RUST magazine: RUST #44

ENDURO
w
spot-on. Kiwi had drilled three holes
in the panels on his bikes and says this
helps with the top end, as before the
Gassers had seemed to run out of puff
– so, yes, they just needed to breathe
easier.
As ever, you have that choice, do you
go for the quick rev and linear feed of
the 250 – a natural born racer – or do
you prefer the torque and sheer pull
of the 300? Rung out, the 300 would
probably be fearsome, but you can
short-shift and just use the bottom
end. This is classic two-stroke enduro,
and it’s meant to be on account this is
exactly what works, and has worked
for decades, in this environment. In
the end I couldn’t make up my mind –
maybe, just maybe I’d pick the EC250
(and learn to ride properly and not be so
lazy).
THE BOTTOM LINE
The feeling is Gas Gas has purposely
made the ultimate two-stroke enduro
racer. KTM/Husqvarna’s move to fuel
injection has split opinions. Some love
it – typically trail riders who love the
sheer ease, and fuel economy – some
struggle with it, and there are stories
of weak midrange and bogging and
there’s been issues with components
failing (not so much the FI as other parts
on the bikes). And FI on a two-stroke (at
this stage) is not so easy to tune.
So the Gas Gas takes us back to
the peak of two-stroke enduro
development prior to FI. The use of
quality components with decadeslong
histories of performance and
reliability underscore its competence.
And being a premix, carbed two-stroke,
it’s a doddle to work on, unencumbered
by the electro-wizardry and all the oil
tanks, plumbing, pumps and injectors
of an auto-lube motor. Meaning
workshop time is likely to be a lot
more pleasant – and ultimately less
expensive.
Now imagine putting that bike to
market with KTM’s brand marketing –
and maybe a little tune up on finishes
here and there – you can imagine
the sheep, sorry, people of the enduro
24
www.rustsports.com