Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128370
2005 Gas Gas EC250 Dealer Edition T he name alone makes us want one. But if you're contemplating owning one of these rare birds, like the Gas Gas EC250 Dealer Edition tested here, then consider yourself forewarned - you're going to have to answer a lot of questions. But you get used to it, and after awhile, you'll start reeling off the answers before hearing the questions: "Yes, it's called Gas Gas. No, I don't know why. It's made in Spain. EC stands for Enducross. No, it's not expensive, and, yes, it's pretty darn good." If you're not super familiar with Gas Gas motorcycles, the Spanish marque got its start in trials and today sells more trials bikes in both Europe and the United States than any other manufacturer. But the same cannot be said about its off-road lineup, mainly because Gas Gas is relatively new to the off-road scene, plus the Spaniards are going up against stiffer competition from the big boys, such as the Big Four from Japan, KTM and Husqvarna, which are all rich with off-road history. But this doesn't keep Gas Gas from trying. 50 MARCH 23, 2005 • WHATS IT GOT? With the EC250, technically there are two versions - the standard EC250 and the EC250 Dealer Edition, which is targeted for the American market. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that the standard has lights and the Dealer Edition does not, but the Dealer Edition is still wired for 100 watts of illumination, if so desired. The DE has no odometer either, so you might say the DE is more "cross" than "endu-ro" in stock configuration. However, the DE does come with a spark-arrestor muffler, which your pocketbook will appreciate later when you decide to do an off-road race or visit an official OHV riding area. Gas Gas hasn't always built its own engines, but it does now and seems to be getting the hang of it. The EC250 has a two-stroke engine (we know that because it says so right on the swingarm), and further investigation reveals a pretty basic but up-to-date powerplant that features a Hebo hydraulic clutch, a five-speed transmission, an exhaust power-valve, a Keihin carburetor and a Kokusan ignition. CYCLE NEWS When it comes to chassis and suspension, the Gas Gas is pretty trick. Okay, so the frame might not be made out of aluminum, but it is of the perimeter variety (a la Kawasaki) and is supported at both ends by revered suspension components - a fully adjustable Marzocchi Shiver inverted fork up front and an Ohlins shock in the back. And the cool parts don't stop there. The Gas Gas also gets slick Bulge Bars aluminum handlebars, Nissin disc brakes, D.I.D. wheels and O-ring chain, an FMF Fatty exhaust pipe and silencer, and an upper triple clamp that allows you to adjust the bars to several different positions. And it even comes with light-duty plastiC handguards. SurpriSingly, with all of these prime goodies, the Gas Gas is still competitively priced at $617S. In comparison, a KTM 250 EXC goes for $6399, a Yamaha WR450 for $6599, and it's priced about the same as your typical 250cc motocrosser. TRAIL TIME Quite simply, we liked the Gas Gas, especially its motor. Even though it's not really a qUick rewer and it probably won't impress you with its sheer power output, it might win you over with its old-school and very useable two-stroke power delivery, which you will - and we did - appreciate when things get ugly and you have no choice but to keep going. We spent quite a bit of time on the Gas Gas in the open desert and in the narrow canyon ravines of Southern California and found that the tighter and more technical the trail, the better the Gas Gas performs. First gear is super low and the bike just won't stall; it just keeps plugging away like a tractor. As long as you keep trying, so will the Gas Gas. The superlight pull of the hydraulic clutch was a godsend in those slippery, muddy and foot-paddling sections - it was one-finger operation all the way, even when our forearms were about to burst. We did, however, get the clutch to complain a little bit on one particularly steep, soft and rocky climb, but it never went away completely and it returned to its normal feel as soon as we got both our feet back on the pegs. When the trails open up, the Gas Gas motors along okay and can hold its own,