KIWI RIDER APRIL 2021 VOL2 | Page 41

IDENTICAL SINGLES The first thing to know is that both these machines are incredibly similar in terms of the chassis , almost identical . They both have 300mm suspension travel at each end . They weigh almost the same amount , within 0.6kg . The 8.5 litre fuel tank is the same size . The 26.5-degree steering head angle is shared and the 22mm fork offset is the same . Over the years I ’ ve come to believe a 26.5 head angle and 20mm fork offset is the perfect combination for NZ Enduro conditions ... so this is very close to perfect for me - and everyone who rode these bikes commented on how good the steering was in the tight going . The 950mm seat height - at the lowest sensible preload for light riders - is the same too . It goes on , brake disc diameters of 260 / 220mm , 90 / 90-21 and 140 / 80-18 wheel and tyre
sizes and the perimeter chromemolybdenum frames with alloy subframes – all largely the same . Ergonomically the 300 , for some reason , feels a little more compact ( read : cramped for tall riders ). However , a quick once over with the tape measure found no real differences other than the bar position , which is adjustable . Perhaps it was just that the 350 felt firmer sprung and sat up more . But overall , more or less the same .
WEIGHT AND RIDING TECHNIQUE Considering the above , one could imagine a fairly similar riding feel , but they are very different machines that are quite dissimilar and require different riding techniques . Firstly , in general terms , the two-stroke EC300 is probably the better machine for extreme terrain .
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