I've got the blessing from upper management!

[MattR]

Well, my wife has given her blessing for a new bike.

Sometime between now and spring, there will be a GG added to my garage. I've been researching the '07 and '08 bikes. It looks like the '08 EC250/300 received only slight modifications. From what I've read the front fender, headlight, seat profile, and crankshaft bearings have been changed. I don't care about the cosmetics, but I'm curious if the crankshaft bearings justify the higher '08 expense.
Were there issues with the '07 bearings???

The more difficult decision for me will be the choice of the EC250 or EC300. From riding my 200EXC, I have learned that 'less is more' and it has been a blast to ride on Michigan's singletrack. I always like the EC250 for it's do-everything well characteristics. Back when I had my 250, I always desired to convert it to a 300 just to try it. My biggest concern coming off my 200EXC is if the EC300 will be too tiring in tight woods. I would love the extra torque, but not at the expense of wasted energy from me.

Are the '08 250's coming to the U.S. as DE's or EC's?
It would be great if they are DE250's (my preferred choice). I believe the '07 bikes were imported as EC's. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Do the 300's have better manners as DE's or EC's?
I would think EC300's may be better for tractability. I would like to hear opinions from the 300 riders.

Thanks

 

[kim]

The bearing issue is to deal with emissions. The new bearings are sealed which will allow the bike to run on 1% premix. There were no performance issues that I know off. Ktm is doing the same (among others).

The 300 will allow you ride more lazily, as you can ride more like a four stroke right of the bottom end.
I like it, but after a 6hour enduro, you know you have been riding !

The rekluse clutch take a fair bit off the bottom end in terms of "instant" pulling power and does tame it a bit and much easier riding.

Just MHO

K

 

[Boomhauer]

Matt,
What happened man did you get tired of that pumpkin or us giving you crap about owning it?

Seriously glad to hear you are coming back over to the dark side.

 

[Eric K]

The rekluse clutch take a fair bit off the bottom end in terms of "instant" pulling power and does tame it a bit and much easier riding.

How the motocycle responds with a Rekluse is highly dependent on how the Rekluse clutch is set up.

I personally prefer a sharp, crisp engagement. As such, that is how I have set up my Rekluse. The 300 will respond very strongly on the low end when set up that way. It responds instantly.

The nice thing about the GasGas engine is you can tune it to your liking with appropriate jetting and with mods like the RB designs head mod.

The 300 engine is just the ticket for me with strong low end and very linear power.

 

[bukwheat]

This quote (from KTMTALK) is from a buddy of mine that I ride with from KTMTalk...he ride a 525....

Fun watching you go up "widowmaker"? that gas gas hunkered down to about 1500 rpm and motored right on up.

The widowmaker is a hill at a riding area close to us called the Ridge http://www.ridgeriding.com/ and it is pretty gnarly, rough and steep.
I never put a foot down and torqed right up it on my 250....what a sweet bike!

 

[SpeedyManiac]

If you're going for an 08, get the 'racing edition.' It's like the old DE bikes, only better.

 

[GMP]

From the press release it sounds like all '08s will be 250s/300s with Zokes/Sachs in DE trim unless special ordered. Nothing wrong with that at all. Some early '07s came as ECs but mine is actually a DE.

The '07 250 has really nice power, fast and smooth with enough low end and really good overrev. Smoother and higher reving than the '01 XCs with the FMF pipes.

 

[MattR]

Matt,
What happened man did you get tired of that pumpkin or us giving you crap about owning it?

Nope, the 200EXC is a great bike... no major complaints about it. It has really helped me increase my speed this year and taught me to ride smoother, maintain momentum, etc..

 

[MattR]

Thanks Glenn, that's all positive news!

Did all of the '07 bikes finally get USA compliant VIN #'s (no letter as the 10th digit)? Michigan's system will catch the european vin's and prevent me from getting it plated. Hopefully, the '08 bikes will be imported correctly.

 

[GMP]

Matt,

The VIN is compliant as far as format, but some states like NJ now have a master list of bikes that may be plated. If your bike is not on the list, no plate regardless of the VIN being in compliance or not. Check with your local DMV. You can eaisly get a Vermont tag though, thats what I did.

 

[Loosenut]

Matt,
I'm on my 3rd 300cc two-stroke after a few 250s. After moving to California from Texas, I wanted more torque out of my next bike. I chose my 2000 XC300 and never looked back. I ride my 300's a gear high and carry my momentum. However, when I'm feeling the need for speed, it's only a clutch pull away. On my '05 EC300, the bike was smooth with much more top-end than my 2000, but less low-end and midrange. I really liked bike on the tightest of trails, but missed the low-end power in the hills and mountains. Now, with th RB head and a gearing change and I'm more better happy!

