2013 300 ES = Amazing

[hasslbri]

I just recently picked up a 2013 300es fresh off the boat. I didnt want a electric start but also couldnt wait any longer. Being the bike arrived soo early I figured i would just ride it stock and shake it down to get a feel for what modifications I would need to do to it.

In the last 7 years I have owned (4) 300 gas gas's. (and about a dozen other bikes as well) My last 300 was a 2010 with Ohlin's TTx front and rear, a RB head, and RB Carb. I also run flexx bars and few other tricks. My 10' was by far my best motorcylce to date. Just recently i had got the itch to get a 13' I liked some of the changes from 12 to 13 and in speaking with Johnny Maier it sounded like Gas Gas didn't ruin what I have always liked about the bikes (the engine and the handling).

I recieved the bike last wednesday and bolted it together stock. I just wanted to ride it with no modifications to get an idea of where I needed to go with it. In the past I would not even ride the bikes. The head, carb, suspension, and radiators would come off immediately for modification.

My first ride was right before dark at my personal trail. The trail consists of basically 2 miles of tight, rocky, rutted crap with the occasional 2' log thrown in here and there. No suspension adjustment, only jetting changes. The bike worked nearly as well as my 10. The forks, which doing the garage bounce test, didn't move much, were super plush yet resisted bottoming in the steep G-out ravine bottoms. The bike turned sharp and tracked well. Motor was much more electric than my 10'. It ran clean off the bottom and pulled quite well into top which is unusual for a stock Gas Gas pipe. (they are more bottom to mid pipes). I was very pleased with my first ride but worried it was just NEW BIKE SYNDROME where everything feels perfect at first but then the issues begin to surface later on.

The next day I rode out at another course that has a much faster layout with higher speeds, larger drop offs, sand and a bunch of grass track. Right away the suspension reavealed that it was a bit more springy than I like (I prefer a dead feel both front and rear). I added a couple of clicks of rebound to the front and rear and everything calmed down nicely. The compression was fine as the bike was plenty plush but still didn't bottom on 5 -6' ledge drop offs and high speed G-outs. The chassis, for everything Gas Gas changed, so much remained the same. The bike retained the front wheel steering, quick handling that I have been so used to. Probably the biggest difference between the new chassis is the ergos. The bike is taller and the seat is even flatter all the way to the gas cap. Moving back and forth there are no boot snags or any issues.

Fast forward to Sunday I set the sag and went out and raced a team race in North Dakota with Coach. The race consisted of extremely dry hard dirt, silt/ sand and a ton of off chamber single track. The bike worked incredibly well. We led the first lap and ended up with a couple of rider errors to finish 2nd. I was extremely happy with the way a stock bike worked on a chopped/ whooped out course. I had no head shake, no kicks, no suprises. I couldn't be happier with the bike stock. The forks are probably the best forks I have ever ridden. They are even beter than my Ohlins Ttx, and those were my favorite forks to date.

My plans for the bike are to beef up the radiators, have RB cut the head and modify the carb, add flexx bars, with fastway handguards. I have no current plans to do anything with the suspension right now. I don't know what I can improve. Issues might shown up 20 hours from now but right now its good, really good. It almost feels wrong to not have to send it off to get it set for my weight and riding style. The race showed me how good it worked stock.

Big thanks to Clay and GoFasters! Can't wait to ride again.

Brian
165lbs.
A Rider - Harescrambles, enduro
2007 ISDE Club Rider