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General Discussions & Announcements General Announcements, General Questions, e.g. What bike do I buy?, etc.


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  #1  
Old 04-28-2009, 01:50 AM
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GasGasDreamer GasGasDreamer is offline
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Default Year By Year Comparison for 300 ??

Hi,
I am a newbie here and have yet to buy my 1st GG.
I am looking for a 300, but I have searched the forums and havent found the info I'm looking for, so let me just as the questions.....
What years/models are;
> Best & Worst Suspension
> Best & Worst Handling
> Best & Worst Motor
> Difference between EC and DE
Thanks for taking the time to reply, and/or links.
Of course money is an issue, but sometimes a few dollars more
gets a whole lot more bike.
Thanks Again.
Looking forward to join the GG Family soon.
I am 240lbs, 6'2", non pro, but ride well and love the ugly technical desert.

GasGasDreamer


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  #2  
Old 04-28-2009, 08:20 AM
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2 strokes 4 life 2 strokes 4 life is offline
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I would say they are all great bikes.

The 2007 and up handle better for engine placment and subframe changes.
They all have a great ebgine that is hardly changed since 96 or 97 when they mabe their own.
The best suspesion set-up on the pre 07 bikes is both ends have ohlinis and anything 07 and up the sachs is great and I think some of them have had ohlins up front and rear but thats rare. Zokes keep getting better over the years, they just need some time to break in.

Thats all I can think of.
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  #3  
Old 04-28-2009, 09:08 AM
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Get a 2008 or 2009 300 (I'd go 09 for the Sachs suspension personally). The new 300s are hands down the best enduro bike I've ever ridden. I'm actually thinking about selling my 250 to get a 300 right now.
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Old 04-28-2009, 10:37 AM
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I think all the 300's are great. The only one I'd avoid is one with Marzocci Magnum 45 forks. Not that they're awful, but they're old school for sure, they foul the oil really quick, and leak. They also are not very adjustable. There are adjusters, but I think they are for looks, because they don't seem to do much. All the other forks are workable with a revalve. I had a '99 six days edition with WP 50mm conventionals on it. Those forks were phenomenal. My current bike has Ohlins front and rear, and also work stellar. As far as the new chassis, I can't tell you, I have not ridden an '07 or newer, but what I can tell you is I don't know how it could be any better than what I have. My '01 is the best handling bike I've ever ridden, outside of my '99 EC 250, and of course, my '99 EC 200, which had the Magnum 45's on it. The chassis is frankly so good it's hard to find flaw.
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  #5  
Old 04-28-2009, 10:46 AM
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The 08/09 bikes do handle better than the older ones (even the 2007). The new subframe is also a plus. Any suspension can be made to work, but personally I'm not a fan of the 43mm WPs or the Zokes. Ohlins or Sachs for me.
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  #6  
Old 04-28-2009, 08:07 PM
Dave Dave is offline
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300s through the years - US models:

2003 - updated frame, updated plastics, WP43 forks, Ohlins shock, EC has full wiring harness, lights and 2k-3 ignition, DE has simpler harness, no lights and 2k-2 ignition, ECO is EC with Ohlins forks

2004 - Marzocchi 45 forks, larger front axle, Ohlins shock gets high speed adjustment, some '04s have a very small gas cap, last year for plated frame

2005 - updated frame, updated plastics, updated (lighter) engine cases, two position bar mounts, 1-1/8" handlebars, some late year models have dual mapped CDI, but no switch, plastic frame guards, powder coat frame, updated rear master cylinder

2006 - dual mapped CDI with handlebar switch, otherwise same as 2005

2007 - back of bike (subframe, air box, seat, etc.) all new, upgraded plastics, not sure of other mods

2008 - ???

2009 - ???

At some point the intake changed from the Boyeson Rad Valve to the Moto Tassinari VForce3.

Engines - all years: reliable, smooth, durable

Handling - '03s and '04s don't steer as quickly as later years, but are more stable at speed.

Weight - has dropped steadily over the years. Big drops were made in 2005 and again in 2007.
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  #7  
Old 04-28-2009, 08:24 PM
PEB PEB is offline
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The 02-04 were the slowest turners. 05 plus all have the same frame geometry, 07+ have the lsimmer rear end. I love the twin Chamber 50mm zokes on the front of my 07, the sachs rear is every bit as good as the ohlins I used to have on the 02 or the 99.
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Old 04-28-2009, 08:46 PM
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Shock mount was lowered 10mm in 2008 resulting in better handling. 2007 bikes should have the forks raised approximately 10mm to achieve similar results.
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Old 04-28-2009, 08:49 PM
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I noticed yuor forks were slid way up in the clamps. My bike turns so fast as it is now I am not sure I could handle another 4-5mm.
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  #10  
Old 04-29-2009, 07:19 AM
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Steve,

Is the shock length the same on the '08? I know that '07 saw a shorter shock, as the hot setup for the '05/'06 bikes was to shorten the shock by a few mm and lower the rear, unloading the fork. Fred Hoess and the guys at T&C did this. Thats why the '05/'06 in particular respond well to minimum shock preload and more sag. If the shock length is the same, that would mean they raised the rear again, correct? Rake the same? In one way or another the rear of the bike has been going up and down since '00. Like Paul said, my '07 steers fast enough for me at "B" level even with sag on the high side and 5mm of fork over the top triple clamp.

BTW, damper tower/clamp should get welded today, I made a fixture to keep everything straight. I'll post a pic when done.
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