whats better old or new

[gassergrant]

Hi got a 03 ec300 I love the bike to pices but its getting to that point in its life were it needs sort of a restoration doing ie rusty frame, pitted wheel and scratched to fk. And im sure ive bent the forks
My qestion is how much better if not at all are, lets say 2010 on ec300.
As if there is not much in it I would happily bring the old girl back to her former glory

Thanks grant

 

[Jakobi]

Its an accumulation of updates over the years. Pscook should have some real life feedback as I believe he's just made the change himself.

Engine and chasis wise there have only been minor updates and resvisions over the years. Improvements in fit and finish, subframe strength, peg mounts etc. Suspension wise I'd research some more and decide on what you want. They have come with everything from Sachs front and back through to Ohlins and Sachs, or Ohlins and 45mm Marzocchis, or with some 2011R models 48mm Closed Carts. Then you have the TTX options as well.

A new bike is good, but having just upgraded from my 2010 to a 2013, I'm reminded of how much time I have invested in setting up the old steed, and how much time and dollars is required to get the new one up to standard.

 

[Brian VT]

I'm in the same boat. '03 EC300 that has never let me down. We've been to hell and back many times together and we know what to expect from each other.
I feel like I should get a new(er) bike but I have no idea how to justify it.

 

[sevenfourate]

Newer isnt necassarily better. Its just newer.

It is however more often than not alot more expensive.

Better the devil you know has often never rung truer from my experience.......

 

[Beta Steve]

Phil got himself a very well set up '11 to replace an older one he just did a very nice resto job on. Search for his posts if interested? I believe he would tell you that while it wasn't perfect [is anything?] it was a huge improvement and well worth the investment of time and money. He certainly is faster now.

 

[pscook]

All posts above are correct. Yes, better the devil you know, but the only thing that really changed between old and new is plastics (engine and chassis are pretty much the same). So, it's a bit of a spend to upgrade the whole bike, but understand that it's ten years newer (at least it was for me).

Plus, you get to enjoy the fruits of another's labor (thanks for the suspension, Steve! ), and you get a chassis with that many less hours/miles. A new platform on which to begin your next journey.

I wasn't disappointed in the least, everything is close enough that the pluses outweigh any negatives (of which you will discover with any purchase or rebuild). Negative: Lost the U Rims. Plus: Lost ten lbs (it feels!) with the Excel rims. And so on.

The evolution in suspension alone is worth the change, in my opinion. However, I don't know squat about suspension adjustment, so getting something properly set makes it worthwhile to me.

 

[waycrazy]

I am personally fond of old iron myself. I like being able to bang trees without having to worry about new scratches.

 

[pscook]

I am personally fond of old iron myself. I like being able to bang trees without having to worry about new scratches.

What about new plastic on old iron? Same thing, effectively (in my view).

 

[coopernicus]

I've had a 1999 and a 2000 300 and now ride a 2007 250. The '99 and '00 were fairly different because of the forks on the '99 were the 50mm conventionals. It gave it feel that was fine for the open trails but would not turn as well as the '00 with the typical harsh WP 43mm USD forks. Therefore, I spent most of my time on the '00 until I bought the '07 (which is very similar to the '10/'11s). The '07 turns much easier and is more relaxed in the transitions from turn to turn (think "S" turn). With the '07 you have a better feel for where the tires are on the trail compared to the '00. The straight line stability is not as good on the '07 but the steering damper takes care of that. The suspension on the '07 seems to be more compliant and the ergonomics seem to be a little better but that may be due to setup. I've also ridden the '10s and '11s a good bit and they are significantly better than the '07. The "funky" double tube frame on the '10/'11 seems to be more precise (maybe stiffer?) and, to me, is worth the price of admission...There you go, those are my opinions!

Eric

 

[gassergrant]

Thanks some really good info there
Its a hard one, I would like to ride a new (ish) bike and see the diferance to make up my mind I set the suspension up to the best of my knowledge but thats not much lol and could do with stiffer spring for my weigh as im tall and big boned lol
Well its something to think about im not in a rush

thanks grant

 

[Jakobi]

IMO, if you're going to upgrade, chase something with some of the closed cart forks. Be it Ohlins TTX in the Sachs legs, or the 48mm Shivers with the PFP. That basically limits you to a Nambo model, or 2011 Race, or newer.

 

[gassergrant]

IMO, if you're going to upgrade, chase something with some of the closed cart forks. Be it Ohlins TTX in the Sachs legs, or the 48mm Shivers with the PFP. That basically limits you to a Nambo model, or 2011 Race, or newer.

Thats proberly what I would look in to doing

Thanks

 

[Jakobi]

or anyone whos done a KYB/Showa TC setup.. I guess depending on $$ you could always go that route yourself and get a big upgrade in suspension for less than a new bike costs..

 

[Anders]

or anyone whos done a KYB/Showa TC setup.. I guess depending on $$ you could always go that route yourself and get a big upgrade in suspension for less than a new bike costs..

Yep. What I did.
I had a 2006 EC200 and wanted something newer / better, but did not want to increase the engine size. A new bike is out of the question due to cost.

As secondhand EC200s are very few and far between here in Norway, I ended up with a 2006 EC200 (the same one!) with Scotts damper, Talon wheels, KYB forks and newer plastics. I guess the total upgrade cost can be compared to the prize difference between the 06 as it was and a secondhand '10 or '11 model if I had been able to find one.

The bike handles a lot better now mostly due to the (revalved) KYB forks, but I also feel that the newer subframe and plastics makes it easier to ride. I can't really compare my bike to the newer ones, as my experience with the newer models is close to zero.

 

[gassergrant]

Personally I think it would cost far to much tlo make aold bike good.
I dont race I just like something that can handle and keep up with mx bikes . My one can but I think the suspension cant

 

[Jakobi]

It really depends on how much you want to spend, and how much you value your time, and the state of the old bike. If it cost you say 2 - 3 thousand dollars to bling up the old bike, you could have a very well setup and personalised bike. Yes its a lot of money, and would likely take a lot of time and effort.

Alternatively, if you sell your old bike and add a few grand to it you might get something thats been setup already for someone else. You might need to spend some more again to then dial it in for you. It might work out the same price, but will be an easier process and you will end up with a newer bike/chasis overall.

Even if you were given a brand new bike for free, you'd still have money to spend. Ie my new 2013R after purchase has cost me rad guards, bar pad, grips, throttle cable, rear sprocket, my choice of tyres, a few jets, pipe guard and head mods. At a guess I'd say I'm already in about a thousand bucks before I even start to consider suspension setup - springs, valving, etc. Thats just to bring my new bike up to my old bikes standard. Sure makes the 'upgrade the old bike' option sound like good value.

 

[gassergrant]

thanks of the advice, I'm not in a rush at the mo so will have a good think about what i want to do.

the bike is in ok nick its just the rust monster is starting to come through on the frame and I'm not sure if its got a bent fork tube.
I've been reading up on how to set the suspension up so next time I'm out i will have a play and get the race sag sorted.
is there anyway of checking if the front fork springs need up rating, found some stuff on fork sag but a lot of people say there is no such thing.

thanks grant