headbanger

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May 7, 2000
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Is there any known problems I should look for on this bike? What's a good price for one in good condition?I am a newbie looking to get a trials bike for enduro crosstraining. Would this be a good starter bike?
Thanks
 

Patman

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Dec 26, 1999
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Yeah but a Beta is a sexier looking bike ;)
 

motomickey

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May 9, 2002
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2001 gasgas would be an excellent mount to start on. Price range should be in the mid to high 2k range. Not a whole lot to look for - just make sure to check for a bent frame etc like you would on a regular bike. If they have a achilles heel, it is in the rear suspension linkage NOT being properly maintained by the owners. As for the TXT series of GasGas - it was well tested and refined when the 2001s came out. As for a beta being sexier-well, that is a rider's choice. One thing to look for is dealer support near you-while you'll probably have to order stuff, it is nicer when the dealer is near. Keep in mind TRIALS bikes as a whole are incredibly reliable-you hardly ever have to get any spares other than crash damaged stuff like bars, levers, and plastic, so it helps if there is a local dealer. FYI, world wide (and this holds true in the USA too), Gas Gas sells more trials bikes that the others put together.
 

TheJunkMan

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Jul 9, 2003
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Originally posted by motomickey
If they have a achilles heel, it is in the rear suspension linkage NOT being properly maintained by the owners.

wouldn't any brand of bike have that trouble? Or do GG's happen to have skimpier bearings and linkages for weight savings? I am a GG owner and yes the rear suspention was baddly in need of help when I got it but nothing some bearings and fresh grease would not fix.
 

bruce j

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Dec 14, 2001
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While on the subject of linkage bearings, are these something that can be purchased through a commercial bearing supply store, or would they have to come from a gg dealer? I am looking at replacing mine this winter (98 TX270), and just wondering what the least expensive route is. TIA, Bruce
 

wayneg

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Aug 29, 2001
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One rider that I know of has had some problems with this model of bike mainly to do with linkage and wheel bearings - they were not very good quality (Russian - I used to call it a GazGaz which p'ed the guy off and was quite funny!) but you can easily change most of them cheaply when they need replacing from any decent specialist bearing supplier (SKF bearings or similar), which is something that I would do if the sizes are available for my bike anyway.

The other problem was that he has had two rear shocks break where the adjustment is made at the bottom of the shock, and all the oil drained out of the shock - this may be a quality problem only affecting the bikes sent to out of the way markets such as NZ. The actual lower casing of the shock was where it happened, in the area where the adjustment screw threaded into the casing. Apparently because of the location it couldn't be welded or repaired reliably or easily. This was a pain in the butt for him as they wouldn't cover this problem under warranty and it took six weeks for the shipping of the replacement - again probably only a NZ specific problem.

This particular bike is extremely well maintained and the rider (up until recently a Clubman level rider so no big obstacles) was not trying anything 'adventurous' when the failures happened. This bike was/is in outstanding condition and the owner is a car/motorcycle mechanic who is a perfectionist - there isn't a screw or bolt on the bike that is even slightly damaged, as soon as something has a scratch on it it is replaced.

I have ridden this bike several times and personally it has way too much snap for me, although the re-attachable rear mudguard is cool. I would seriously look at getting the black (slow) throttle tube and retarding the ignition timing to try and tame the power down - you could always keep the throttle tube as a spare and readjust the ignition back again when you are ready for it. But this might not be necessary if you are riding in dry conditions, or you aren't ever going to compete in a trial.

I'm not trying to blast Gas Gas bikes with this post (which seems to be a pretty popular pastime at the moment), as they are just as capable as any of the other brands available. I just wanted to make you aware of possible things to look at ...........

Good luck and welcome to the wobblers club :)
 
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Jonala

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Sep 20, 2000
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Originally posted by wayneg
from any decent specialist bearing supplier (SKF bearings or similar), which is something that I would do if the sizes are available for my bike anyway.

