2009 300 Enduro Shootout

bike
Husqvarna Wr300
T
$11,095
2009 shootout
300cc enduro
he 300cc enduro
class has long
been popular
with Aussie
riders, and now
that it’s four-strong, it’s easy
to see it growing.
The engines have a real
“six-stroke” feel to them,
happy chugging through the
bush like a four-stroke, but
they can light it up like the
two-strokes they are.
Husky’s WR250 is a great
bike, so the pressure was on
its brand new 300cc brother
to keep up appearances with
a tough showing.
TM’s bikes change
noticeably each year, and
with whisperings of the bike
shifting towards a more
rider-friendly fire-breather for
2009, we were itching to kick
it and ride it.
KTM’s electric start option
for the 300 worked so well for
2008, it has been stolen for
the 250 for 2009, and is
standard on the ’09 300. But
is electric start enough?
And finally the Gas Gas,
the most compact of the four
and a bike which was cracked
out of a crate just days before
the shootout – it was fresh
and ready to roll.
Also on board were the
ADB test crew, with a new
face. Fast Vet Garry Blizzard
and young Expert Geoff
Braico are names and faces
regular ADB readers know,
and while factory Husqvarna
rider Chris Hollis is a name
and face you may know, it’s
not as an ADB tester, until
now. There’s a lot of
experience in those three, not
to mention some speed, and
with me as the fourth tester
and representing the clubman
level rider out there, we were
ready to burn oil over a
gruelling two-day test.
One thing was for sure, it
was good to be back on a
two-stroke after a steady diet
of four-strokes lately.
After dodging wallabies,
watching Braico bust a
monster bush jump and
churning through some
real-world trailriding, we had
a good handle on the 2009
300cc two-stroke class.
KTM 300EXC-E
$11,695
Tm EN300
GAS GAS EC300
$11,940
$11,250
Six
WORDS // Sam maclachlan
PICS // ikapture
Strokers
70 | www.adbmag.com
Are 300cc enduros like
having two bikes in one?
And if so, which one’s best?
BIKE SET-UP
Knobbies were allowed for this test, seeing as most new owners will fit them after wearing out the originals. Handguards
were allowed too. Bikes were permitted to have the ADR restrictions removed to competition spec, but only using parts
that come with the spares kit at no extra cost. Otherwise the bikes were standard apart from jetting. ADB supplies the
test fuel, with the oil being manufacturer’s choice and we measured seat heights ourselves, weighed them and recorded
fuel consumption, too. All bikes are registered.
TEST TRACK
Being a real-world test, we set ourselves a test loop in the bush north of Sydney for day one and then went for a trailride
the morning of day two, with a trailride to a secret test track deep in the bush for the afternoon. Conditions were
awesome, as they have been in this area for the last few months, with little dust, but there were rocks, hillclimbs,
jumps, singletrack and firetrail sections aplenty.
www.adbmag.com
| 71
SCORE
CARD
1
engine 69.8
71.0
handling
kes 70.9
Ergos/Bra
70.4/100
avg score
weighted*
50 (engine)/
as
e weighted
*Scores ar
percentage
s/brakes)
g)/10 (ergo
40 (handlin
T
he Gas Gas very nearly missed our test, and only an
admirable effort from the distributors, Gas Gas Australia,
got it off the boat and to us in time. It was delivered with
only 40km on the clock, but was feeling good by the end
of day one.
GRUNT FACTOR
2
3
Main: Hollis all out of
shape... he saved it. Oh,
and nice undies, mate...
1. The Sachs shock
needed some setting
up but is a plush unit
2. New graphics for
2009 – of course
3. New brake
components help
slow the EC down
If you’re looking for a top-end monster, turn the page. If you are after
a manageable, trailrider-friendly engine, then the Gasser is the best
of this group for that. While the others in the group have a stronger
bottom-end, you can really lug the Gas Gas engine along up slippery
hills and over slick surfaces, before venturing into a strong, useable
and tractable mid-range that really defines this engine.
