GAS GAS Reliability

[mwaterski]

I am planning on buying a new bike within the next month and i am planning on buying a 02 GG 200. I know a few people that have them and have had decent luck with them. I am coming off a KDX 220 and i can honestly say the bike has never left me stranded. I am just wondering if the GG will be just as reliable. If Kawasaki would have updated the KDX i would buy another one but i like the fact the GG comes with all the nice parts that i would have to replace on a KDX. Just looking for some opinions. Thanks.

 

[Arby]

I just bought an '01 300XC and it is great! Can't comment on the reliability
yet but from what I have been told and read they are bulletproof!:cool:

 

[MARK IT]

I wouldnt say bulletproof they are good woods bikes thuough. I
have two friends that have them 250 and a 300 and the motors have been
worked on both three or four times but i think the 200 is a little more
reliable.

 

[woodchuck]

Originally posted by MARK IT
I wouldnt say bulletproof they are good woods bikes thuough. I
have two friends that have them 250 and a 300 and the motors have been
worked on both three or four times but i think the 200 is a little more
reliable.

Mark IT, Question: were the top ends reworked, the crank, the tranny? Do you have any more details Thanks in advance. Why do I ask? I've got a problem in the bottom end of my99EC300 :ugg: , I'm not sure what it is till the cases get split. Even though I am having a problem with the bike I could not imagine a bike that would suit me better.

WoodChuck

 

[Girlrider]

I ride a 250 and my husband a 200. We put new piston and rings in them after 1 year. They really didn't need it but we ride at least 4 times a week and race most weekends so we put a lot of miles on them. They are easy to maintenance but jetting is somewhat of an issue if you live at high altitude because no one has ever ridden them at high elevation so noone has the specs. We now do and they run great. The wheel bearings are better than KTM stock but still need to be checked. Our biggest problem is this $12.00 part that is the gear for the kickstarter. For some reason it strips and then the kick starter won't work. We had this problem on both bikes. One after 1 year and one after about 6 months. It is cheap to fix but not if you can't do it yourself. My husband knows how to work on the bikes. Other than that we have had no problems. When we both had KTM's we did piston and rings and wheel bearings and for the 2 we spend over $500.00. For the 2 gasgas's we spend only $225.00. Much more affordable.

Good Luck!!

 

[DahlElama]

I rode a KDX200 until I bought my 01 Gas Gas XC250 this year. I have tried to ride as often as possible this year (we aren't done yet!) and when we ride we ride hard. I have not had any problems with my Gas Gas. My KDX never left me stranded and so far, my Gas Gas hasn't either. After riding the Gas Gas, I would never be able to go back to a KDX. I loved that bike but this thing is way more fun and carves like no other....

Girlrider: On our rides, the altitudes range from 4000ft to 10000ft (I know you have higher ranges). This really crosses 3 jetting ranges. LT-Racing specializes in Gas Gas and they dialed my jetting in wonderfully. Give Les a call and I'll bet he can spec a jetting kit for you. For more on LTR products and services go to www.lt-racing.com

 

[Wild Hare]

Since you're looking for options....

I had a KDX 200 that my wife and I rode. We bought a KTM200, it's a great bike, kinda like a lighter faster KDX. You might want to consider it as well. - FWIW ;)

 

[crfpaul]

I also have a freind with 250 special edition,very fast, but on third transmission in 8 mo's! meeting with gg rep next week.:mad:

 

[yz 200 guy]

Would like to know more about your friends problems, MarkIT. Can you elaborate?
I've heard that the manual's are skimpy and no good shop manual exists. Coming off of Japanese stuff, this makes me nervous. How do GG owners get maintenance info and assembly techniques?
From past threads here and on Smackover's site, I get the impression that weak or problem areas are getting designed out of the GG's year by year. I've heard they built a new factory in Spain just to produce the off-road bikes, perhaps this will further improve quality.
yz 200 guy

 

[justql]

I ride a 2000 EC 250, bought new in 2001, less than a year ago. I have had a voltage regulator go out, $14. and my kickstarter started hanging up, I bought the $12 part girlrider talked about but the problem stopped, so I have yet to install it. I rode a KDX and an RMX. The GG is every bit as reliable and is alot better handling.

The thing to remember about the GG is that the overwelming majority of GG owners are very serious riders, the type that ride the heck out of their bikes. While this is not me, it is important to remember that they would probably have the same type's of problems with any bike.

As fas as technical help and parts SMACKOVER. And to quote Forrest Gump, "And that's all I got to say about that"

 

[vegli]

I have a 2000 xc200 and also a ktm 200exc and the Gasgas has been a wonderful bike. I have only had to replace a shift shaft (fell over and bent it) and fork seals...

I change gearbox oil every couple of rides and air filter every ride.

My sons like the gasgas better ten any of my bikes... kx kaw, ktm, gasgas

Very easy to go fast, very smooth, but in a drag race with a ktm the gasgas will get blown away... with my 200's anyway....

I also installed a softer seat foam, (removed the brick foam)

There are not as many acc available for the gasgas as some of the other brands, but the cost of parts is the cheapest of the three brands that I own.

that is my 2 cents

Vern Egli

 

[MR.WR]

I ride a 99 GasGas EC200 and have had NO problems with bike at all! I change the trany oil after every ride, always use a fresh airfilter before I ride and I drain the left side P/V cover after every 2 rides. I feel if you take care of the bike, it will take care of you when you need it the most! Like out on the trail.

Since I owned my 200 I've had to replace:
Chain
Sprockets (Rear & C/S)
Chain guide bushing
Chain guide side plates (plastic)
Rear fender(ouch!)
Right and left radiator shrouds ( Damm Nevada desert bushes):eek:
Bars

I really don't think that GasGas mororcycles have any more problems than the Jap big four or KTM's or Husky! Every brand of bike goes through growing pains and GG's are no different.

I'd buy another GG in a heartbeat!

Rick

 

[rlindsey]

I tried replying last night but I didn't see my reply. So I'm trying again. I'm new to this place but it's a cool place.

I have a 00 300XC and it has been reliable now for about 2 yrs. I have raced it quite abit in the desert and have alot of hrs on it. Nothing has ever broken except the bracket that bolts the kickstand to the frame and the kickstand spring. It was kind of hard to get the jetting right but it has plenty of power and the suspension is good out of the box. Just fine tuning for your riding ability and style.

You'll like it, I really like mine. And it is 15 lbs lighter than my 99 380 KTM.