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
The Gas Gas EC250 makes it easier to get where you want to go - even if you don't want to go there One look at the bike and you can tell that a lot of thought went into it. By THE CYCLE NEWS STAFF PHOTOS BY KIT PALMER AND BRENDAN LUTES but it's far more comfortable and potent zig-zagging irs way down the tight singletrack trail. The suspension definitely keeps up with the motor but doesn't quite feel as balanced as it should. a lot of this having to do with a somewhat soft fork and relatively stiff shock. The bike feels okay on level ground. doesn't deflect too badly over the rocks and is quite stable. but you'll wish for more resistance up front when negotiating monster down hills or when you're tapped in third and a nasty G-out or washout suddenly appears out of nowhere. Otherwise. the EC's suspension is quite good right out of the crate; we doubt that it will be difficult W get the EC's suspension dialed in to anyone's particular needs. Despite the somewhat unbalanced feel. the Gas Gas is still a stable handler, overall. and turns really well. It pretty much goes where you point it and does so without While not as responsive as most 2S0cc bikes, the Gas Gas powerplant isn't lacking in horsepower. thinking about it first. And the brakes! They're good. too. There's plenty of power at both ends and it offers good feel. As far as ergonomics, the Gas Gas is rather comfortable and doesn't really feel all that much different than the usual players. The handlebars are right where they should be. the grips and levers are nice. the handlebar/seatlfootpeg relationship seems about right, and it's not too wide or too narrow. THE CROSS PART OF ENDU What makes the EC Dealer Edition nice is that you can moto on it without feeling too out of place next to your CR. YZ-, RH- and/or KX-mounted buddies, since there is no headlight or taillight to reveal your off-road side. We took the EC to the track and actually had fun on it. For serious mOWing, though, the suspension needs to be stiffened up. mainly up front. Still. for a casual day at the track banging bars with your moto buds, the Gas Gas does just fine. The EC should also make a fine Gp, WORCS or GNCC bike, thanks to its solid handling and gentlebut-effective motor. NOT SO PERFECT Even though we like the Gas Gas a bunch. there were a few things that got our boors in a twist. and a couple of other things that just made us wonder why. First of all. the kickstand is terribly annoying. The return spring is so taught that the lever snaps back even if you just lightly brush up against the bike in your garage. A couple of times, our bike slipped out of gear while shifting from second to third on the motocross track. but we never had this problem on the trail. The Gas Gas has a noticeable vibration. mainly at idle and slower speeds: At higher rpm. it's not so bad. We appreciate the fact that Gas Gas went to the effort of making the air filter accessible from the side, but we don't understand why they didn't devise a toolless entry system. After all, they're just one bolt away from accomplishing that' Once inside, the filter is easy to remove and re-install. This falls in the annoying category: Two tools are required to adjust the levers - a hex wrench on the clutch side and a socket on the brake side. Finally, we're not too crazy about how the upper radiator shrouds are held in place by two tiny screws that twist directly into the plastic gas tank. Sooner or later, you'll over-tighten it... dooa! We had no real reliability issues with our test bike. Overall, the bike seems to be built well. and all of the Gas Gas owners that we've talked to say that their bikes have given them years of trouble-free performance. CHECKERED FLAG Overall. we liked the Gas Gas a lot. mainly for irs ability to keep plugging away when things are getting bleaker by the foot. It's the bike you want to be on when just finishing an enduro, or any particularly gnarly off-road race for that matter, will be an eN accomplishment in itself. • GRIPES LIST PRICE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE $6175 249.3cc Two-stroke, liquid-cooled, single BORE X STROKE 66.4 x 72mm CARBURETlON .Keihin PWK IGNITION Kokusan digital CDI multispark CLUTCH Hydraulic TRANSMISSION Six-speed START SYSTEM Kick FRAME Deltabox. chrom-moly steel FRONT TIRE 90 x 90 -21 in. REAR TIRE 140 x 80 - 18 in. RIMS D.I.D. FRONT SUSPENSION .45mm Marzocchi inverted fork REAR SUSPENSION Ohlins. single-shock, swingarm FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 11.8 in. REAR·WHEEL TRAVEL 12.4 in. FRONT BRAKE Nissin. 260mm dual-piston disc REAR BRAKE Nissin. 220mm single-piston disc FUEL CAPACITY 2.5 gal. WHEELBASE 59.04 in. SEAT HEIGHT 37.6 in. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 226.6 Ibs. • LIKES Overly eager to retract kickstand Moderate vibration Somewhat unbalanced chassis Slightly overweight Uninspiring motor Motor virtually impossible to stall Hydraulic clutch Quick steering Smooth power delivery Stable handling CYCLE NEWS • MARCH 23, 2005 Sl