So how is the 300 in the Desert?
 

I rode a little desert for first time in New Mexico this summer on my 450 while on vacation. I really liked it. Completely different animal than eastern tight woods singletrack though. Thought it was challenging. Riding with your shadow in front of you was new to me. LOL. I plan on going back for a race in Feb by Alamogardo, Tarantula 100.

How does the 300 like the desert? We don't have room down here to get past 4th gear, so I have no idea how the 300 runs in 5th and 6th.

What gearing do ya'll prefer?

Preferred tire? My Mich S-12's seemed to work very well as it was sandy.

Have any of you had a 450? Would you prefer the 300 over the 450 in a typical desert race?

Who races a Gasser in the desert?

Thanks.

I think you would want a big 4 stroke to haul the mail in the desert. 450-650cc

I hated my 12' 300 in the desert I was way more comfortable on a 4 stroke

Did someone say "desert"? The 300 is awesome in the desert. Get yourself some desert tires with a stiff sidewall like the dunlops or the maxxis and you are good to go.

I am not a very experienced desert rider But really have fun in the desert with my 2012 300 ! I was faster in the corners and whoops on my 350 sxf though. A more experienced rider who can stay on the pipe can keep up with the 450 four strokes all day long! IMO

The 300 does fair in the desert but its forte is certainly the tight and gnarly. I believe that if I bought a bike solely for desert riding it would be a KX500. Lots of rake=stable and more torque than any stock thumper can dream of. However, I had a Husky 360 that worked very well in that type of terrain. What I like about my gasser is that I don't have to sacrifice agility for stability.

I dont know about the Gasser 300, but I can tell you that KTM 300`s kill it in the desert. I have ridden them both in the California high desert and Phoenix area.

Doing your Gasser research Marc? Welcome to GasGasrider.org.

I think I'm going to bring both bikes with me and do a little testing the day before the race. Pick the one I feel better on.

Thanks Chris!


I have lots of friends that run 2T`s in the desert and the love them. The only difference is that you keep it pinned more often. Your 300 will also be more forgiving than your 450.

Marc

I find it very interesting you say the 300 "will be more forgiving than the 450" in the desert. I know you've owned both from our converstions, so could you tell me why that is so? I was thinking it would be the opposite.