What is a 2012-2014 250EC like?
 

My 2012 250f is about to be replaced. I don't really know why since it is the best bike I have had so far when it comes to improving my skills. I really like trying different bikes and it feels like I am ready with this one after about 130 hours on it. I have allready owned most GG models but never the 250 2t. I have never had the chance to test drive it either. What is it like compared to the 300 and 200? Most people say the 250 2t bikes in general are snappy and that you need to rev them hard. I don't think that is what I want. The 300 I had was smooth but to be fair it had more power than I needed. I would like a bike that is smoth like my 250f but responds faster on a blip with the throttle like a trials bike.

I've had a 2012 XC250ES since new, now with about 170 hours on it & honestly, it's one of the easiest bikes to ride. Period

No need to rev it if you don't want, unless you're doing a big hill climb or HS starts.

I had a bit of hesitation going to a 2t after being on 4t's for years. However, this bike has made it a non-issue. It has all kinds of power when you want it & can be loafed along all day long if the mood suits. Stable handling as well. Good lowend, easy clutch modulation & pull make a rekluse almost redundant(not quite, but almost)

I chose it over the 300 because a 300 has just a bit too much sometimes.

It's so easy to ride I've put all kinds of riders on it, even several 13-15yr olds.

The 250 2T to me is the most versatile. Its got a softer bottom end/low revs similar to a 250F, but with a top end that rivals (and in most cases smashes) the 300 2T. Depending how you set the engine up they can have more/less aggressive transitions. The stock 2014 EC250R I rode was silky smooth in comparison to my 2013 250R with head work and some port matching - obviously not as strong either, but as above can easily be chugged and lugged around off the pipe in pretty much all instances.

The snappy/aggressive manner is simply that the power curve ramps up quicker than a 300 which begins by making more sooner. They aren't even close to feeling like a 250MXer, and nothing like the old school light switches.

The 250s are really good motors - almost like a "three stroke". They're a little soft on the bottom but don't stall, and then pull decently through the middle and into the top. Stock you don't want to waste a lot of time wringing their necks - there's more noise than power when revved aggressively. Still, as Jake said they're the match for most 300s on the top when jetted and set-up correctly.

Of the range you've mentioned I'd recommend the 2014, or save your money for a 2015.

Sounds like a nice bike. I am mostly into racing, everything from fast almost mx style races to extreme enduro. I have found two bikes that interest me, one of them is a brand new left over 2013 EC250. If I buy that one I will swap the suspension with the 48mm zokes and ?hlins TTX that I have on my 250f.
The other one is a 2014 EC250R Nordic with 50 hours on it. Nordic means it has ?hlins RXF forks and ?hlins STX46 shock which have an exclusive setting from ?hlins developed here in Sweden for Swedish conditions.

Both have the same prize, aprox 6850 USD. Is the 2014 a lot better than 2013? In this case there is a big difference in the suspension but what about other updates from 2013 to 2014?

I would honestly go for the 14'. Aluminum subframe, outside the frame rear brake pedal. Much better graphics and maybe some slight differences in the cylinder porting and the engine cases. Hands down better suspenders.

The 14 engine received all the new bits aimed at some weight savings too. More refined than the 13. Attention to smaller details.

If everything checked out on the 14 Nordic I'd be inclined to take that over a base model 13.

What year 250f?

True that.

The shock linkages and lower clevis have changed, so very likely the shock won't fit the new chasis.

2012, it had an ?hlins 888 from factory. I found the TTX on a craig list.