QUICK LINKS IN THE WIND 20 STUFF 78 << RedBud Motocross >> NO STOPPING ROCZEN WEBB SEES RED
VOL. 53 ISSUE 26 JULY 6, 2016 Comparison Test YAMAHA XSR900 VS. DUCATI MONSTER 821 Also FIRST RIDE: 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 STURGIS SUPERMOTO ARCHIVES: 1985 SUPERCROSS SEASON
CONTENTS P4 Ten-time National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron gets low on the Gas Gas EC 300 twostroke.
VOL. 53 ISSUE 26 JULY 6, 2016 P5 68 RACED 42 REDBUD MOTOCROSS Roczen, Webb rock RedBud TESTED 58 NAKED BIKE COMPARISON Yamaha s XSR900 takes on the Ducati Monster 821 68 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 First ride with the Spanish revival DEPARTMENTALIZED 6 VOICES 8 CAPTURED 20 WIND 78 STUFF 82 CALENDAR 84 LEADERBOARD 86 RACING ON THE TUBE 88 ARCHIVES 90 BIKES OF THE STARS 92 LOOKING BACK 94 IN THE PADDOCK QUICK LINKS IN THE WIND 20 STUFF 78 VOL. 53 ISSUE 26 JULY 6, 2016 Comparison Test YAMAHA XSR900 VS. DUCATI MONSTER 821 Also FIRST RIDE: 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 STURGIS SUPERMOTO ARCHIVES: 1985 SUPERCROSS SEASON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM BOOTH << RedBud Motocross >> NO STOPPING ROCZEN WEBB SEES RED On The Cover: Ken Roczen crosses the finish line with a flawless victory at RedBud MX. PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOPPENWORLD.COM
P24 IN WIND THE SCOT HARDEN JOINS GAS GAS Torrot Gas Gas Motos North America, recently announced that industry veteran, AMA Hall of Famer and former VP of Global Marketing for Zero Motorcycles Scot Harden has joined its executive management team as Chief Marketing Officer for Gas Gas Motorcycles and the Torrot line of 100% electric smart products. As CMO Harden reports to Torrot CEO/ Founder Ivan Contreras and is responsible for all North American sales and marketing efforts. These responsibilities include establishing the commercial policies and organizational structure for sales and dealer development, as well as overseeing all marketing activities including advertising, social media, racing, media relations and product development for both the Gas Gas line of world-class enduro and trials motorcycles and the highly innovative line of Torrot EV products. I am very excited about this opportunity, Harden said. Torrot is a highly innovative and diverse company with a proven track record for success. They have made serious investments in both Gas Gas and the Torrot line of EV product and are primed for growth. I look forward to working with Mr. Contreras, Mark Berg, COO of Torrot North America and Joaquin Perles, Director of Business Development as well as the Gas Gas/Torrot factory, its staff, dealer network, fans and supporters to help build what is already an exciting, world-renowned brand into a fun and profitable business. We are thrilled to have Scot on board as part of the Torrot Gas Gas team, said Ivan Contreras, CEO/Founder Torrot. His background and experience in both the world of off-road motorcycling and the EV business as well make him a perfect fit to lead our growing sales and marketing team. We are making a major investment in North America in both Gas Gas and Torrot. We will be establishing an office and development center in southern California as a commitment to the U.S. market and to better serve our dealers, customers and press. Scot s reputation and relationships within the sport and the industry as well as his entrepreneurial leadership style will give us a great head start. We look forward to a bright future together. This announcement follows quickly after the announcement that Geoff Aaron has joined Gas Gas as promotions manager. Additional information on Torrot and Gas Gas future plans and more importantly the release of the new 2017 Gas Gas model line will be announced in the near future. CN
FIRST RIDE 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R P68 STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM BOOTH BACK ON THE TRAIL GAS GAS RETURNS WITH SOME OF ITS MOST POPULAR MODELS, LIKE THE EC 300 R TWO-STROKE OFF-ROADER. WE RECENTLY TOOK A SPIN ON IT AND LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY S COMEBACK.
