mc250 for the woods

[GP6]

Hey guys, I currently ride an 02 KTM 250 exc, and am interested in Gas Gas. I want a bike that works well in tight, sometimes rough and slippery and hilly conditions. My KTM does it all, But I have not figured out how to soften up the rear, I am 6'3" and 165 lbs. I am not interested in going 100mph down a fire road, when the going gets nasty, I want to be the guy that gets through.
My dealer has an new 06 mc250 for 5000.00, he says he can change fork springs and revalve. The power is good but a little agressive for what I am trying to do. He says it has the dual ignition, just have to rewire it. I Know I would have to spend money setting it up, but it has some upgraded componets, fork, wheels, and pipe.
Could I ever get this bike to do what I want, or am I better off spending more money up front and getting the enduro version?
Thanks, GP

[Dave]

I'd guess by the time you modify the MC for woods it will cost as much or more as an EC. BTW, the MC has its own CDI that is not dual mapped.

[GMP]

The MC also has no primary balance weight, and a 19" rear wheel. The flywheel is light like the DE. It also should have the 50mm forks. Very workable bike but you could do better finding a leftover DE/EC. Where are you located? Call Dan at Marshall's Motorsports in NY, he has several '05 leftover 250 and 300 DEs for less than $5K.

[Berkyboy]

The GasGas MC250 has a very potent quick reving engine that can be tamed easily with a flywheel weight. The Ho-Lo ignition is a plus.

The suspension is definately a little harsh for most off-road riders.

You probably aren't getting a spark arrester and an o-ring chain either and the countershaft sprocket will most likely be geared to low.

All of the above can be upgraded or "fixed" for about $350 in parts and the suspension can be done for around $500 (for valving and springs) if needed.

[mattmax]

Originally Posted by Dave

I'd guess by the time you modify the MC for woods it will cost as much or more as an EC. BTW, the MC has its own CDI that is not dual mapped.

I don't know what the criteria is for the MC, but some where dual mapped. Mark or Steve at Gofasters told me that in late 05, GG ran out of dual map and installed something else. This may also go for DE's.

I also heard it was the early 05's that were not dual mapped, which I have evidence of. Under the stator 09-04 was scribed into the case on my 05 MC and I have single map. Leon_gasgas has an 05 that's dual mapped. If you look at part numbers for 05 and 06 CDI's, the 250 DE's and MC's share the same number.

The only thng I'm sure of is if your CDI is mounted under the tank, it's single, and mounted in the airbox on the fender it's dual.

I'd like to try a dual to see if it runs better or worse.