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/1465013
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 GASGAS EX 300 P70 closest sibling, the EC (enduro) 300. Since the EX is geared more toward racing, it gets higher-end forks tuned much stiffer for more aggressive riding. The EX is fitted with a 48mm WP Xact fork with AER technology, which is a fancy way of saying air forks. The EC uses a 48mm WP Xplor coil spring (Left) Yes, two- stroke exhaust pipes are indeed vulnerable. Power delivery can be altered via that little gold-colored Robertson (square) screw that adjusts the opening of exhaust power valve. It's very useful and makes up for no handlebar map switch. (Right) The EX is fitted with high-end WP Xact AER forks. One leg controls preload (air), the other damping. (Left) Glass headlights and racing don't mix, so the EX is fitted with a moto- style front number plate. There is no computer/ odometer, either— not needed for GNCC-type racing. fork. Both bikes have WP Xact shocks, but the EX's is set up stiffer. Both model's shock ride on linkages, and both suspensions are adjustable to the hilt. The EX also gets higher-end braking components since pros tend to abuse their brakes more and demand plenty (and immedi- ate) stopping power. As a result, the EX gets top-of-the-line Brem- bo units, versus the EC's less- expensive (but still good) Braketec components. Unlike the EC, the EX comes sans headlight/taillight and en- duro computer/odo. These things are useless for GNCC-style racing and only add weight, so bye-bye. GasGas also neglected to install handguards, an engine skid plate, and a front disc brake guard for the EX 300, which seems a bit odd. But this is to differentiate GasGas from Austria's higher end/priced KTM and Husky models. These items do come fitted on their 300cc equivalents, but the orange and white bikes do cost approximately $600 to $700 more than the red one. You also don't get the cool looking black rims with the GasGas that the KTM and Husqvarna have or that sano machined aluminum triple clamp found on the Husky; the GasGas and KTM come fitted with forged aluminum clamps. The GasGas and KTM have aluminum subframes; the Husky's is com- posite. Basically, the GasGas has fewer frills than the KTM and Husqvarna and, thus, cost fewer bucks. Otherwise, they all aren't much different.