No Low-end!!!

[skraMnoR]

I bought my new 2011 EC250 about 6 months ago and have been fighting the ride ever since. There is, what feels like, about 5 HP on the low end until it gets on the pipe when i then turns into a rocket ship. The bike has been jetted and the slack in the power valve linkage has been adjusted. Nothing seems to help. I spent the past 6 months getting used to this and having a miserable time riding hills.

I rode Loretta Lynn's this past weekend and had a terrible go on my bike. I didn't realize how very bad it was until i rode some other 2T bikes. I was blown away how easy it should be to ride hills.

Between the power valve rattling and the actuator plate being 7mm off the stop, the case gasket being too thin and causing the starter to bind and the bike having no power, I have gotten a bad taste for Gas Gas.

I just dropped my bike off at the dealership where I bought it (not a Gas Gas dealer). The mechanic, Taras Massey, is very familiar with Gas Gas. I am really hope he can sort this all out and make it run right. I am bummed that the bike was in this state from the factory. I hope this is a one time thing. I LOVE the geometry and handling of the bike and do not want to go orange!

Fingers crossed!

 

[hannesd]

did you ever check if the power valve actually worked?
you can take out all the slack you want but that's not gonna make it work if something else is stuck or broken.
hope your mechanic will find out for you, so you don't have to go the the orange camp

i even love my 200 after stepping down from the 300 ok, it's got less torque but still nothing of the kind you experiance...
it can't be that bad what can go wrong since it's pretty straight forward mechanics inside this 2 stroke engine...

you're gonna love your bike to the fullest when it's fixed !!
just be patient,

ciao, Hannes.

 

[skraMnoR]

I am confident Taras can figure it out. He comes highly recommended as a Gas Gas Mechanic. Clay also recommended him. I am just hoping the fix isn't big $$$. I paid good money for the bike and haven't had it run right since new.

I am looking forward to getting it back!

 

[troffer88]

I had the just about the same issues. I had my head done, carb bored , re jet and the updated starter shim/gasket kit installed and could not be happier . I love the bike.

 

[Jakobi]

Sorry to hear you're still having issues with her. No doubt it will be something simple and an easy fix. To be honest the basic design of the engine doesn't leave too much that could cost big $$. If the mechanic is going to take the head off for whatever reason you should seriously consider correcting the squish while in there. It makes a significant difference.

 

[skraMnoR]

Sorry to hear you're still having issues with her. No doubt it will be something simple and an easy fix. To be honest the basic design of the engine doesn't leave too much that could cost big $$. If the mechanic is going to take the head off for whatever reason you should seriously consider correcting the squish while in there. It makes a significant difference.

I will bring that up to him when he calls with his assessment. Thanks!

 

[GMP]

Every 250 I've had ran a little different. I manaaged to get what I wanted with varying degrees of work. The '07 was just about perfect with jetting and is the best running bike of them all. My '12 was a little flat down low. Carb was an older PWK mismash of parts including a notched slide that screwed up the jetting until I figured out that it likes a BIG pilot despite what all the jetting "experts" told me about increased signal and a smaller pilot. Head mod and 10 PSI more compression was a BIG improvement, I highly recommend this.

If your PV is operating freely, and has the proper (zero) freeplay, it is still possible that it is opening too soon due to tolerances. These governers are all over the map as far as shims and do not match the parts fiche. Its only a guess if and how they are tested at the factory. If it were to snap open too soon it would kill your low to mid for sure and then hit hard.

Check the reed block, and interferance from any protruding center case gasket that may not have been trimmed properly. Not very common but I have seen it. This will break reeds and raise hell with low end performance, but usually cause hard starting and rich symptoms.

Also try a CDI swap if possible, at least as a diagnostic. On my '03 this made a big difference, stock CDI was functional but the curve made it a dud. You probably have a 2K-3 ignition. Make sure the stator locator insert is in the upper slot. You can advance the static timing a degree or two for more low end also. One degree is equal to 1mm on the outside edge of the stator plate, so you can mark it where it is with the insert, remove it, and rotate it clockwise. Alternative is to elongate the insert hole 1 - 2 mm.

