BrentMartell
New member
There are several and all are pretty good. Is there a need or not for a new report? Don't really want to put one out there if no one cares.
Ride Report ? - want another one or not 11 300
- Thread starter BrentMartell
- Start date
Krieg
New member
Please, post a report. All bikes are different.
BrentMartell
New member
Well I have had a couple of Australian Sheppard?s and German Sheppard?s. Those Aussie's were pretty smart dogs but they tend to need a lot of attention. : )
Perhaps it would be easier to give you a little back ground on me and my style, preferences, and ability. I am 41, 170 lbs, and compete in the A class in most off road venue's. I am not a motocrosser. My biggest accomplishment is going to Portugal in 2009 to ride on the US ISDE team. I was also 2nd overall in a local desert racing series in 2008 and missed 1st overall by 1 point. Trying it again this year but staying in the top 5 is proving to be a challenge. So I prefer enduro formats but am forced to race the desert locally if I want to race at all without huge travel expenses.
I have ridden KTM's since 2003. I had a 200, and currently have a 06 125 and 05 300 KTM. Both bikes have worked over suspensions and engines. The 125 has the full race tech goodies. Awesome suspension.
I have two races on the 2011 300 GG and 5 play rides. I would say I have about 500 miles and roughly 20 hours on this bike now. My race pace has been between 35-38 mph and play rides is around 25-26.
Bike set up: fastway FIT hand guards and stabilizer, forks set down in clamps to top of tube, 30 mm static sag, 108 rider sag. Fastway foot pegs. Clarke 3.2 tank. Hyde skid/pipe guard. Scorpion radiator guards. Stock shock and fork springs. 178 main, n2zw #2, 40 pj, 6.5 slide. Ohlins shock, Zoke forks.
Before I even started the bike I pulled the swing arm, linkage, and triple clamps to ensure proper grease. Grease was OK but really needed to be removed and packed with a premium quality water proof grease. Spokes were loose as well.
Motor, transmission, chassis: initial ride left me giggling about the way the motor, transmission, and chassis felt. The engine power is so smooth, free reving, and easy to control. It felt like it had as much if not more power than my moded KTM but the power band was much wider and this GG motor can handle high rpm like a 250. The transmission is also a bonus over the semi-wide ratio on my KTM. Perfect, no gaps, precise. The clutch is OK, but I like my KTM clutch better. Brakes are good up front, mediocre in the back. The bonus and what I was looking for is precise and capable cornering, agility, and flickability. This bike is much more lively than my KTM 300. I have ridden a 09 KTM 300 (08-11 XCW's are the same) back to back with the GG. The GG turns better and is easier for me to throw around than the KTM. The q stealth silencer blew 81 db at sound test and I can tell you it is the quietest bike I have ever ridden. Awesome.
Suspension: The shock was kicking and the forks were super harsh. I was hoping it would be better once the break in period was over. I put 100 miles on it and raced it in a 100 mile desert race. We are still working on suspension set up but for me it is requiring valve, shim, and spring work. Personally I believe that anyone who is outside the standard set up is going to have to do this. I am however a little frustrated at the fact that the KTM's I have ridden were very very close to being set up well for me. My buddies 09 is very good in stock form and suspension can make or break a riders impression of a bike. Marzocchi, shame on you for producing a low quality set up for a great bike.
Con: KTM's are the world standard in my opinion for an incredible off road bike. They are easy to work on, set up well, innovative, and well thought out. Gas Gas grabbed a bunch of ideas, bolts, and other fasteners and threw a bike together with some nice parts. Having mixed fasteners such as allen heads, torque heads, metric hex heads all over the bike is retarded. They also put rivet nuts in the sub frame for the rear fender but no where else. For example, the silencer uses bolts and nuts and there are no access holes to get to the bolt head. STUPID. I inserted rivet nuts in the sub frame and bored holes in the number plate so I can use a ratchet to access the bolt and no nuts are falling in the dirt etc. The left-side side panel is now modified to access the air box because changing an air filter with the battery in the way is horrible. Likewise the sub frame attachment points are bolts and nuts and should be threaded frame points or rivet nuts. I will change this eventually. The shock top bolt is a pain to access as the air intake boot is in the way. They should have put this on the right side of the bike where it is easy to inspect and access. It is the simple things I tell you, like putting in transmission oil from the left side of the bike through a tiny access hole. I think I will try and machine the clutch cover to accept a standard oil fill plug. 2.5 gallon tank for an enduro bike in the USA is too small in my opinion. Suspension as mentioned above. Front brake cable guide is a joke.
