'07 GasGas EC300 First Impressions | Trail Ride

Taking a 2007 GasGas EC300 2-Stroke for a spin on some trails at Sugarloaf Mountain, including a quick walk-around and my first impressions as I feel out the bike...and of course I attempted a top-speed run haha! This beast is a blast to ride!!!
*GasGas '06/'07 EC300 Important Specifications:
-6-Speed
-Kick-Start (no electric start)
-Ohlins rear shock, Marzocchi forks
-Dry Weight: 218 lbs.
-Top-Speed: 137km/h
-Fuel Tank Capacity: 9.5L
-Wheel Size: 21/18
-Factory Headlight & Tail-Light included
-38mm Keihin carburetor
My girlfriend's sister was looking to upgrade from her TTR230 to a serious full-size Dirt Bike, naturally I jumped to the opportunity to help her choose an off-road weapon! I narrowed the options down to the KTM '04-'07 300XC/XC-W 2-Strokes since they are very capable bikes for the price, and very well rounded for all levels of off-road riding, including jumps which is a must-have of course. But this GasGas popped up on the market for even less, I did a bunch of research and turns out they are considered just as good if not better than their KTM competitors - after riding it I would have to agree! The bike has some nice upgrades, and also came with the stock headlight, tail light and digital speedo/tach - unused! Along with a pile of other goodies. My friend Hannah was happy to let me take the bike for a ride since I helped her pick up the bike. She quickly fell in love with this machine and I can see why! Video footage taken with a GoPro Hero4 with ProShot mount, riding in the Okanagan, BC, Canada. Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoy the video! =)

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Loving the new bike? Must have a lot more power than your previous bike. I'm obsessed with my XCF350, but I hear the 2 stroke 300's are even more impressive. 💪🔥

[@endurobandit]

You know it man! The EC300 is actually a friend's bike who let me take it for a rip! I helped her pick out and inspect it before she made the purchase. The EC300 is such an awesome bike and so well rounded! It has better gearing than the YZ250X, especially when it comes to singletrack trails, not to mention an extra gear, and the predictable linear engine powercurve also makes the EC300 more suitable for hard enduro and singletrack. BUT, I still love my YZ250X more than the EC300 simply because it is more fun and exhilarating to ride! It makes about the same HP, it accelerates at the same rate, and the top speed is even faster even though it has 5 gears. The YZ250X feels more rowdy, the powerband hits harder, and the snappy throttle is as good as it gets! It is also a very well rounded bike, and even though it isn't as good at hard enduro as the EC300, it is definitely better for jumps which is a worthy trade-off for me. The one big thing nobody can deny about the YZ250X is that it has top-shelf suspension by KYB. I just installed a Lectron carb on my YZ250X, really looking forward to next riding season! The YZ250X is my "lifetime" bike, but the EC300 is definitely in the top 3 out of all the bikes I've ridden, along with the '95 WR250Z which was another one of my friends'. I've heard a lot of good things about the KTM 350XCF, in fact if my friend Hannah hadn't been willing to make the switch over to 2-stroke, the 350XC-F definitely would have been my pick for her! Can't go wrong with a 300 2-stroke though! 🤟

[@viperracing2889]

Does it have more torque than a 250cc 4-stroke, at low RPM? I really want a 2017 KTM but a 2007 GasGas would be 2/5 the cost. I want something that can tractor quite well with a 242 lbs (110 kg) rider.

[@endurobandit]

It has more torque at low rpms as well. If you want "tractor" gears you are going to want to get something made specifically for trail riding, not racing. Or you can install a Rekluse clutch.

[@dankuspanku4650]

300cc two stroke enduros got plenty of traction and got noticeable more low-end grunt than a 250cc two stroke. I doubt you would be disappointed with a 300cc. Though if you want something easy to ride and cruise on, kinda like what is shown in the video, I'd recommend a (450cc) four-stroke. If you are planning on tough enduro riding and getting stuck in swamps and other nice areas, I'd recommend a two-stroke.

[@endurobandit]

​@@dankuspanku4650 Not gonna lie, I wouldn't recommend a 450 to anyone who isn't racing professional motocross or serious cross-country racing. Even if it is a trail-friendly model, the engine has a lot of extra rotating mass which makes the bike feel even heavier than it is. I've ridden with people on 450's and also ridden a 450 briefly and it's a bike that will make you work and sweat way more than it's worth. That's why you always see people on facebook marketplace wanting to trade their 450 for a 250 and there's always someone who bites the hook not knowing what they are getting into! lol

[@dankuspanku4650]

@@endurobandit I agree. Was thinking mostly about the weight, that a 250cc might feel a bit unsatisfactory for a 110kg rider. According to me, 450's got almost too much power to be anywhere else but on motocross tracks and made to go on the streets. They definitely shouldn't be used in tough enduro.

[@kelmanadventures574]

Lower your idle