New EC 300 Owner

[Gregarious]

After lurking for a few months, I just pulled the trigger on this dealer demo from Halls:
http://www.halls-cycles.com/Bike Inventory/Used Bikes/Pages/2007-GASGAS-EC300-VALIN.htm

I swore off 2 strokes after owning a KDX200 for a season. Nothing wrong with the bike, I just didn't seem to make peace with it. I went to a DRZ400S and was actually faster, smoother, and more comfortable on the trails even with the 40 (or 50) more pounds -- but it feels like 90. So call me crazy to try another 2 stroke.

I decided to relagate the DRZ to pure dual-sport work and get a dedicated trail bike. A smart man, knowing my experience with the KDX, might have gone for another 4 stroke. Somehow I was lured back to the 2 stroke world after reading this forum and riding with some KTM 300 friends. I'll give it a season and see where it goes. Wish me luck. I'm sure I'll be asking all sorts of questions soon.

Greg

 

[PEB]

Sweet bike! You will love it as will all your ktm riding buddies. Tasky thinks he should get the dealer stuff going soon, or at least he did a couple weeks ago when I talked to him. Hopefullt the title/mso on the gg comes to WA devoid of any orv mention, Keep us posted.


Paul B
02 300

 

[bens25au]

I hopped off my 05 DRZ400 onto my 07 Gasser 300 and have never looked back. The bike still surprises me as to how much more fun it is to ride. I swore never to own a 2 stroke again but these gassers are awesome.

 

[AZRickD]

"$4,895"

I hope to find a deal like that (or better this summer). And maybe with armor, etc.

I've bumped into a disproportionate number of rides who either can't afford, or have decided not to buy a steering dampener.

How do the EC line of bikes do without that device?

Rick

 

[Gregarious]

How do the EC line of bikes do without that device?

I'll keep you posted after the EC arrives. My DRZ does have a steering damper, and I'm pretty sure I'll move it over to the EC eventually, but I'll have to figure out the ergos first (bars, risers, etc.)

 

[jyellard]

I've been lurking over that same bike, only to call today to find out that it was sold 2 days ago! Let me know if you don't like it, I'll be buying as soon as I find a deal like that one.

 

[bje]

Congratulations. The 300 is the best bike I've owned...by far! So much so that for the first time ever I'm not suffering from the " need a new dirtbike itch"

Now if I could only get the 2008 Hayabusa off my mind

 

[Gregarious]

almost sorry...

I've been lurking over that same bike, only to call today to find out that it was sold 2 days ago! Let me know if you don't like it, I'll be buying as soon as I find a deal like that one.

I know just how you feel. I missed 3 deals over the past few months on EC 300s (OK, one was a 250, but it was local and a SCREAMING deal). I learned... can't wait. As spring approaches I only see demand growing.

 

[Gregarious]

First real ride report!

Finally! Yesterday, March 2nd -- over a month since purchase -- I was able to take out the EC 300 for my first real ride. Shortly after I purchased the bike I got a nasty flu which took me out for a week (at least). Then I had to pull my suspension and sent it to LT-Racing. Last week the suspension arrived and I spent most of Friday evening and Saturday pulling, cleaning, regreasing, rebuilding, changing, and/or replacing whatever I could. Whew.

Sunday I went out with some friends and we did 40 miles of trails which is darn near a personal record for me.

First things first: handling and weight! Coming from a DRZ400S the EC300 felt like a bicycle. So this is what a real dirt-bike with real suspension feels like. For the first time ever I was able to actual feel, and more importantly control, sliding the bike around corners with predictability and confidence. At higher speeds on the straights I felt much more in control. My DRZ has a steering damper which helps, and I thought I'd put one on the EC eventually, but right now I'm not sure. The bike felt totally predictable.

2nd things: engine. I still think I prefer the power delivery, feel, and sound of a 4-stroke (without a loud muffler), but I totally understand why people refer to the 300's as a "3-stroke". Unlike my old KDX200, I never had the slightest issue with stalling or bogging. There was plenty of power to crawl up hills at even slow paces. The clutch also makes power delivery very, very smooth and controllable. Another comparison to my DRZ: it has an auto-clutch which really helps with technical hill climbs, but I'm already more confident on any hill with the standard clutch on the EC.

3rd things: comfort. Good God my rear was hurting yesterday. I had my first real case of Monkey butt, but it was worth it. I'll have to look for a tall seat and get in better shape so I can stand more.

Next things: pegs (fastway or power/pivot pegz in low position), PTEnduro bar riser (on order), hand-guards, and lots of practice.

 

[PEB]

Belfair I assume. Get in shape, your bike belongs out at Reiter doing 40 miles. Congrats on the bike. The DRZ will soon be a distant memory.

Paul B

 

[AZRickD]

How does the EC250 compare to the EC300 with respect to low-end grunt and technical (but not Hero) hill climbing?

I have a line on an '05 EC250 (off the showroom last year with one year of use). As my riding improves, the less I am depending on grunt and the more I appreciate frisky.

 

[Loosenut]

The EC250 may very well be the easiest bike to ride hard that I have ever riden. It will have plenty of grunt for what you are after. If not, a little head work for under $100 proper jetting and gearing and your all set.

 

[AZRickD]

Well, heck, coming off of a KDX220, I suppose some would consider my question a bit silly.

This particular unit hasn't had the squish mod done, but it has an LTR PV cover and the li'l divider plate.

05 EC 250 equipped with:
E-line pipe guard
CRD Skid plate
CRD radiator guards
LTR jet kit
Power now and power now plus carb modes (FYI, you need both to gain true performance advantage)
LTR case saver
LTR chain guide
LTR power valve cover
Scotts steering stabilizer mount (Dampener not included)
Pro taper bars
Moose hand guards
Dunlop 803 trials tires ft and rear
Gas Gas 125cc shift lever

I think I done hi-jacked the thread. Sorry.

 

[roostafish]

I've owned both the 250, and now the 300. I'd say that a good deal on either would be my choice. If given the choice and had both side by side on the showroom, I'd choose the 300, but the 250 does indeed have great grunt nonetheless. The three honey just is more of a good thing. I'd hesitate to say the 250 is any less of a bike as a package. Comparing my bikes, the 250 had serious top end yank, the 300 has serious bottom end yank and very linear power. The result is the same, it's just where the horsepower resides in the rev range. The 250 has an amazing ability to chug down to very low RPM as well, it just doesn't respond with the quick authority the 300 does right off idle.

As an aside, my first GG was a 200. It was also amazing, but required much more aggressive behavior to achieve the same speeds.