Back in 1999 when the Gas Gas EC's first came to my area we conducted a test - we drag raced a 99 EC250 and a 99 KX250 on pavement. Both bikes were stock and unmodified. The EC250 was (quiet exhaust,lights speedo,etc.) dead even with the KX untill the KX was wound out, whereby the EC, by virtue of a 6 speed box, then pulled away. What made this all the more amazing was back then the ECs still had balance shafts and felt like very potent trials engines.