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jeffs2200

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I had a chance to ride a 2011 GasGas 300 a few weeks ago at Outlaw Trax near Huntsville Tx.

Chuck Ware (the western U.S. sales rep) Had a 300 he let me demo. I was very impressed with the way the bike handled. The bike was way undersprung for me and the forks were very harsh. I thought the shock felt pretty good. I really liked the way the bike cornered and the fact it had a lower seat height. I am tall so I do not need a lower bike but my KTM just seems taller than it needs to be.

I decided to go ahead and go for it so I put a deposit on a 2011 300 today with Richard at House of Horsepower. It is the non estart model xc with 48mm sachs forks and Sachs shock. The bike will have a Rekluse core exp, a motosport damper, heated grips and Cycra handgaurds.

Richard is going to do a full revalve and respring on the suspension. He says he has been able to get really good results with the Sachs forks which I think I prefer over the 45 Zokes. He also says the Sachs shock is one of the best shocks he has seen.

I plan to pick the bike up on Friday and have Richard do my setup and help dial in the suspension.

I almost forgot, I also have the left hand rear brake going on as well.

I will report back once I get some time on it and let everyone know what I think.

I plan to get a skid plate (thinking Hyde) and some BPD rad gaurds, as well as a p3 pipe gaurd. I am going to go without the estart for now and see what I think. If I feel I need it I may add it later.
 
Congrats on your new to be GasGas. They start so easy I don't think they need the e-start but for some it' will be a nice addition to an awesome bike. Look foreward to your ride report, enjoy.
 
rgranger said:
how did you get one with 48's, I thought that short of the race, they were 45's.
Click to expand...

The early arrival bikes have 48mm Sachs forks just like the euro spec bikes. They also use the Sachs shock instead of the Ohlins 888. I like the 48 forks because It gives me the option of using TTX cartridges later if I am not happy. Richard assures me he can make them work very well and I will not need to upgrade.
 
That was my hope for the 48's also. Some of the worry is off, I rode a buddies that has the 45's that Les worked on, and they were much better than the '09 300 that I am riding now, even after 2 suspension jobs.
 
A few pics of the new ride.

gasgas120.jpg


gasgas126.jpg


gasgas125.jpg


gasgas124.jpg
 
I have a few hours on the bike now and I am liking it pretty well.

I did my first race on it last weekend.

I was wondering what people were using to do oil changes?

The oil fill plug has to be the worst thought out feature on the motorcycle. I am going to try and find a small tipped funnel. I thought about trying to get a nipple that would thread into the hole and attach some tubing to run to a funnel. I would also like to purchase a new filler plug with a raised hex style head.
 
jeffs2200 said:
I had a chance to ride a 2011 GasGas 300 a few weeks ago at Outlaw Trax near Huntsville Tx.

Chuck Ware (the western U.S. sales rep) Had a 300 he let me demo. I was very impressed with the way the bike handled. The bike was way undersprung for me and the forks were very harsh. I thought the shock felt pretty good. I really liked the way the bike cornered and the fact it had a lower seat height. I am tall so I do not need a lower bike but my KTM just seems taller than it needs to be.

I decided to go ahead and go for it so I put a deposit on a 2011 300 today with Richard at House of Horsepower. It is the non estart model xc with 48mm sachs forks and Sachs shock. The bike will have a Rekluse core exp, a motosport damper, heated grips and Cycra handgaurds.

Richard is going to do a full revalve and respring on the suspension. He says he has been able to get really good results with the Sachs forks which I think I prefer over the 45 Zokes. He also says the Sachs shock is one of the best shocks he has seen.

I plan to pick the bike up on Friday and have Richard do my setup and help dial in the suspension.

I almost forgot, I also have the left hand rear brake going on as well.

I will report back once I get some time on it and let everyone know what I think.

I plan to get a skid plate (thinking Hyde) and some BPD rad gaurds, as well as a p3 pipe gaurd. I am going to go without the estart for now and see what I think. If I feel I need it I may add it later.
Click to expand...

I'm so glad to know that Chuck was finally working!! :)
Clay
 
jeffs2200 said:
I have a few hours on the bike now and I am liking it pretty well.

