Gas Gas EC 300

Make Model	Gas Gas EC 300
Year	2017
Engine	Two stroke, single cylinder, Direct reed valve VForce 4
Capacity	294 cc / 17.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	72 x 72 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Lubrication	2-stroke-oil/fuel mixed 1:50
Exhaust	FMF Powercore 2
Induction	38mm Keihin PWK carburetor
Ignition	Hidria DC ignition
Starting	Electric
Max Power	50 hp / 37.2 kW @ 7340 rpm
Max Torque	49 Nm / 26.1 lb-ft @ 6890 rpm
Clutch	Wet Multi-disc, hydraulic
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Chromoly-steel, perimeter
Front Suspension	Marzocchi Shiver 48mm, closed cartridge, fully adjustable
Front Wheel Travel	306 mm / 12 in
Rear Suspension	Reiger single shock, fully adjustable
Rear Wheel Travel	298 mm / 11.7 in
Front Brakes	Single 260mm wave disc 1 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre	90/90 -21
Rear Tyre	140/80 -18
Wheelbase	1480 mm / 58.3 in
Seat Height	950 mm / 37.4 in
Ground Clearance	340 mm / 13.4 in
Dry Weight	107.0 kg / 235.9 lbs
Fuel Capacity	9.5 Litres / 2.5 US gal

The 2017 GasGas EC 300 is much like the previous EC 300 with some very minor revisions to the subframe at the front mount and the overall color is now red. Key features, such as the adjustable power-valve and an FMF muffler, remain. Nissin brakes squeeze Galfer Wave rotors to help stop the Excel rims that are wrapped in Metzeler Six Days Extreme tires. The Marzocchi closed-cartridge fork has updated internal valving and is combined with the German made Reiger shock.

Other notable featured carried over from the previous model includes E-start (with manual kick for backup), a digital meter, headlight, sidestand, skid plate and handguards.

We spent just a few hours with Geoff Aaron, riding around on the 2017 GasGas EC 300 R, roosting single track and crawling around on big rocks. Little changes or not, the EC 300 R is still an fantastic off-roader and is without question worth looking into if you’re in the market 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 lugablilty of the 300 two-stroke is still present. The GasGas engine shines down near idle, providing incredible traction when navigating technical terrain. 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 hoping we feel with some fine tuning (through sag and clicker adjustments) the potential is there to make it work even better.

Source Cycle news