Differences between DE and EC models

[jeffd]

Honda used the CR designation for road racers in the 'early days'. Here is one...

jeff

[flybars]

It seems like the racers want the DE's and the technical trail riders want the EC. Probly alot more DE riders here than EC. Maybe we could special order the EC with the DE the standard import?

[ScottyR]

[QUOTE][It seems like the racers want the DE's and the technical trail riders want the EC. Probly alot more DE riders here than EC. Maybe we could special order the EC with the DE the standard import?/QUOTE]

From the talk around here and on other boards, no one is real keen to pay the premium $ that the Euro spec EC is going to command. Hopefully, the DE can be imported cheaper.

Another problem is the non-conforming VIN. BMG has to pre-book a certain amount of a particular model well in advance so it can be built with a North American Standard VIN. All other GGs are built with a non-conforming that is starting to become a real hassle to register in certain States and Provinces in NA. Chances of GG doing a special run of 10-20 ECs with conforming VINs are slim to nil.

[GMP]

The very first Huskys were designated CR (close ratio and WR (wide ratio) for motocross and enduro respectively.

I'd just leave things as they are for designations, they are unique and easy to understand. There are bigger problems to solve. If more radical changes come in the future, change designations then. How about "250.2E", for 250cc 2 stroke enduro, and "300.2X" for 300cc 2 stroke cross country, and "450.4M", for 450cc 4 stroke motocross. Simple and different. Then again maybe I've just been writing code for too long.

[mike989]

I know it's an old post, but....
I've been reading, and wondering myself the difference between the 2 300's, after reading I'm still slightly confused.
I just bought a 04 DE300, it has a 4 position light switch, turn signal switch, both front and rear brake light switches, a horn button, but no horn. I haven't taken the mag cover off to see it it has the larger XC mag. My 300 spins the rear tire at the crack of the throttle, so I assume it's the lighter flywheel.
I also have a 03 450FSE, and a 04 Wild 450 that has full handle bar switches, and pig tails for the turn signals. The quad even has a hazzard switch and a horn.

[MattR]

Mike,

Here's the easiest way to tell without pulling the cover...
Look at the left side cover and how the wire exits the cover. If the wire exits in the 10 o'clock position (towards front of bike) then it is the DE300. If the wire exits in the 2 o'clock position (towards the rear of bike) then it is the EC300.

[Berkyboy]

Here's the skinny on ignition and CDi applications straight from "Boni" (head GasGas 2-stroke mechanic in Spain.)

The MC250, EC200, EC250 and EC300 all have the same CDI box.

The MC250 (and all US DE Models) have the 35 watt ignition.

The EC200, EC250 and EC300 have the heavier (65 watt I believe) ignition.

The EC125 and MC125 have the same ignition but each has its own CDi box.

Of course we had the discussion over a couple of Henikens while in New Zealand last month so I hope my memory is correct.

[mike989]

Thanks Matt.
The wires exit the mag cover at the two oclock postion, right above the clutch bleed screw. I went ahead and took the cover off, it must be the large mag, cause there's no room for anything larger. The bike was sold as a DE edition of the EC, sooo I guess I have a EC.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by mike989

Thanks Matt.
The wires exit the mag cover at the two oclock postion, right above the clutch bleed screw. I went ahead and took the cover off, it must be the large mag, cause there's no room for anything larger. The bike was sold as a DE edition of the EC, sooo I guess I have a EC.

It's definitely in the EC state now. It sounds like the "DE" was converted back to EC by the dealer or the previous owner. Or perhaps it was always an EC and the previous owner did not know it and called it a DE.

[Berkyboy]

If you have an EC ignition bike and think you need a DE (MC) ignition instead try and take into account that GasGas builds enduro bikes first and re-tunes these to make a motorcross bike second.

The whole MC ignition thing came from Don Knight when he was trying to build "AA" GasGas race bikes with the same throttle response as a Japaneses motorcross bike.

If you've got a newer EC and you want the proper performance out of it jet for the high "sunshine" setting and live with the fatter jetting on the "rain" setting.

Most Americans want a bike to be jetted a little on the lean side to start with. That combined with the lighter DE (MC) flywheel gives a quick hitting throttle response. Great for 30 minute motos and "AA" off-roaders but a little to much for the average rider especially for off-roading.

For the most part the GasGas factory bikes run stock heads, stock cylinders and stock EC ignitions. They are jetted fat (by American standards) to run properly on the "sunshine" settings. The "sunshine" setting is only used when conditions are absolutely perfect and the rider/racer is clutching a lot coming out of corners etc.

I guess my long winded point is don't rule out the off-road benifits of the heavier EC flywheel especially if you have the '05 1/2 through '07 GasGas with high-low ignition.