General Chat

[Peter r]

It might be the Duck's Guts, but for who, an expert rider will ride this bike like there's no tomorrow, but an average rider will struggle with it. Think carefully when buying a bike that's a weapon. I'm telling you from my past experience, i had a 91 Ktm 300 "Weapon" and a mate had a DT200 and he shat all over me, except for the open stuff. So i sold it and brought a DT200 best thing i did back then.
Pete

[Frankie-boy]

Alistar, the Gas Gas are a good bike, but as I said to ya at the HCR get the KTM 300, in regards what Pete said, the 2009 may have been a bit on & off to ride, I've never ridden one, so can't make a comment on that,the 2011 KTM 300 is very easy to ride plenty of bottom end power, & heaps of top end.
Only you can decide mate, what ever you do, get a stroker.

[Jeff Davey]

Allistar don't be scared to lean on your dealer if your forking out 12 to 13 grand ask for a test ride. The dealer wants to sell bikes, if he tells you to bugger off tell him thanks for your time, and go and buy a KTM remmember you are one with the fist full of cash.

[Alistar B]

Jeff- the nearest gas gas dealer to me is only 20 minutes away and i did speak to them on friday and they have a new ec300 demo bike as well as a few acres of paddocks so ive already organised to take it for a test on monday.
Eric- i know theres nothing wrong with wr's well so lots of people tell me but lately the valves are having to get re-shimmed every 500-600 ks and with only 2500ks on the clock they have already been reshimmed 3 times and every mechanic ive spoken to are stumped as to why its doing it and they reckon everything that would relate to it is all fine. one of them reckons i got the 'friday' bike. i did have a ride on the wr450 last year but it seemed too top heavy for me. the bottom line is that i have little faith in wr's at the moment

[nathanstott]

This is posted for Angus.

Alistair B - sorry to here your having valve troubles with your WR. I would have thought any good mechanic should be able to sort it out for you. Not sure where you live but if your on the East side of town Scotty's Dirtbike spares are very good, also Darren at Dirtworks knows that engine front to back.

As for the Gas Gas EC300, there are lots of good choices of dirt bikes on the market..your WR, KTM 300, Gas Gas 300...plus plenty more.

The Gas Gas EC300 is not an expert only 'weapon', nor is it an expensive to maintain machine.

I've been riding one for the last approx 5 years and spares for them are the same price as the 'other brands' and availability is good.

When you test ride one you'll see it's not an expert only 'weapon' and can judge for yourself it a Gas Gas and two stroke is for you or not. If you see me on a ride your very welcome to have a spin on mine.

If your thinking of changing bikes I'd definitely consider the Gas Gas in the short list..but nearly all the bikes on the market these days are good. If you wanna know more about riding/owning a Gasser feel free to give me a call (0425 762 506).

[Peter r]

Quote from Trevor B ::The WR has heaps better suspension than the Gasser, was never happy with the forks on the Gasser, had them revalved, played with the clickers heaps but could never get rid of the harshness, never had any confidence in the front end.

No the WR doesn't have HEAPS better suspension than the Gasses, it has suspension designed for the average rider and that's why they sell so many. Yes the Gasser has harder suspension for a reason, it's made to be ridden hard and take those hard hits like the erosion jumps and big hits, my 570's suspension is very hard, but when your in "Super Spastic mode" it rides and takes the big hits with ease. In my opinion if you don't or can't ride a bike with firm suspension your waisting ya money, keep with the softer bike until you can ride the ass off it then look at something balistic. Read my first post about the KTM300 and the DT200.
I have ridden gasser before and yes they're fab bikes, but don't get the idea that it will turn you into a great rider, it more than likely spit you off more often than a softer bike.

If you can get your head around the harsh suspension, and ride the bike harder and harder you will benefit from the suspension without a doubt. I still have a RMX250 and have spent a lot of time manipulating the suspension even putting harder springs in the F/R but when you ride it hard, it still doesn't work as well as the Berg's suspension.

Here's something to think about: I can ride a smaller cube bike quicker than my 570 and have a ball, BUT i like the GRUNT of the 570 and the lay back and crack the throttle feeling. Go on a AMTRA ride and try all different bike and you will get a feel for what different brands offer.

Just my thoughts.

[Alistar B]

Trevor- I wish my bike was as reliable as yours! First ride yesterday after getting the valves worked on its now blowing smoke so im ready for a new bike this week! As for the valve problem i took the bike to Main Jet in Thomastown (nicely recommended by Matt Richmond) and i told Lee about the shocking history Ive had with it and it had him stunned. I told him to get to the bottom of it and he checked the carbi float, the timing as well as anything else that could lead to poohouse valves and he could not find a thing out of whack. He said even with poor maintenance the the valves should last 2500ks before needing to get re-cleared but the bottom line is he reckons ive got the 'friday bike'. I did test a ktm300 last year and i really liked it except for the vibration but those who have them say its easy to get use to.
Will- I had a new cr80 for a 2 years when i was a kid and that was an animal! I experienced the nasty end of power band a number of times. I also tested the ktm300 last year as well as taking Zeb up on his offer to swap bikes for approximately a 10k flat section on the way out to the fuel stop at the HCR so as to answer your question i do have 2-stroke experience.
I also spoke to Dave and Colin at riders edge and they both said the resale value of the ec300 isnt all that great but the 300exc holds their value more. Dave has a ktm300 himself.
By the way guys thanks for all your input much appreciated. If youve got anything else to say dont hold back