ec300 or ec450

F

fkmf6

New member
help me decide please. am looking at buying 2010 gasgas ec300 or ec450 and cant decide. i have been riding 2strokes for 30years but recently rode my mates 06 450fsr and was an absolute weapon however in saying that my mates ktm300 is pretty quick and nimble in comparison. i do have a soft spot for 2strokes but seems to me that everyones going 4strokes for reliability. i am a weekend warrior so to speak but not racing. any feedback would greatly be appreciated from anyone that has ridden both bikes. please no 2stroke or 4 stroke haters just need good and honest opinions on either bike as this is a decission i have to live with for a while thanks
jim from australia
 
Hey Jim,
You're come to the right place but everyone is gonna give you different answers for different reasons. In the last few years I've gone for a DRZ250 (4T)to DRZ400 (4T)to TE510 (4TFI still love this one) to WR125 (2T)and now on a EC300(2T). All the bikes were good, all for different reasons. I guess the quest for the perfect woods weapon has landed me with a new EC 300 and not cuz it's my current bike but I must say out of all, the 300 has put the biggest smile on my face.:D
It's lugging capabilities far surpassing all other 2t except my TXT 280. It's the closest 2t that performs as a 4t that I've been on. I've tried a few KTM's also (not proud of that but...) and a newer RMZ 450.
IMHO if you're after a woods bike only, stay with what you know a get another 2T.
If you are after something a bit different maybe try a 4t (I would stay with a FI4T) at the very least you'll know how they work and will be able to form your own opinion on what's best for you.
 
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I'll admit it before someone calls me on it. I'm a four stroke hater. Not because they don't work, but because working on them is so darned expensive and overcomplicated.

I don't think you could go wrong with choosing a new bike, however, here's the reason I would choose the 300 over the 450: #1, Price. Cost to own and cost to maintain, hands down, the 300. #2, performance, the 300 weighs less and feels lighter on its feet.

I would choose the 450 over the 300 if you can't kickstart a bike, or if you don't want to deal with a carburetor. FI is awfully nice. If you ride in more open terrain, the 450 is heavier and more planted for high speeds.
 
I have a buddy that loves his '07 ec450 - he can climb like a goat with it, knows how to work on it and the bit extra weight doesn't bother him a bit.

I like the 300 because it is relatively simple to work on and lighter.

Hopefully you can try them both out!
 
HuskyDude said:
Hey Jim,
You're come to the right place but everyone is gonna give you different answers for different reasons. In the last few years I've gone for a DRZ250 (4T)to DRZ400 (4T)to TE510 (4TFI still love this one) to WR125 (2T)and now on a EC300(2T). All the bikes were good, all for different reasons. I guess the quest for the perfect woods weapon has landed me with a new EC 300 and not cuz it's my current bike but I must say out of all, the 300 has put the biggest smile on my face.:D
It's lugging capabilities far surpassing all other 2t except my TXT 280. It's the closest 2t that performs as a 4t that I've been on. I've tried a few KTM's also (not proud of that but...) and a newer RMZ 450.
IMHO if you're after a woods bike only, stay with what you know a get another 2T.
If you are after something a bit different maybe try a 4t (I would stay with a FI4T) at the very least you'll know how they work and will be able to form your own opinion on what's best for you.
Click to expand...

out of 3 replies i have come to the conclusion that you all love the 2t, in saying that arent they meant to be fazing these out soon
 
fkmf6 said:
out of 3 replies i have come to the conclusion that you all love the 2t, in saying that arent they meant to be fazing these out soon
Click to expand...

God I hope not.
Nah, none of the Euro brands have shown any possibility of phasing out the 2strokes like the japs have
 
no chance of the 2 stroke fazing out in europe, very popular over here, Ktm and even Husaberg are supposed to be bring out a FI 2 stroke next year, so there is a company thats progressing forward with the 2stroke.
 
if you have always been a 2S guy why change?? unless your getting old and want a easier ride and your more open trails now then maybe the 4S is the way to go.
 
for me, my two strokes allow more riding time because they are easier to ride, easier and simplier to work on, cost less to buy and maintain, and smell better.
 
What I really like with the fuel injected FSE, is that I never have to worry about jetting, it runs perfect all the time. Dont need to mess with premix either. And the FSE engine is solid, doesn't need all that work. Just check valve play once in a while.
 
