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Words: Jock McLauchlan / Photos: Geoff Osborne
Fresh suspension settings, a new electric start and an
adjustable power-valve mean the 2015 EC300 deserves a
place on your buying shortlist says Jock McLauchlan.
T
wo years ago we tested the 2013 Gas Gas EC300 here at
KR and, to be frank, most of our test riders were a little
disappointed with it. Old school dynamics and heavy
handling with average suspension meant the 2013 model was a
sizeable step behind the leading Euro opposition brand. Last year
the Gasser 300 took a big step in the right direction, but it still
didn’t make a compelling enough buy-me-now case, unless you
were particularly looking for something different to ride. However,
2015 has seen things change dramatically for the big-bore Gas Gas
stroker. This year’s EC300 is a great machine and, straight up, the
only thing I really don’t like is that the seat foam is too thin at the
rear of the seat for tall riders.
For some years now the bikes coming out of the Gas Gas factory
have been very handsome bikes with lots of quality, bling parts
fitted as standard equipment. I’m pleased to say those cool looks
are now backed up by the riding experience. Starting with the
299.3cc liquid-cooled, six-speed, two-stroke engine, the up-dates
are significant. Chief among these are the new more compact
electric-start system and the adjustable power valve. Modes for
Rain and Dry are also selectable.
The power delivery is excellent with smooth tractable power at low
revs and a strong progressive strengthening of mumbo as the revs
build. Late in the rev range, slightly before maximum rpm the 300
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motor’s power flattens off and it starts to vibe a little. Rest assured
though that short-shifting prior to max revs results in very swift,
almost effortless progress. To be honest I only noticed the vibration
and power drop-off at high rpm on a very fast gravel road going
particularly hard. On the trail it is not noticeable. I’d rate this engine
as one of the very best for the ease it will deliver quick and efficient
enduro trail times. Truly elite riders may want a whisker more snap
from low revs in special tests and, thanks to the externally adjustable
power-valve, this can be quickly adjusted. This engine really performs
well with no weaknesses for trail or enduro riding.
In the past the real Achilles Heel of the Gas Gas models has been
the steering. They required serious effort from the rider to turn quickly
and more-or-less didn’t want to turn tightly... however, that said,
they were stable. This year’s 300 is a dream by comparison with
predictable, planted steering and the Gasser will even hunt out the
inside line while still remaining stable when speeds increase. The
frame has been optimized for strength and handling enhancements,
but the vastly improved suspension action has been significant with
regard to the handling gains too.
The Marzocchi closed cartridge USD 48mm forks with 305mm of
travel have revised settings that work very well. Testing the bike in
Riverhead forest the forks ability to soak up tree roots is as good as
it gets on a standard bike. I went looking for ugly roots that would
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really upset the forks and found nothing to
bother them. Excellent. In all other respects the
fork action was great too. They hold up in the
stroke nicely, are plush, don’t bottom out too
much and, most importantly, are confidenceinspiring.
Out back the news is good too. The Reiger
monoshock mounted on a rising rate linkage
has 298mm of travel and performs excellently.
Initially the shock had a loose feeling but a
quick check of the clicker settings revealed the
rebound damping was, oddly, set to full soft.
I set the shock with a ball park setting of 12
clicks out on the compression and rebound
adjusters and was happy enough with the
result to leave it that way for the rest of the test.
No doubt with more tinkering the action would
have improved further but it still worked great.
Considering my riding weight of close to a
100kg and the Gasser being sprung for a 75kg
rider, the plush, controlled and bottom-resistant
action was more than I could have hoped for.
The overall balance of the shock and front
suspension is good too. A hard ridden 30km
loop in Riverhead Forest, containing the full mix
of nasty Enduro style terrain, only confirmed
in my mind how well the suspension works
and how good the overall handling balance is.
In fact, it seems a long time since I’ve ridden
a bike that is so much fun blasting up gravel
roads and yet still works well in the tight stuff.
Braking on the 300 is handled by a mix of
Galfer wave discs matched to Nissin calipers
and master cylinders. The performance is once
again excellent and I found the front brake lever
very comfortable with plenty of adjustment
- good for a wide range of hand sizes. The
260mm disc front brake is strong with great
feel and the 220mm disc rear is strong too
although with a little less feel than the front.
But saying that, the foot pedal was set a little
high for my liking, meaning it was easy to brake
overly hard. Overall the brakes are as good as
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it seems a long
time since I’ve
ridden a bike that
is so much fun
anything else in the class. The ergonomics on
the EC300 are well suited to a wide range of
body sizes, but probably best for the taller rider.
I found the 300 a very comfortable fit, being
slim from front to back, but still a nice width to
grip with your legs. The seat has a great new
gripper cover and is an excellent shape for
moving around on to get your body position
right, but as mentioned earlier it is thin on foam
at the rear of the seat and this does make it
hard on the butt for tall riders. Shorter riders
should be more than happy though.
All the standard enduro hardware like the
head light, tail light and instrument block is
streamlined and fits well so it is not likely to
be damaged in the inevitable smaller crashes.
Likewise the oversized handlebars, foot and
hand controls all look well-made and capable
of coping with normal trail abuse. Of course
no bike is idiot proof, so some caution will be
kinder to your body and bank balance.
Overall the 2015 Gas Gas EC300 is a very
good bike. The list of standard parts like
VForce, FMF, Galfer, Excel rims, Metzeler and
so on should tell you that Gas Gas machinery
is serious. The quality of the ride experience
confirms just how good the new 300 really is.
This bike is balanced and can be punted hard
in difficult terrain with confidence. It can now
hold its head high in any company and that
really shows how far the Gasser has come in
the last few years. For the trail rider or keen
enduro racer the new EC300 is a totally valid
purchase choice.
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Smooth and strong power delivery; Predictable, balanced
handling; Great suspension action.
Seat foam thin at the rear; Could be touch lighter. That’s it.
SPECIFICATIONS
2015 GAS GAS EC300E RACING
ENGINE
Type:
Bore x stroke:
Starting system:
Fuel system:
Clutch:
Transmission:
299.3cc, liquid-cooled, two-stroke single
72.0 x 72.0mm
Electric-start and Kick-start
Keihin PKWS38 carburettor; 50:1 petroil mix
Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
six-speed, chain drive
FRAME
Type:
Steel cradle
Swingarm: Aluminium
Front suspension: Marzocchi 48mm fork, preload, rebound and compression adjustable, 305mm travel
Rear suspension: Reiger monoshock, preload, rebound and
hi/lo-speed compression adjustable,
298mm travel
Brakes:
260mm Galver Wave disc, two-piston Nissin caliper front; 220mm Galfer Wave disc, one-
piston Nissin caliper rear
Wheels:
Spoked, Excel aluminium rims, 1.6x21in front; 2.15x18in rear
Tyres:
Metzeler Six Days Extreme, 90/90-21in front; 140/80-18in rear
DIMENSIONS
Seat height:950mm
Wheelbase:1480mm
Claimed weight:109kg
Fuel capacity:
9.5 litres
Price:
$13,890 inc GST
Web:
www.gasgas.co.nz
More compact electric-start mechanism
Externally adjustable centrifugal power valve
Marzocchi forks
FMF muffler
Reiger shock
VForce 4 reed valve
quick QUOTE
2015 Gas Gas EC300 $13,890
Monthly premium: $25.08
Excess: $500
Fire and Theft premium
quoted. A range of other
cover options are available
to suit your needs.
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