I'll start with some quotes from the first page with the big picture of the Gasser ripping through some moist woods:
Gas Gas XC300
Old school, new mission
1) The two-stroke movement...is based on some very old-school ideas that revolve around bikes like the Gas Gas XC300.
2) To be fair... the Gas Gas is one of the newest and most ground-breaking motorcycles of 2012. It has an entirely new chassis that defies current trends and represents the most decisive direction that this company has taken in 20 years.
3) So right up front, you should know that there's nothing risky about this strikingly new-looking machine from Europe. It was proven a long time ago.
I thought it was Very positive.
I'll start with some quotes from the first page with the big picture of the Gasser ripping through some moist woods:
Gas Gas XC300
Old school, new mission
1) The two-stroke movement...is based on some very old-school ideas that revolve around bikes like the Gas Gas XC300.
2) To be fair... the Gas Gas is one of the newest and most ground-breaking motorcycles of 2012. It has an entirely new chassis that defies current trends and represents the most decisive direction that this company has taken in 20 years.
3) So right up front, you should know that there's nothing risky about this strikingly new-looking machine from Europe. It was proven a long time ago.
Last edited:
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
i'm assuming you're talking about the dirt bike review. i was speaking of the dirt rider review that i got today...
Yes. Dirt Bike. My DirtRider hasn't arrived yet.
More --
4) The bikes (1990s GG) were great for the worst conditions: mud, rocks, and uglinees. They were reliable, smooth and user-friendly ? not fast glamorous or sophisticated. In the years that followed here?s what changed about Gas Gas: nothing.
5) The new bike is basically the old motor in a new perimerter stell frame. It looks massive and rigid, like a steel version of the original Honda twin-spar aluminum frame.
6) The motor is a complete blast from the past (power valve discussion).
7) This year, Gas Gas redesigned the clutch for more iol flow, and this allowes for making for a super-easy clutch pul.
8) The suspension that comes on the bike is very expensive stuff.
9) You can?t help but love the Gas Gas motor. It?s not especially fast, exciting or thrilling; it?s simply a sweetheart?if you ride the 300 one mile on the trail you?ll come back happy. It?s clear it was designed by trials bike guys.
10) The motor can operate cleanly at RPM levels lower than a fast idle, then the power rolls on with crazy smoothness and controllability. For tight trails, you couldn?t order anything better.
11) It?s milder (than the KTM), revs slower and isn?t quite as fast when it gets on the pipe?the power is simply enough to get the job done.
12) If you get it out in open space, it can be so user-friendly that it?s dull, and steep hills don?t especially call the bikes name. (not sure what this means).
More --
4) The bikes (1990s GG) were great for the worst conditions: mud, rocks, and uglinees. They were reliable, smooth and user-friendly ? not fast glamorous or sophisticated. In the years that followed here?s what changed about Gas Gas: nothing.
5) The new bike is basically the old motor in a new perimerter stell frame. It looks massive and rigid, like a steel version of the original Honda twin-spar aluminum frame.
6) The motor is a complete blast from the past (power valve discussion).
7) This year, Gas Gas redesigned the clutch for more iol flow, and this allowes for making for a super-easy clutch pul.
8) The suspension that comes on the bike is very expensive stuff.
9) You can?t help but love the Gas Gas motor. It?s not especially fast, exciting or thrilling; it?s simply a sweetheart?if you ride the 300 one mile on the trail you?ll come back happy. It?s clear it was designed by trials bike guys.
10) The motor can operate cleanly at RPM levels lower than a fast idle, then the power rolls on with crazy smoothness and controllability. For tight trails, you couldn?t order anything better.
11) It?s milder (than the KTM), revs slower and isn?t quite as fast when it gets on the pipe?the power is simply enough to get the job done.
12) If you get it out in open space, it can be so user-friendly that it?s dull, and steep hills don?t especially call the bikes name. (not sure what this means).
13) The (map switch ignition curve) choices are very conservative, so you can barely tell the difference.
14) One of the great things about the Gas Gas is that it doesn?t require a learning period. Anyone can get on it an appreciate its manners? the 300 is inviting to anyone (even 4T owners). Almost like a 2T/4T hybrid with a wide, smooth power band mixed with a quick engine response.
15) But in the end, the weight was just a number with no relevance to the real world. The Gas Gas doesn?t feel heavy. In fact it feels like a real light weight compared to four-strokes that might be light on the scale. You would never think the Gas Gas is a porker.
16) The steering is light, maybe too light. At first you tend to overcorrect, and you might even struggle to go straight on a narrow trail. You adjust to that quickly and then the magic starts.
17) The bike is pure fun in its primary habitat: slow tight trails.
18) The pull of the hydraulic clutch lever is so light that it feels like it?s connected to the spring on a ballpoint pen. It still has excellent engagement and feel.
