2011 vs 2013 ec300
 

Has anyone out there had both a 11 and a 13. I'm trying to get a feel for how much difference good or bad from one to the other. I have had 2 2011 300s and my dealer still has a leftover 13 300. Just wanted to know how difference in handling. I race northeast enduros. THanks

Jakobi has a 10 and a 13/4 he should be able to give a good comparison

Am I the only one? Not even. Many of us Aussies have jumped from 10-11 models up to 12+. I haven't heard anyone say it was a bad decision, or that they have any regrets. Perhaps.. but I'm not aware.

They are different chassis' though and as such they are different bikes. They ride differently. They feel different. They handle differently. They are even different to work on. Some parts cross over, others not.

I don't have time to go into all the details, but will touch on a couple that I have noticed.

The weight in the rear of the 13 is noticeable. It feels heavier to push/lift.
The steering stops limit the ability to turn the bike. I only really notice it in the shed when pushing it around - same can be said for the weight too.
The fittings and fixtures are more standardised. Less odd ball sized bolts... but still enough to think it's not up to par with the alternative big brands.
Suspension: rear has had changes to linkage ratios, length, and lower clevis. Non interchangeable (unless comparing to an 11' special model or possibly race model). Up front, 48mm forks are closed cart Marzocchi; perform very well, with some scope for improvement too. Some people have had coating issues. We had some 13 models with 45mm zokes - I wouldn't want them.
E-start ... no experience with either models. Both my bikes have been kick only.

The real proof is in the pudding though. If given the choice to ride one or the other, I would take the 13. I do. Besides the couple negatives, I just like the way it handles. It's still nimble, it still turns, yet its stable too. It doesn't particularly do anything wrong. It feels more race orientated to me. The peg clearance is improved which limits dragging in ruts. It gets you up and over the bars more. It feels refined and less agricultural.. Less like a trail bike.

I have an 11 and my son has a 12. I prefer the handling of the 11 while he likes the 12. No help there. I would say if you ride tight stuff stay with the 11. Open desert the 12

Thank you very much for the input. This is the info i was looking for. Wanted to make sure there wasn't something that people really didn't like about the bike. I do a lot of tight woods, rocky, rooty stuff so turning and being nimble is the biggest thing. Can make the suspension work.

Not sure about the 11seat,but the 13 certainly is 'firm'!
That and the infuriating sidestand are my only complaints

Side stand on the 10-11 didn't come without issues either. Few of us snapped the tab off the frame.
10-11 seat was softer. Not much padding on the 12+
I think there have been revisions to frame from 12 onward. I personally wouldn't go a 12, and only a 13 if it had the right suspension setup.

I ride singles and prefer tighter trails too. My 10 had Ohlins TTX both ends, and a mildly worked engine. I had no faults with it, but prefer the 13 at the end of the day.