E-start, works 50% of the time. I have tried all sorts of things to fix it. Have not found the cure yet. For dead engine starts I use the estart and kick start at the same time.
Pro: The polysport plastic fit and finish as well as the graphics are very nice. The handle bar bend is nice. Jetting this bike is ridiculously easy and I love that. Simply loosen the clamps and rotate the carb to remove the slide, rotate it back the other way and get right to the bottom. Motor, tranny, handling as already mentioned. 4 way positioning of bars. Coating on lower fork tubes. The shock can be removed through the sub frame if you are careful and patient. I will say even with less than stellar suspension the bike tracks straight and does not bounce out of line unless you do something really nutty. 2 position mapping switch, similar to KTM is nice. Like the e start idea. Mechanically I feel confident in this bike and have had very little metal stuck to the oil drain plug.
Overall, I really like this bike and riding it is natural and easy to me. Others have taken it for a spin and they have the same initial feelings as I do. It is a great bike, has a few things to sort out, with the potential to be an awesome bike.
Perhaps it would be easier to give you a little back ground on me and my style, preferences, and ability. I am 41, 170 lbs, and compete in the A class in most off road venue's. I am not a motocrosser. My biggest accomplishment is going to Portugal in 2009 to ride on the US ISDE team. I was also 2nd overall in a local desert racing series in 2008 and missed 1st overall by 1 point. Trying it again this year but staying in the top 5 is proving to be a challenge. So I prefer enduro formats but am forced to race the desert locally if I want to race at all without huge travel expenses.
I have ridden KTM's since 2003. I had a 200, and currently have a 06 125 and 05 300 KTM. Both bikes have worked over suspensions and engines. The 125 has the full race tech goodies. Awesome suspension.
I have two races on the 2011 300 GG and 5 play rides. I would say I have about 500 miles and roughly 20 hours on this bike now. My race pace has been between 35-38 mph and play rides is around 25-26.
Bike set up: fastway FIT hand guards and stabilizer, forks set down in clamps to top of tube, 30 mm static sag, 108 rider sag. Fastway foot pegs. Clarke 3.2 tank. Hyde skid/pipe guard. Scorpion radiator guards. Stock shock and fork springs. 178 main, n2zw #2, 40 pj, 6.5 slide. Ohlins shock, Zoke forks.
Before I even started the bike I pulled the swing arm, linkage, and triple clamps to ensure proper grease. Grease was OK but really needed to be removed and packed with a premium quality water proof grease. Spokes were loose as well.
Motor, transmission, chassis: initial ride left me giggling about the way the motor, transmission, and chassis felt. The engine power is so smooth, free reving, and easy to control. It felt like it had as much if not more power than my moded KTM but the power band was much wider and this GG motor can handle high rpm like a 250. The transmission is also a bonus over the semi-wide ratio on my KTM. Perfect, no gaps, precise. The clutch is OK, but I like my KTM clutch better. Brakes are good up front, mediocre in the back. The bonus and what I was looking for is precise and capable cornering, agility, and flickability. This bike is much more lively than my KTM 300. I have ridden a 09 KTM 300 (08-11 XCW's are the same) back to back with the GG. The GG turns better and is easier for me to throw around than the KTM. The q stealth silencer blew 81 db at sound test and I can tell you it is the quietest bike I have ever ridden. Awesome.
