250 vs 300 back to back comparison

[firffighter]

I got a chance to ride with my brother yesterday, him with his '03 EC250 and me with my '05 DE300. We switched for a couple of miles and got a good chance to do a real comparison.

Impressions:

EC250: Revs quicker and feels like you have to reign it in a bit more. You can definitely feel the "hit" and it feels faster from point A to point B.

DE300: More linear power delivery with a more torquey feel. More thumper like and smooth.

Another weird thing we noticed was my '05 feels much smaller and quicker turning compared to his '03. I really wasnt expecting that, but chassis change maybe between '03 and '05?

Both great bikes, but the 300 seems to fit me better and I think it will work really well in the tight stuff.

[GMP]

That about sums it up. Yes, the '05 frame was a big improvement over the '03.

[firffighter]

I was surprised by the chassis difference. It was very noticeable. His '03 feels long and slower turning. It also feels spread out and tall. My '05 feels like a mini-bike in comparison. I love the small bike feel and the flickablility.

I was very pleased with the DE as well and had upon initial purchase had been concerned with the 2k2 and and thought it might be too quickly reving and would not have enough flywheel effect. But, I love the power delivery and dont think I would want it any slower reving.

[kdxtreme]

So does it feel like the kdx as far as compact and turning ability.

[firffighter]

Great question concerning the KDX.

I have owned a couple of KDX's and my son now rides one. I rode last weekend back to back on his KDX and would say that the Gasgas feels similar in terms of size, but is way more agile and better turning. I would imagine that the benefit of better suspension, ergos and just an overall updated design make it quicker turning and more agile.

[bchatt]

Originally Posted by firffighter

Great question concerning the KDX.

I have owned a couple of KDX's and my son now rides one. I rode last weekend back to back on his KDX and would say that the Gasgas feels similar in terms of size, but is way more agile and better turning. I would imagine that the benefit of better suspension, ergos and just an overall updated design make it quicker turning and more agile.

I had been riding KDX's for 6 or 7 years before my Gasgas, and agree with firffighter. The Gasser feels more agile and turns better. The KDX's suffered from lots of rebound in their forks - the gasser is much easier to hold a line on off cambered corners or sections of trail, where the KDX would find itself slipping lower and lower down the slope. I really liked the KDX but I like the gasgas more! Also, the power all through the rev range is so much more than the KDX and I feel this helps the Gasags feel much more alive and flickable.