cjs28 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Hi , Im a newbie to trials after coming from road and enduro riding and have bought a Gas Gas 300 raga 2007 which needed some work but is great,My problem is that the tyre looks ok (X11) but im getting no grip. At first I thought it was me as my mates on their Betas were going up everything and I was really struggling but then we changed bikes and the Betas had so much more grip and they struggled on mine. So is it just the tyre or suspension or is it a gas gas thing ,I do prefer the how the gasser handles and turns but Im getting a bit frustrated when I can't get up a bank on mine but can on my mates bikes , The only other point is that theirs are 250's but mine spins on tick over so don't think its a power thing.The tyre Im thinking of getting is the IRC as its pretty muddy or woodland up here.Any help would be appreciated thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the addict Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) Chris, the IRC's are really good in mud so if your riding that sort of stuff mainly go for one of those next time. You should be running 3-4pounds in the rear tyre 6 ish in the front, buy a good accurate low pressure tyre guage and check everytime you ride. I can't say anything about the 300 Raga and grip as I've never owned one, Edited February 1, 2010 by The Addict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcam Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 hi, had a gas gas myself and have swoped to beta 2 weeks ago. The beta has loads more grip in my opinion. Once had a go on a 300 raga and thought the power was fierce which caused wheel spin,therefore loosing grip! Maybe try taming the power down abit, or even better, buy a beta! haha. adding a flywheel weight might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billycraig Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I had an 07 Raga and grip was amazing. 3rd gear would pull nicely in really muddy sections and occasionally 4th. I was thinking on sunday how much I missed it with all these icy trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldilocks Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 There are a whole list of possibilities here first point without wanting to appear cheeky (who me ) is that a 300 raga is not a good choice for a beginner, especially in slippery conditions. second is the rear suspension too hard ? there should be some sag in the shock in my opinion so try backing off the spring if there isnt. third detune the bike, Do the cheap things first, fit a slow throttle, peel the grip back on your throttle and it will probably be white which is quick action. A slow throttle is a black tube and makes a lot of difference. You can also buy from Gas Gas uk a flywheel weight, a spacer for the cylinder head and a thicker base gasket, all of these things will make the pick up softer when you open the throttle what cc are your friends betas ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ham2 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Facts, here: I had 3 different Gassers and finally gave up trying to get them to grip ...even with brand new tyres on. Bought a montesa 315 (with a near slick rear tyre)and stopped coming down hills backwards. One of the main priorities for me when looking for a new bike is;Does it grip by itself..'cos I can't get a bike to grip using my meagre talent alone. Even when I borrow a ride on a modern Pro I can tell it's not going to grip (for me). Opinion, here: Flog it and move on or buy/steal some skill from somewhere.A bike that doesn't suit you can put you right off the sport! I have vivid memories of getting stuck (Grand old Duke of York style) half way,couldn't get up and couldn't get down! You may not have wanted to hear that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_scorpa3 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 One of my mate's has a 2004 Raga 300 and he gets on with it really well but he is/was a good centre expert. I've ridden it and it feels light and powerful and encourages trick riding, but it get me into all sorts of bother. My brain/eyes/hand co-ordination is just not good enough to make use of the bike. I'm a lot better on my Scorpa with it's slow action throttle, that's not saying my bike is better, just that it's better for me. Taming the Raga down is a good piece or advice, start with the slow action throttle as that is cheap and easy to do, then go from there if it seems to help. In the muddy old Midlands, I think that an IRC takes some beating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spenser Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 The Gassers can grip, but not nearly as easily as a Beta; the 2007 has a fairly strong hit compared to 2008, 2009 so calming it down would be a start, using all of the previously mentioned hints. The other thing that can help is slowing the rebound on the rear shock; turn it all the way in and then back the adjuster out 1/2 to 1 turn, that has helped some riders in my area. The flywheel weight works wonders, I have used it on my 300 and on my 280's during the winter months (and then I bought a Beta EVO; I am not above buying a little talent). Spencer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) Are you talking about grip in mud, rocks or both? If you can not get grip go back to the start. Tyre pressures first, climb a gentle slope with gentle throttle then progress from there. try backing off and bringing it back in "feel" for the grip. Ditto whats said above this is not a beginners bike. Edited February 2, 2010 by Nigel Dabster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalley250 Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Ive ridden Betas and currently ride best on me Gasser finding loads of grip. The Raga is top expert bike and you dont see many actual top experts on them. Getting a Raga for a beginner would be akin to a 16 year getting a yam r1 instead of a 50. Best bet sell it as you could throw hundreds at it to tame it and never succeed, so get 250cc bike that you try out and find you like. I had a Fantic that never gripped and all it did was ruin me day out and p!55 me off then i bought a Beta zero and happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godzilla Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I simply dont get on with X11's i put a dunlop on instead on an IRC two trials ago and found it hopeless for me. Not saying there is anything wrong with them at all but they dont work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjs28 Posted February 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Cheers Guys,I actually like the power after coming from a ktm 450 and can be better than my mates beta 250's on the big banks,But then on silly little off camber slopes or paths it just won't grip and thats with hardly any power ie slower than walking pace and just ticking over.I have thought about changing the bike to an evo as maybe that will suit me more but I also like the look of the gassers and don't want to buy a gasser 250 and the grip to still be rubbish. AS for any other makes I don't know much about them as whats best,Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motomerlin Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I've had 5 Beta's & now 3 Gasser Pros. All gripped well One thing you need to know, GG have the most tuneable engines out there. A Raga is top spec, top tune. One for the real experts....(not me!). You can tune it up or "down"! So, try IRC rear tyre, slow throttle. Dellorto carb (if it has Kehin). I would check squish clearence & keep it fairly std, but fit an intake spacer & flywheel. Too much squish gap will lead to spluttery carburation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Cheers Guys,I actually like the power after coming from a ktm 450 and can be better than my mates beta 250's on the big banks,But then on silly little off camber slopes or paths it just won't grip and thats with hardly any power ie slower than walking pace and just ticking over. If you want to win at trials you should realise that it is silly little off-camber slopes that people get the most points on. If you want a bike to blast up big banks on, the Raga is perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjs28 Posted February 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Think Im going to order the new IRC tyre first and try it this weekend ,I agree about the slippy slopes and off cambers being where you can lose a trial and thats why I am trying to sort out the grip now when the bike is only just ticking over,Cheers chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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