It is the only six-speeder of the bunch, so it can be short-shifted to
keep its mid-range whirring along, and this is the best mode for fast
operation though the bush. In the numerous roll-ons we did, the Gas
Gas couldn’t keep up with the others once they started bouncing off
the rev ceiling, unless the Gas Gas pilot started snatching gears before
the engine ran out of puff. With one extra cog to play with, this meant
the Gasser could stay with the others, albeit with more gear changes.
But bush-work needs a good mid-range, and the Gas Gas delivers there.
It was harder to shift without clutch than the others, but shifting
with a flick of the clutch is easy in full noise mode, and everywhere
else it’s good.
SPRING LOADED
“Guys who ride sitting down all day will love the suspension the way it
is, but faster guys will want to spend some time getting it right,” said
Gaz, summing up the suspension. It’s plush, but doesn’t feel as taut
as the others when the pace picks up.
The faster riders had trouble feeling what the new fork was going to
GAs Gas
Ec300
New for 2009...
Steel Micron constructed frame
New brake components
New smaller indicator relay box
New 48mm Sachs front fork
FIM-required chain guide
Bold new decals
72 | www.adbmag.com
Guys that ride sitting down all day will
love the suspension the way it is
do when they were on the pipe, and also got some deflection. For me,
though, it was plush-city on the trail, and I only slowed it down a little
with the clickers. The Sachs shock enjoyed being slowed down, too. As
a pair, both ends were a bit too soft. The balance of the bike needed
some work, especially compared to the others. That said, its light tip
weight and agility through the trees is right up there, and improving
the suspension would just make it even more potent.
The test group found the brakes a bit vague, and the thinner front
brake lever (like the TM) added to the feeling that the brakes could
have been better in the context of this group.
PRACTICAL BITS
Changing the air filter is a piece of piss once you have the seat off
(which unfortunately needs tools) with the spring-loaded pin easy to
operate, and plenty of room in the air box. The kick starter was among
the best of the quartet, too. The cockpit is one of the smallest of the
group, and with the lowest seat height the bike is the most compact.
Overall, the Gas Gas is the best bike for the trailrider. It didn’t have
the power of the Husky or the all-round competency of the KTM, but
it will please trailriders who want 300cc two-stroke power no end.
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SCORE
CARD
1
engine 81.4
78.0
handling
kes 77.0
Ergos/Bra
79.6/100
avg score
weighted
A
ll new for 2008, I first rode the bike at the Italian launch
(October ADB) and was disappointed because it simply
wasn’t set up right.
By the time it was set up the Australian way, though,
things were very different, and the newest bike of the
class made some friends.
POWER FACTORY
2
3
Main: Sam hopping
a log, something the
Husky is happy to do.
In fact, it’s happy doing
anything in the bush
1. The new Husky dash
is super-compact, we
just don’t recommend
trying to read it when
flat out in singletrack.
2. The V-Force reed block
is new and it works.
3. The flash new brake
discs look good and
work just as well
Husqvarna
wr300
New for 2009...
It’s an all-new model for 2009
Based on the WR250 and rest of two-stroke range
Bore increased to 72mm (from 66.4mm on the 250)
New exhaust valve
Cylinder head mods
V-Force reed valve system
38mm TMX Mikuni carby
New disc brakes
New suspension settings
New headlight
New digital display
74 | www.adbmag.com
The Husky, simply put, has as much power as most people need,
anywhere, leaving the rider to decide if they want to pull their arms
out revving it everywhere, trundle through the mid-range or just lug it
around a gear higher, letting its grunt-a-saurus engine do all the work.
One minute, Hollis was labouring it at walking pace over a huge
rock, the next Braico was making it scream like a tortured mouse.
Meanwhile, I was happy grunting it through the bush with bugger
all clutch and hoping it would open up a bit just so I could mash
the throttle against the stop.
It is neck-and-neck with the TM in roll-ons (you know a top-end
hit when a 300cc two-stroke gets on the pipe!), with just a little more
tractability down low. It is let down by a too-heavy clutch and the fact
it is the only bike of the four without a switchable ignition map. The
thought of this bike with a hydraulic clutch and “traction” ignition
map makes our minds boggle…
The kickstarter is also the worst of the group – it’s too short, too far
forward and just plain hard to use. The bike starts fine, it’s just harder
than it should be, and tall blokes will hate kicking it.
