thread
- Thread starter jriley43
- Start date
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I can give you my personal account. I started riding Gas Gas in 1999 on an EC 200. Since then I have had a 1999 XC 250 Six Days, a 2001 ECO 300, and now a 2008 EC 250.
It's interesting how the 300 and 250 compare. They are both fine machines. Frankly if you want one, and it's not available, the other is just as good. The 300 has slightly more chug right off of idle, and I'd say the 250 revs more freely on top. Aside from that, they seem to make about the same amount of power overall. I will say that it seems as though the 250 is a bit less tiring to ride over a long day. Really, they are so close it's too close to call. if there's a price difference between two sitting side by side, I'd take the less expensive one.
On a side note, the 250 seems to me a little easier to get the jetting sorted out on, but that could be circumstantial to my experience only.
Both bikes benefit from the RB-Designs head mod, and at only $75 it's the best money you can spend on a bike, especially considering the added fuel economy it yields. Outside of fresh tires, and any guards/protective equipment you might want, this is the best performance mod for the bike. I almost forgot about the LTR power valve cover. I have had one on all of my gassers except the 200, and that extra volume helps the lower rpm snap as well.
Bottom line, the 250 and 300 are both great, and the only reason I'd purposely choose one over the other is to pick a class to race in. For instance if you wanted to ride E-3 instead of E-2. It really is that close. At least for me.
It's interesting how the 300 and 250 compare. They are both fine machines. Frankly if you want one, and it's not available, the other is just as good. The 300 has slightly more chug right off of idle, and I'd say the 250 revs more freely on top. Aside from that, they seem to make about the same amount of power overall. I will say that it seems as though the 250 is a bit less tiring to ride over a long day. Really, they are so close it's too close to call. if there's a price difference between two sitting side by side, I'd take the less expensive one.
On a side note, the 250 seems to me a little easier to get the jetting sorted out on, but that could be circumstantial to my experience only.
Both bikes benefit from the RB-Designs head mod, and at only $75 it's the best money you can spend on a bike, especially considering the added fuel economy it yields. Outside of fresh tires, and any guards/protective equipment you might want, this is the best performance mod for the bike. I almost forgot about the LTR power valve cover. I have had one on all of my gassers except the 200, and that extra volume helps the lower rpm snap as well.
Bottom line, the 250 and 300 are both great, and the only reason I'd purposely choose one over the other is to pick a class to race in. For instance if you wanted to ride E-3 instead of E-2. It really is that close. At least for me.
jhendr3702
Silver Level Site Supporter
i would agree with roostafish... i had a 250 and still have a 300 (had both bikes at the same time)... both were great bikes, but in the end, i could only keep one, so i kept the 300.. more bottom end and was in better shape to boot...
the 250 was a blast to ride... very quick feeling, but the 300 fits my riding style better.... old slow trail rider... but will still rip when it needs to.. imo
the 250 was a blast to ride... very quick feeling, but the 300 fits my riding style better.... old slow trail rider... but will still rip when it needs to.. imo
jhendr3702
Silver Level Site Supporter
what part of tx are you in? from what i have seen, there seems to be more 300's around here too, don't know why.(but when you are talking less than 10 bikes local those numbers are kinda hard to learn much from).. i think alot of it is in what you like..
the guy that bought my 250, does not like 300's at all...
they are all great bikes..
if you are ever in the tx panhandle, let me know, you can take mine for a test ride... it is an 01 300...
the guy that bought my 250, does not like 300's at all...
they are all great bikes..
if you are ever in the tx panhandle, let me know, you can take mine for a test ride... it is an 01 300...
Trooper Sam
New member
After riding my MC250, the thought of riding a 300 is a little frightening! I mean, even MORE power? 
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
mc250 is kinda a different beast altogether...
Trooper Sam
New member
Really? I'm really new to Gassers, but I had assumed there were more similarities than differences between MCs and ECs. I am prepared to be proven wrong, though.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
ooh - i forgot - you have a much later one right?
Trooper Sam
New member
A 2005, which was nearly it for the MC line, I think, so it was pretty late production. So far as I know, same six speed, same frame, motor, plastics, geometry. Just no lights, 2k2 instead of 2k3 stator, and rear wheel that was one inch bigger than the EC.
EDIT: I take that back, even in 2009, Gas Gas made an MC250, according to the gasgasmoto.es site.
EDIT: I take that back, even in 2009, Gas Gas made an MC250, according to the gasgasmoto.es site.
Trooper Sam
New member
I couldn't say, but I'd love for somebody more enlightened to say for sure.
Of course, none of those sound like bad things.
Of course, none of those sound like bad things.
SpeedyManiac
New member
I've had an 01 EC200 (with 2k-2 ignition), 07 EC250 Six Days edition and now an 09 EC250 Racing. I've also raced a 2009 EC250 Six Days edition in Greece, and raced an 08 EC300 at the eastern rounds of the Canadian Enduro Championship. I really, really like the gassers, and like the 250 the best. The 300 is an awesome bush bike, but I found it too much in a racing situation. I'm only around 170lbs though and have been considering going to a 250F and racing E1.
It's really tough to make a bad choice on purchasing a gasser. All of the bikes are great and you'll be happy with whatever you get. For me, it's the 250 two-stroke.
It's really tough to make a bad choice on purchasing a gasser. All of the bikes are great and you'll be happy with whatever you get. For me, it's the 250 two-stroke.
jriley43
New member
I am in the DFW area but I do get up your way sometimes to ride in enduros. And that is mainly when I see the Gas Gas' from around here is in the enduros. Thanks for the offer.
A funny side story; last time I was up your way (well half way there) was for the 2009 Caprock Enduro in Quitaque, Texas. When I went to register for the enduro the lady asked what size of bike I rode. I told her a 250. Then she asked want brand of bike. I said Gas Gas... She then says ok but what is the brand... make of the bike. Again I said Gas Gas. This went on for about a minute until the guy behind me stepped up and said the Make is Gas Gas. She then wanted to know more about the bike, which I told her some breif details. She then told me I was going to win.... I wish it was that easy.
I just think it is funny that there are people that are a part of the offroad motorcycle scene and have never heard of Gas Gas.
jhendr3702
Silver Level Site Supporter
I have alot of friends who work that enduro and are on that lease.. i have never been, but plan on going sometime... it is only about 100 miles from here, just have not gotten that done.. they ran that enduro last week i think..450 riders i heard...
did the same thing riding here one day.. a guy saw my bike and asked what it was... i said gas gas... he said who makes those... i said gas gas.. he said is that one of those chinese bikes ??? c'mon man......
then on the other end of that, a guy on a bultaco trails bike showed up one day and was asking if anyone wanted to ride it... well yes i said... and he said you are on a flippin gas gas... yes i said... he had never seen one, but knew all about them...
great bikes...
It is kind of funny that many people aren't familiar with the brand. Most of the people I run into have heard of the trials bikes but weren't aware of the enduro models. I bought Roostafish's 300 and really enjoy the bike. I adopted his reply when anyone ask's and tell them it's a Yamaha with Ohlins suspension. While I've never been on one of the 250's I have owned both 250 and 300 KTM's. I found that the 250's were easier to ride for longer periods of time. Suppose it might be that while the overall horsepower figures are fairly close the softer hit on the bottom was easier to deal with. I plan on keeping this bike for some time but wouldn't hesitate to buy another Gas Gas in the future they are great bikes and it's fun to be a little different.