19) The gear ratios are good. First gear is medium low, and there are no big gaps through the lower ratios.
20) The only complaint in this type of riding is the steering lock. There isn?t much. You sometimes need to point the front end more than the stops allow.
21) At higher speeds the Gas Gas magic fades. The weight reveals itself if you have to stop in a hurry, and the steering seems nervous in fast, rough terrain.
22) We never cam to terms with the suspension, especially in whoops. The rear was predictably too soft for really big hits, but stiffer compression didn?t help.
23) Slowing down the rebound was a definite improvement, but the rebound adjust on the Ohlins affects other circuits as well, so we never really found a setting that made everyone happy in every type of terrain.
24) The fork generated more favorable remarks in really rough terrain, but wasn?t especially happy on sharp edges and rocks. We?re still working both ends, but unfortunately there?s no well-established path to happiness here. The bike is new, and even older Gas gas models are rare enough to make information-gathering a challenge.
14) One of the great things about the Gas Gas is that it doesn?t require a learning period. Anyone can get on it an appreciate its manners? the 300 is inviting to anyone (even 4T owners). Almost like a 2T/4T hybrid with a wide, smooth power band mixed with a quick engine response.
15) But in the end, the weight was just a number with no relevance to the real world. The Gas Gas doesn?t feel heavy. In fact it feels like a real light weight compared to four-strokes that might be light on the scale. You would never think the Gas Gas is a porker.
16) The steering is light, maybe too light. At first you tend to overcorrect, and you might even struggle to go straight on a narrow trail. You adjust to that quickly and then the magic starts.
17) The bike is pure fun in its primary habitat: slow tight trails.
18) The pull of the hydraulic clutch lever is so light that it feels like it?s connected to the spring on a ballpoint pen. It still has excellent engagement and feel.
19) The gear ratios are good. First gear is medium low, and there are no big gaps through the lower ratios.
20) The only complaint in this type of riding is the steering lock. There isn?t much. You sometimes need to point the front end more than the stops allow.
21) At higher speeds the Gas Gas magic fades. The weight reveals itself if you have to stop in a hurry, and the steering seems nervous in fast, rough terrain.
22) We never cam to terms with the suspension, especially in whoops. The rear was predictably too soft for really big hits, but stiffer compression didn?t help.
23) Slowing down the rebound was a definite improvement, but the rebound adjust on the Ohlins affects other circuits as well, so we never really found a setting that made everyone happy in every type of terrain.
24) The fork generated more favorable remarks in really rough terrain, but wasn?t especially happy on sharp edges and rocks. We?re still working both ends, but unfortunately there?s no well-established path to happiness here. The bike is new, and even older Gas gas models are rare enough to make information-gathering a challenge.
Jakobi
Super Moderator
Sounds like they haven't changed it from that rich stock jetting.
Check this review on a 2010 Euro - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3JT4IKTsRg
Scottys dirtbikes set it up with the N3EJ needle for them and the reviews were that it may have been too much for the bush. Ha! Opinions eh.
Check this review on a 2010 Euro - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3JT4IKTsRg
Scottys dirtbikes set it up with the N3EJ needle for them and the reviews were that it may have been too much for the bush. Ha! Opinions eh.
25) ..but in Europe, these bikes have been used at the highest levels in competition for years.
26) A lot of that experience filters back to the factory in the development of the bike. For example, the chainguide doesn?t have a hard aluminum shell that can get bent. The radiators are huge so the bike is very reluctant to boil. The engine is easy to work on and the parts are all good.
27) The O-ring chain, Talon sprocket and Renthal bars are of excellent quality.
28) On the other hand, some details aren?t so wonderful. The kickstand is one of those infernal self-folding jobs that can make the motorcycle fall over with the slightest bump. It?s some kind of European requirement.
29) The 2.9-gallon fuel tank is clear, but almost entirely obscured by the shrouds so you can?t really see how much gas you have. The tank is bigger this year, though, and the range is over 40 miles.
30) As long as the XC300 doesn?t deviate from its established course, riders will rediscover it. And almost certainly some young guns will find it?s what they?ve been waiting fore all along. They just didn?t know it.
HOTS:
Perfectly smooth
No stalls
Starts easily
Lightest clutch-pull ever
Strong brakes
Excellent parts and details.
LUKEWARM:
Overweight
Suspension needs setup
Evil kickstand
26) A lot of that experience filters back to the factory in the development of the bike. For example, the chainguide doesn?t have a hard aluminum shell that can get bent. The radiators are huge so the bike is very reluctant to boil. The engine is easy to work on and the parts are all good.
27) The O-ring chain, Talon sprocket and Renthal bars are of excellent quality.
28) On the other hand, some details aren?t so wonderful. The kickstand is one of those infernal self-folding jobs that can make the motorcycle fall over with the slightest bump. It?s some kind of European requirement.