Even including the bad points, though, the Husky is right up there
in this group, and nothing like what I rode in Italy.
SPRINGERS
At first, the Husky was too soft, the fork diving and the rear kicking the
rider in the butt. But the modern adjustable suspension we all take for
granted these days meant that after only a few clicker changes, the
bike was feeling more settled, better balanced and handling so well,
“I feel like I could do anything on it,” mused Blizz. “Well, almost…”
And it held up well when the fast guys cut loose, too. Hollis felt the
initial stroke of the rear shock was too hard though, and had the rear
step out twice after the shock failed to pass further through the stroke
following a hard hit.
For the rest of us, the Husky is as strong as the engine in its
I was hoping it would open up just so I
could mash the throttle against the stop
performance, and the brakes were a test favourite. They have heaps
of initial bite, with nice progessive power after that.
END STOP
The air filter is easy, accessed without tools and with plenty of room in
the air box. Even the wingnut fastener locates itself well and is simple.
The bike is roomy to sit on, and both smaller and bigger blokes were
happy on it when moving. Standing up is very comfortable too, though
some riders preferred lower bars for cornering. It is a bit bigger to
muscle around in the tight, but overall the ergos are good.
www.adbmag.com
| 75
1
Ktm
300exc-e
SCORE
CARD
engine 83.6
77.6
handling
kes 79.2
Ergos/Bra
80.8/100
avg score
weighted
W
henever you heard the machine-gun rattle of an
electric starter in the bush, you knew where the
KTM was. Call us soft if you like, but that electric
start is trick…
RATTLE & ROLL
That magic button starts an engine that has slightly less torque than
the Husky motor, but is more tractable. The KTM is a good engine,
but its real highlight in this company is how it gets that power to the
ground, and its versatility.
In the roll-ons, it hung with the TM and Husky until the furthest
reaches of top-end were found and they started to gap it a little – with
the standard power valve spring in it. When we tried different springs
later, we found they made a significant difference and, combined with
the ignition map switch (two maps) you get six engine tunes in one and
2
He launched sixty feet ... to
flat-land between two trees
3
Main: Bliz giving it a blat. Sandy berms are a
must-do on a 300cc two-stroke 1. That PDS
shock is the best it’s been since its inception.
2. Gaz swapping a powervalve spring – simple,
effective, so bloody cool! 3. The electric start,
the icing on the cake of a very good engine
all standard. Plus electric start to boot. That’s good value.
In the bush, on the trail and even on the motocross track, you can
get the KTM close to how you want it, all by changing the power valve
spring (two 6mm bolts and two minutes do the trick) and plugging or
unplugging the ignition map cable. Why there isn’t a switch as
standard I don’t know, but that’s the only downer to a versatile engine.
BUMP STOP
The KTM’s suspension is also versatile, plush initially, before firming up
well as the needs arise, and without any of the noticeable “kick” that
the older PDS shocks exhibit. Braico put this to the test in spectacular
fashion by launching himself off what was a hill to me, a jump to him.
He launched sixty feet through the air to flat-land between two trees
not much more than handlebar-width apart, while Garry and I held our
breath – it was us he was “showing off” to.
He landed that hard his feet came off the footpegs, but the KTM
stayed straight. It had to, because we would have been calling for a
chopper otherwise. It was the craziest jump I have ever seen in the
bush, only slightly on purpose, yet the KTM let Geoff get away with it.
Stability, progression and bottoming resistance are superb and
among the best in this bunch. It handles big hits, as we proved, but it
soaks the little stuff too. Hollis found the fork too soft, but he likes his
bike hard, and the rest of us liked it. The brakes were hard to complain
about, as they worked really well, so I won’t.
FILTERED AIR
New for 2009...
Only the electric start version is available this year
Fork has been revised
Shock has new settings
Revised port timing
New graphics
76 | www.adbmag.com
The Kato’s air filter access is the best of all bikes, just ripping off the
sidecover, though putting that cover back is fiddlier than on the Husky.
