Yet more temptation: '05 DE300 in Arizona

[AZRickD]

Originally Posted by GMP

Havn't we discussed this before?

Okay, okay !! I'm a little slow.

Yes, G2 throttle cam.

I'll talk to my wife after I get home from this here biz trip.

Likely test ride this Saturday if we can get it all arranged.

Rick

[skid jackson]

Dude I'm a sucky c rider who rides snotty new england single track. lots of roots, rocks, and mud. I have an 06 de 300. Before you put a fww on it put a cck needle in it ( just a couple of $'s) and jet it for your area. If it is too peaky still ... put a on 10 12 or 14 oz fww.

I found my 06 to be a bit peaky so I tried a 10oz fww, then an ltr power valve cover, then the cck needle. (Thanks Pobit!!!). the cck needle really smoothed things out. now its electric motor smooth like my drz used to be but about 65 pounds lighter!! If I had known about a cck needle earlier I would have tried that before the fww.

[AZRickD]

I rode the Gasser for about twenty minutes. Conditions were ultra-dry and dusty. Rocky trails, gravely washes, and deep sandy washes. No hardpack and no hill climbs nearby.

The motor was responsive. There was no throttle hesitation. Very revvy for a 300. When I came to the base of a whoop, a twist got me launched. I can't do that on the KDX without several feet to get a running start.

The bike got me up to speed and on-step in the sand very nicely and kept me there, even on a 50% tire. I couldn't easily loft the tire without suspension input but there was no place where I could get much in the way of traction to do so. This bike was easy to ride fast(er).

The handling was good but not as quick at the '07 250. Yet it went where I pointed it and the ergos were perfect for my 5'9" frame even with the high bars. The brake pedal was always right there and it made braking into fast turns confidence-inspiring.

What really shined was the suspension. I ran it over and over again on a wide, gravelly-rocky wash with berms and ruts and such. It was as if they weren't there. If I closed my eyes, I wouldn't have known I was going over them. I did the same thing on other bikes in the same area and it just wasn't the same.

In the end, I felt that a 3-year old bike that was in no better shape than my KDX is not what I was looking for. Time for something shiny and new. And I'll bet it'll be a Gasser.

Rick

[Bandit9]

Longest bike search in history....

And you just know he will want something else after a year, just like the rest of us....

[AZRickD]

Originally Posted by Bandit9

Longest bike search in history....

And you just know he will want something else after a year, just like the rest of us....

This is normal for me. And now I'm looking for a diesel truck and toy hauler. Could take years.

[GMP]

That approach works well with women though. Nothing like a long test ride to bring out the flaws.