Suspension: The shock was kicking and the forks were super harsh. I was hoping it would be better once the break in period was over. I put 100 miles on it and raced it in a 100 mile desert race. We are still working on suspension set up but for me it is requiring valve, shim, and spring work. Personally I believe that anyone who is outside the standard set up is going to have to do this. I am however a little frustrated at the fact that the KTM's I have ridden were very very close to being set up well for me. My buddies 09 is very good in stock form and suspension can make or break a riders impression of a bike. Marzocchi, shame on you for producing a low quality set up for a great bike.
Con: KTM's are the world standard in my opinion for an incredible off road bike. They are easy to work on, set up well, innovative, and well thought out. Gas Gas grabbed a bunch of ideas, bolts, and other fasteners and threw a bike together with some nice parts. Having mixed fasteners such as allen heads, torque heads, metric hex heads all over the bike is retarded. They also put rivet nuts in the sub frame for the rear fender but no where else. For example, the silencer uses bolts and nuts and there are no access holes to get to the bolt head. STUPID. I inserted rivet nuts in the sub frame and bored holes in the number plate so I can use a ratchet to access the bolt and no nuts are falling in the dirt etc. The left-side side panel is now modified to access the air box because changing an air filter with the battery in the way is horrible. Likewise the sub frame attachment points are bolts and nuts and should be threaded frame points or rivet nuts. I will change this eventually. The shock top bolt is a pain to access as the air intake boot is in the way. They should have put this on the right side of the bike where it is easy to inspect and access. It is the simple things I tell you, like putting in transmission oil from the left side of the bike through a tiny access hole. I think I will try and machine the clutch cover to accept a standard oil fill plug. 2.5 gallon tank for an enduro bike in the USA is too small in my opinion. Suspension as mentioned above. Front brake cable guide is a joke.
E-start, works 50% of the time. I have tried all sorts of things to fix it. Have not found the cure yet. For dead engine starts I use the estart and kick start at the same time.
Pro: The polysport plastic fit and finish as well as the graphics are very nice. The handle bar bend is nice. Jetting this bike is ridiculously easy and I love that. Simply loosen the clamps and rotate the carb to remove the slide, rotate it back the other way and get right to the bottom. Motor, tranny, handling as already mentioned. 4 way positioning of bars. Coating on lower fork tubes. The shock can be removed through the sub frame if you are careful and patient. I will say even with less than stellar suspension the bike tracks straight and does not bounce out of line unless you do something really nutty. 2 position mapping switch, similar to KTM is nice. Like the e start idea. Mechanically I feel confident in this bike and have had very little metal stuck to the oil drain plug.
Overall, I really like this bike and riding it is natural and easy to me. Others have taken it for a spin and they have the same initial feelings as I do. It is a great bike, has a few things to sort out, with the potential to be an awesome bike.
BrentMartell
New member
LOL, well, sometimes I don't even want to hear what I have to say so I just keep my mouth shut.
Reverup- you did what most upper level riders would do. I have a special deal going with the dealer to work on set up and figure out issue's so riding this bike in mainly stock form first was our goal. I can now provide feedback to the dealer about my experiences which will help them to provide better service to their customers.
I am looking forward to this coming weekend to test out the new fork springs and see how the bike handles. I am expecting great things!
Reverup- you did what most upper level riders would do. I have a special deal going with the dealer to work on set up and figure out issue's so riding this bike in mainly stock form first was our goal. I can now provide feedback to the dealer about my experiences which will help them to provide better service to their customers.
I am looking forward to this coming weekend to test out the new fork springs and see how the bike handles. I am expecting great things!
BrentMartell
New member
Follow up: The bike now has between 800-1000 miles. This is the basic set up:
Hyde skid/pipe guard
Scorpion rad guards
Clark 3.2 tank
Promoto FIT system/w stabilizer
Forks- .46, valved
Shock. 5.2 stock valving
Promoto wide pegs
Shoria lithium iron battery
N2zw #2 needle, 40 pj, 178 main
Mechanically this bike has not shown any issues at all and I have not been babying it. The estart is not consistent but I am glad I have it. My little midget legs need all the help they can get. Wheel bearings, linkage etc, are all in excellent shape.