It is surprising, though, that KTM can deliver all the engine options, yet
not a set of plastic handguards standard. The rest of the bikes have
them, and this bike needs them. Aside from that, the bike is ready to
ride. The graphics need a touch-up, as the bike isn’t looking as sharp
as it used to, especially against the alloy-framed TM. With the electric
start, optional power valve springs, ignition maps, tidy suspension and
quality ergos, the KTM is value packed – handguards aside…
www.adbmag.com
| 77
1
SCORE
CARD
engine 77.7
81.2
handling
kes 75.8
Ergos/Bra
78.9/100
avg score
weighted
T
he TM was the pleasant surprise of the test – as we knew
it looked cool, but were blown away by how much easier
it is to ride this year. It really scratched our itch…
BLUE POWER
2
3
Main: Braico jumping drains. With
TM power, he was always going to
clear it 1. The engine is superb –
enough said. 2. Riding it on the pipe
is an exercise in fast forward! 3. Take
your pick of two ignition maps, on
the move. Should be compulsory...
Tm en300
New for 2009...
After a total re-design last year, the TM has
had few changes for 2009, but they are significant
New CDI with two selectable ignition maps
(handlebar-mounted switch)
New Graphics
New headlight
New tail-light
78 | www.adbmag.com
TMs have always had bulk horsepower, but the way that
grunt was served up hasn’t always been as refined or user-friendly as
the others. For 2009, TM has made the engine much more useable,
yet somehow managed to retain the edginess that makes these bikes
so addictive to ride. I don’t mind admitting the previous TM EN300
scared me a little, but the fear factor has gone from this bike.
The bottom-end doesn’t have the same response as the KTM or
Husky, and the transition to the mid-range is more abrupt, but not in
a way that damages the fun factor – in fact, it really makes it.
It’s a racy engine, the raciest of the mob tested here, but now most
riders would be comfortable on it. All the testers were unanimous in
that the bike made us feel like sticking on some numbers and rolling
up to a start line, yet on the trailride it didn’t leave us digging holes up
hills or struggling over technical sections.
It’d be a great motocross bike, but can still trailride, and is a weapon
through the bush. The new frame has reduced suspension to the point
where none of us noticed vibrations when riding (there’s a slight tingle
in the feet when idling).
It’s a great engine now, giving the Husky curry all the way into the
top-end during the roll-ons and sharing honours there – we really
couldn’t split them.
You could race with this
suspension, no worries
TIGHT PINS
As I mentioned, the twin-spar frame (the only bike to run one) has
reduced vibes, but also pulled the bike together into a really tight
handling package. The fork is excellent, sticking to the line you choose,
eating up the little stuff well, soaking the medium hits and handling
the massive whacks our racers subjected it to. “You could race with
this suspension, no worries,” beamed Braico.
That said, we did find it felt long, and the bars are a little high for
our tastes, and while some of us loved it in the trees, Geoff and Garry
found its relative length compared to the others put them off a little.
But the balance is among the best of the group, and with the spicy
engine and solid suspension, there’s no doubt you could set some
mean special test times when it’s all wound up.
The brake lever is one of the thinnest of the group, which can be
annoying if you like a fat lever, but the kickstarter is the best, shaming
the Husky starter, and making it almost as easy as the KTM to fire up.
THE REST
The air filter is easy to change once you’re in, but the allen key
access to the filter is disappointing, as you need to undo two bolts.
