2013 race 300 Aussie/Euro spec first impressions

[Simmo737]

G'day

Picked up my 2013 300r yesterday, greased well from factory (as good as they ever do) haven't checked the swing arm pivot yet.

The Aussie/Europe model has the alloy subframe and still has giant air slots in the air box that need to be closed up. The engine has a lot more induction noise due to this.

The fit and finish compared to my 2011 estart is better, general commonality of fasteners, stronger side stand, better chain rollers, better cabling routing and plastic fitment. The 2011 wasn't bad but this is a step up, apart from the air box, jetting and glueing and wiring grips and cables, nothing to do.

Nothing was rubbing as far as I can see after 1hr of engine time.

The front fender is much more solidly mounted and looks ktm ish from the saddle, the 997 renthals are stiff as a priest and not as nice a bend as the hebo bars on the 2011 which were exceptional, but the renthals are good enough. Stock hand guards are great, but a lot of guys like bark busters depending on their tree count, ill go stock.

Switch gear is the same, but you get a non ADR light switch in the goodies pack, I'll keep the blinkers at the mo to stave off the fuzz.

Seat is firmer but nicely sculptured and more rigidly attached. Fuel cap the same but breather goes through the head stem. Rear fender much the same style with easier removal of the ADR compliant rear bit, but you then loose mounting points for the rear blinkers. Side stand safety strap finally. Side plate bolts are rounded aliens, you need to remove the front two under the seat, the bolts into the rads and the tank bolt to get the tank off.

The motor... Mmmm. Delivered with n1ef middle clip 42/175 with 3 turns out on a s. did ten minutes then threw that cross the yard, in went jd red clip 4 40/180 1.5 turns float st at 8mm. WOW, feels a touch more grunty than my 2011 (2011 fitted with S3 high high insert and 36 mm carb with jd blue)... And this is stock. I don't need to do anything to the motor to make me happy. Jakobi sent me some (heaps) of needles so ill try the Yamaha "jakobi" setup to see if I get the sh$t eating grin everyone talks about. This motor has the new cylinder and head arrangement with no front engine mount on the head and a larger pv cover. No idea about ports but the importer said he thinks they lowered them like the Katos did in 2012. I switched out the cable choke ( standard choke in goodies pack)

Suspension... Mmmmm. The bike has the hrg valving with corresponding sticker on the fork guards. With stock springs it was nice straight away, the front felt just like ttx with a little bit more of a trail trash edit going on, the transition to mid stroke is linear, and bottoming resistance off drop offs (couldn't g it out) was good and will get better with springs from steveb at after hrs cycles ( they are here already, thanks Steve!) the shock has the...um what shock? Feeling which is just fantastic. Can't be happier, longer ride will give better feedback.

Wheels the same, brakes, rear the same front better with wave rotor. Annoying rear brake cable that eats into swing arm and motor casing the same. 50t rear sprocket stock which is the way to go.

Handling....very gasgas, the motor is so familiar that its easy to get trapped into thinking its your old bike....but it's not, this thing turns ALMOST as good in the slow, and MUCH better in the fast as the 2011. The frame had that nice late model Japanese insulated feeling without the tip weight and poor slow speed handling...very impressive. I think an rmx450 or the like will still feel more stable in the rough super fast open stuff but the gg will be a better compromise for varied terrain. I think the suspension benefits from the generational engineering put into the frame, it's stiff where it needs to be and compliant where it needs to be.

Ergos... Very close to the same, rear brake pedal perfect from factory.

I'm very happy.

[Jakobi]

Great write up Simmo! All this thread needs now is a photo or three

What rate springs did you end up ordering? Whats your weight fully kitted up and ready to ride? From all reports it sounds like this setup doesn't need to be sprung quite as firmly as past models.

[Simmo737]

im 90 to 95 kg nude depending on what time of year, so in go .48 and 5.8 which should be vv close, Steve has experience with the new linkage and agreed with my suggested rates. the only thing that is a minor niggle is carby access, but im very happy of the bat with the jd red...feels like home, ill prolly only change jetting a couple of times.

[n_green]

Nice report but its worthless without pics and video

[n_green]

Also who did you get the Gasser through Simmo, quick bikesales search and there are none (R model) for sale. Is there still no '13 stock in Aus?!

[Simmo737]

Big air breather in air box

Last time it was "new"

[Simmo737]

First time ridden

New cylinder with old head not bolted on at front

DLC COATED DAMPER ROD WOW

[Simmo737]

Originally Posted by n_green

Also who did you get the Gasser through Simmo, quick bikesales search and there are none (R model) for sale. Is there still no '13 stock in Aus?!

Track and trail Belmont, I got the one they had in January, took a long time to get it, due to insurance etc. You need one mr green!!!

Dean said he's hoping for more next month, being airfreighted again, apparently solo is/ has sold the business so next own may have more interest.

P.s. I only just worked out how freakin easy using phtobucket is.

[Simmo737]

Update.

Dropped the forks through the clamp to first line and inserted fork springs .48 and shock spring 5.8, got 35mm sag with 10mm preload so super happy , great grip now..this bike is a lot better than my 11.

Forks are dead set the easiest cart forks to work on and the japs should hold their heads in shame that they didn't make theirs like this. I used some ohlins ttx preload spacers and set it at 2mm. Wound out the pfp to just more than zero ans added two clicks of rebound. Perfect. As the super stictiony zoke seals wear in and the springs loosen ill just add more pfp. Best fork I have used. Stock. Best. I put it down to great valving and low cart stiction. Awesome.

Removing the shock using glen's (GMP) system makes the gasgas have the only good thing on a husky, again shame on Japanese. I have used glens settings on preload and I'm thinking he's more than knowledgeable, he knows what works. Added 2 clicks of rebound and took out 2 clicks of comp, a great dead shock that won't bottom and has awesome traction.

With the forks dropped, the bike takes on a level of stability only matched by a jap 450, with no loss of turn, just love it.

Might be a bit of a bummer of a bike cause there is not a lot to fix or adjust.

Still prolly missing 20mm of ground clearance, thats about it.

Everything greased with new bluey/green waterproof grease and done well, the bike is delivered in amazing condition, even the breather hose are snipped from the factory. Wow.

Super happy.

Going up to tamworth tomoz for some private track and hilly trails all where I grew up, last bike I rode around there was an xr500 so I'm guessing the experience will be different.

[Jakobi]

Stop it Simmo! You'll have us all updating again.. Last time you pulled this talk I recall myself dropping silly amounts of coin on TTX carts