A bike for the ladies ! this is it ...

[BunduBasher]

Just took delivery of my new Gas Gas Pampera 280 on Saturday, and have just had time to zoom up and down the road, and get a feel for this bike. Compared to the DRZ, this bike is small, has a low seat height +- 34 inches, and is very light, under 200 pounds. It takes quite a kick to start, but a thicker head gasket should make it a little easier. However, one you get to know the drill, not too complicated like a 4 stroke, just ease the lever down past the first stroke and then give it a good kick and she starts up on the first or second kick, amazing how easy she starts. this is an ideal bike for the ladies, beginners, shorter riders like myself, and those spodes who just like to putt around. This bike is smaller than the GG or KTM 200EC, bigger than a TRR, and is nimble and light - should be a big seller in the US. Also comes with all the lights, turn signals etc you need to dual sport it - tis a great looker too.

Can't wait for the weather to get warmer, I am going to spend a lot of time on this bike.

Michelle, time to trade in that KDX, and get yourself the Pampera 250 !

Pampamperaaaaah

see the bike at the GG site http://www.gasgasmotos.es/esp/trail/trail280/02pa280.htm

or
http://www.gasgas.com/Pages/2002-s/pampera-250-debut.html

 

[Michelle]

Originally posted by BunduBasher
Michelle, time to trade in that KDX, and get yourself the Pampera 250 !
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Lol, don't ever say that in my husband's hearing ;)

We have a friend who has an earlier model 250 Pampera, but he's done all sorts of things to it. When I took it for a ride a while ago, I couldn't compare it to the KDX, only to my trials bike. I did enjoy it, but if ever I asked for one of the later models, I'd also be signing the divorce papers. The earlier models are more based on trials bikes unlike the later models, apparently. (with this bike, the footpegs are back further than stock, making it even more so).

Interesting that you say it takes quite a kick to start - I couldn't start this one, but my kicking technique sux.

I'm hoping when CJRider comes over that she'll be able to compare the older Pampera with the new one, as the owner is always in a dilemma what to do. (it's the only one in the country)

I find it fascinating that so many people have just discovered the Pampera (Henk thinks it's sick lol).

Bundu, I'll email you a pic.
Michelle

 

[BunduBasher]

The new Pampera looks just like the EC300 only smaller, much more dirt bike and trail orientated, not so much a trials bike any more. This bike looks, feels, and rides like an enduro bike, very cool. This is one of the best looking bikes out there, much changed and improved over the older version.

Michelle, considering that Henk has a new TM250, it is only fair that you upgrade as well, I think the 02 Pampera 250 will suite you quite well ... and you both will have 250's :) - put the EC200 next to the P250, and no doubt about it, you will take the Pampera ! :cool:

 

[firecracker22]

I'd like to ride one . . . they look pretty cool. If I could afford it, I'd have one of those for the woods, and then a CR 125 or CRF 250 for the track. Someday. In the meantime, I'll bash the KTM on both.

 

[CJ Rider]

LOL! Henk prolly thinks the world has gone mad! Congrads on your new little GG, BunduB! I picked one up too a month ago and now Henk has banned me from NZ, but I'm gonna sneek in anyhow. LOL!

One of the fellows found a nasty gully-crawl to work on tomorrow. I wonder how the little GG and me are gonna fair. I dunno about me more than the bike. Sometimes I wish I still had the excuse of "my bike isn't capable of that," but now it's just me. Yeesh!

Michelle you are right, I'm really interested to try the older Pampera and also the KDX (if everybody is OK with that) when I visit. It will be the first time I've had the chance to try a KDX and from all I've heard I'm extremely curious about it. Since I've ridden Marcie's 280cc Pampera too, I think I'll be able to let your friend know how they all compare. So EXCITING!!!

FC22- A P250 for the trails and a CR125 for the track sounds like the most excellent of combinations!

 

[Henk]

Bandubasher

I've got a thing against Pamperas more so that I have something to kid our riding buddy about than anything else. He has the older Pampera, (about 97 I think) and the bike is just weird. He has it road legal so that he can adventure ride it as well as trail ride and do the odd bit of trials on it. The unfortunate thing is that the bike does everything. It just doesn't do anything well.
The steering is too steep for a trail bike and so it feels very strange over whoops. This is a bad thing considering we ride mostly sand. The guy that owns the bike actually gets along on it quite quickly, but as soon as we hit clearfell he is almost garanteed a trip over the handlebars.
Before you bought the pampera did you ride any of the EC Gassers. I had a quick squirt on one a while ago and if we were going to upgrade Michelles bike that is probably the direction I would be pointing her in. She says she doesn't want my old 360 sx :)

 

[BunduBasher]

Henk, I got to ride a GG250EC a while back and thought it one of the best enduro bikes I had ever ridden, when I saw the new EC300, I wanted it badly. However, I am a spode, ride only for fun, and could not justify the additional expense. When I saw the 02 P250, I knew I had to have one, luckily at the time the P280 had just been released, so I ordered that instead. We have a lot of sand here at our local riding spot, and will let you know how the thing handles. This bike looks like a real dirt bike, unlike the Pampera of old, hopefully the new forks and head angle will provide me with a much safer ride. I think your buddy Bruce will like this one (Michelle too !) - Have you got the new bike yet, or is it in the pipeline ?!

I think this baby has just replced the TTR125 as the ultimate play bike :)

 

[Henk]

The new bike is still in the pipeline
Acording to the importer my engine is siting on a bench in Italy somewhere but they are waiting for my forks to turn up from Sweden. I'm hoping to see it halfway through January. If I had a chance to ride the 250 gasser I may well have jumped that way. It was definitely a choice between the gasser or the TM.