Has anyone ridden a 2010 and a 2018 ?
- Thread starter garacerx
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memphis2857
New member
I had an 11 which is the same as a 10 and I can tell you that the 18 blows it out of the water in every department. In a nutshell: taller, longer, lighter, way more power, best stock suspension on the planet, turns better. More room in the cockpit, better build quality, less vibration, not as pretty.
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CDN Rick
Silver Level Site Supporter
Memphis basically has that one right on the button.
I've ridden an 08, owned a '12, ridden a 13, and test ridden and now own an '18.
IMO the '18 is a better bike in every measurable category.
Even better handling, better suspended, lighter, lighter feeling, narrower, better ergo's.
Off course some of that is subjective and changes from rider to rider. What works for me may not work for you. But that's been my experience.
I've ridden an 08, owned a '12, ridden a 13, and test ridden and now own an '18.
IMO the '18 is a better bike in every measurable category.
Even better handling, better suspended, lighter, lighter feeling, narrower, better ergo's.
Off course some of that is subjective and changes from rider to rider. What works for me may not work for you. But that's been my experience.
Ridden an '06 300, '10 300 Euro, '13 300, '15 300, '18 300 & I own an '18 250 Six Days.
There is no comparison. Even my brother's Euro, whilst a nice bike, isn't a patch on the 2018. Chassis, motor, suspension, steering, brakes, ergos, build quality (so far, anyway). All different but better-different.
All we ride pretty much is rocky s/t. Eats it up.
There is no comparison. Even my brother's Euro, whilst a nice bike, isn't a patch on the 2018. Chassis, motor, suspension, steering, brakes, ergos, build quality (so far, anyway). All different but better-different.
All we ride pretty much is rocky s/t. Eats it up.
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Leo
New member
oh... this is not good to me...
CDBiker220
New member
The 2012+ generation is taller than the 2011 and prior bikes. They needed to be, I'm only 5'8" and my 2007 was too short, foot pegs too low. Not sure the 2012 seat height is much higher but they are now up to modern standards.
That said I've owned a 07 EC300, now own a 12 EC300 and test rode the 2018 EC300. The 2018 is better in every way, fit like a glove, engine is equal to my modified 2012 motor, suspension is the best I've ever ridden and handling was awesome. I want to get one once they are on the used market.
The last KTM I rode was a '14, so not tpi or new frame model. However, I have ridden a '15 Sherco 300 with 5 hrs on it & sold my Beta RR300 - which I owned for 2 years - recently to get a Gas Gas 2018 250.
In my opinion, the Gasser is a better bike from any perspective. Just as light now as the competition, handles just as good as the admittedly brilliant Beta in tight terrain, has a stronger motor than all of them (300).
I have had a couple of mates who own 300's ride my 250 & say it's hard to tell the difference off the bottom between their bikes & mine. I have 13/50 on it, so make of that what you will. My Beta was a 250 before I put a 300 kit on it & I can safely say the EC250 has miles more torque & mid-range than the RR250.
On the flip side, it would be disappointing to say the least if ANY 2018 bike was not a step forward compared to the previous models.
Caravan Monster
New member
The frame looks rather similar to ktm of a few years ago, add GG motor and yamaha suspension, a winning combination
Would expect the current ktms to be a little smaller / lighter than the GG.memphis2857
New member
https://www.dirtrider.com/2018-gasgas-ec-300-vs-2018-beta-300-rr
Here ya go
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Here ya go
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memphis2857
New member
It’s better! Lol
I have a buddy with a 17 TX300 and another buddy with a 17 XCW250. The GasGas feels bigger and taller than both bikes. Seeing how all three bikes have WP frames that look identical to one another, I suspect the bigger feel comes from foot peg and triple clamp placement. My 18 turns better than both the Austrians and obviously the suspension is light years better than the AER (has del saggio inserts) and it’s WAY better than the XCW with full Kreft tunes xplor stuff. The Husky makes a little more power up top but won’t touch the 18 gasser in the bottom and midrange.
It’s hard to put into words just how good the 18 GasGas really is. Spring it for your weight, slight rejetting, and it’s ready to rip.
