New to dirt bikes & Gas Gas.....

[Rebelhughes]

I was headed out Saturday morning to buy a 1997 EC250 from a local motocross forum. Right before I was leaving the house I decided to check Craigslist one last time.... For sale in my town was 2000 MC250 with tons of extra parts, tools, plastics & riding gear for $100 less. I went ahead & purchased the MC250.

My question is what is the difference between the EC & MC. The EC is a 6 speed & the MC is a 4 speed. I rode the bike for the first time yesterday & it was a little intimidating to say the least.
I was planning on using this bike to ride with my son who is 6 on a TTR 50, doing only trail riding. But after riding this bike it might have too much get up & go for this. What do you guys think??? It might be fine after I get used to riding it, the last time I rode a dirt bike was over 25 years ago.

I know it has a after market exhaust (FMF), Ohlin steering damper & some type of reed kit to help it idle better... Like I said, I as green as they come....

 

[Devondan]

An educated guess: EC = Enduro, MC = Motorcross?

Dan

 

[SideshowBob]

Like I said, I as green as they come....

Some good pictures would really help.

Taming the MC250-

Heavy Flywheel
G2 Throttle Cam
Jetting (see specific thread)

 

[jostby]

EC was the enduro, MC is the MX line. The EC would definately be easier to trail ride than the MX version.
But... back then there was also a XC version. The importer would make some changes to the EC model (lighter flywheel being one) to turn it more into a MC but it still had the 6-speed. The wiring for the lighter flywheel exits the cover at 10 o'clock position and is reffered to as "2K2" ignition. The 2K3 of the heavier EC exits at 2 o'clock position. But graphics remained the same on both models (but both would say "EC", no XC decals). The earlier EC's also had standard Marzochi forks. The XC's started getting fitted with inverted WP's somewhere around '99 or '00.
Hopefully someone will chime in if I am incorrect but I know most of that is true since I bought a new XC250 back then. Graphics say EC but the MSO and title says XC.
In later years the XC became known as the "DE" (Dealer Edition) which has now evolved into the "Race" Edition.
Welcome to the club!

 

[Rebelhughes]

I'll try to take some pics tonight of the bike.... What are the pro's & con's of a 6 speed vs 4 speed?

 

[Ud_luz]

I'll try to take some pics tonight of the bike.... What are the pro's & con's of a 6 speed vs 4 speed?

In my case it's much easier to kill oneself with the high speeds obtained with the 6 speed.

 

[jostby]

I have never ridden a 4 speed. I figured the spacing between gears would be wider for almost same top speed as a 6 speed. Or is it like a 6 speed tranny missing the last 2 gears, hence slower?
If the gear ratio is wider providing close to the same top speed on the 4 speed tranny then a 6 speed would be much better for trail riding with its closer splits.

 

[Rebelhughes]

I pretty sure that it's a true 4 speed. I spoke with someone at Gofasters & was told that year came out with a 4 speed.

 

[Rebelhughes]

Lots of pics...

Lots of pics.... I hope the links work.

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[Rebelhughes]

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[Rebelhughes]

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[stainlesscycle]

nice one! when you find out where them black side number plate panels came from, you let me know!

 

[Rick]

The older bikes use Kawi plastic....check it out!

 

[stainlesscycle]

doh - i didn't look close enough - i thought it had 2 piece airbox side number plate...

i need (or want really..) black side number plates that have the split left side number plate...

 

[jostby]

SWEET!

You gotta' love the nickel plating and polished swingarm!! (I know I do). Just be sure to get the soap off and dry it before putting it to bed!
And the graphics are too cool also. I would trade you my faded pink any day!

What I meant 4 speed vs 6 speed is if the top speed of both are the same? If they are then the 4 speed would be hard to trail ride.

Sweet deal. Enjoy!

 

[sierrarider]

I'm guessing the 4 speed is like giving up 1st and 6th gears. A tall first gear and not a high top speed.

 

[Rick]

With proper gearing, jetting, ect, ect that beast should be in the tight stuff! I"m sure it has long legs. If I"m not mistaken Jim Cook had or has a MC250 set up for the woods! Enjoy and good luck!

 

[jostby]

With proper gearing, jetting, ect, ect that beast should be in the tight stuff! I"m sure it has long legs. If I"m not mistaken Jim Cook had or has a MC250 set up for the woods! Enjoy and good luck!

Yeah but he is wanting to ride the trails with his young son who is on a TTR 50. Until junior gets some speed under his belt that 4 speed is going to be a lot of work going slow
I had a hard time on my XC when my son was on his PW50 then PW80 then TTR125 then he finally started riding quicker with the TTR230. But those little bikes killed me (and my spark plugs!) trying to hang back with him.

 

[flybars]

That bike has been treated right thru the years! I'm thinking U probly should have gone with the ec though. Beatiful bike none the less. Good luck taming her down.

 

[SideshowBob]

Check out my thread here-
http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4333

I would do the following-

-Check the jetting, use something similar to me (see Jetting database and thread)
-Gear it down to like 13/51 or 52
-Put the biggest Flywheel wieght you can get on there

go from there. Bike is in great shape though