EC300 which year to buy?

[jeffs2200]

Woops, I missed that part.

[biggstr6]

woops , me too.

[(F5)]

Hmm, I'm sure I had location on my profile, seems to have fallen off so I've re added it.

Any thoughts on the Sachs vs Ohlins & whether I can swap them over from an '02? ie: does anyone know if they are the same fitment of Ohlins between the years?

[bchatt]

There was a change to the rear shock length around 05- 07. I know, that's a bit vague! There will be someone here that can clarify that.
What I am trying to say is from 07 on, the handling improved over the older years. I have an 07 which I love, a friend has an 05 which I hate - feels like the steering angle is a lot steeper than mine - well that's how it feels to me.
Mine has Marzocci forks, which, after some tinkering, I am very happy with. It has a sachs shock, which blew apart at 50 hrs, was repaired under warranty (known problem with some of these sachs shocks - read LTR site) and has been fine since - now 130 hrs.
While Ohlins have a certain "aura" about them, I believe the marzoccis are ( or can easily be made to be) very good forks for our conditions.
I wouldn't be too worried about swapping anything!