Time for a new bike, but which one?

[firffighter]

Sold my '03 EC250 a couple of weeks ago. Loved the bike, but it was getting a little worse for wear and I am ready for a new ride.

So, I was thinking I would love to get my hands on the 250 gasser thumper. But, read a few reviews from Euro mags and seems like maybe not the way to go, althought I think they would make a perfect singletrack woods weapon. Plus, I dont think there are any in the states to get a hold of.

So, I am wondering about my next bike. I loved the EC250, but was thinking that the 300 would be a better choice. I like to lug and most of what I ride is 2nd-3rd gear tight woods. We also ride some steep terrain, so I was thinking the 300 might be a better choice. I am thinking '09 on up.

Thoughts?

 

[jhendr3702]

i think that would be perfect...my 300 is unstallable..
if i ever got rid of my 300 it would be for one of the new bodied 300's

 

[firffighter]

So many 300 models. 300EC, 300XC, 300 race edition.

Diffreneces?

 

[darren]

I recently added an 07 300 to my collection.

All i can say is get ready for some awsome arm wrenching power ( since i have been riding the 300 i think me arms have stretched 3inches)

Although you have the dual map which does tame the beast but its much more fun on full chat.

You wont be dissapointed. Good luck.

 

[TNT Cycle]

Models in USA

EC's in the USA are XC's which are non homologated models(no tail light or emissions stuff). So its really Xc or race model. Race models have stiffer suspension and lighter flywheel and more aggressive ignition(those to sometimes are the same as other models). In a nut shell thats about it.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[firffighter]

Thanks for the info.

Cant quite decide which way to go with a new bike. I think the 125 would be a blast for our Northwest woods!

Stinkin Gasgas with so many choices of amazing bikes they dont make it easy

 

[twowheels]

Thanks for the info.

Cant quite decide which way to go with a new bike. I think the 125 would be a blast for our Northwest woods!

Stinkin Gasgas with so many choices of amazing bikes they dont make it easy

125s and 200s will be available in Six Days livery or as Race versions for 2011, and we can't forget the eStart XC250s and 300s now can we?

As a related aside, a more complete listing of differences between the XC and Race would include (for the Race):
* true wave rotors on the front
* Renthal bars
* Ohlins shock
* different color plastic and graphics
* 2K-2 ignition (250 and 300 at least)

Decisions, decisions ...

 

[jhendr3702]

Thanks for the info.

Cant quite decide which way to go with a new bike. I think the 125 would be a blast for our Northwest woods!

Stinkin Gasgas with so many choices of amazing bikes they dont make it easy

i think it would be a hard choice.. the susp on the race version would scare me, but i am an old trail rider.. i would shure want to make a loop on one to be sure..
I think a 200 would be very cool ..... imho.... but to me a 300 is a do it all bike..

 

[Brian]

You say you like to lug....a 125 does not go anywhere without making it scream. I started riding on one, it was a lot of fun but also a lot of work. I spent way more time on the ground before switching to the Gas Gas. Because you have to keep the rpms up and slipping the clutch a lot = wheel spin, you can end up on the ground because of it. But I am a sucky rider anyways, not a god like some of the 125 riders you see.

 

[firffighter]

Good advice.

I think the 125 would have a high "fun" factor, but it might not be the best choice for a 40 year old, lazy trail rider.

On my KTM200's I could still ride a gear high from time to time and get away with it, but you had to be good on the clutch. I had probably the most fun with those bikes out of any I have owned.

I know the 250 or 300 are way more versitile.

I guess it is all a trade off, but with Gasgas it does not seem you can go wrong.

I would love to give a 125 a whirl first.

We have some NW guys who swear by 'em since we have mostly tight woods.

 

[roostafish]

Good advice.

I think the 125 would have a high "fun" factor, but it might not be the best choice for a 40 year old, lazy trail rider.

On my KTM200's I could still ride a gear high from time to time and get away with it, but you had to be good on the clutch. I had probably the most fun with those bikes out of any I have owned.

I know the 250 or 300 are way more versitile.

I guess it is all a trade off, but with Gasgas it does not seem you can go wrong.

I would love to give a 125 a whirl first.

We have some NW guys who swear by 'em since we have mostly tight woods.

