Yet more temptation: '05 DE300 in Arizona

A

AZRickD

New member
Howdy,

I'm not in a financial situation that would make it easy to buy a new-to-me bike, (Summer '08 for an '07 or '08 EC300 was my dream schedule). But this Arizona-based deal has just come up.

It is gently used by a very good trials rider who only rides this DE300 cross country to church on Sunday, rarely engaging the power valve. :p Pics look clean, and frankly, if my wife were to allow me the privilege of buying a bike right now, I'd rather buy it from a Zonie-in-need.

The listed price is $2950 and it comes loaded.

Please let me know what you think of this bike (EC vs DE; '05 vs '07), etc. I'll be 10 to 15 pounds heavy on the bike as sprung and I load up with lots of gear/tools. I ride tight, rocky (loose, rocky hill climbs), and need a very well behaved Gasser motor.

Naturally, my fellow Arizona riding "buddies" :confused: are taunting my $$ wimpishness (they tire of my wistful testimony of Gassers).

Pic of a very clean bike to follow.

Rick

List of goodies:
LTR suspension rebuild/revalve- set up for 165lb rider (w/o gear)
BRP Triple Clamp with Scotts Stabilizer Mount
Moose Fat Bars
Clarke 3.2 Desert Tank
Moose Foot Pegs
LTR Chain Guide
LTR Jetting Kit
CRD Skid Plate
CRD Radiator Guards
BRP Shark Fin
FMF Turbine Core II
Moose 50T Sprocket
Maxxis IT rear/ SI front
YZ Kickstarter
Tusk Fork Savers
New Rear Fender
Lots of stock parts and accesories.
Click to expand...
 
Buy it. I'm pretty sure the geometry is the same as the 07-08 and this is thes that half of a new bike with lots of goodies. These bikes last a long time and an 05 is nearly brand new in my book. In fact don't buy it and I will hook the trailer up to the WRX and make a run for Arizona. The 05 would look nice next to my 02

Paul B


I think you could update this bike to the one piece rear end and essentially have an 07-08.
 
How will that DE-inspired motor compare to the more mellow EC?

The specimen:

2005DE300.jpg
 
SpeedyManiac said:
DE motor is a little peakier, but this is easily solved with a flywheel weight.
Click to expand...

Alrightie. Having ridden Girard's MC250 at 650 feet above sea level, I found my rear tire spinning more than I would have liked. His flywheel spun up and spun down faster than I'm used to. The DE flywheel and stator, etc aren't really as light as an MC, correct? Boomer's EC"275" was mo bettah in that area but his idle was up a notch so it didn't rev down as fast as I consider optimal.

No other significant differences?

Rick
 
The DE's have the same ignition and flywheel as the MC's. Tire spin also depends on gearing and a few other things too. Stator power output is less on the DE's than the EC's (tough to run full dual sport lights).

I honestly can't imagine wanting the heavier ignition and flywheel as both of my bikes (01 EC200 and 07 EC250 Six Days Edition) have the MC ignition/flywheel in them and they lug down plenty, especially my 250 with the dual stage ignition.
 
I've heard the FWW debate before and I'm not comming down on either side, except to say that I'm a sucky C-rider and we have rock, hill-like things.

If not a FWW, do the Gassers come with steel or aluminum clutch plates that can be swapped?

Also, the owner tells me that he posted his bike in the Classified section here as well.

Rick
 
G2 throttle setup should give you all the throtle control you would want. Buy the bike!
Paul B
 
The MC also does not have the 8 oz balance weight on the primary side of the crank, so the total MOA is lighter still. 250s spin up quicker than 300s as well. EC/DE the same except for the ignition. If you ever did want the big 2K-3 ignition I have one in a box I'll sell you. You will be quite happy with the 2K-2 and a small weight. Havn't we discussed this before?:confused:
 
Dude I'm a sucky c rider who rides snotty new england single track. lots of roots, rocks, and mud. I have an 06 de 300. Before you put a fww on it put a cck needle in it ( just a couple of $'s) and jet it for your area. If it is too peaky still ... put a on 10 12 or 14 oz fww.

I found my 06 to be a bit peaky so I tried a 10oz fww, then an ltr power valve cover, then the cck needle. (Thanks Pobit!!!). the cck needle really smoothed things out. now its electric motor smooth like my drz used to be but about 65 pounds lighter!! If I had known about a cck needle earlier I would have tried that before the fww.
 
I rode the Gasser for about twenty minutes. Conditions were ultra-dry and dusty. Rocky trails, gravely washes, and deep sandy washes. No hardpack and no hill climbs nearby.

The motor was responsive. There was no throttle hesitation. Very revvy for a 300. When I came to the base of a whoop, a twist got me launched. I can't do that on the KDX without several feet to get a running start.

The bike got me up to speed and on-step in the sand very nicely and kept me there, even on a 50% tire. I couldn't easily loft the tire without suspension input but there was no place where I could get much in the way of traction to do so. This bike was easy to ride fast(er).

The handling was good but not as quick at the '07 250. Yet it went where I pointed it and the ergos were perfect for my 5'9" frame even with the high bars. The brake pedal was always right there and it made braking into fast turns confidence-inspiring.

What really shined was the suspension. I ran it over and over again on a wide, gravelly-rocky wash with berms and ruts and such. It was as if they weren't there. If I closed my eyes, I wouldn't have known I was going over them. I did the same thing on other bikes in the same area and it just wasn't the same.

In the end, I felt that a 3-year old bike that was in no better shape than my KDX is not what I was looking for. Time for something shiny and new. And I'll bet it'll be a Gasser.

Rick
 
Longest bike search in history....:D

And you just know he will want something else after a year, just like the rest of us....
 
That approach works well with women though. Nothing like a long test ride to bring out the flaws.:eek:
 
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