EC300 atop French magazine shootout!

[Mark Berg - CPD]

According to the magazine Enduro Magasin (France), the list of the best enduro motorcycles of 2009:


1º Gas Gas 300
2º HVA 310 4T
3º Husaberg 450 4T
4º Ktm 250 2T
5º Gas Gas 250
6º Ktm 400
7º Honda - HM 300
8º Ktm 250 4T
9º Ktm 450
10º Beta 400
11º Sherco
12º Ktm 125
13º HVA 300 2T
14º Yamaha 250 WRF
15º BMW 455

 

[MattR]

And we got 2 GG's in the top 5.

 

[JRDoz]

Whats a Honda HM 300 ?

 

[MattR]

Mark,

Do you have a link to this article?

 

[jeffd]

Whats a Honda HM 300 ?

Probably this one right here :

http://www.hmmoto.it/ita/scheda.asp?idFam=1&idProd=130

jeff

 

[REVERUP]

Man, the French really know their stuff.

Roscoe

 

[Skidad]

I'll take a full size Baja 50 enduro please. Waaaaaay cool IMO and maybe a bicycle trials bike and a regualr trials bike and.......

 

[Mark Berg - CPD]

link to story

I don't guys, sorry. I got this from our GasGas Rep, and we've requested of them to get all articles translated and send to us and they are working on it but this is all I've gotten so far for everyone.

Still, very impressive 2 in the top 5....interesting where the BMW is rated...ouch!

 

[Skidad]

Noteably missing from that list is the KTM 300 which is to bad. Gives the orange guys an excuse for why they didn't win

This is gonna be a good read. Can't wait.

 

[vavido]

wow! I´ll pick up my ´09 300 white on wednesday!!!

 

[cattledog]

Australasian Dirt Bike did a 300 Test in Feb 2009 edition and the results were;

First KTM 300 EXC-E with 8.08 points
Second Husqvarna WR300 with 7.96 points
Third TM EN300 with 7.89 points and
last (by a long way) Gas Gas EC300 with 7.04 points.

As you can see the Gasser was last by a long way.

 

[Skidad]

We'll need to see a copy of that test as well.

cattledog, have you seen the actual test?

 

[JRDoz]

We'll need to see a copy of that test as well.

cattledog, have you seen the actual test?

I read it yesterday. True

 

[cattledog]

Yes I have a copy of the test. The break down is as follows;

EC300
Engine 69.8
Handling 71.0
Ergos/Brakes 70.9
Weighted Avg 70.4

WR300
Engine 81.4
Handling 78.0
Ergos/Brakes 77
Weighted Avg 79.6

300EXC-E
Engine 83.6
Handling 77.6
Ergos Brakes 79.2
Weighted Avg 80.8

EN300
Engine 77.7
Handling 81.2
Ergos/Brakes 75.8
Weighted Avg 78.9.

There was a comment about an ill fitting air filter on the Gasser that was not picked up until after the test. The interesting thing is the Gasser got blasted by the others in the Handling score.

 

[JRDoz]

It should be noted that GasGas Australia didn't have an ad in the mag this month and the Husqvarna and KTM machines had plenty of exposure in ads.
Like using the husky and KTM in techincal articles like how to nail drop offs and KTM's featured when advertising insurance, tricks of the trade and ROC stompa steering dampners,as well as the ads for the bikes themselves..
They also had ads for other manufacturers I will note, but a dominace of Husky and KTM was predominant..

What else can you expect I suppose

 

[cattledog]

or maybe the Gasser is not as good as we would like to think (just thinking here folks) or perhaps has been left behind!! Gee, I dont know. Last, now that is an ouch!!

 

[Ud_luz]

I sent a 300xcw-e down the road because of my EC300. For my style of riding the GG is much better.

 

[JRDoz]

or maybe the Gasser is not as good as we would like to think (just thinking here folks) or perhaps has been left behind!! Gee, I dont know. Last, now that is an ouch!!

GasGas test complaints
1. slightly harder to shift gear without clutch
2. Suspension a little soft for faster guys
3. straight line drag the gasser was slower hitting rev ceiling but had 6 gears to keep up when shifted
4. brakes a bit vague
5. need a screwdriver to remove seat for airfilter access

Husky complaints
1. too heavy clutch and not hydraulic
2. worst kicker starter of the group
3. shock stroke initially too hard
4. no ignition map switch

KTM complaints
1. no ignition map switch still
2. soft forks for one guy
3. no handguards
4. ergo's need a touch up

Tm complaints
1. low bottom end response
2. some testers felt the bike feels long
3. thin brake lever
4. need tools for airfilter access
5. firmest seat of the group

They mentioned the GasGas was a good bike for trailriders .

Sort of goes in contrast to what the french review thinks as best enduro bikes

 

[widebear]

Thats it I'm selling my bike.I so sincerly value the opinion of a bunch of beer swilling, flatland, penal colony desendents whose contribution to culture includes fine red fighting wines, olivia newton john and helen reddy.

 

[tm_enduro]

It's worth noting that the GG250 or 300 always wins the French magazine test. It's not big surprise, the French place a strong emphasis on wet grasstrack performance, and this something that the Gassers excel at (the same qualities that make the Gasser a fav for american offroad riders).
The KTM 300 didn't place because KTM didn't send one for the test. Apparently TM didn't send bikes either.