Gas Gas P280 Pampera is here

[BunduBasher]

The new Gas Gas Pampera P280 is here, in the USA, and just about in my garage, the bike arrived at the dealer on Wednesday, and I had the deal signed and sealed on Thursday. Man it has been a long wait, with the bike about 6 weeks overdue. Tonight I sign the final papers at the dealership, and on Saturday the bike will find a new home for itself, we move into our new home on Saturday afternoon.

Pampamparaaaaaah :)

Yup, sure looks sweet, will have to see when I get together with KelvinKDX if this bike is a KDX killer ! :p

 

[TexKDX]

Cool BB!

If I start drivin' now, I could be in Amarillo by Mornin' as the song goes ;).

The local dealer says he is gonna get one in also. We shall see when it gets here. Knowing him he'll turn it into a demo if he gets a few and they are all not spoken for.

 

[BunduBasher]

The bike comes with turn signals and lights, I may need your expertise on getting this thing a plate for the road, does it take much to do ?

 

[TexKDX]

BB,

We'll have to check with other gasgas dirt bike owners to see if gasgas has paid its fees to the State of Texas in order for them to register the bike. The Montesas and Betas for example cannot be registered THE FIRST TIME in Texas because they have not done the State's paperwork.

If the answer comes out as No, then you'll have to get the first plate for it out of state and then transfer the title to Texas to get a Texas plate. I think Colorado is a good state to do this in as they'll register a dirt bike with minimal hassle.

I'd leave the turn signals on it until you figure out which state is going to issue the first title in case they need them. Once you get it titled in Texas, then you can remove the turn signals. Just keep the license plate light, hi/lo headlight, brake/running light, mirror, and horn. Texas does not require turn signals, a fork lock, or speedometer. It makes the inspection process easier if you have the speedo. They also do not require the gas cap pressure test.

Oh, and DOT tires, but no-one ever looks at them... The stockers should be DOT approved.:cool:

 

[GlennP]

Good Luck. Let me know how you like it. I'm planning on getting a 250 for my wife soon. How easy would it be to kick for a 5'5" woman?

 

[HGilliam]

GlennP

My 5' wife starts hers very well. I did lower it about 1" but all is well now.I chunked the stock sidestand in the trash and bolted one of the aftermarket aluminum stands on the swingarm. I had to shorten it about 1" to make it lean at a safe angle. She absolutely loves the motorcycle and so do I because it's made her a much better and faster rider. Now I don't wait or worry near as much as when she was on a TTR125L.

Howard

 

[GlennP]

Thanks Howard. The wife's XR200 is sold, just waiting for a bonus check and we're there. I did some shopping, and these things are selling for list or not much under. The XCs are discounted much more.

 

[BunduBasher]

Took a short spin on the bike at lunch time around the parking lot, this bike is a rip snorter - has plenty torque, kicks like a 500, pretty hard, but starts easily, and pulls like a train, was much fun ripping the little thing around.

Lets just say, I had got used to the mellow ride of the DRZ, the compression braking and brute power etc. This bike is a different animal, it has power in gobs, it is very fast off the line, and there is zero compression braking, the only thing that is going to stop the bike is a good grab of the brakes. On the plus side, it is very easy to ride, putts around, and has a very similar feel to a smaller 125, hang on the cable, and the grin factor strikes.

With all the goodies on the bike, it should not be too much of a problem putting this thing on the road, has no spedo though, otherwise everything else works. I may have to attach a small battery for the thing.

The 250 may be a better bet for the ladies, for us shorter guys this P280 is going to be a hit ... KDX killer ... yeah :)

Pampamparaaaah ! :confused:

 

[TexKDX]

One could consider adding head gaskets to the bike to ease the starting and reduce the top end punch. I rode a 315R last week that was detuned by adding an exhaust restrictor and head gaskets. It really mellowed it out without killing the bottom end.

 

[gasgasman]

Does one have to wear Pampas, when they ride a Gas Gas Pampera?:think

 

[TexKDX]

Originally posted by gasgasman
Does one have to wear Pampas, when they ride a Gas Gas Pampera?:think

That's my G-man, King of the one liners!;)

 

[GlennP]

Its a trials motor, with more compression for big bottom end. Does it use a head gasket, or o-rings like the EC/XC and most other bikes? Thicker base gasket will also help if the head uses o-rings. My wife can start my XC standing on a crate. The reason I got rid of the XR was the starting issue when the bike fell and flooded, otherwise she could start it fine. She is also left handed, so her right leg is not the dominant one. Probably like me trying to start my old Husky TE510 with my left leg, sitting on the seat. I'm sure the Pampera will be fine, as the seat height is speced at 34", same as I measured on the XR. She is not, and has no interest in going fast or racing, just likes to get down the trail and have fun with no unneccessary problems. It should be a good bike for that, especially when my son starts out on a 50 next year.

 

[BunduBasher]

Originally posted by gasgasman
Does one have to wear Pampas, when they ride a Gas Gas Pampera?

No, but a panty liner is a must ! :scream:

--------------------------------------------------------------

Before I do anything to mellow this baby out, I am going to ride it a while, the way I ride, it should take years to wear this thing in. When they were looking for a definition of a spode they found me - slow generally, can go fast in a straight line, will putt around an MX track, will only find air by accident, and prefers to trail ride, more for fun than anything else. I plan to save not only the bike for a long time but me old bones as well :)

I make the move to our new house this weekend, so next week will be the real test, a good long ride at the river, will try some of the steeper hills, and see how she holds up.

I guess putting on a thicker base gasket, or thicker head gasket will achieve the same result, which is the better way to go, base gasket, or head gasket !?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by BunduBasher
I guess putting on a thicker base gasket, or thicker head gasket will achieve the same result, which is the better way to go, base gasket, or head gasket !?

The result will not be the same. Adding a head gasket will decrease compression. The thicker base gasket will do the same , but will also slightly alter the port timing, shifting the powerband up in the rev range. I would try slightly retarding the ignition timing, first.

 

[woodchuck]

A longer kick starter lever can make a bike a lot easier to kick. I have a KTM lever on my EC300, the added length make starting smooth and easy. Just a though for your Pampera.

WoodChuck

 

[GlennP]

I also run a KTM lever on my XC250. The stock EC/XC starters are a joke. The Pampera however, appears to have a longer starter than the EC/XC. The timing is not a bad idea, but if the motor is really set up for extreme low end, you can probably afford to lose a bit to ease starting, if that is ever a problem.

 

[freydog]

Is there anyplace on the internet to get more info on this Pampara 280? Sounds and looks like a cooool bike, but there's limited info.

Do you have to wear Pampers....Depends?

 

[MCNut]

freydog,
Call Bill at Skagit Powersports NW, 360-757-7999
or Al at Inland NW Trials, 509-238-6081

 

[BunduBasher]

There is very little info available on this bike, the rest of the world gets the 250, the 280 engine is a US only option. I do not even have an owners manual. !

 

[GlennP]

You must be kidding. The lack of a shop manual is bad enough. I hope its just because the bike beat the vehicle documentation to the dealer, as happens sometimes.

 

[CJ Rider]

'Looks like I'm not the only one who DIDN'T get an owner's manual with the bike. 'Thought it was a bit odd. I hope you're right GlennP!

 

[NDRO RDR]

I'm not sure about the enduro bikes, but Gasser Trials bikes don't come with a real owners manual. They do come with a video which covers just about everything you would normally have to do to your bike.

Rob