About 25 riders ventured out to the Battle Creek Motorcycle Club grounds May 22 to get their first taste of the new GasGas enduro bikes. Riders were treated to a bottle of cold water and a (hot) hot dog as well as the chance to compare the EC250 Fse four-stroke to it's two-stroke stablemates, the XC 250 and 300.

Most guys were at first stunned by how good the bikes looked, and then after riding them amazed at how well they worked in the woods. Hard-core racers were split between the 250 and 300 two-strokes, while less experienced trail riders favored the 250F.

 


Riders staged out of Battle Creek's scoring pavilion, and they went off in waves every ten or fifteen minutes.





Each bike had its own personality, with the 250 being lauded for its agility and spritely power, while the 300 was called "a woods tractor" on more than one occasion. The deep, wet sand of the moto track taxed the powertrains, but life got better in the woods and when the sand finally started to dry out. The bikes were universally praised for their sleek ergonomics, great balance, and how well they worked in the woods. Yamaha riders in particular commented positively on the steering and braking as compared to their own bikes.


Brian Kidner flies on whatever he rides, whenever, wherever ... Here he's got the 300 cooking on the moto track. Usually an orange rider, he said of the 300 that "it really handles nice; it's got really comfortable geometry and good characteristics".

      


The woods loop was a favorite of the Taste Testers. Mark Becker demonstrates on the 250F; Rudy Richardson handles the two-stroke 250 duties.

   

Most guys, especially those who usually ride 450Fs, wanted more power (of course) but almost everyone agreed the two-strokes had great woods powerbands. The 250F has had a shot in the arm via a full FMF PowerBomb exhaust kit that will be stock on American bikes.

At the end of the day the bikes were dirty and the smiles were wide. Rudy was glad to ride the bikes - I was happy that the riders enjoyed the day.