PM me and I'll get you a test ride on the 125....
Seriously though, if you could get that bike for a good price, you may just find that you really enjoy a 125. They can be ridden a gear high and coasted along, but you must look ahead and get aggressive when you need a burst of accelleration. No just twisting the wrist.
Are your freinds with 125's the same size and ability as you? If so, the Gas Gas will smoke a Husky 125.

 

[GasGas]

"Are your freinds with 125's the same size and ability as you? If so, the Gas Gas will smoke a Husky 125."

I don't think so Tim! We have one of each. The husky makes some big power for a 125 and has nice suspenders too. I'd say it's a draw. Altough the Husky is sprung really soft if your a bigger rider.

 

[roostafish]

"Are your freinds with 125's the same size and ability as you? If so, the Gas Gas will smoke a Husky 125."

I don't think so Tim! We have one of each. The husky makes some big power for a 125 and has nice suspenders too. I'd say it's a draw. Altough the Husky is sprung really soft if your a bigger rider.

Maybe the Husky I rode was a dog.. No pun intended. I obviously did not ride them back to back, and at different places. However, in my mind, the YZ that I rode was a rocket, and so was the Gas Gas. I don't remember the Husky being that fast. It was good, and very ridable, and I'd own one in a heartbeat, but if you want fast, that's not the was it struck me.
Another factor could be that the Husky was a WR. The YZ and the MC are both motocrossers. It makes me wonder if the WR is tuned a little differently.

 

[webmaster]

It's probably just a setup issue on the husky - I think I saw they had a bulletin out/fix for a power valve issue, etc.

jeff

 

[Berkyboy]

Stock GasGas EC125s are restricted from the factory until you rotate the powervalve cover 180 degrees.

Makes a very big difference.

 

[firffighter]

Picked up an '07 Yamaha WR250f to fill in the void until I decide what bike to get next. This will become my 14 yr. olds bike next year as he is ready to move up from his KX100.

I have to say though, that this little thumper is a lot of fun and is very underated. It hauls me around very well, even at 225 lbs. and simply puts all of its power to the ground. It handles well, and the suspension is very nice.

It is no power house for sure, but if you hit the upper revs, it can rip.

I am not sure that a 250f is for me or not, but I am having fun with it so far.

I am thinking that a 250/300 smoker will probably be the best choice with my "big-bonededness", and lazy 40 year old riding style.

Found a local '07 EC300 that is new for $3900. Tempting!

 

[GMP]

I like the aluminum frame WR250F, came very close to buying one. They work real well when things are slick simply because they have a lot less power than a 250 2-stroke. My only gripe is they are a bit tall.

 

[GasGas]

Stock GasGas EC125s are restricted from the factory until you rotate the powervalve cover 180 degrees.

Makes a very big difference.

Is that why they have the bolt with the nut on it in the middle of the cover? I always wondered why that was there.

Our husky is a CR so it would have less flywheel than the WR. Our gasgas is a mc aswell.

 

[GasGas]

I like the aluminum frame WR250F, came very close to buying one. They work real well when things are slick simply because they have a lot less power than a 250 2-stroke. My only gripe is they are a bit tall.

I just bought a left over 09 YZ 450 F for the motocross track. I don't mind saying that I was expecting more from a bike 10 years into development. My 03 GG 450 turned better, was more stable and had better engine response than the new Yamaha. Big time down grade in the quality of the fasteners from a GasGas too. I think the Yamaha will need clamps, rear sprocket, airfilter, springs and the heavy flywheel just to make it close to the GasGas and that's on a motocross track. I can't imagine owning the big wr for the woods. I would look long and hard at the new fsr 250 before I bought a wr. My brother has one at the shop and it looks some pretty.

 

[john01]

Thats funny GasGas two of my friends who own 09 YZ 450 F's rode my 2010 GG 300 yesterday on our club MX track and both loved it. One was flying big time. He was noticably faster on my GG than his 09 YZ 450F Yamaha. He was saying before he rode it that the 450F tq and power was just to much to overcome with a woods 300 2-stroke. Then when he got off my 300 he said " I could race this next Sunday in my MX race just as it sets, it's freeking AWESOME I love it! ". It's not just a woods bike IMHO it can do it all.