29) The 2.9-gallon fuel tank is clear, but almost entirely obscured by the shrouds so you can?t really see how much gas you have. The tank is bigger this year, though, and the range is over 40 miles.
30) As long as the XC300 doesn?t deviate from its established course, riders will rediscover it. And almost certainly some young guns will find it?s what they?ve been waiting fore all along. They just didn?t know it.
HOTS:
Perfectly smooth
No stalls
Starts easily
Lightest clutch-pull ever
Strong brakes
Excellent parts and details.
LUKEWARM:
Overweight
Suspension needs setup
Evil kickstand
One quote that I didn't include regarded that.
31) Initially, our bike was a little rich for our conditions - nearly sea level and 90 degrees. We dropped the needed on position and it was perfect, even up to 5,000 feet. Like we said, the motor is a sweetheart. We knew it would be.
Here are the photo captions:
The Gas Gas 300 has the type of power that most riders need. They just might not know it.
This bike likes it ugly.
The world is coming back to the two-stroke and to bikes like the XC300.
Gas Gas also has an electric start version of the 300. Starting the bike the old fashioned way is never an issue, though.
Everywhere you look there's quality. the Talon sprocket, Excel rims, and Nissin brakes are great. Even the FIM Metzler short-knob tire is a favorite for EnduroCross riders.
An FMF two-stroke Q keep the bike super quite. As is the case with all two-strokes, the gas Gas is imported as a closed-corse bike and is not eligible for off-road stickers in many states.
Jakobi
Super Moderator
Even though lifting the clip is an improvement, if offers nothing near what these engines are capable of. Just ask someone like Nato/Wence/thumperrider who have had a little play with alternative choices.
All in all it sounds like a very positive write up. Even the negatives are the same as you'd expect to see for any given bike. Are they good pics?
Dirt Bike Magazine Weight on 2013 Beta
I just read over the April Dirt Bike Magazine Test of the 2013 Beta 300 RR. They gushed all over it. They admitted it weights 237 Pounds but instead of saying that was a problem or it was a pig, they just said that was close to the weight of a KTM 250 XCW "and much lighter than the Gas Gas." (Earlier they claimed the Gas Gas was 245.)Those guys are drinking the Orange and Beta koolade!
I just read over the April Dirt Bike Magazine Test of the 2013 Beta 300 RR. They gushed all over it. They admitted it weights 237 Pounds but instead of saying that was a problem or it was a pig, they just said that was close to the weight of a KTM 250 XCW "and much lighter than the Gas Gas." (Earlier they claimed the Gas Gas was 245.)Those guys are drinking the Orange and Beta koolade!
desertgasser300
Banned
It's all about the money. KTM and Beta both have more then one full page ad in every issue. My feeling is if GasGas where to buy ad space in every issue the test articles would be more favorable.
twowheels
New member
I just read over the April Dirt Bike Magazine Test of the 2013 Beta 300 RR. They gushed all over it. They admitted it weights 237 Pounds but instead of saying that was a problem or it was a pig, they just said that was close to the weight of a KTM 250 XCW "and much lighter than the Gas Gas." (Earlier they claimed the Gas Gas was 245.)Those guys are drinking the Orange and Beta koolade!
The GasGas they tested was a kick start model, the Beta an e-start model. Real world difference about 20 pounds. Some of that is the spark arrestor in the GG can and heavier tubes, but some of it also has to be the swingarm and sand-cast engine cases.
Last edited:
twowheels
New member
It would be naive to say that doesn't play some part of it. If I help you out with access to bikes so that you have something to write about, or answer your questions, or help pay your bills, there is an understandable tendancy to view me or my products somewhat more favorably.
At the same time, the magazines get to ride almost everything on two wheels (some of which come to them easier than others) and so they have a basis for making a judgement and articulating their opinion. If they don't bother to do the basic things like change jetting and springs and tires though, I don't care how cute their calendar girls are, I'll look elsewhere for an opinion. Love them or hate them, it seems like MXA (unfortunately a narrow focus on MX) is the most thorough.
As far as magazines and magazine writers go I am most familiar with the Dirt Rider crew, and I appreciate that they publish their weights and abilities along with their opinions.
End of the day though, the best way to judge a product is to test it yourself.
Fred1956
New member
Which makes the availability of the demo rides on the Saturday before all the NEPG rounds a great choice. This Saturday, April 13th, at the Cajun National is the next demo day
fletchman45
New member
Heavy or not it feels good! And I bought a 12 to save money, but when a small euro company can take the things we snivel about on bikes (IE little things with the 12) and fix pretty much all of them on the 13 that is a good company and a company that cares and wants to go somewhere. In a sea of Orange crap it is pleasant to see a company trying and listening. Yes they need even more magazine coverage and positive reviews. One other thing is for certain definitely one of the best looking bikes on the planet!
