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/700440
2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R FIRST RIDE P76 for a middleweight two-stroke off-road bike. It's a worthy rival to the KTM, Husqvarna and Beta 300cc two bangers out there. The engine is unchanged from the previous model, so the familiar lugability of the 300 two- stroke is still present. The Gas Gas engine shines down near idle, providing incredible traction when navigating technical ter- rain. It pulls well through the mid and will rev out when needed. The Marzocchi fork moves through its travel smoothly, doing a great job of soaking up trail hack and holds up well to big drops. The Reiger shock works nicely and with only a day of single-track and rock-hopping we feel with some fine tuning (through sag and clicker adjust- ments) the potential is there to make it work even better. It is great to see the new own- ers of Gas Gas committing to the brand and working toward suc- cess. Two-stroke off-road riders can rejoice that there is another choice in the enduro world and we are looking forward to riding and testing further with Gas Gas as more bikes and models make it to the U.S. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R ENGINE: ............. Single cylinder, 2-stroke DISPLACEMENT: ...........................299.3cc BORE X STROKE: ................. 72.5 x 72mm FUEL SYSTEM: ........ Keihin PKWS 38mm INTAKE SYSTEM: ..........Direct reed-valve, V-Force MUFFLER: ..................... FMF Powercore 2 CLUTCH: ...........Wet Multi-disc, hydraulic TRANSMISSION: ........................... 6-speed FINAL DRIVE: ........................ Regina chain IGNITION: ..................... Hidria DC ignition STARTING SYSTEM: ...................... Electric FRAME: ........... Chromoly-steel, perimeter FRONT SUSPENSION: ............... Marzocchi Shiver 48mm, closed-cartridge, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: Reiger single shock, fully adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ..................... 12 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .....................11.7 in. FRONT BRAKE: ........ 260mm Galfer wave rotor, 2-piston Nissin caliper REAR BRAKE: 220mm Galfer Wave rotor, 1-piston Nissin caliper FRONT TIRE: ..........90/90-21 in. Metzeler Six Days REAR TIRE: ...........140/80-18 in. Metzeler Six Days HANDLEBAR: ........................Double Force SEAT HEIGHT: ................................. 37.4 in WHEELBASE: .........................58.2 ± 0.4 in WEIGHT (without fuel): ................236 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 2.5 gal. (Above) Gas Gas is working hard to build a name for itself in the U.S. again. Hiring people like Geoff Aaron, Scot Harden and Broc Hepler should help do that. (Right) Electric starting is a huge asset. In case anything goes wrong with the button, manual kick is still there for backup.