VOL. 53 ISSUE 26 JULY 6, 2016 P69 GasGas is back in North America and the new owners are making a legitimate push, establishing a home base of operations with a solid plan for dealers. They are also well aware of the need for the customer to get parts when needed in a timely manner. The U.S. infrastructure is taking shape and as proof by our day aboard the 2017 GasGas EC 300 R (Racing model), bikes are coming out of the factory and making it to American soil. Geoff Aaron shows you what the 2017 GasGas EC 300 R is capable of doing. A NEW BEGINNING The Spanish company Torrot, which is known for its electric scooters and mini bikes, acquired GasGas, which was in dire finical distress. Torrot s plan for recovery of Gas Gas is now in motion and we meet with Geoff Aaron, the new promotions manager for GasGas here in the States, to ride the 2017 EC 300 off-road two-stroke for a day. It was a great chance to get reacquainted with the bike and to get caught up with all of the latest happenings
FIRST RIDE 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R P70 with the company, which also just acquired off-road legend Scot Harden as chief marketing director. Plus, Gas Gas recently hired former factory motocrosser Broc Hepler as one of its new off-road factory racers. As you can see, Gas Gas is serious about its comeback. In between our rides on the EC 300, Aaron filled us in on Gas Gas major push to make the company with the funny name successful again. Gas Gas now has a subsiderary team, an arm of the factory here in the U.S., Aaron said. They have a group for the dealerships and a team for promotions. My new role with Gas Gas is to work with the The new EC 300 R two-stroke isn t dramatically changed over the previous model. Luckily, it was already a very good off-road bike. media and provide new models and showcase the new bikes. I will also continue to race EnduroCross, which is something I ve been passionate about for 10
FIRST RIDE 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R P72 The Gas Gas isn t the lightest bike in its class but it s still quite agile compared to big-bore fourstrokes.
FIRST RIDE 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R P74 Geoff Aaron is liking the EC 300. GasGas is also offering the EC 250.
VOL. 53 ISSUE 26 JULY 6, 2016 P75 years. The other cool thing I get to do is I ll be attending all the national trials events. I did 20 years on the circuit and won 10 national championships and while I m not competing, I m there representing the Gas Gas brand and being the eyes and ears for Gas Gas. For now Gas Gas will release their flagship models like the EC 300 and EC 250 here in the U.S. On the trials side they will have a 300 and 250 two-stroke available. They are bringing in what they are good at, their trials and enduro two-stroke models. Gas Gas is excited about their future in North America and they have a lot of cool things in the works. REFINEMENTS The 2017 Gas Gas 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, like the adjustable powervalve 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 features carried over from the previous model include E-start (with manual kick for backup), a digital speedometer, headlight, sidestand, skid plate and hand guards. OUT ON THE TRAIL We spent just a few hours with Geoff Aaron, riding around on the 2017 Gas Gas 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
FIRST RIDE 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R P76 SPECIFICATIONS (Above) Gas Gas is working hard to build a name for itself in the U.S. again. Hiring people like Geoff Aaron, Scot Harden and Broc Hepler should help do that. (Right) Electric starting is a huge asset. In case anything goes wrong with the button, manual kick is still there for backup. 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 lugability of the 300 twostroke is still present. The Gas Gas 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-hopping we feel with some fine tuning (through sag and clicker adjustments) the potential is there to make it work even better. It is great to see the new owners of Gas Gas committing to the brand and working toward success. Two-stroke off-road riders can rejoice that there is another choice in the enduro world and we are looking forward to riding and testing further with Gas Gas as more bikes and models make it to the U.S. CN 2017 GAS GAS EC 300 R ENGINE:...Single cylinder, 2-stroke DISPLACEMENT:...299.3cc BORE X STROKE:...72.5 x 72mm FUEL SYSTEM:... Keihin PKWS 38mm INTAKE SYSTEM:...Direct reed-valve, V-Force MUFFLER:...FMF Powercore 2 CLUTCH:...Wet Multi-disc, hydraulic TRANSMISSION:... 6-speed FINAL DRIVE:... Regina chain IGNITION:... Hidria DC ignition STARTING SYSTEM:...Electric FRAME:...Chromoly-steel, perimeter FRONT SUSPENSION:...Marzocchi Shiver 48mm, closed-cartridge, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION:... Reiger single shock, fully adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL:...12 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL:...11.7 in. FRONT BRAKE:... 260mm Galfer wave rotor, 2-piston Nissin caliper REAR BRAKE:...220mm Galfer Wave rotor, 1-piston Nissin caliper FRONT TIRE:...90/90-21 in. Metzeler Six Days REAR TIRE:...140/80-18 in. Metzeler Six Days HANDLEBAR:...Double Force SEAT HEIGHT:... 37.4 in WHEELBASE:...58.2 ± 0.4 in WEIGHT (without fuel):...236 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY:...2.5 gal. MSRP:...$8399