GPX 300 Thoughts…

[Paul Young]

My 30yr old Honda 2-stroke is, and has been, brilliant for my greenlaning over the last 20yrs. Light, simple, easy to maintain, etc, but it’s got a bit tall and kick-start only is not as easy as it used to be.

Now I have some funds, I’ve been researching alternatives and I like the idea of having electric start and a bit of engine braking, so 4-stroke looks like the way forward. The problem has been that most of the bikes around measure their service intervals in hours used, which is not for me. Also, my budget is around £5k and I’d like something that’s not been thrown around the countryside too much. I’ve looked at most of the makes/models and the GPX range keeps floating towards the top of my research. Zero reports of engine issues, good pricing and VFM are regular comments I’ve seen, so I’ve arranged to join a test ride day on Saturday. I’m especially interested in the new FSE300E which looks like a real unicorn of a trail bike - 300cc air-cooled, Bosch EFi, 140 mile range, 5000 mile valve check intervals, adjustable ride height and e/start is like an XR250 with a big bore kit and the stuff it always needed.

Anyone got knowledge or info that might be helpful? I’ll add anything I can after Saturday…

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

My 30yr old Honda 2-stroke is, and has been, brilliant for my greenlaning over the last 20yrs. Light, simple, easy to maintain, etc, but it’s got a bit tall and kick-start only is not as easy as it used to be.

Now I have some funds, I’ve been researching alternatives and I like the idea of having electric start and a bit of engine braking, so 4-stroke looks like the way forward. The problem has been that most of the bikes around measure their service intervals in hours used, which is not for me. Also, my budget is around £5k and I’d like something that’s not been thrown around the countryside too much. I’ve looked at most of the makes/models and the GPX range keeps floating towards the top of my research. Zero reports of engine issues, good pricing and VFM are regular comments I’ve seen, so I’ve arranged to join a test ride day on Saturday. I’m especially interested in the new FSE300E which looks like a real unicorn of a trail bike - 300cc air-cooled, Bosch EFi, 140 mile range, 5000 mile valve check intervals, adjustable ride height and e/start is like an XR250 with a big bore kit and the stuff it always needed.

Anyone got knowledge or info that might be helpful? I’ll add anything I can after Saturday…

View attachment 470098

One of the guys I ride with went for the GPX 250, he went from a Himalayan, to an XR250 as was finding the Himalayan a bit much off road and then to the GPX. Seems very happy with it.

He led this ride on Sunday that I missed in the Peaks.

 

[Gregd]

My 30yr old Honda 2-stroke is, and has been, brilliant for my greenlaning over the last 20yrs. Light, simple, easy to maintain, etc, but it’s got a bit tall and kick-start only is not as easy as it used to be.

Now I have some funds, I’ve been researching alternatives and I like the idea of having electric start and a bit of engine braking, so 4-stroke looks like the way forward. The problem has been that most of the bikes around measure their service intervals in hours used, which is not for me. Also, my budget is around £5k and I’d like something that’s not been thrown around the countryside too much. I’ve looked at most of the makes/models and the GPX range keeps floating towards the top of my research. Zero reports of engine issues, good pricing and VFM are regular comments I’ve seen, so I’ve arranged to join a test ride day on Saturday. I’m especially interested in the new FSE300E which looks like a real unicorn of a trail bike - 300cc air-cooled, Bosch EFi, 140 mile range, 5000 mile valve check intervals, adjustable ride height and e/start is like an XR250 with a big bore kit and the stuff it always needed.

Anyone got knowledge or info that might be helpful? I’ll add anything I can after Saturday…

View attachment 470098

Hi Paul, I’m going to the test ride tomorrow too. There is some great feedback on the GPX bikes by some very well respected people in the enduro game so I can’t wait to give them a go. Maybe we’ll catch up tomorrow and share opinions, I’ll be the short fat bald bloke with white BMW adventure helmet.

 

[Paul Young]

Hi Paul, I’m going to the test ride tomorrow too. There is some great feedback on the GPX bikes by some very well respected people in the enduro game so I can’t wait to give them a go. Maybe we’ll catch up tomorrow and share opinions, I’ll be the short fat bald bloke with white BMW adventure helmet.

There are quite a few of us going from the Lancs TRF group too. I think I’m one of 7 or 8, so it will be great to meet you.

Likewise, I’ve heard good feedback and I’m looking forward to throwing my leg over them. I’ll be the old giffer in a 1980’s black/white BMW enduro suit…

 

[Blacknbluex2]

I’ll be very interested on the collective thoughts on these bikes , especially the 300 2 stroke, spoke to my local dealer today and he has a 250 and a 300 available . Do let us know how you get on tomorrow.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

There are quite a few of us going from the Lancs TRF group too. I think I’m one of 7 or 8, so it will be great to meet you.

Likewise, I’ve heard good feedback and I’m looking forward to throwing my leg over them. I’ll be the old giffer in a 1980’s black/white BMW enduro suit…

Where’s the test day ?

 

[Paul Young]

Where’s the test day ?

Lancs GPX Tours in Littleborough. The details are on the gpxmoto.com site but it’s a pre-book only deal for £7.

 

[Paul Young]

I’ll be very interested on the collective thoughts on these bikes , especially the 300 2 stroke, spoke to my local dealer today and he has a 250 and a 300 available . Do let us know how you get on tomorrow.

The 2-stroke 300 looks very good with 50bhp available, and I’ll probably love it, but I’ve boiled my rear brake before now coming down Gatesgarth. Hitting the powerband on a descent makes you descend even faster

 

[Paul Young]

A few thoughts, in a completely random order, but I tried the following bikes today
Fse300e - air cooled, EFi
Fse300r - water cooled, carb
Tse250r - water cooled, carb
Tse300r - water cooled, carb
Fse450r - water cooled, carb
I liked the a/c 300 from the off and only felt that the w/c 300 seemed a little more crisp/sharper in its response to inputs. I’d be happy with either and the same for the 300 2T. I wasn’t as keen on the 250 2T as my friend was. He thought it was better than the 300 but I felt it was just too peaky and lacked any bottom end at all. At least the 300 2T had a bit of low down grunt. The only thing I’d need to consider was the amount of engine braking on the 4T bikes. The EFi in the a/c one seemed to shut off almost completely, so it slowed quite quickly, whereas the carb on the w/c model felt less on/off to me. The 450 was generally considered a poor bike as the clutch was almost worn out and the engine bogged down when you twisted the throttle, before picking up a bit. It never felt that it was going to pull you forward much faster, no matter how much you wrung its neck.
The most comments were around there being something for everyone, and that the pricing made them a lot of bike compared to similar KTM or Husqvarna bikes at almost twice the price.

 

[Blacknbluex2]

The big question now is .... have you bought one yet.....

 

[Paul Young]

The big question now is .... have you bought one yet.....

I was going to but we overran our budget for an extension on the house. It needed a new boiler and that was my £5k sacrificed for now. I got my way on a 75” tv for the new space though, so that’s something I suppose