First One - 2011 XC250

[twowheels]

Fresh off the boat and just out of the crate!

Early entry to the US means this bike has Sachs shock and 48mm forks fitted, along with the clutch MC mounted choke lever. The Keihin carb has the screwed on top, NOT the screw on round top.

Detail changes are obvious (brake pedal mount, headlight, radiators) as are the frame, forks, wheels, and plastic color change ... of course!

This bike will be ready to go by the weekend ... will you?

Check us out at http://www.afterhourscycle.com/

 

[ScottyR]

Lets see some pics Steve.

I wont see mine til next week but am curious as to how they look.

 

[twowheels]

Up and At 'em

Here's a few glamor shots of my first 2011 XC250.

Obviously the shape of the headlight changed, as did that of the front fender - the brace is gone, and its much flatter. The FMF Q fills the space between itself and the fender more than the Turbine Core did, and the extruded rib on top nibbles on knuckles - lift from the silencer itself.

The thermostat runs inline in the right hand rad hose, and the Sachs forks have new gold-anodized caps to complement the black legs. Hubs are more gun-metal than black. The red itself leans to the strawberry side of the palette.

Front brake hose routing is completely behind the headlight nacelle. There's a dip switch for the headlight on the bars that was missing last year, and the ignition curve switch is clamped to the left rad hose. Gone is the expansion bottle, new is a 1.8 bar cap.

The rear brake pedal is noticeably stiffer in its attachment, and the plastic glide plate has an additional attachment point near the drain access hole. The handguards might actually fit this year, but they qualify as the most complicated pieces ever seen in that role.

If you've seen a 2010 this will be reassuringly familiar, while at the same time being refreshingly new. Both the 2010s and 2011s stand head and shoulders above previous (and competitive) bikes in terms of fit and finish.

 

[GMP]

Very nice. Do you think the new brake pedal assy with bearing could be adapted to an '07 frame, or is the mounting tab different?

 

[Skidad]

Is the pipe a real GG pipe or an FMF?

Looks to be tucked up about as good as possible from that side shot

 

[REVERUP]

Looks like it is equipped with the 2K-3.

Does this handlebar mounted choke look like something were gonna want to replace pretty much right away? I guess I'm concerned about brush hanging it into a choked position while riding. Same as the ignition curve switch when mounted on the bar. Seemed like I always hit it or brush hit it and toggled it. I can see why they mounted the 2 stage switch to the rad hose. don't really get this new choke location.

That red looks way better than the 2008 shade. Can we say that the new red is closer to Ferrari red instead of strawberry! Ferrari just sounds meaner

Roscoe

 

[GMP]

Ducati red!

Handlebar choke is dopey and just adds another few $$ to the cost. Maybe good for the desert to avoid long WFO seizures but I doubt that was not their intent. I assume the standard knob choke assy can be swapped in?

 

[twowheels]

Is the pipe a real GG pipe or an FMF?

Looks to be tucked up about as good as possible from that side shot

Pipe carries a GG stamp - silencer/SA is the Q from FMF. I haven't had any issues with my 2010 expansion chamber getting dinged up ... well except for that one footpeg indent

 

[HuskyDude]

Dave Fair (Pacific GasGas) has the carb mounted choke assemblies in stock. I'm sure it will be available at your local dealer.

I thought I would give the Handlebar choke a go before switching. Now I rather like it. Just pull the lever, kick the bike over hold it for a couple of sec. and let it go. What could be more simpler.
No more leaning over searching for the choke on the carb.

I like it.

 

[REVERUP]

Dave Fair (Pacific GasGas) has the carb mounted choke assemblies in stock. I'm sure it will be available at your local dealer.

I thought I would give the Handlebar choke a go before switching. Now I rather like it. Just pull the lever, kick the bike over hold it for a couple of sec. and let it go. What could be more simpler.
No more leaning over searching for the choke on the carb.

I like it.

Thats good to hear, sounds like it may be ok.
I do know one thing simpler though. Just pull the handle bar lever,push the E start button, hold it for a couple of sec. and let it go.

Roscoe

 

[HuskyDude]

I do know one thing simpler though. Just pull the handle bar lever,push the E start button, hold it for a couple of sec. and let it go. Roscoe

Ya ya what ever. Rub it in...I can take it.

 

[john01]

Steve you are the man thanks for the pics and making my decision even harder LOL. Wow these GG's are sweet looking bikes!

 

[roostafish]

Still no speedometer.
I like the KTM unit.

The Vapor that came last year was nice, but it just has too much fluff.

 

[nambo-trev]

HEY REVERUP i can attest to the handle bar choke being garbage(in my opinion) ive got slight slack that causes the choke to be pulled open by accident at times(ive had several people,mechanics and myself try to eliminate it!) i thought it was just my bike because my buddies 2010 250 is good but a local pro who just bought a nambo as well went to the local mount choke from dave fair as he couldnt (like me) eliminate the slack and nuisance choking from his bike either! the demo i have right now(2010 ec300) while my bike is on repair has the choke lever removed lol by my dealer because it had the same problem. just my experience but im going with the carb mounted choke, its not that convienient if youve had these problems if you ask me!

 

[GMP]

You use a choke for less than a minute only once in a day, before you get under way, why does it have to be made more complicated and prone to problems? This has to be related to the fact that these bikes are basically street bikes in Europe. On a dirt bike keep it simple IMO. Its also another thing to fit on the bars, and space is a premium if you like/need real narrow cut bars for tight eastern woods racing. So with the Six Days version you would have switchgear in addition to this choke lever? Thats more than my street bike has.

Speaking of Six Days bikes, will they come with all the lights and blinkers on the bike or in the crate to satisfy the DOT/EPA? Thanks.

 

[ScottyR]

I saw the 11s in person at the National Enduro in Indiana on Friday and Sat and can attest that they are uber sexy looking bikes. They are really put together really nice, especially compared to the older models.

My bike arrived on Friday at the trucking company. I can hardly wait to pick it up and get it together!

 

[HuskyDude]

My bike arrived on Friday at the trucking company. I can hardly wait to pick it up and get it together!

It's just like Christmas coming early eh Scott? Heard that another is heading out West too! Happy Campers all round.

 

[ScottyR]

I got my bikes on Monday. 3 are already pre-sold. I have a 2011 XC300 Std built and ready for sale.

We have a Provincial Enduro in 2 weeks and the bike is calling my name to race it.

I think I am going to wait for a 6 Days Edition though.