Year By Year Comparison for 300 ??

[GasGasDreamer]

Hi,
I am a newbie here and have yet to buy my 1st GG.
I am looking for a 300, but I have searched the forums and havent found the info I'm looking for, so let me just as the questions.....
What years/models are;
> Best & Worst Suspension
> Best & Worst Handling
> Best & Worst Motor
> Difference between EC and DE
Thanks for taking the time to reply, and/or links.
Of course money is an issue, but sometimes a few dollars more
gets a whole lot more bike.
Thanks Again.
Looking forward to join the GG Family soon.
I am 240lbs, 6'2", non pro, but ride well and love the ugly technical desert.

GasGasDreamer

 

[2 strokes 4 life]

I would say they are all great bikes.

The 2007 and up handle better for engine placment and subframe changes.
They all have a great ebgine that is hardly changed since 96 or 97 when they mabe their own.
The best suspesion set-up on the pre 07 bikes is both ends have ohlinis and anything 07 and up the sachs is great and I think some of them have had ohlins up front and rear but thats rare. Zokes keep getting better over the years, they just need some time to break in.

Thats all I can think of.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Get a 2008 or 2009 300 (I'd go 09 for the Sachs suspension personally). The new 300s are hands down the best enduro bike I've ever ridden. I'm actually thinking about selling my 250 to get a 300 right now.

 

[roostafish]

I think all the 300's are great. The only one I'd avoid is one with Marzocci Magnum 45 forks. Not that they're awful, but they're old school for sure, they foul the oil really quick, and leak. They also are not very adjustable. There are adjusters, but I think they are for looks, because they don't seem to do much. All the other forks are workable with a revalve. I had a '99 six days edition with WP 50mm conventionals on it. Those forks were phenomenal. My current bike has Ohlins front and rear, and also work stellar. As far as the new chassis, I can't tell you, I have not ridden an '07 or newer, but what I can tell you is I don't know how it could be any better than what I have. My '01 is the best handling bike I've ever ridden, outside of my '99 EC 250, and of course, my '99 EC 200, which had the Magnum 45's on it. The chassis is frankly so good it's hard to find flaw.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

The 08/09 bikes do handle better than the older ones (even the 2007). The new subframe is also a plus. Any suspension can be made to work, but personally I'm not a fan of the 43mm WPs or the Zokes. Ohlins or Sachs for me.

 

[Dave]

300s through the years - US models:

2003 - updated frame, updated plastics, WP43 forks, Ohlins shock, EC has full wiring harness, lights and 2k-3 ignition, DE has simpler harness, no lights and 2k-2 ignition, ECO is EC with Ohlins forks

2004 - Marzocchi 45 forks, larger front axle, Ohlins shock gets high speed adjustment, some '04s have a very small gas cap, last year for plated frame

2005 - updated frame, updated plastics, updated (lighter) engine cases, two position bar mounts, 1-1/8" handlebars, some late year models have dual mapped CDI, but no switch, plastic frame guards, powder coat frame, updated rear master cylinder

2006 - dual mapped CDI with handlebar switch, otherwise same as 2005

2007 - back of bike (subframe, air box, seat, etc.) all new, upgraded plastics, not sure of other mods

2008 - ???

2009 - ???

At some point the intake changed from the Boyeson Rad Valve to the Moto Tassinari VForce3.

Engines - all years: reliable, smooth, durable

Handling - '03s and '04s don't steer as quickly as later years, but are more stable at speed.

Weight - has dropped steadily over the years. Big drops were made in 2005 and again in 2007.

 

[PEB]

The 02-04 were the slowest turners. 05 plus all have the same frame geometry, 07+ have the lsimmer rear end. I love the twin Chamber 50mm zokes on the front of my 07, the sachs rear is every bit as good as the ohlins I used to have on the 02 or the 99.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Shock mount was lowered 10mm in 2008 resulting in better handling. 2007 bikes should have the forks raised approximately 10mm to achieve similar results.

 

[PEB]

I noticed yuor forks were slid way up in the clamps. My bike turns so fast as it is now I am not sure I could handle another 4-5mm.

 

[GMP]

Steve,

Is the shock length the same on the '08? I know that '07 saw a shorter shock, as the hot setup for the '05/'06 bikes was to shorten the shock by a few mm and lower the rear, unloading the fork. Fred Hoess and the guys at T&C did this. Thats why the '05/'06 in particular respond well to minimum shock preload and more sag. If the shock length is the same, that would mean they raised the rear again, correct? Rake the same? In one way or another the rear of the bike has been going up and down since '00. Like Paul said, my '07 steers fast enough for me at "B" level even with sag on the high side and 5mm of fork over the top triple clamp.

