I got an '07 250!

[BIG TOOL]

Hi all, I got my '07 EC250 last week, and put about 5 1/2 or 6 hours on it so far. I'm coming off an '01 XC250 so I can compare the two back to back. Let me know what questions you have, and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. If I don't respond right away, it's probably because I have a new bike to ride!!! The quick and dirty is the 07 is a little better looking, definitely turns better, runs about the same as my 01 with LTR jetting and a Doma pipe (that means it runs VERY good out of the box) and the jury is still out on the suspension, but, I have a feeling that I'm not going to be happy with the rear until Les does some work on it for me... Any way, like I said before if you have any questions, just let me know...

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Congrats on the wicked ride. I've been eyeing up the EC250, though I think I'm going to have to wait for the 2008 version.

Any idea how it compares to a 200?

 

[GMP]

I just ordered my '07 EC250 w/Sachs yesterday!

Did you get the Sachs or the Ohlins shock? The Ohlins they stuck on the first '07s I saw was NOT the same as the Ohlins as on your '01, but apparently a newer/cheaper? version. From experience riding my brothers Huskys, the Sachs can feel real stiff until it has a few break in rides on it. The Husky Zokes were nasty until the factory oil was changed and they broke in. After that its valving. I plan to send everything to Les as well, but it should be decent stock.

How do you like the quick change filter? One opinion I heard was bad, and the guy swapped some '06 parts to use the old filters and bolt setup instead of the "pogo stick". I'll have to see for myself, but IMO not much can go wrong with a bolt.

 

[eff]

Congrats guys.

I'm glad to hear you will still be on a GasGas Glenn.

 

[GMP]

Yeah, I flirted with the Yamaha 250F, but in the end you go with what you know. In some ways the WR would be better, but not as a do it all bike that must be kept and maintained for a few years. The 250 2-stroke is still the standard woods bike and the EC250 is the best 250, IMO.

FYI, a fully loaded '03 EC250 weighs 2 lbs more than a totally stock '07 WR250F, 1/2 tank of fuel each, same scale/method. So, with all its protection, the Yamaha will weigh more. Its a very nice bike though, in a different league than previous years.

 

[BIG TOOL]

I don't think the quick change filter will be much of a problem, it seems like a good enough design... The quick release seat on the other hand... well, I can't say that I'm convinced that it will be as trouble free as the two bolts holding my '01 seat on, but time will tell. Like I said earlier, I will reserve judgement on the suspension until I get some more seat time, initially the forks work good on the fast stuff and square hits, but could be more supple in the tight rocky stuff. I know, the two usually don't go hand in hand, but that's my imprssion so far. The rear shock is a Sachs, it looks cool and has a huge reservoir, but I need more time to set it up to its full potential before I will give a final verdict. The dual map CDI is a neat gizmo, but I really don't know why they bother with it, I mean I didn't exactly hear anyone ASKING for a dual map, but we got one... For me it was just more wires to tidy up. I can notice a difference between the settings, but I can't say I'm convinced that it will give me any advantage over my old bike.

 

[flybars]

Congrats guys on the brand new 250's! Glen I'm very happy U chose GG again. And a EC over the DE! Was that the only choice or did the rain and sun settings influence U? Will U be making it more DE like? Lighter flywheel etc.?

 

[GMP]

The EC is the only girl in town!

I'm not even sure exactly how the bike will be configured. I suppose the full harness and no lights. I'll strip it like I did before, and use the hardware to dual sport my brother's Husky TE450. I already have a like new 2K-3 large ignition on the shelf, so I'll be looking to trade one for a smaller 2K-2.

 

[Leon_gasgas]

Great Glenn, you chose one perfect ride...

I want to comment on the cdi switch. It helped me a lot on my 2nd race last Saturday where the special tests were nasty with a lot of slipery rocks and roots and a combination of different kind of snow... Everybody says it helps mainly the 300 but now I know it helps the very snappy 250 '07, too.

