New to dirt bikes & Gas Gas.....

[Rebelhughes]

I was headed out Saturday morning to buy a 1997 EC250 from a local motocross forum. Right before I was leaving the house I decided to check Craigslist one last time.... For sale in my town was 2000 MC250 with tons of extra parts, tools, plastics & riding gear for $100 less. I went ahead & purchased the MC250.

My question is what is the difference between the EC & MC. The EC is a 6 speed & the MC is a 4 speed. I rode the bike for the first time yesterday & it was a little intimidating to say the least.
I was planning on using this bike to ride with my son who is 6 on a TTR 50, doing only trail riding. But after riding this bike it might have too much get up & go for this. What do you guys think??? It might be fine after I get used to riding it, the last time I rode a dirt bike was over 25 years ago.

I know it has a after market exhaust (FMF), Ohlin steering damper & some type of reed kit to help it idle better... Like I said, I as green as they come....

[Devondan]

An educated guess: EC = Enduro, MC = Motorcross?

Dan

[SideshowBob]

Originally Posted by Rebelhughes

Like I said, I as green as they come....

Some good pictures would really help.

Taming the MC250-

Heavy Flywheel
G2 Throttle Cam
Jetting (see specific thread)

[jostby]

EC was the enduro, MC is the MX line. The EC would definately be easier to trail ride than the MX version.
But... back then there was also a XC version. The importer would make some changes to the EC model (lighter flywheel being one) to turn it more into a MC but it still had the 6-speed. The wiring for the lighter flywheel exits the cover at 10 o'clock position and is reffered to as "2K2" ignition. The 2K3 of the heavier EC exits at 2 o'clock position. But graphics remained the same on both models (but both would say "EC", no XC decals). The earlier EC's also had standard Marzochi forks. The XC's started getting fitted with inverted WP's somewhere around '99 or '00.
Hopefully someone will chime in if I am incorrect but I know most of that is true since I bought a new XC250 back then. Graphics say EC but the MSO and title says XC.
In later years the XC became known as the "DE" (Dealer Edition) which has now evolved into the "Race" Edition.
Welcome to the club!

[Rebelhughes]

I'll try to take some pics tonight of the bike.... What are the pro's & con's of a 6 speed vs 4 speed?

[Ud_luz]

Originally Posted by Rebelhughes

I'll try to take some pics tonight of the bike.... What are the pro's & con's of a 6 speed vs 4 speed?

In my case it's much easier to kill oneself with the high speeds obtained with the 6 speed.

[jostby]

I have never ridden a 4 speed. I figured the spacing between gears would be wider for almost same top speed as a 6 speed. Or is it like a 6 speed tranny missing the last 2 gears, hence slower?
If the gear ratio is wider providing close to the same top speed on the 4 speed tranny then a 6 speed would be much better for trail riding with its closer splits.

[Rebelhughes]

I pretty sure that it's a true 4 speed. I spoke with someone at Gofasters & was told that year came out with a 4 speed.

[Rebelhughes]

Lots of pics.... I hope the links work.

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[Rebelhughes]

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