Ktm riders impression of my 02 GG 300

[PEB]

Yesterday I swaped bikes for awhile with a friend who rides an 07 250xc. We rode some very tight single track with a couple of high speed transit sections. He got off my bike raving about the suspension and how hard my bike hits( I have gone to the small ignition, no reed spacer and a 250 cdi) To sum up the suspension he said it flat out rules. He then said he thought my bike needed a steering stabilizer, I told him that's funny cause it seems like the GPR on his bike was not working. It was at that point that we looked at my bike and realized he thought the suspension ruled on a bike with a completely flat front tire!

Paul B

 

[GMP]

I would like to see one of the hard core orange riders have the balls to say something to this effect on KTMTalk. Whether they want to hear it or not the truth is the truth. You know the bike does really handle a front flat well, at least with a damper. Last summer I rode half an enduro (to the gas stop) with a front flat and didn't loose many more points than I would have on a good tire.

 

[KiwiGasHead]

I was riding the woods yesterday down here in kiwiland with a couple of orange riders (exc300 + older 400 4 stroke) the lad with the 400 had a quick blast on my little gasser (EC125 07 - completely stock btw) and was blown away by the sus as well, that ohlins-marzochi combo really is awesome imo - also loved braking and the fact he could float out of ruts instead of just barging through - the guy with the 300 didn't want to know and looked down on the measly 125 cc's and started talking up 'big' 2 strokes - well actions speak louder than words so i promptly smoked his A** on the next loop (18 clicks) - don't think the 125 sends up that much roost - but what it did he ate !!! well for half a lap anyway - i was long gone after 10 k's.......

 

[jhendr3702]

i have an 01 300 and have let a few of my friends ride it and they are amazed. I rode my old rmx suzuki the other day and realized what an improvement the gg is over every other thing i have ever had.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

My buddy runs a Honda dealership and used to sell KTMs at his previous dealership. Recently I had him take my bike for a ride (before I went to the Rekluse clutch). We rode a mix of tight twisty singletrack, open gas lines and a few fire roads. He also had a chance to ride a 2007 KTM 300XC that had a similar amount of modifications done to it. He told me that he actually preferred the GasGas, but would deny it to anyone that asked since he wants to get the KTM brand back. I'm trying to get him to pick up the GasGas brand since I know they'd sell around here.

I wish more people would open their eyes and try one before going orange. The bikes really do speak for themselves.

 

[jhendr3702]

i actually bought mine, 01 gg300, from a friend of mine that owns a honda/kaw store here. And his personal fav bike is a gg ec250. He told me he would never sell it.

 

[2 strokes 4 life]

My buddy runs a Honda dealership and used to sell KTMs at his previous dealership. Recently I had him take my bike for a ride (before I went to the Rekluse clutch). We rode a mix of tight twisty singletrack, open gas lines and a few fire roads. He also had a chance to ride a 2007 KTM 300XC that had a similar amount of modifications done to it. He told me that he actually preferred the GasGas, but would deny it to anyone that asked since he wants to get the KTM brand back. I'm trying to get him to pick up the GasGas brand since I know they'd sell around here.

I wish more people would open their eyes and try one before going orange. The bikes really do speak for themselves.

I am trying to get our suzuki dealer up here to start bringing in Gasgas. He wants to but is still on the fence as of now.

 

[AZRickD]

So far I've had four die-hard KTMers ride my '05 EC250. Each were impressed with one or more attributes (engine/suspension) depending on where they were riding.

Of course, they know that if they bad-mouthed the Gasser, it would lead to me bawling like a little kid, so they're gentle with me in that way.

 

[roostafish]

My brother in law and I went on a huge outing two weeks ago. We swapped bikes for a while. He has an '08 KTM 300 XC-W with the electric start. Mine is an '01 EC 300 with Ohlins front and rear.
His comments were engine related, he liked how controllable it was to ride, and the responsiveness of the chassis. His opinion was that the suspension seemed identical to his.

My impression was that the KTM spins up very quickly, it reminded me of the worlds most powerful and linear 125. I couldn't believe how light it felt, and the e-button made me laugh. I don't know how he could have thought the suspension felt similar though, because the KTM felt harsh to me, and it felt like it didn't hold a line as well. Though it was very fast, and very fun to ride. I think that over the course of a day, the gasser would be friendlier.

 

[LAWMAN]

I thought the e-start was not something I needed until I tried it, now I wish my GG had it.

 

[roostafish]

Ditto, though the whole package would have to work better to get me to buy one.

 

[pobit]

I owned and raced 05 DE 200, 06 DE250 and a 06 DE300. I now have an 08 200XCW and a 08 300XCW-E. The new for 08 KTM frames are much better than the 07 down KTM's were. My KTM's out handle, out power and out stop my GasGases. The new PDS rear shock tracks straighter and is more controled than any of my Gassers. Motor wise, the 200's are close but the KTM 300 motor pulls from lower RPM's, revs higher and feels like it has 10 more horse power. They also feel lighter because they are. The only area where the GasGas has an edge is the front fork. It feels plusher. The 08 KTM's are not perfect out of the box but with stiffer springs and good jetting they are pretty darn good. Dave

 

[PEB]

Pobit, you are raining on our parade.

