EC300 year differences

[hotshot]

I'm in the market for a used EC300 and I'm trying to find the biggest, or significant, differences in the year ranges from 2000 up to 2008. I understand GG changed forks in 03 and 05, rear shocks in 06 (?). What's the biggest difference in the 04?
Thanks

[roostafish]

There's a list of differences that I could go through, but I'll leave it to someone else who will get the facts straight better than I will.

My opinion, bottom line is if you're looking to buy one. Get one that's in the best shape you can, and if you can find one with Ohlins front and rear, that's a good find.

Performance wise, they're all great. I hopped off of my '01 on my friends brand new '07 a couple of weeks ago, and felt right at home. No significant difference in performance that I could tell. Handling is great on both, with perhaps a lighter feel to the '07, maybe a different steering angle, I don't know.
'01-'06 are nearly identical. Perhaps a change in seat/tanks somewhere in there. All the plastic interchanges between those years.

[noobi]

dont quote me on this but i know that sometime between 01' and 07' there was a change in steering angle for better handling possibly in 05'
a new sub frame in 07',
the dual map switch late 05' and 06',
a complete change of plastics in 07',
in 06' they changed the frame coat from nickel plating to a black paint of some sort.
all plastics between 01' and 06' are interchangable
07' and 08' are the same.

suspension wise in 07' they started using sachs aswell and ohlins for rear shocks, and used marzocchi shivers for forks.
the 07' was available as a full ohlins option but this was only as the sixdays i believe.
pre 07' i think all bikes came with ohlins shocks?? not sure what forks

like roostafish said they havent changed much, engine wise there virtually the same. id just be getting the lowest houred best condition bike i could find.

[MattR]

We interrupt this program to bring some breaking news.

Our GasGas history has been preserved here:
http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6427

Thank you for your attention and we now go back to our regular program.

[Brian]

Thanks Matt! That was a very interesting read.

[hotshot]

Thanks everyone for the info. I went ahead and purchased an 02 EC300. Very low hours. I'm very pleased so far. Handles like my mountain bike, but faster up hill

[gg3]

congrats! great buy.I have had an 02 for 2 years now & has been excellent.Has the WP forks Ohlins shock package,what has yours got?

[vfrrocks]

i have noticed that the MTB is easier to pick up then the GasGas, when the ground flies up and hits me. although the bars dont get ripped from from my hands as easily when riding single track. congrats on you buy.

[hotshot]

Thanks. It has the WP/Ohlins sus. set up. I'll probably get them valved for me next year. They're pretty good, for now. For those others who have 02's (and knowledge of them), what was the stock flywheel weight on that bike? I'm thinking of going to a heavier weight to tame the hit a bit. I guess I could pull the cover off and look, but I just put a new skid plate on and it was a pain.

Yeah, getting the GG on top of my truck might be a little tricky. Would look cool though...

[vfrrocks]

Check out the sticky in the Electrical & Wiring section of the forum "which ignition do i have" good info with pix. it will let you know which flywheel/stator combo you have by the exit location of your wiring.
The cover is easy to remove and would be a good time to inspect and clean if needed.