Yes, I feel there is a big inprovement in suspension and handling on the new bikes, plus the lack of weight. I had a 99 GG 321, stopped riding trials for about a year and a half (my ktm phase) and recently purchased an 03 280 pro. Within two rides I was able to do things that I could have never done on my 321. I notice that getting over things is much easier, turning is easier, and drops are much, much more controlled-I attribute that to the lack of weight and more importantly, the suspension.