The Stealth does not help low end either. I just went with a straight, shorter silencer and it helped, made the power a slight bit stronger down low and smoother. Zero spooge now as well.

When you finally get it sorted, approach the jetting from the rich side. The GG 250 goes a bit flat down low if its jetted too crisp and clean.

There are a lot of tolerances in these bikes that cause them to run a little different, but if its extreme as you say I'd suspect something is really wrong.

 

[skraMnoR]

GMP...I really appreciate all of your input!

I spent thousands of dollars buying a "high end" bike brand new. I believe that it should have enough power to go up a modest hill as delivered from the factory without mods and tweaking all of the systems you mentioned (except the necessary jetting of course). I am not looking to "wring" the bike out for racing. I am simply trying to enjoy a nice trail ride just like all my friends that bought a bike, jetted it and rode it.

Again. Thanks so much for all the input and I am writing down your suggestions so that when my bike runs as it should from the factory, I can consider your tips. I believe that when I get it back from the mechanic, I will have all the power my skills can handle!

 

[GMP]

These bikes can be a love-hate relationship at times. A big reason why I keep one so long is not looking foward to setting up another one. Once to your liking though they are generally bulletproof.

 

[skraMnoR]

I agree! I installed my steering stabilizer, suspension springs, handlebar, hand-guards, jet kit, case gasket for starter issue and PV adjustment. I do not care to go through it all on another bike anytime soon. I also love the way my bike handles! With the exception of EFI on a 2T, I do not see any reason for me to change my bike once it's running correctly.

 

[skraMnoR]

Looks like Clay and Teras found out what was wrong with my bike. I tell you what... As long as Clay is the importer, I think my next bike would have to be a Gas Gas as well! I have never seen anyone give such personal attention to a customer. He goes out of his way to make things right!

Thanks Clay! I am looking froward to having my bike back!

 

[Neil E.]

OK, so don't keep us in suspense! What was the problem?

 

[gasser]

GMP...I really appreciate all of your input!

I spent thousands of dollars buying a "high end" bike brand new. I believe that it should have enough power to go up a modest hill as delivered from the factory without mods and tweaking all of the systems you mentioned (except the necessary jetting of course). I am not looking to "wring" the bike out for racing. I am simply trying to enjoy a nice trail ride just like all my friends that bought a bike, jetted it and rode it.

Again. Thanks so much for all the input and I am writing down your suggestions so that when my bike runs as it should from the factory, I can consider your tips. I believe that when I get it back from the mechanic, I will have all the power my skills can handle!

Ron I have a 2011 ec250 that runs great. I'm just a little over an hour east of you in Cookeville. If you would like we could swap out your carb or any other part to track down the problem. - Ken 931-498-5113

 

[skraMnoR]

Thanks Gasser!

Clay believes they found the problem. The power valve was stuck open. They have sorted out that issue and feel it is now up to par. I hope it rocks when I get it back!

 

[Jakobi]

That'll do it to ya every time! I had mine stick open once and it went so flat off the bottom it felt like a posty bike!

Any idea how it was showing as closed and functioning on the plate, but stuck open in the port?

 

[skraMnoR]

No idea. I plan to discuss it more in person. So I fully understand the why.

 

[LAWMAN]

Thanks Gasser!

Clay believes they found the problem. The power valve was stuck open. They have sorted out that issue and feel it is now up to par. I hope it rocks when I get it back!

That'll do it! Glad you had a happy ending.

 

[GMP]

I figured as much, most of the time its just subtle variations. Good Luck!

 

[gasser]

Thanks Gasser!

Clay believes they found the problem. The power valve was stuck open. They have sorted out that issue and feel it is now up to par. I hope it rocks when I get it back!

Glad to hear your back in business. Load it up, head east, and I'll take you to some of those Livingston hills to try it out on.