 

[MattR]

Loosenut,

Since you rode both 250 & 300, do you feel more tired after riding the 300? I'm curious if the extra torque of the 300 also tires your body from the tugs [see Kim's post].

 

[GMP]

Matt,

All else being equal, the 300 will yank harder when you crack the throttle. It really depends on your style, if your going to race or just trail ride, and how tight the terrain is. More off idle power makes a bike feel less agile, and if its tight your constantly on/off the throttle, so you have to be carefull what gear your in. Coming off a 200, especially if you feel you improved on it, I think the 250 would be a more natural change. For more open west coast stuff, big elevation changes, or more casual technical riding I'd get a 300, but here in the east the 250 is more than enough and does everything well. From what I understand of Michigan its a lot like our south Jersey pine barrens(sand, whoops, and tight pine trees). The bike has a very agile, confidence inspiring feel to it.

 

[LAWMAN]

I agree w/ Glenn's comments. I'm coming off numerous KTMs; the last 1 was an '07 300W. compared to that, the GG 300 feels like a trials bike. I rode a GG 250 also b/f buying this 1; it is a little easier to flick around, but I decided I'd miss the extra torque in the mountains. no regrets here; the 300 is smooth & linear, just a little more yank than the 250 up until the upper revs, then it signs off sooner. you really can't go wrong w/either 1.

 

[MattR]

The way I ride my 200 is by braking slightly into corners with the motor still spooled up (light slipping of the clutch). Then, transitioning out of the corners with the motor already in the meat of the power again. I run a gear higher than you would initially think. This has allowed me to maintain momentum and flow through the woods.

You guys are probably right, the 250 is the better transition for me. I don't see myself chugging the engine down low like a 300 should be ridden. I would probably end up catapulting myself into a tree if I ride the 300 like my 200.

 

[GMP]

Thats why most of the top national pros on 2-strokes ride 250s. Beleive me, the '07 250 is a smooth, fast bike.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

The way I ride my 200 is by braking slightly into corners with the motor still spooled up (light slipping of the clutch). Then, transitioning out of the corners with the motor already in the meat of the power again. I run a gear higher than you would initially think. This has allowed me to maintain momentum and flow through the woods.

Get a 250 if that's how you ride.

Just curious, where'd you learn that technique? That's what the euros do to go so fast in special tests at the WEC and ISDE. I'm trying to train myself to ride that way...not the easiest thing to do when I primarily ride super tight and technical woods.

 

[MattR]

Get a 250 if that's how you ride.

Just curious, where'd you learn that technique? That's what the euros do to go so fast in special tests at the WEC and ISDE. I'm trying to train myself to ride that way...not the easiest thing to do when I primarily ride super tight and technical woods.

My riding has totally changed since getting my 200 last January. I rode all winter and I believe this is what prompted my riding style. When I first got on the 200, I rode it my old way of point-shoot in and out of corners (lots of on/off throttle). I ended up spinning my rear tire way too much that way. So I migrated into my current technique to control the power. Also, my 200 is geared low and I start off in 2nd gear. If I end up shifting down before the corner, I'm wasting more effort since I have to quickly shift back up after the corner. For me, it was better to just leave it a gear higher and learn to modulate the clutch/throttle/braking ratio.

 

[Loosenut]

Matt, your riding style isn't that much different than mine. In tight single track, I get away with 3rd and 4th gear in all but the nastiest trail. The reason is that extra torque the 300 provides. It power feels very XR200R until it starts to come onto the pipe, but there is plenty of warning before the fury is unleashed. I find the extra power also makes lofting the front end effortless, so log crossings and unexpected trail hazards can be wheelied easier. So, I find the 300 a much better tool than a 250 for my riding style. I use momentum as much as possible to keep the engine off the pipe but in the meaty power it makes prior to the zing zone. The bike is smooth as can be when short shifted.

That reminds me of a ride a few years ago. It was a Hayward Honda's customer appreciation ride at Elkins Flat in Sierra Nevada foothills of NorCal. Conditions were prime from rain overnight. I rode behind a couple guys on CR250s. They were good riders and on the gas hard. There wasn't much roost which was lucky for me. The CR guys could move earth. The funny thing is that I wasn't riding hard. I was braking way later than the CR guys and with the excellent traction I could rail the turns with some confidence.

You can't lose with either the 250 or the 300.

Mike