Gas Gas EC reviews

First of all, this was my first non-Japanese brand motorcycle - it was a big leap for me to put money down on something other than a Honda or Yamaha which have always been my two favorite brands over the 30 years I've been riding dirt bikes. The quality of components and engineering on this GasGas is top notch. After 2 full seasons, there have been no problems that stopped me from riding, or leaving me stranded. I ride alone in deep forests of Northern Ontario, Canada and reliability was the number one item on my list of needs for a bike. (The population density in this area is less than 1 person per square mile - breaking down really sucks here) The only reason I looked at a brand other than Honda/Yamaha is that they don't make what I want - which is a very lightweight dirt oriented fully road legal bike - and the EC300 fit the bill to a T.' I tried the 4 stroke thing with 3 different bikes before the GasGas, but in my honest opinion, they just don't cut it for what I do. You either have a high strung, high cost, high maintenance lightweight 4 stroke, or you have a reliable tank. I didn't want either. I get on my bike, kick it once, and ride and ride. I change the tranny oil every 500km, lube the chain, check the bike over and that's it. I have so much work to do each day with just living in the woods (water, firewood, home maintenance), that I don't want some finicky high strung machine that needs babying BUT, I want the lightest machine I can get out there. My riding includes paved roads, gravel roads, maintained trails, rough cut trails, logging roads and abandoned gravel pits. I really did need a bike that could do it all, and this one does it. I can cruise at 100km/hour going to town and back (24km total round trip) on the highway with logging trucks all around and then spend the rest of the afternoon playing on trails. Here are the only things I found wrong with the bike. One, the kickstand design is just plain ridiculous in how it works. Thankfully, there is an easy cost free fix you can find out about by doing a web search. The second item was that the carb was miles out of whack new. It was so rich at low throttle positions that it gurgled, drank gas and fouled plugs. After getting that sorted out (#9 slider, #42 pilot, #180 main, air screw at 1.5 out) I'm getting around 50mpg on the road (Canadian gallons, which is = to about 40mpg to the American gallon) I have had the same plug for 1.5 seasons now. Here is the icing on the cake: The suspension and handling are just so good I can't even explain. I got the Ohlins rear and Marzocci front forks - I didn't think I needed the Ohlins front, besides the Ohlins have a reputation as being harder to work on. I change my fork oil once per year. I've hit 140km/hour on gravel, and there was plenty more to go, but I'm a chicken that wants to live, so who knows where the top end is? Options to get for this bike are the Honda style chain guide and oversize tank. I use Motul 800 at 50:1 and premium gas. At 4200km, I still have full compression. Other reviews mention 10,000 rpm - I don't know if it goes that high or not, but you sure don't need to. The low/mid is so fat when its jetted right that short shifting is the way to go, and you can break the rear tire loose on gravel in 4th gear with just a throttle whack. Guess who is never selling a 2006 EC300? Show less

This is my second GasGas EC300. Mine has Ohlins front and rear and works fantastic. The bike turns very well and with the meaty power and the 6 speed gearbox the bike allows you to ride it wild or mild. Show less

Bike has been running awesome. Apart from normal maintenance, nothing has ever gone wrong.
Best bike in the mud and for the normal tight trails we have around here.
Did I say best bike for mud? I love mud.
I will upgrade to an 07 or 08 model if finances allows. Show less

This is by far the best off-road motorcyle I have ridden. Power delivery is smooth and very strong. It pulls very well off the bottom, strong through the mid and revs way out on top to 10000 RPM. Handling is superb. It turns sharp regardless of rider position. It is stable at speed. It is very forgiving and confidence inspiring. Suspension is top notch. It will soak up rocks and roots at low speed very well and handle whoops at all speeds up to 50MPH+. The fit and finish on the engine is excellent. The frame has a few fit and finish issues with part alignment. Overall, there is not another off-road motorcycle I would rather have, except for an '07 EC300. Show less

I recently bought a 2003 model GasGas EC200 from a mate of kien who was up grading to the EC300. This was his second 200, the first one he had was a 2002 model a couple of years ago before he had a couple of accidents which injured his shoulder and knee. I bought this from him in April and have loved every ride I have had on it. The suspension is flawless, the motor is awesome, the ergos are fantastic and it just does what you expect it to. Show less

I love my Gas Gas! I have ridden many Japanise made MX bikes over the years and none compare to my 2005 Gas Gas EC 250. I'm never going back! I do use this bike for Motocross riding in the Desert dunes near my home and it has never disappointed me in the slightest. This machine has so much power down low and in the midrange that it almost doesnt need the insanely powerful top end that it does have. Show less

This bike is an enduro bike... use it for tight eastern woods and it is just as good as it gets. I've owned and ridden them all... 4 and 2 strokes alike, this bike puts everything together if you ride the woods in the east. The power delivery is spot on, the suspension perfect, and the bike handles like it has a brain. Last bike was an 02 RM 250 $1700.00 worth of extras to make a good woods bike and it beat the heck out of me. I put hand guards on my GG and ride 3-4 hours at a clip and sometimes 3 days a week and never get beat up by the bike. It's been 13 months now and all I've done to it is the regular maintenance.... Oil,air filter, tighten chain, check spokes and tires as needed. I may never buy another bike this one is a keeper. Show less

I just bought on of these bikes and I only just tested it. For trail riding, it's perfect; I got the 125 so I could put it on the road on a provisional license! For enduro and stubble fields it's great because it's an enduro bike! For motocross I'm not no sure, it's really too soft but then it's the rider not the bike. Show less

I bought my EC 300 new in the Spring of 2003 Arkansas sight-unseen. Moreover, I had never had any previous experience with Gas-Gas in the past. I'm very pleased with the build quality, nimble handling, and linear power of my EC 300--the OEM AJP juice clutch is a dream. In retrospect, it's the best bike I've ever ridden--compared to both four-strokes and two-strokes. Dependability has been flawless. I eagerly recommend Gas-Gas to anyone who is looking for a quality enduro competitor that's light years ahead of any current Japanese offering. Show less

I have a 2003 400cc Gas Gas thumper and love it. It starts easily all the time never a problem. It's a bit heavy but incredible power and quality. The EFI has been flawless. I do think the fuel line inlet set-up is a bit unreliable. i guess my experience has just been different. Show less