I did my first race on it last weekend.

I was wondering what people were using to do oil changes?

The oil fill plug has to be the worst thought out feature on the motorcycle. I am going to try and find a small tipped funnel. I thought about trying to get a nipple that would thread into the hole and attach some tubing to run to a funnel. I would also like to purchase a new filler plug with a raised hex style head.
Click to expand...

I used a funnel with some clear hose pushed over the end of the funnel and another piece of hard plastic tubing in the end of the hose. The hard tube was just the right size to fit the oil filler. I already had one made up because its the same size hole to put oil into the high pressure oil pump on a 7.3 powerstroke.
 
jeffs2200 said:
I was wondering what people were using to do oil changes?

The oil fill plug has to be the worst thought out feature on the motorcycle. I am going to try and find a small tipped funnel. I thought about trying to get a nipple that would thread into the hole and attach some tubing to run to a funnel. I would also like to purchase a new filler plug with a raised hex style head.
Click to expand...
Go down to any auto parts store and buy the quart bottle of manual transmission oil that has the squirt tip on the bottle. You can use that oil in your bike for a trail ride or two but it is a little thick so your clutch may drag a little. Honda also sales their HP TRANS OIL in the same bottle and its a good oil. The bottom line is get one of those bottles and keep refilling it with your favorite oil. They will hold 1000cc of oil and the tip fits easily into the filler hole
 
jeffs2200 said:
I have a few hours on the bike now and I am liking it pretty well.

I did my first race on it last weekend.

I was wondering what people were using to do oil changes?

The oil fill plug has to be the worst thought out feature on the motorcycle. I am going to try and find a small tipped funnel. I thought about trying to get a nipple that would thread into the hole and attach some tubing to run to a funnel. I would also like to purchase a new filler plug with a raised hex style head.
Click to expand...

You'll be there for days with a funnel small enough to fit the hole.
I use a old gear oil bottle that has the pointed cap and attach some clear tubing to it...then you can squeeze/pump the oil into the case in just a few seconds.
The bottle I have has CC level on the side that goes up to 900cc.
Very wise to get the suspension done...it makes the bike so much more fun and easy to ride.
 
The plastic tube/funnel trick is SLOW, but works fine if you use a quart size funnel from Walmart with the flex neck, and a small handle that loops over the frame next to the airboot pretty secure. Plastic tubing thats a slip fit into the filler hole is a snug fit INSIDE this funnel, works good. Dump the oil in the funnel and go do something else.
 
I have a quart of gear oil in a pointed bottle that I need to empty, I will give that a try.

I looked in the hardparts catalog for a new filler plug but I did not see one. I think I remember someone saying that there was an aftermarket one with a raised hex head available. I guess I need some new copper washers as well because I have had oil seep a little around the plug on each ride.

I had the suspension revalved and sprung for me when I bought the bike. Richard also gave me a set of LTR 120mm pull rods for the linkage. I am pretty happy but I think he is going to have to go down to .52's on the fork springs and maybe lighten up on the valving a little. I am running .54's now and it is just a little too stiff up front. I am supposed to figure out a time that I can meet with Richard so we can go ride and he can get it all dialed in for me.

I installed the Fastway pegs from my KTM in the low position and they really help with the feel. I was pretty cramped before. All I had to do is grind about an 1/8" off the collar. I am also using some bar risers but I am waiting for my Motosports undermount damper to get here so I can get it set up the way I want it. I would like the bars to be a little farther forward and I think the damper mounting bracket will allow this.
 
jeffs2200 said:
I have a quart of gear oil in a pointed bottle that I need to empty, I will give that a try.
Click to expand...
Like Moto9 said the gear oil bottle with the pointed tip is quick and easy. I don't even use plastic tubing- just stick the tip in and squeeze away. Caution do not squeeze too hard or oil will leak around the cap.
FYI: these bottles are quart bottles but will hold nearly 1000cc if you fill them to the top.
 
I just lean the bike against a wall or bench, so the fill hole is a little more "verticle" and use a plastic funnel. Takes no time at all.
 
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