Paul

 

[Metalefty]

Well, you have to figure, that for his KTM to fell better, he has to compare it to the older 06's.

 

[stvbird]

I'm a little orange and a little red personally, and ride with pretty much all orange bikes except for Mackmack and his 05 EC300. The biggest advantage my GG has over my 05 KTM300 I had is that the GG is way more tractable on slick stuff. I motors right up snotty hills like a 4T compared to my KTM 300. Other than that, I had my 300's suspension set up to work like Magic by Kelvin at CSR so it was pretty hard to beat for a KTM but stock it killed me. The GG suspesion, stock, is better than the KTM stock, but the KTM has potential, you just have to have it set up for you. The KTM suspension seems to work better on the heavier 4ts like my 525. It handles great and is pretty much stock, way better than my 300 2t did. So, I sit on the middle of the fence, I'm proud to own them both and will never own another Jap bike.

 

[101racing]

Bought a new 08 300 EC. Only have 1 hour on it. Had 07 KTM 300 xcw SOLD.KTM was a very good bike but I had lots of time invested to get it there.The motor had great bottom end that went into a mid range explosive hit that kept pulling strong on top. I could lug it down low all day in the technical but if the going got slow and I started slipping the clutch it would tend to heat easily.I never boiled it over but lost some coolant now and then. With the Clay mod piston head combo it was dependent on race gas. It was very finicky to jet until I used race gas. I re valved and re sprung the suspension to get it ridable in the rocks . My son has a 08 300 xcw and it took very little to get it dialed in jetting and suspension. It is more tractable than my 07 was.
Now for the GG I haven't rode it enough to get a complete evaluation but so far it has met or went beyond my expectations. The motor definitely has a smoother power curve. It actually is jetted closer than either KTM was when new. The transmission is smoother shifting and way quieter. The suspension is still a little stiff but way more plush than either KTM when new. I took 2 clicks out of everything front and back and it was a very noticeable improvement in the ride. The 08 seat is still pretty firm for this old guys b**t, but the KTM's had soft EE seats so I'm spoiled. Hopefully it breaks in a little. Haven't set the sag yet but it steers about on par with the 08 ktm. DID I MENTION I LOVE THE MOTOR. Down side is the lack of after market accessories compared to the KTM's. GG's are way better thought out. The only thing missing is the button but I still won't trade back for orange. JMHO.

 

[Eric K]

I owned and raced 05 DE 200, 06 DE250 and a 06 DE300. I now have an 08 200XCW and a 08 300XCW-E. The new for 08 KTM frames are much better than the 07 down KTM's were. My KTM's out handle, out power and out stop my GasGases. The new PDS rear shock tracks straighter and is more controled than any of my Gassers. Motor wise, the 200's are close but the KTM 300 motor pulls from lower RPM's, revs higher and feels like it has 10 more horse power. They also feel lighter because they are. The only area where the GasGas has an edge is the front fork. It feels plusher. The 08 KTM's are not perfect out of the box but with stiffer springs and good jetting they are pretty darn good. Dave

I see things differently.

My son (GasGas '01 XC300), friend (GasGas '01 XC300) and I (GasGas '06 EC300) went to a KTM demo ride last week end. We rode a bunch of '08 KTM's. We also rode our GasGas on the same loop.

The GasGas and the KTM 2T's are both very nice machines. We all preferred our GasGas over the new KTM's.

My read comparing '06 EC300 to '08 KTM 300 XCW-E...

The engines are very similar. You could split hairs and find a few minor differences, but not enough to make a big difference.
GasGas has a 6 speed.
KTM has the e-start.
GasGas suspension is better, most noticeably over the sharp edged rough stuff at speed. The KTM would kick much harder over the high speed sharp edged stuff. Note, I did not tweak the KTM suspension. My '06 GasGas suspension has stock valving.
The GasGas is more stable at speed. The KTM felt twitchy.
The GasGas has a slight edge on cornering.

 

[GMP]

I think its fair to say that the KTM suspension is no where near as close out of the crate. Plus, Dave is probably more determined than average in getting the most out of the PDS. Most guys either run them stock or send them out once for a revalve and live with the results, so for average riders like this the GG would be an advantage. The '08 KTM should be compared to an '08 GasGas, as the '07+ GasGas is a nice improvement.

 

[pobit]

My comment wasn't a slam on GasGas. I like GasGas. We raced them for 2 years and had good results and I would race them again. But comments like "my friend who owned a 07 KTM rode my 02 GasGas with a flat tire and thought it handled better" was a little over the top in brand loyalty. Dave

 

[PEB]

Dave, He said the suspension ruled, not that it handled better. I thought some fellow GG enthusiats would get a kick out his comment. I am not a rabid GG fan it's just that orange belongs on pumkins and trafic cones not dirtbikes!(smart ass grin implied but not evident over the web)

Paul B