Is the 13 worth it?

C

Colemanian

New member
I bought a 2011 ec300 6d several months ago. I recently talked to a dealer who offered me a really good deal on a trade in for a 13 ec300e.

I'm just not sure. I had the forks and the head done on my bike. I'd do that again of course. I think the 48 zokes would be a nice improvement. The estart would be cool if it works. But is the chassis and ergo emprovments noticeable enough to justify the expense?... I know that's an opinion, but I'd like the guys in the know to chime in. Thanks
 
Colemanian said:
I bought a 2011 ec300 6d several months ago. I recently talked to a dealer who offered me a really good deal on a trade in for a 13 ec300e.

I'm just not sure. I had the forks and the head done on my bike. I'd do that again of course. I think the 48 zokes would be a nice improvement. The estart would be cool if it works. But is the chassis and ergo emprovments noticeable enough to justify the expense?... I know that's an opinion, but I'd like the guys in the know to chime in. Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes. The forks alone are worth it, the chassis is worth it, the estart is worth it ...
 
My god. Cody Webb is on a Beta why do you think it won bike of the year! Do not be fooled by everything you read in a dirtbike magizine! If you can try a Beta ride one. I have very little time on my 12 Gasser. But 15 minutes will tell you the chassis and ergo's are VASTLY superior to the 11 and prior. And I am only 5'7!! If you can get a good deal go for it!!! PS If cody was on a Gas Gas it probably would have gotten bike of the year and quite a few more sales. Not rocket science just marketing.Full riding report soon!
 
As good as the Beta is, it still lacks two things (according to four local new Beta owners I've talked to) the Gasser offers, quicker steering and more stable at speed.

Yes, the e-start is better (than both GG and KTM). The motor is very smooth, but other than that, it performs more KTM-y than the flywheelie Gasser (I prefer the GG).
 
All I'm saying is that I haven't tried one yet and until I do I won't pass judgement based off of what another says. For my riding ill decide based off of my riding style not off of what a magazine or tv or forums say. I think a lot of people are judging the bike without ever riding it, and if you have rode it and like the gasser better then that's awesome too!
 
The 2013 has better suspension (bottoming resistance, performance range, grip)
Better frame (stable and still turns, ergos are easier for moving around, small increase in seat height), everything else is roughly the same as a six days.

If you ride trials like single track, don't get it, if you ride anything else you won't be disappointed.
 
My buddy should be getting his 2013 200 in a couple days and I can't wait to try it to feel these changes from the pre 12 bikes!
 
That's for the input guys. If I can round up the money, I'll buy the new gasser. The beta appeals to me because of the adjustable pv and the starter assembly. I personally don't like the look of the Beta as much as the gasser, especially the red/pink seat.
 
beta

Buy the Beta. It'll look great on here. "I bought a Beta, now I ride a GasGas".
 
All good points. Having both platforms, the '12/'13 is a better race bike hands down. For technical trail riding not so much, as Simmo pointed out. The fork is most of the difference. The new chassis is just bigger so that will make more a difference either way depending on how tall you are. Its a more natural stand up bike than the '11 and prior and feels better being pushed. While the additional ground clearance of the new frame is good, the linkage negates it, and touches down frequently in technical riding, more so than the skid plate of the older bike. Its really nasty here where I trail ride, so protection is a must. Here is a pic of an HDPE slider I made torn half off the Scorpion link skid. My buddy's father-in-law is a machinest and has since made us replaceable delrin sliders on a CNC machine that are a perfect fit and stronger. The plastic subframe and overly stiff inner rear fender are not very tolerant to a loop out or a good hit on a rock after a slide down a hill.

So, for racing and faster open trail riding the '12/'13. For nasty trail riding, where ledge hopping is common, and you likely have to drop the bike in the rocks, the older platform is bit better IMO. You decide based on your riding style and terrain.

Some day I'm going to put the Zoke 48s on my '07 just to see what the fork alone really does to a bike I'm totally familiar with.
 

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My wife has a 11 ec250 that I have plenty of time on. I have also rode the 12 GasGas 300 and now have my new Beta 300 set up and sorry guys the Beta is not only 30lbs less, it is far better in every way.
 
Colemanian said:
That's for the input guys. If I can round up the money, I'll buy the new gasser. The beta appeals to me because of the adjustable pv and the starter assembly. I personally don't like the look of the Beta as much as the gasser, especially the red/pink seat.
Click to expand...

Who is your dealer?
 
The only thing I don't like about the Beta is its white:mad:. I would have to have the Zoke fork, I'm spoiled, and I can tune it myself. I'd own one if I could afford a new bike now but thats not possible. Never rode one yet but got a good look at a couple lately. The level of refinement and quality appeals to me as an engineer, something that GG has failed to do lately. Honestly I'm scared s%^t to ride my '12 in the rocks lately for fear of breaking the subframe in a crash and missing races. I came close a couple weeks ago on a slide down a big hill. The Beta design makes a lot more sense. Just straight up talk from a long time GG rider. Now, maybe there would be something about the bike's handling that would bug me, and all else is for nothing. I doubt it but you don't know until you ride one. If it feels like a KTM forget it. On the other hand if I really like it I may be trying to figure out how to off both GGs and every spare I have to swing it.:eek:
 
I've convinced myself that a 2011 250/300 Race with rhe 48mm Zokes would be the way for me to go here in rocky-technical Arizona.

What are the thoughts on that frame/suspension combo vs the '13 GG or Beta ?
 
arminhammer said:
It looks good also!
Click to expand...

Hey look it's a picture of that bike of the year! No wait wasn't it the husaberg TE300? Ahhhh Which one really is bike of the year?????

Ok, jokes aside, Frame very KTMish. Color Eh!, Gas tank, where you going we're not done riding yet!, PV adjuster, how many times do you really need to adjust it? And if you keep fiddling with it on the trail, you would be riding alone. Forks....got em too! Subframe, i've seen aluminium ones destroyed and bent. Wheels, it has two fitted with rubber, got them too. Brakes, handle bars, seat, footpegs, headlight, got them also.

So is it really BETTER? Or just different?

Bikes are like flavors, pick one and drink it down!
 
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