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thumperrider1
New member
The stock AOSS fork (05 YZ fork) is better than full DS Spheres? Or are the GG forks AOS forks which is the same as what Yamaha calls the SSS?
Jakobi
Super Moderator
You all throw a big sales pitch... but deep down I know it's true.
I've been avoiding the 18 big time.. until gibnut sells his!! hahah
I had a 2010 with Nambo/Cervantez spec (S3 heads, cylinder work, TTX both ends, ran with Smart Carb, Lectron, and Keihin at times).
IMO my 2013 250R with KYB SSS front end and head mod is a much nicer overall package, but I still have a few things I don't like about it.. mainly back end isn't very plush and is quite heavy if you have to lift it.. I can live with it though
The 18 has taken everything people identified in the 2013-2017 models and resolved or improved on them.. it has to be the better bike!
I've been avoiding the 18 big time.. until gibnut sells his!! hahah
I had a 2010 with Nambo/Cervantez spec (S3 heads, cylinder work, TTX both ends, ran with Smart Carb, Lectron, and Keihin at times).
IMO my 2013 250R with KYB SSS front end and head mod is a much nicer overall package, but I still have a few things I don't like about it.. mainly back end isn't very plush and is quite heavy if you have to lift it.. I can live with it though
The 18 has taken everything people identified in the 2013-2017 models and resolved or improved on them.. it has to be the better bike!
arminhammer
New member
You all throw a big sales pitch... but deep down I know it's true.
I've been avoiding the 18 big time.. until gibnut sells his!! hahah
I had a 2010 with Nambo/Cervantez spec (S3 heads, cylinder work, TTX both ends, ran with Smart Carb, Lectron, and Keihin at times).
IMO my 2013 250R with KYB SSS front end and head mod is a much nicer overall package, but I still have a few things I don't like about it.. mainly back end isn't very plush and is quite heavy if you have to lift it.. I can live with it though
The 18 has taken everything people identified in the 2013-2017 models and resolved or improved on them.. it has to be the better bike!
I have a well set up 2011 250 with KYB suspension and a 18 250. In my opinion it's not even close. The 18 is light years better. I hate to say it but I like it more than my Beta 300 also.
thumperrider1
New member
Has anyone ridden the 18 300 vs the 18 250? Torn on which to look for.
CDN Rick
Silver Level Site Supporter
I have. Test rode the magazine bike for Trailrider. And now own a GP250. I was riding a '12 300 last year.
Both 18's are brilliant in their own right.
Obviously its essentially the same bike with different motor charactaristics
I chose the 250 because I wanted a bike that would challenge me to stay in the powerband a little more, and one that would force me to learn to master the clutch. Both of those things were very noticeable right away with the 250. I'm very very glad I chose the smaller motor. Its already teaching me to be a better technical rider with my controls.
Is there any specific thing you are looking for out of the bike?
thumperrider1
New member
I'm a past GG owner. Had an 11 250 Six Days, and a 12 300. Right now I'm riding a YZ250X which has been a good bike with superb suspension once factory connection dialed it in. Just looking to change things up and was looking at an 18 XC300. Did the 300 lack top end compared to the 250? Any more vibes out of the 300 vs the 250?
CDN Rick
Silver Level Site Supporter
Hmm. I've gotta think back about 6 months to what I remember of the test ride... I gotta great memory, it's just really short.
The vibes on both bikes seem about the same. Which is to say they are nearly non-existent compared to the old GasGas bikes.
The testbike I rode was an EC300. Which should sign off just a little earlier than the XC300 IIRC. It felt electric through the powerband. What I mean by that is that it was very consistent. No arm ripping powerband, just constant power all the way to the top. I did not find that it lacked top end, but obviously has the bottom end that the 250 lacks without "competent" clutch control.
I found the 300 easier to ride in general, and easier to powerwheelie, but found the 250 faster, lighter feeling in singletrack, and easier to ride fast. Basically exactly what you would expect from each bike.
IMO the 300 is a better playbike, and better all-round dirtbike. But the 250 is a better racebike, and better enduro bike. If you just wanna go mess around with your buddies the 300 is the better choice, but unless you're good enough to get paid to race you'll be faster on the 250.