The seat is the firmest of the group, but otherwise the ergos are
roomy, though we’d go for a lower bar bend. The new digital display
is better, but it looked a bit square.
www.adbmag.com
| 79
Chris Hollis (pro, 24, 180cm, 87kg)
“I really like the KTM and the Husqvarna. Race-wise,
I felt a lot better on the Husqvarna in the bush, but
the KTM as an all-round package is great, especially
with the standard parts included. There is a big
difference in price though, with the KTM nearly $600
more, and without handguards, so that evens things
up a little. You don’t have to spend a cent on the KTM,
SPECS
ENGINE
Capacity
Bore x stroke
Cooling
Engine type
Compression ratio
Transmission
Final gearing
Clutch
Fuel capacity
Fuel system
Fuel Consumption (on test)
DIMENSIONS
Weight (measured, fully wet)
Wheelbase
Seat height (at lowest point)
SUSPENSION
Fork
Shock
BRAKES
Front
Rear
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebars
Front tyre
Rear tyre
SPARES*
RRP (incl GST, excl pre-delivery)
Distributor
Warranty
Spares kit (approx. value)
Spare parts (total RRP)
TEST RATING
Overall score
80 | www.adbmag.com
once those handguards are bought! I would rip off
the electric start to save weight if I raced one, so
that isn’t a factor for me. The TM was really good fun,
the suspension is really good for my pace, and is my
favourite suspension-wise. The Gas Gas isn’t for me,
but I’m not a trailrider! Most trailriders will find it a
good bike, I reckon.”
Gas gas ec300
TM en300
Husqvarna wr300
KTM 300exc-e
294.7cc
72 x 72mm
Liquid
Two-stroke, single
Not given
6-speed
13/48
Wet, hydraulic multi-plate
9.5L
Keihin 38 PWK
14L/100km
297cc
72 x 72mm
Liquid
Two-stroke, single
7.5:1
5-speed
13/50
Wet, hydraulic multi-plate
9L
Keihin 38 PWK
13.5L/100km
293cc
72 x 72mm
Liquid
Two-stroke, single
6.9:1
5-speed
14/48
Wet, mechanical multi-plate
9.5L
Mikuni TMX 38, 38 mm
13.7L/100km
293cc
72 x 72mm
Liquid
Two-stroke, single
Not given
5-speed
14/50
Wet, hydraulic multi-plate
11L
PWK 36SAG
14.2L/100km
116.3kg
1476mm
943mm
112.5kg
1465mm
956mm
116.5kg
1465mm
951mm
113.7kg
1475mm
955mm
Sachs 48mm
Sachs
Marzocchi 50mm
Öhlins 46PRX
Marzocchi 50mm
Sachs
WP 4860 MXMA
5018PDS
260mm Nissin
220mm Nissin
260mm Brembo
220mm Nissin
260mm Brembo
220mm Brembo
260mm Brembo
220mm Brembo
Hebo Tapered
Metzeler MC4
Metzeler MC5
Reikon DSF
Pirelli Scorpion
Pirelli Scorpion
Tomaselli Fatbar
Michelin Enduro Comp 3
Michelin Enduro Comp 3
Neken Taper
Dunlop 952
Dunlop 952
$11,250
gasgasaustralia.com.au
6 months (parts & labour)
$350
$1678
$11,940
tmracing.com.au
6 months (parts & labour)
N/A
$2201
$11,095
24 months (parts & labour)
N/A
$1809
$11,695
ktm.com.au
6 months (parts & labour)
$750
$2182
7.04
7.89
7.96
8.08
husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au
sam maclachlan (clubman, 35, 178cm, 87kg)
“The electric start on the KTM is almost unfair
because it really gives the Austrian bike a big jump
on the field. I know that sounds soft, but stuck in
three ruts somewhere high, it’s worth so much more.
Technically you can get by without an electric leg,
but when you have one, it’s just so good. That isn’t
the only reason it wins it for me, but is a big part of it
as the rest are so close. The Husky and TM are next
2009 shootout
300cc enduro
for me, as they are just so fun to ride, with the TM
just tipping the scales because I found the fork so
good, and the Husky’s clutch is too heavy. The Gasser
isn’t as spritely as the rest, though it is a really good
trailbike. I also suspect the top-end was weaker due
to an ill-fitting air filter, we discovered after the test.
All four are strong bikes, yet very different, and it’s
the Kato for me.”
