Introduction: EC200 and EC250 in Upper Michigan

[j_franich]

Well I've been lurking since I purchased my EC200 last fall, and have found the information here to be most useful. Thank you to all of you that post.

I've owned a lot of different bikes over the years, but it has only been in the last few years that I have been riding trails/single track. My progression of trail bikes has been DR350 to 450exc to EC200 and I recently added an EC250. The DR was heavy and hard to start cold, the EXC was an amazing bike......but had too much power for my needs. I am really liking the EC200, but I wish it had a bit more snap. I am by no means a fast rider, but it feels like I need to ring its neck at times. I picked up the EC250 last week hoping it would be like the EC200 but with just a little more........it seems it has a lot more. In fact these two engines do not behave like they are related at all. The 250 lofts the front wheel with ease, and generally has more power than my skill level requires.

Is this normal for these two bikes?

I've read here that some jetting and the head modification will transform the 200, it would be nice to here from those of you that have owned/ridden both.

 

[j_franich]

Another observation about the two bikes is that the 200 turns better and feels lighter. I know the specs do not show much difference in weight, but after riding them back to back the EC250 feels noticeably heavier.......the EC200 is missing the kick stand (which if anyone has a spare, I'm in the market), but I know there is more going on than just that.

While the EC250 has the fun hit of power that the EC200 is missing, I can say w/o a doubt that I am faster in the woods on the 200.

 

[hannesd]

measure squish on the 200 and leave your base gasket out and use some rtv. just keep at least 1mm squish. (i still had 1.35mm left)
i did this a few months ago and haven't regretted one bit!
with the right set of jets and needle, you'll have the bike in between the 250 you have and the pre-modded 200.
i had the 300 first, sold it for my 200, rode a 250 once and still liked my 200.

ciao, Hannes.

 

[j_franich]

Thanks for your reply, I am not going to give up on the 200 yet. My plan is to measure the squish and send the head out for modification. I had this done to a Kawasaki F9 Bighorn that I rebuilt and was very impressed with the performance. The EC200 came to me w/ a CCK needle #2, 42 p and 175 m. Today I went to a CCL #4 and 180 m, it was an improvement, not perfect, but better.

 

[hannesd]

Thanks for your reply, I am not going to give up on the 200 yet. My plan is to measure the squish and send the head out for modification. I had this done to a Kawasaki F9 Bighorn that I rebuilt and was very impressed with the performance. The EC200 came to me w/ a CCK needle #2, 42 p and 175 m. Today I went to a CCL #4 and 180 m, it was an improvement, not perfect, but better.

with compression up now i'm at 40 PJ and may even go to 38 to make it even better at 1/8th.
got the same CCL needle.
maybe i'll try a 178MJ... just to see how it turns out. i'm guessing it might even be better, more crisp at full throttle.
i didn't have the head done, i just left the base gasket out ;-)

good luck and enjoy your 2hundo

ciao, Hannes.

 

[Rick]

Throw a little bit of timing at her...she'll wake up big time!

My 200 runs really strong, squish mod, timing advance, Messico pipe mod.

I am planing on tearing her down and freshing up the topend. The LTR jetting is fat, going to get a new carb as well. My OEM carb is sloppy, which is also making it fat on the bottom.

Enjoy

 

[hannesd]

Throw a little bit of timing at her...she'll wake up big time!

My 200 runs really strong, squish mod, timing advance, Messico pipe mod.

I am planing on tearing her down and freshing up the topend. The LTR jetting is fat, going to get a new carb as well. My OEM carb is sloppy, which is also making it fat on the bottom.

Enjoy

what's with the messico pipe mod??
and how much do you adjust timing?
do you get better top end or more bottom power with the timing?

ciao, Hannes.

 

[Rick]

what's with the messico pipe mod??
and how much do you adjust timing?
do you get better top end or more bottom power with the timing?

ciao, Hannes.

Check your p.m for more details.