 

[GregM]

Yeah, I flirted with the Yamaha 250F, but in the end you go with what you know. In some ways the WR would be better, but not as a do it all bike that must be kept and maintained for a few years. The 250 2-stroke is still the standard woods bike and the EC250 is the best 250, IMO.

FYI, a fully loaded '03 EC250 weighs 2 lbs more than a totally stock '07 WR250F, 1/2 tank of fuel each, same scale/method. So, with all its protection, the Yamaha will weigh more. Its a very nice bike though, in a different league than previous years.

Don't mean to start an arguement here but how can any 250F be lighter than any 250 two stroke. I just can't see that. I can read in your post you used the same scale and method but I can't imagine the 250f not being at least ten pounds heavier. With e-start the Yamaha website says 233, Gas Gas says 99 kilos which is less than 220 pounds. Way to go Yamaha I guess???

Greg

 

[GMP]

I was comparing my '03 bike to a friends new '07 WR that I was considering. Read a little closer, the GG was LOADED with guards and accessories, WR naked. The WR is heavier than the EC250.

A YZ250F will be lighter than the EC. Look at both bikes and how they are built. The YZ is a very light 250F, the GG a slightly heavy (on the scale) 2-stroke. Those few extra lbs. are in thicker cases and sturdy parts, thats why the bikes last and don't go bang. You don't feel it riding the bike either.

Forget about weight specs, get the scale out and weigh the bikes if you want numbers, but you need to ride them. FWIW, the WR feels light on the trail. Seat is a little tall but they seem to have done a good job with mass centralization.

 

[GregM]

Congrats guys on the brand new 250's! Glen I'm very happy U chose GG again. And a EC over the DE! Was that the only choice or did the rain and sun settings influence U? Will U be making it more DE like? Lighter flywheel etc.?

Does the US only DE model not have the two stage ignition? I am still confused as to whether we are getting EC's or DE's for 2007? Anyone know?

Greg

 

[BIG TOOL]

Basically we are getting EC's without the lights or speedo stuff. The dual map CDI is standard,they have the large ignition and all of the wire harness for the headlight and tail light (they even have the brake light switch) so far all have been delivered with the GASGAS pipe and silencer (NOT a spark arrestor by the way) I don't think they are planning on using FMF as original equipment pipes. If you need to talk to a live person about this give Mark or Steve at Go Fasters a call. Those guys are as knowledgeable about this stuff as anyone, and they always give a fair deal. I finally put on the proper gearing for woods riding and did some suspension tuning this week. I'm starting to get real comfortable on the bike. I might not need to get a bunch of suspension work done after all! Cheers!

 

[prk03]

This weekend I put on a FMF spark arrester on 07 250. Perfect fit. I did not see any difference in performance. I was told FMF had to make a new unit to fit a 07. Also the front number plate does not have a bracket for bottom to attach to. Did any others have this problem with a 07?

 

[GMP]

When I get mine I'll post some photos that answer all questions.

Basically, there are no US only DE bikes. A US bike is just an EC without lights. Harness, switches, even the steering lock are still there.

 

[GregM]

This weekend I put on a FMF spark arrester on 07 250. Perfect fit. I did not see any difference in performance. I was told FMF had to make a new unit to fit a 07. Also the front number plate does not have a bracket for bottom to attach to. Did any others have this problem with a 07?

Which model of SA? The FMF-Q or the other one they used to come with stock?

Greg

 

[prk03]

Its a FMF Turbine Core II I think.

 

[prk03]

I was changing the oil last night in 07 250 and took out the front drain plug instead of the oil drain plug which is in the back. When I took out the front drain plug out came a small amount of dark gas smelling stuff. What is this front plug for? I didn't mean to take it out but was not paying attention what I was doing. I looked in the manual and unless I missed it there was nothing about it. I really like this bike. I rode an enduro recently with a lot of hills and what a blast!!

 

[Boomhauer]

The front plug is there incase you decide to submarine your bike. In other words if you take water into the motor removing the plug will aid in draining the water from the crankcase.

 

[Nick]

The bracket for the number plate should have came with the bike, but the lower tclamp isnt drilled or tapped for it. We drill and tap them when we set them up here.