Geoff braico (expert, 18, 180cm, 72kg)
“For me, it’s between the KTM and the Husky. The
Kato’s the most useable of the bunch, but I think the
Husky was a lot of fun, with the most torquey motor
so I really enjoyed riding it. Suspension-wise, I like
the plushness of the KTM, but I also really liked the
TM’s suspension. It was racy, I felt like I could do
whatever I wanted. The TM is really useable now; in
the past it was too aggressive, but it was the surprise
of the test for me. If I had to pick a bike, it’s the KTM
for me. The plush suspension and adjustable engine
is too good to pass up, and worth the extra money
over the Husky in my book – and especially the
electric start, which really makes a difference when
you’re stuck on a hill.”
Garry Blizzard (fast vet, 39, 174cm, 84kg)
“I’d have the Husky if it had a hydraulic clutch, it’s
that close for me. I didn’t mind it not having a map
option as I loved that engine, but the clutch is just
too heavy for me to use over a day’s ride. It does
everything really well, and I liked the looks of it,
something a bit different to your mates. Then again,
I liked the KTM because it does everything really
well, though it’s disappointing it doesn’t have
handguards, which are the only things you’d have to
add to it. The electric start, if you’re stuck up some
hill, is worth its weight in gold – it’s a big selling
point for the KTM. The TM is really enjoyable too,
that bike has come on in leaps and bounds and I
really enjoyed riding it. The Gas Gas is the shorter
trailrider’s heaven, with its small dimensions and
plush suspension.”
www.adbmag.com
| 81
2009 shootout
300cc enduro
WRAPPED UP
All four bikes in this class are good things –
something to do with an excellent engine
platform I reckon – but the KTM is the winner.
Its engine is anything you want it to be thanks
to the power valve spring options as standard
and ignition map options, but even standard it
is an engine that spans a wide range of uses and
riders. The electric start, which is standard for
all KTM 300s in 2009, is the real icing on the
cake though, as it’s just so bloody useful. Time
and again whoever was on the KTM was fired up
and in third by the time the rest of us got our
mounts running, and on more than one occasion
we were spared the pain of having to lift the
bike around to get it into starting position
thanks to the electric button.
The suspension, as Geoff proved, can handle
massive hits, yet soak up trail litter on the way,
too. It’s a great all-rounder that retains plenty
of spark too.
The new kid Husqvarna really made its mark.
It’s the cheapest of the four, yet packs the
broadest engine, even though it could do with
an ignition map option like the rest. Its roomy
ergos, easy air filter access, responsive
suspension and solid feel really won it some
friends, even though they had a sore left hand
from that clutch, and the kickstarter is an
afterthought. Everything else makes it a strong
tree-dodger though.
The TM has really found its feet in our
opinion. The engine was addictive, but tractable
and sensible too, which hasn’t always been the
case. The engines have been getting better, but
this one’s their best so far.
The suspension really rated too, with a quality
feel and balance to it few bikes can match,
which is why Braico said he felt he could race
it as is.
The Gas Gas had a question mark over its
top-end performance due to an ill-fitting air filter
we only discovered after the test, but it is a bike
blokes unfamiliar with two-strokes will feel
comfortable on pretty much straight away.
Through the trees it is superb thanks to a low
tip weight, low seat height and the tight steering
Gas Gas machines are known for. Firming the
suspension up would have appealed more to the
Pro riders, but as it is, the Gasser is a ride-allday proposition.
Another aspect of this test was how much
fun us testers had. Apart from watching Geoff
scream into orbit and chasing Hollis with a
snake (he has a phobia, it turns out), it was
genuinely good to get back to the bush on
two-bangers after lots of four-stroke testing of
late. They are lighter than 450 four-strokes by
around 7-10kg, produce different power, but
can lug, chug or scream depending on what you
feel like doing. And don’t even start me on the
lower maintenance etc. Thinking of another bike
for 2009? Then put these on your shopping list
– they are one tough class of bike.
82 | www.adbmag.com
1
And the
winner is...
2
3
4
5
1. Weighing the bikes is less embarassing than jumping on the scales
themselves. 2. Let’s go... 3. Measuring fuel consumption while Hollis
reclines. 4. Hollis doesn’t like snakes, but lizards are okay. 5. Playing
tag on the bikes was fine for the Pro riders...
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| 83