My first few rides had me concerned about fuel mileage as I was seeing 15-17 mpg. Yesterday's ride was 75 miles of mixed fast open desert to some nice slow gnarly single track. We started at about 3000 feet and went to 6000. It appears the bike got 25 mpg. The day before it was 23 mpg and I ran more WFO type terrain. So far I am very pleased and hope to see 30 plus on mountain single track.
The more time I have on the bike the happier I am. It turns well, the front brake works well, the ergo's are comfortable, the bike feels light and nimble, and the power is suptle and effortless.
I am still working on suspension set up but it is just fine tuning for ME at this point. Suspension fine tuning I think is very specific to the individual rider and what they feel is right. I think I am very close but I need to look at spring rates and pre-load a little more carefully. My brain is telling me I am too stiff in the forks with .46's and I need to be running .44's. Since this bike does not have preload fork spring adjusment I should measure that too. I am also going to try running less preload on the shock spring. If anyone has any thoughts on this stuff let me know.
Summary- so far this bike is awesome.
Hyde skid/pipe guard
Scorpion rad guards
Clark 3.2 tank
Promoto FIT system/w stabilizer
Forks- .46, valved
Shock. 5.2 stock valving
Promoto wide pegs
Shoria lithium iron battery
N2zw #2 needle, 40 pj, 178 main
Mechanically this bike has not shown any issues at all and I have not been babying it. The estart is not consistent but I am glad I have it. My little midget legs need all the help they can get. Wheel bearings, linkage etc, are all in excellent shape.
My first few rides had me concerned about fuel mileage as I was seeing 15-17 mpg. Yesterday's ride was 75 miles of mixed fast open desert to some nice slow gnarly single track. We started at about 3000 feet and went to 6000. It appears the bike got 25 mpg. The day before it was 23 mpg and I ran more WFO type terrain. So far I am very pleased and hope to see 30 plus on mountain single track.
The more time I have on the bike the happier I am. It turns well, the front brake works well, the ergo's are comfortable, the bike feels light and nimble, and the power is suptle and effortless.
I am still working on suspension set up but it is just fine tuning for ME at this point. Suspension fine tuning I think is very specific to the individual rider and what they feel is right. I think I am very close but I need to look at spring rates and pre-load a little more carefully. My brain is telling me I am too stiff in the forks with .46's and I need to be running .44's. Since this bike does not have preload fork spring adjusment I should measure that too. I am also going to try running less preload on the shock spring. If anyone has any thoughts on this stuff let me know.
Summary- so far this bike is awesome.
REVERUP
Gold Level Site Supporter
Listen to your brain. I think you will be happier with .44's.
I weigh 30# more than you and run .44's. I however probably race less desert events than you though riding here in Washington. Desert usually requires going up in spring rates. Alot of our stuff is gnarly tight slow where a bit softer produces better results.
Mine forks work well in everything but I have experienced some slight bottoming in high speed surprise G outs.
Roscoe
I weigh 30# more than you and run .44's. I however probably race less desert events than you though riding here in Washington. Desert usually requires going up in spring rates. Alot of our stuff is gnarly tight slow where a bit softer produces better results.
Mine forks work well in everything but I have experienced some slight bottoming in high speed surprise G outs.
Roscoe
coopernicus
Platinum Level Site Supporter
Brent,
Thanks for passing on your current setup! My riding partner just got a new 300 and he's watching your posts (and others) for setup tips. We ride in Colorado and were wondering how the jetting is working out at the higher altitude on single track trails? When you get some info, please pass it along! Also, how do you like the Hyde skid plate for racing? It seems to work for trail riding (for me) but I don't have any big hits yet to see if it will be durable when the big hit comes. Thanks!