As I just read this again, I begin to wonder. Are most of us Gas Gas riders just two stroke riders by nature? Now that the Japanese have completely abandoned the two stroke enduro bike, there are only four real options left to buy a completed bike to ride. All four (KTM,TM, Husqvarna, Gas Gas) make good equipment that I would be happy to ride. The Gas Gas for me is the best, mostly because of the way it handles. Plus the fact that I have a really good dealer not far away.
 
stainlesscycle said:
yamaha still makes yz125/yz250 and supposedly the maicos (do they even exist in the real world?)
Click to expand...

The YZ's are great bikes, but they're far from enduro or trail ready. Kickstand, rear wheel, no lighting coil, suspension......
I was thinking like the old RMX, those days are long gone.
 
I have both (300+450) sitting in the garage.Being a 4st man all my life the fi450 was the ultimate ride.Thats untill Ipurchased the 300.It's areal buzz to ride in any conditions.thrash it and it just comes back for more.Now theres nothing wrong with the 450 but in my case it's used as a parts mule for the bike I get excited by riding.
I have a friend in th e exactly the same position as I but has the 250racing.Since buying the 2st the 4fiddy has been pushed to the back wall and hasn't fired a shot for 2 years.
Imo do a short cut,go get a 300,you won't regret it.
 
gasmonkey said:
I have both (300+450) sitting in the garage.Being a 4st man all my life the fi450 was the ultimate ride.Thats untill Ipurchased the 300.It's areal buzz to ride in any conditions.thrash it and it just comes back for more.Now theres nothing wrong with the 450 but in my case it's used as a parts mule for the bike I get excited by riding.
I have a friend in th e exactly the same position as I but has the 250racing.Since buying the 2st the 4fiddy has been pushed to the back wall and hasn't fired a shot for 2 years.
Imo do a short cut,go get a 300,you won't regret it.
Click to expand...

gasmonkey thanks for your opinion, i feel the gas gas forums are very 2t orientated (nothing wrong with that). i agree that the 300 would be a fun bike and get a buzz out of it but i feel you gotta be on the limit with a 2t more than a 4t to get the same result. outright speed the 450 is faster and gets there easier wouldnt you agree. i feel more riders ride the 2t cause they cant handle the 450 is that a fair assumption. im interested in flying through the woods and tracks and doing 4th gear monos not got over rocks at 10klmhr and ride the bike for 2hrs, looking at maintenance reliability no jetting no mixing fuels riding for 3 days covering 300-400 km.
 
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Here's your solution (it seems you really want a 4 stroke deep down). Get the new GG 250F and put on the 290/300 kit (whatever the size is I'm not sure) and do all the uncorking that probably needs to be done in stock from. Great motor and all the Yamaha hop up stuff is available for it. Durable to but no FI but no biggie really. Or wait a few more months and just maybe GG might actually have the 2011 e-start 300 ready:rolleyes:
 
Skidad said:
Here's your solution (it seems you really want a 4 stroke deep down). Get the new GG 250F and put on the 290/300 kit (whatever the size is I'm not sure) and do all the uncorking that probably needs to be done in stock from. Great motor and all the Yamaha hop up stuff is available for it. Durable to but no FI but no biggie really. Or wait a few more months and just maybe GG might actually have the 2011 e-start 300 ready:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

why would you suggest a big bore kit on a 250 4t when you have awesome power with a 450 to begin with, that already has Fi. i just dont understand why so many of you put down the 450, is it a shit bike or is it that you have to be a pro rider to ride it, or is it too much of a weapon that you cant handle so you ride a smaller bike cause its easier
 
fkmf6 said:
..that you have to be a pro rider to ride it, or is it too much of a weapon that you cant handle so you ride a smaller bike cause its easier
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Nothing of the sort. The FI gives you an almost linear powercurve, very very easy to handle.
 
fkmf6 said:
why would you suggest a big bore kit on a 250 4t when you have awesome power with a 450 to begin with, that already has Fi. i just dont understand why so many of you put down the 450, is it a shit bike or is it that you have to be a pro rider to ride it, or is it too much of a weapon that you cant handle so you ride a smaller bike cause its easier
Click to expand...

Simple for me (you of course will be different). As a hard core trail or race bike for the conditions I ride I do not want a 270lb plus bike which the GG 450 is. A 250F will be close to 30lbs less and the 300 kit makes it easier to ride and more versatile. If you tend to ride in more wide open conditions, do a fair bit of road linking trails together or just in general then the 450 might be the ticket for you. It seems GG has gotten most of the reliability issues worked out with newer 450's (525's...do they still make that?) and it's a nice FI system. If you like to ride a long way without needing to refuel you might look into what oversize tanks are available before you drop the cash.
 
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