[Gregarious]

Finally! Yesterday, March 2nd -- over a month since purchase -- I was able to take out the EC 300 for my first real ride. Shortly after I purchased the bike I got a nasty flu which took me out for a week (at least). Then I had to pull my suspension and sent it to LT-Racing. Last week the suspension arrived and I spent most of Friday evening and Saturday pulling, cleaning, regreasing, rebuilding, changing, and/or replacing whatever I could. Whew.

Sunday I went out with some friends and we did 40 miles of trails which is darn near a personal record for me.

First things first: handling and weight! Coming from a DRZ400S the EC300 felt like a bicycle. So this is what a real dirt-bike with real suspension feels like. For the first time ever I was able to actual feel, and more importantly control, sliding the bike around corners with predictability and confidence. At higher speeds on the straights I felt much more in control. My DRZ has a steering damper which helps, and I thought I'd put one on the EC eventually, but right now I'm not sure. The bike felt totally predictable.

2nd things: engine. I still think I prefer the power delivery, feel, and sound of a 4-stroke (without a loud muffler), but I totally understand why people refer to the 300's as a "3-stroke". Unlike my old KDX200, I never had the slightest issue with stalling or bogging. There was plenty of power to crawl up hills at even slow paces. The clutch also makes power delivery very, very smooth and controllable. Another comparison to my DRZ: it has an auto-clutch which really helps with technical hill climbs, but I'm already more confident on any hill with the standard clutch on the EC.

3rd things: comfort. Good God my rear was hurting yesterday. I had my first real case of Monkey butt, but it was worth it. I'll have to look for a tall seat and get in better shape so I can stand more.

Next things: pegs (fastway or power/pivot pegz in low position), PTEnduro bar riser (on order), hand-guards, and lots of practice.