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/960906
2018 GASGAS ENDUROGP 300 FIRST TEST P84 or make any changes. Usually, when it comes to most off-road riding conditions, it's better to be a little left of soft than right. Our testers were overall pleased how it came right out of the crate. The EnduroGP 300 is a fantastic handling machine. It loves the tight stuff—the tighter and more technical the better. The bike feels nimble and is easy to maneuver; a lot of this has to do with the bike's narrow profile, comfortable ergos and light weight. One tester liked the GasGas so much that he went as far to say: "It's the most well- balanced and best-suspended stock bike I have ever ridden." At 231.5 pounds, the GasGas isn't the lightest in its class but that can be an advantage when it comes to stability. Ultra-light two-strokes tend to deflect over rocks and sharp-edged objects more than heavier ones do. Still, the GasGas feels nice and light, so you get a little bit of the best of both worlds with the EnduroGP. The translucent fuel tank holds a generous 2.64 gallons that should give you decent range. And if it's getting late in the day, it's nice to know that the GP is fitted with a headlight, which, by the way, is required equipment in world enduro competition. In case you are wondering, the GasGas EnduroGP 300 is most comparable to KTM's 300 XC-W Six Days, Beta's 300 RR-Race Edition and Sherco's 300 SE-R Six Days. Even though this isn't a comparison test, here are a few numbers to chew on. The KTM is the lightest of the four at 221.6 pounds, the Beta weighs in at 228 pounds, and the Sherco and GasGas both check in at 231.5 pounds (these are all claimed dry weight figures). The Beta has the lowest seat height at 36.6 inches, ver- sus the Sherco' 37.4 inches, and GasGas and KTM's 37.8 inches. The KTM has the most ground clearance with 14.6 inches, followed by the Sherco and GasGas with 13.8 inches, and the Beta with 12.6 inches; and they all hold simi- lar amount of fuel at 2.7 for the Sherco, 2.6 gallons for both the GasGas and KTM, and 2.5 gallons for the Beta. Here's where things get further apart a bit. The KTM carries an MSRP of $10,199, the GasGas EnduroGP 300 $9799, the Sherco $9600, and the Beta $8950. The base model Gas- Gas (the EC 300) chimes in at $9299. (Husqvarna's stand- alone standard TE 300 sells for $9399.) Overall, we're excited that GasGas is unquestionably back and thinking forward when it comes to producing first-rate, competitive off-road motorcycles, and we're also excited that GasGas is appar- ently still committed to two- strokes. The GasGas Endu- roGP 300 is a great example of both. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2018 GASGAS ENDUROGP 300 ($9799) ENGINE: ............ Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, single cylinder DISPLACEMENT: ........................ 299.3cc BORE X STROKE: ............... 66.4 x 72mm STARTER: ..................... Kick and Electric IGNITION: ................................ Electronic TRANSMISSION: .........................6-speed CLUTCH: ....Multi-disc, Rekluse system, Magura clutch pump INTAKE SYSTEM: ........ Direct reed-valve V-Force 4 EXHAUST MUFFLER: ...FMF PowerCore 2.1 HANDLEBAR: .............. Renthall Twinwall FRAME: ....................... Chome-moly steel SUBFRAME: .............................Aluminum SWINGARM: ............................Aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: ....................... KYB 48mm, AOS system, closed-cartridge, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: .............KYB, single shock, fully adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ...............11.8 in. SUSPENSION TRAVEL: ..................11.8 in. FRONT WHEEL: ........... Excel 1.6 x 21 in. REAR WHEEL: ............. Excel 2.15 x 18 in. FRONT TIRE: ............90/90 – 21 in. 54R Michelin Enduro Medium F REAR TIRE: ..140/80-18 in. 70R Michelin Enduro Medium R TT FRONT BRAKE: ........ Single, 260mm NG EnduroGP disc, Nissin caliper REAR BRAKE: .......... Single, 220mm NG disc, Nissin caliper FULL CAPACITY: ........................ 2.64 gal. WHEELBASE: ................................ 58.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .............................. 37.8 in. DRY WEIGHT (CLAIMED): ........231.5 lbs.