My '11 XC 300-E maiden voyage initial impressions.

[GMP]

The JD Blue needle in #3 is perfect in my 250. Red was a bit lean to 1000', so I'm guessing it will be the best one for the 300. Like single taper C and D series needles, you want start up on the main a couple sizes from the stock triple taper needles.

[Jakobi]

Whats the verdict on the JD kit? Which one did you end up going for? The yz250, or generic? How'd it go set up wise?

My initial ride with the GG was exactly the same as yours, however I'm running the galfer wave rotor on the front. Pulls up so well.

[TNT Cycle]

Those tires give you a new found respect for FIM world enduro guys. Ive ridden both Michelin and Metzler FIM tires and they work about the same. Its just a product of the short knob hight requirment of the FIM. Thats what those guys flat tracking in all the world enduro vidoes have to deal with and why they are sideways all the time! Spain just doesn't know any better...lol

Cheers,

Rick

[Krieg]

Originally Posted by Jakobi

Whats the verdict on the JD kit? Which one did you end up going for? The yz250, or generic? How'd it go set up wise?

My initial ride with the GG was exactly the same as yours, however I'm running the galfer wave rotor on the front. Pulls up so well.

Haven't had time to mess with the JD kit yet. I got the GasGas kit out of ignorance. I guess I should have read more and gotten the YZ kit? If the weather ever cooperates down here, I'll be messing with the kit and stock needles and report back.

[Krieg]

Originally Posted by TNT Cycle

Those tires give you a new found respect for FIM world enduro guys. Ive ridden both Michelin and Metzler FIM tires and they work about the same. Its just a product of the short knob hight requirment of the FIM. Thats what those guys flat tracking in all the world enduro vidoes have to deal with and why they are sideways all the time! Spain just doesn't know any better...lol

Cheers,

Rick

Actually, I'm almost embarrased to admit this and I should have updated this earlier... But...

Several days after my maiden voyage, I was checking air pressure in all the bike tires including the Husky and Hodaka. When I got the the rear tire of the GasGas it had 28 PSI in it!!!

Now before you all start beating on me, this is usually one of the first things I check on a new bike when I get it home. In this case, I must have let it fall through the cracks or got distracted in the middle of my usual prep work. I may have been working on 3 bikes at the same time... whatever the case may be. But my initial impression of the rear Metzeler was not based on a fair analysis. I should have suspected something was going on, but I was too busy thinking about all the other things you think about while shaking down a new ride.

My bad.

[john01]

I look forward to you next ride review and take on the Metzler's. I know the Michelin's on the 10's needed a lot of help. Oh... don't worry about the air pressure thing we have all done it. Heck the guys that work for me often drive my Super Duty trucks with 28 PSI when they should have 80!

[ScottyR]

The Metzelers on the 11s are way better than the Michelins on the 10s.

I will use up the Metzelers before I replace them. I refuse to ride at all with the Michelins. They are taken off as soon as the bike comes out of the crate.

Those FIM tires work really good in the rocks if you arent afraid to go very low on the pressure. Dont forget, they were designed to be used with Mousse and have very thin and flexy sidewalls.

[TNT Cycle]

I actually got along with the Michelins on the 2010 but the limit is knife edged on both.

[john01]

Thanks Scotty it nice to know when I get the 2011 I won't have to replace a new tire like I did on the 2010.