BTW, damper tower/clamp should get welded today, I made a fixture to keep everything straight. I'll post a pic when done.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I talked to Steve (Berkyboy) in Greece about this. We both agreed raising the forks approximately 10mm on the 2007s was a good thing. Not sure on the shock length or anything like that, but I'm running around 110mm of sag right now and my bike absolutely rails.

 

[widebear]

I honestly can't imagin any bike turning better than my 01 . Its almost intuitive in nature and i've adapted to a faster mx leg out as a counterweight style, at times not easy in the super tight the rear end also responds well to power steering with the throttle , gives me lots of feedback so no suprises, overall very neutral and balanced.
The 03 is slower turning more mx oriented and headshakes at times, good thing it has a great shock with high speed comp damping as well as a very heavy rear spring, still a good package with the potent mc motor but requires a bias towards riding the rear shock as opposed to a more neutral stance.

 

[hasslbri]

I run my forks way up in the clamps as well. (almost touching bars) I also run more sag then usual. (120) This gets the whole bike lower and makes it quick, stable, and drop side to side effortlessly. The new sachs is good. The racing version is firm but boy does it like to be pushed. Shock is good as well. I have ridden it back to back with the ohlins rear shock and I prefer the sachs. Much more feel IMHO. I also run my bars in with the clamps turned forward but the mounts in the back hole. I used to run the clamps forward and the mounts in the front hole and it caused the front end to knife too easily. I do not run a steering dampener (no need). I put the bike on a stand, loosen the top clamp, and tighten the steering nut until the handlebars will not turn/move on there own. Get it to quit flopping and it is good. As for the engine, get the jetting right and ride it!

Brian

 

[GMP]

I liked my '00 XC better than my '03. It had the same frame as the '01 with the long shock, so it had some rake to it and really turned. It was also quite fast. The '03 was softer in steering and power. Good bike in the real crap where sharp steering and snap does not help. It lacked low end though which bugged me enough to make a VForce manifold and other mods, problem solved. The '07 is a cut above in every way, a really good motorcycle. Since mine missed a year of action and only has 52 hrs. on the meter, I'll be keeping it unless I can't start riding soon.

 

[Ud_luz]

I do not run a steering dampener (no need).

Brian

Clip a tree W/O and tell me this. I flattened the bark buster almost flat against my hand, bent the handlebars and twisted the shaft of the stabilizer when I blew a turn. I kept the bike up, something that might not have happened without the unit (GPR).

Randy was nice enough to replace it with no charge. I'll never ride without one again. Honestly I'm pleased with GPR's unit on my EC300.

--Bill.

 

[GMP]

Same here. To me its a safety device like a helmet or knee brace, saved my ass many times over the years.

 

[hasslbri]

Clip a tree W/O and tell me this. I flattened the bark buster almost flat against my hand, bent the handlebars and twisted the shaft of the stabilizer when I blew a turn. I kept the bike up, something that might not have happened without the unit (GPR).

Randy was nice enough to replace it with no charge. I'll never ride without one again. Honestly I'm pleased with GPR's unit on my EC300.

--Bill.

You don't think I clip trees WFO! I've got exhaust pipes, handlebars, bark busters, and mounts to prove it. I spent a desert run of a six days (Chile) where we saw more high speed sand whoops, rocks, and nasty sand washes then one should ever have to see in one lifetime. We rode a river bed (day 3 & 4) for 10+ miles of nothing but basketball sized rocks. (this was on a stock rental GG no less) Minnesota is about as tight as it gets as well. You should ride my personal course. You'll hate trees and rocks after a lap of that and it is only about a mile. I used to ride with steering dampeners (first a WER then a Scotts). Towards the end of me using them, I found I was never comfortable with them on my bike. I kept turning them down until there was nothing there. So I figured what is the point of having this device that does nothing (turned off of course) on my bike. I know, it is just a personal preference, but I still think a guy should have his bike set up to not shake without one initially, then add it for added control if desired. I have no problem with people using them, just not for me.

Check out KTM talk in the cool shots section. Go to hasslbri's boot camp for a few pics. That isn't even to cools stuff in the bottom's. There was too much frost in the ground.

 

[hasslbri]

I forgot. I also don't cut down my bars anymore either. I hate narrow bars. Just do the high speed handlebar wag now, ha ha. Even in NJ where the trees go from ATV width to 26" wide after a long straightaway.

 

[GasGasDreamer]

Thanks for all the replies!
I bought a 2006 Gas Gas EC300.
I really like it and I think it's the best handling bike I have ever ridden.
I need to fix the kickstarter gear and put some heavier springs.
So again, thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

GasGasDreamer

PS-need to change that name!

 

[Swervin]

name change

Leave the bunny alone! Love that bunny!