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/1505613
QUICKSPIN I 2024 GasGas EC 300 P110 to attack anything. Slow-speed sections highlight the EC's stout bottom end, which then transitions into a crispy midrange that rarely requires a lot of clutch massaging. The new fuel injection system works well with no hiccups. It might not have that carbureted hit, or snap that some people like, but the GasGas' fuel injection makes up for that with ultra-con - trollability, which is ideal for Erzberg-type trails, which this motorcycle is all about. The GasGas I rode was fitted with the optional two-way map switch, and you can quickly notice the difference between the two settings. The standard (or mellow) white position is ideal for rock crawling, while the more aggressive map (green for "go!") noticeably unlocks the engine's full potential and livens things up across the pow - erband, ideal for when the trails open up, on soft terrain or when you get bogged down in mud. Regarding the suspension, I wasn't thrilled with the EC's now old-style open-cartridge WP Xplor fork. I was okay with it before, but hav - ing recently experienced the new-and-improved closed-cartridge WP Xact fork on the KTM, I'm now spoiled. The Xplor fork doesn't have the consistency of the Xact fork, nor does it feel as plush over the smaller bumps. Yet, the GasGas' Xplor fork felt too soft for the bigger hits; it blew right through the stroke without even slowing down, often en route to bottoming out when rid - den aggressively. When ridden casually, how- ever, the forks are fine, but overall, I would've liked to have spent more time trying to dial out my issues with the air-adjustable Xplor fork that now features easy-to-use finger adjusters. The EC's rear suspension works well. It felt planted, stable and inspired confidence when the trail and speeds got faster. WRAP UP Before I knew it, my time on the EC 300 was up. It literally was a quick spin. I'm looking forward to spending more time on the EC 300 soon, as I barely got to scratch the surface of what this bike can do. And I'm sure it will be just about anything. Till we meet again. CN 2024 GASGAS EC 300 ($10,699) ENGINE TYPE: 2-stroke, single COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid DISPLACEMENT: 293.2cc BORE X STROKE: 72 x 72mm STARTING SYSTEM: Electric FUELING: Throttle Body Fuel Injection with Vitesco Technologies EMS CLUTCH: DDS wet multi-disc clutch, Braktec hydraulics TRANSMISSION: 6-speed FRAME: Steel central-tube SUBFRAME: aluminum HANDLEBAR: Neken aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: WP Xplor 48mm REAR SUSPENSION: WP Xact Monoshock with linkage FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 11.81 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 11.81 in. FRONT WHEEL: 21 in. REAR WHEEL: 18 in. FRONT TIRE: Dunlop Geomax MX-33F REAR TIRE: Dunlop Geomax AT81 FRONT BRAKE: Braktec 260 mm REAR BRAKE: Braktec 220 mm STEERING HEAD ANGLE: 63.9 degrees SEAT HEIGHT: 37.6 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: 13.9 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 2.37 gal. WEIGHT (NO FUEL, CLAIMED): 237.2 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S