No longer just lurking.

[jeffs2200]

I had a chance to ride a 2011 GasGas 300 a few weeks ago at Outlaw Trax near Huntsville Tx.

Chuck Ware (the western U.S. sales rep) Had a 300 he let me demo. I was very impressed with the way the bike handled. The bike was way undersprung for me and the forks were very harsh. I thought the shock felt pretty good. I really liked the way the bike cornered and the fact it had a lower seat height. I am tall so I do not need a lower bike but my KTM just seems taller than it needs to be.

I decided to go ahead and go for it so I put a deposit on a 2011 300 today with Richard at House of Horsepower. It is the non estart model xc with 48mm sachs forks and Sachs shock. The bike will have a Rekluse core exp, a motosport damper, heated grips and Cycra handgaurds.

Richard is going to do a full revalve and respring on the suspension. He says he has been able to get really good results with the Sachs forks which I think I prefer over the 45 Zokes. He also says the Sachs shock is one of the best shocks he has seen.

I plan to pick the bike up on Friday and have Richard do my setup and help dial in the suspension.

I almost forgot, I also have the left hand rear brake going on as well.

I will report back once I get some time on it and let everyone know what I think.

I plan to get a skid plate (thinking Hyde) and some BPD rad gaurds, as well as a p3 pipe gaurd. I am going to go without the estart for now and see what I think. If I feel I need it I may add it later.

[rgranger]

how did you get one with 48's, I thought that short of the race, they were 45's.

[john01]

Congrats on your new to be GasGas. They start so easy I don't think they need the e-start but for some it' will be a nice addition to an awesome bike. Look foreward to your ride report, enjoy.

[jeffs2200]

Originally Posted by rgranger

how did you get one with 48's, I thought that short of the race, they were 45's.

The early arrival bikes have 48mm Sachs forks just like the euro spec bikes. They also use the Sachs shock instead of the Ohlins 888. I like the 48 forks because It gives me the option of using TTX cartridges later if I am not happy. Richard assures me he can make them work very well and I will not need to upgrade.

[Nhuskys]

Originally Posted by rgranger

how did you get one with 48's, I thought that short of the race, they were 45's.

The first batch of '11 bikes came through with Sachs 48's. The next group will have Zoke 45's.

[rgranger]

That was my hope for the 48's also. Some of the worry is off, I rode a buddies that has the 45's that Les worked on, and they were much better than the '09 300 that I am riding now, even after 2 suspension jobs.

[jeffs2200]

A few pics of the new ride.

[jeffs2200]

[webmaster]

In a word - "beautiful"...

Jeff

[jeffs2200]

I have a few hours on the bike now and I am liking it pretty well.

I did my first race on it last weekend.

I was wondering what people were using to do oil changes?

The oil fill plug has to be the worst thought out feature on the motorcycle. I am going to try and find a small tipped funnel. I thought about trying to get a nipple that would thread into the hole and attach some tubing to run to a funnel. I would also like to purchase a new filler plug with a raised hex style head.