2018 GasGas EC/XC 300
FULL TEST
P96
arc—favoring a more plush and controlled delivery
of horsepower than one reliant on revs.
The EC handling is the only awkward part of
the lineup. And this is due mostly to a compact
bar bend with what feels like is a lot of sweep
built into the bend. It sort of amplifies the feel of
additional weight of the headlight and computer
mounted on the bike and makes it a bit lethargic
in comparison to the more nimble XC. This is a
handlebar issue, most likely, and nothing else.
So it's a subjective knock, at best.
The XC, by contrast, has amplified
throttle response, more precise-feeling
handling and a more accelerated
transition of power from bottom to top.
It gets into midrange grunt out of the
bottom-pull faster than the EC and
carries the top-end with more aggres-
sion but not outright snap. Bottom-end
power and delivery isn't necessarily
sacrificed with the more aggressive
feeling. So, don't worry about losing too much in
the technical traction department if you opt for an
XC model.
Likewise, the XC seems to dance around ob-
stacles with more ease. This is likely due to some
reduced weight from the wiring harness and
light/computer systems as well as more leverage
from a more comfortable bend on the Twinwalls.
Both bikes have identical suspension compo-
nents and settings, and they're great if not a little
stiff initially for gnarly off-road. While we didn't
feel any compliant issues with small bumps in our
testing, we know there is rockier and sharper-
edge terrain out there that will test the KYB's
movements. The great news, it's a system that is
easily tunable and customizable thanks
to a massive aftermarket support system
of suspension shops and more standard
componentry than GasGas has employed
on their bikes in the past.
Out of the box, this is a true "com-
petition" suspension setting with major
hold-up behavior and massive bottoming
resistance for an off-road bike.
For us, the bike to buy out of the
2018 GasGas lineup is the XC. It offers
all of the usable power traits of the EC with the
added benefit of some excitement and ampli-
fied competitiveness with better ergonomics. It's
a capable competition bike and a great enduro
machine.
GasGas has
bolstered its off-
road team with
former off-road
champions Fred
Andrews, Steve
Hatch and Geoff
Aaron, as well as
former 250SX
champ Damon
Bradshaw.