Eric
Thanks for passing on your current setup! My riding partner just got a new 300 and he's watching your posts (and others) for setup tips. We ride in Colorado and were wondering how the jetting is working out at the higher altitude on single track trails? When you get some info, please pass it along! Also, how do you like the Hyde skid plate for racing? It seems to work for trail riding (for me) but I don't have any big hits yet to see if it will be durable when the big hit comes. Thanks!
Eric
BrentMartell
New member
Roscoe, I think I will give it a test. Our desert races are over for the most part now. Also, I have not yet bottomed out since installing the springs and the valving. I am running 130mm oil height, 5wt. I use all but the last 2 inches.
Eric, I am really happy with the jetting so far and it worked up to 6000 ft. By reducing the main and the pilot I may very well be able to use this same needle to 9000 ft. My plug and tail pipe appear to be perfectly colored. Tan, no spooge, and the motor is crisp and responsive. Hyde, is OK. The fit is not as good as I expected but not bad enough to do anything different. I have hit some stuff pretty hard and it seems to be quite durable. It collects mud though!
Eric, I am really happy with the jetting so far and it worked up to 6000 ft. By reducing the main and the pilot I may very well be able to use this same needle to 9000 ft. My plug and tail pipe appear to be perfectly colored. Tan, no spooge, and the motor is crisp and responsive. Hyde, is OK. The fit is not as good as I expected but not bad enough to do anything different. I have hit some stuff pretty hard and it seems to be quite durable. It collects mud though!
rgranger
Gold Level Site Supporter
Can you post your mod for the left side air filter access. I had starter issues and wound up making a thicker gasket for the left case. I never liked KTM's estart setup but shimming the transfer gear was a little easier than making a new gasket. I had Hall's send me several so next time I will just stack a few up. I have a buddy in the custom auto business and he suggested having some steel gaskets cut. I need to follow up with his guy and see what it would run. I don't think there is a "seal" issue on that side, so more control over shimming would be a good thing. I noticed that my bike started well to begin with and then as the gasket compressed it started to bind.
BrentMartell
New member
I didn't take pictures but I will try and remember to do so. The mod is real simple. I removed the plastic screw that secures the back of the cover to the subframe. Pull the cover out and forward to remove from the bike. I trimmed the white plastic piece that comes from the number plate and inserts into the cover. This allows easier assembly. The hardest part is to install the rivet nut in the subframe rail where the plastic screw was. This requires a drill, a rivet nut, and a rivet nut install tool. Rivet nuts are simply the nut that is inserted into the subframes. KTM uses these and actually so does GG just not in all the places they should.
I also installed rivet nuts in the subframe mounting holes for the silencer. Now I don't have to deal with a bolt and nut, just remove the bolt.
I will try and get some photos for you.
I also installed rivet nuts in the subframe mounting holes for the silencer. Now I don't have to deal with a bolt and nut, just remove the bolt.
I will try and get some photos for you.
BrentMartell
New member
If the weather holds up I will install the .42 in the other fork leg and see how the combo works tonight. A .46 and a .42 effectively is a .44.
I also re-read the e start posts on here and will look at the alignment of the stater motor and spacing the cover. Something has to work.
I have a friend who just purchased the other 300 my dealer had in stock. He did a break in ride Sunday. His latest ride was a nice Honda CRF450X. Bottomline- he is super pumped about this his Gas Gas. His estart is perfect, the motor is way better than he had imagined, etc. He was all smiles. We may need to work his suspension set up a little but I think we can dial it in pretty well in stock form for his preferences.
I also re-read the e start posts on here and will look at the alignment of the stater motor and spacing the cover. Something has to work.
I have a friend who just purchased the other 300 my dealer had in stock. He did a break in ride Sunday. His latest ride was a nice Honda CRF450X. Bottomline- he is super pumped about this his Gas Gas. His estart is perfect, the motor is way better than he had imagined, etc. He was all smiles. We may need to work his suspension set up a little but I think we can dial it in pretty well in stock form for his preferences.
