F irst impressions count ... and , no question , the new 2021 GasGas range looks stunning . The EC300 and EC350F enduro test machines looked stunning in the metal / plastic . The combination of the vibrant red with the white side covers and the overall design has a striking effect . Dare I say it ... I think they look better than the bikes from GasGas owners KTM . Having both the EC300 and the EC350F to test at the same time was something I was really looking forward to . These are the two bikes - a 300 two-stroke and 350 four-stroke , that most riders seem to deliberate between when considering a new bike . Riding both of them back to back was going to give the perfect insight into the very different characters of the two bikes .
MARKET COMPARISON Mechanically speaking , the GasGas bikes look very similar to their KTM competition , except for the less wellknown BRAKTEC calipers and clutch / brake master cylinders . Also , the GasGas bikes have WP ’ s XACT linkage rear suspension while KTM EXC models have the non-linkage PDS suspension . In terms of price , the GasGas ’ are cheaper by some margin , but it ’ s difficult to see why as the build quality is great . Having ridden the slightly higher spec Husky TE300i recently , the GasGas EC300 definitely feels every bit its equal , more or less the same to ride with matching performance levels . However , I ’ m digressing while I ponder , the main purpose of this test is to compare the two GasGas models for general and enduro race use , and which bike would suit which kind of rider .
36 KIWI RIDER