Wayne,
Are you saying that Beta uses non standard bearings?
 

wayneg

~SPONSOR~
Aug 29, 2001
544
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No sorry I should be clearer. The Beta uses 6004 series hydraulic pump bearings as wheel bearings. They are rated for a huge load and 11,000rpm, so are more than sufficient for a trials bike as this would work out at about 1,000mph in sixth gear. As you already know the Beta has no rear suspension linkages to replace, just some bushes. The steering head bearings are a normal Beta part, but in theory should be able to be matched as well - I haven't tried as mine are still fine (mainly because the bike hasn't had huge amounts of abuse, and has been regreased regularly).

I am unsure of the exact sizings for the GazGaz bikes, however the wheel bearings are standard parts available from any reputable bearing supplier - just take your old bearing in and they will measure the inner diameter, outer diameter and thickness. As for the swingarm pivot and linkage bearings I have no idea and will have to ask. As far as I know they were replaced with GazGaz spare parts on my brother's recent rebuild ('97 JTR270), but were far higher quality parts than what came with the bike originally - go figure!
 

motomickey

Member
May 9, 2002
76
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The linkage maintenance is an issue with all brands that have linkages that have been ridden and put away wet.

As for the chevy comment, I kinda like it-because I love my chevys, the truck has a nice little 454 ci motor, and the other chevy, well the C-5 VETTE hauls. My G-G pro rocks, and I would totally recommend Gas Gas to someone. I was just trying (like I could ever do that) give an unbiased opinion on the 01 TXT and what to look for....would I buy one? IF I was looking for an 01, I personnally would either get it or a Sherco....but that may because I have a great dealer (and friend) and that is what he sells.
 

TheJunkMan

Member
Jul 9, 2003
586
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I pretty much ment that Gas Gas you see a lot of and most every one has one or has had one kinda like a chevy, Beta is rarer (at least in my area) kinda like a BMW (car in this instance) not everyone has or had one. IMO

but I think GG and Betas are built well and of the same quality unlike the chevy/BMW comparo
 

wayneg

~SPONSOR~
Aug 29, 2001
544
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So again its all about the level of support that you can get from your local dealer, as all the modern bikes are capable of doing the business....

I would still rather buy a bike that I knew had been well maintained rather than one that I knew had been abused. I would rather have a well maintained GasGas rather than a horribly abused Beta if that was all that was available. One of the main problems that we have in NZ is bike availability because of the numbers of bikes imported each year which is directly related to our population size. You guys have greater choice, even if you have to travel greater distances to find them - at least they are there. Usually when the new models arrive there is a mad scramble to get the particular second hand bike that you want. For instance, our local Beta importer's '03 bike had a queue of 5 or 6 people interested in it!! Mainly because it hadn't been abused, and it was in really great condition (he doesn't fall off very much).
 

Patman

Pantless Wonder
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Dec 26, 1999
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Originally posted by wayneg
For instance, our local Beta importer's '03 bike had a queue of 5 or 6 people interested in it!! Mainly because it hadn't been abused, and it was in really great condition (he doesn't fall off very much).

...and because they are such sexy bikes ;)
 

Patman

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Dec 26, 1999
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Well it's about time! I just thought you were ignoring me :)
 

bagger

Member
Apr 1, 2002
31
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well i bought my 01txt280 new in 2001.i am an advanced level rider and have ridden it pretty hard.aside from levers and grips the bike is bone stock and i have not broken anything on it.i did however have to replace the rear mastercilender about a year ago though.the airbox is a pain in the ass,you have to put a little silicon on the outside o-ring to hold it in place after the stock glue goes bad.also i replaced the factory seat/fender fasteners with new ones from true value hardware,the cost was under 3 bucks and they work way better than the ones gas gas uses.my linkage bolts are still in good shape but we dont ride in much rain or wet stuff here in arizona.if you can ride it with the stock gearing,throttle and timing you will find that you will have all the power you need for any level rider.i have ridden many other bikes and i was always looking for more power,not so with this bike.
 

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