GasGas - major changes

[23jayhawk]

What years define the major generational changes with GasGas, and what were the key improvements? If my xr100 rider grows enough, he's gonna inherit a KDX by next fall (or sooner), and his financial sponsor gets to go GasGas shopping. 

It will have to be used, but I will have the luxury of taking my time & finding a certain year. Probably interested in either 200 or 250 EC.

 

[justql]

I know that EC's are hard to find around 2000 models, not many out there. XC's are more plentiful. Suspension, primarly the forks have changed Marzochis were used for a few years then WP's with a few using Ohlins.

I had an 2000 EC 250 and went to an 2001 XC 300. I like the 300 a lot more.

It is for sale by the way. ;)

GG are good bikes, you can't go wrong either way.

 

[fatty_k]

I dont know when they went from Marizocchi conventional to WP inverted, but my 99 EC has the Marizocchi's. I know that the 01's have the WP's, so it must be 2000 or 2001 they went to the WP's. I agree on the 300. They are sweet bikes with a lot of power. The 300 and 250 are very close with the 250 reving out a bit higher than the 300 (from what I've heard) I wouldn't want to trade my 300 in for anything right now, but either Gas Gas will be a good choice.

 

[WoodsRider]

Only 250's were available until '99. The frame geometry changed in '98, previous models had a shorter wheelbase. The counterbalance shaft was removed in '99 although you can find some '99 250's and 300's (with '98 engines) that have the counterbalance shaft, but it was never available on the 200. The early EC's had 45mm 'zokes and the '99 XC's had 50mm 'zokes. In '00 the XC's got 43mm WP's. In '01 there was an Ohlins fork option on the SE model. I'm not sure when the EC switched over to WP's. The '00 model and up received different rad shrouds from the previous models and a transluscent fuel tank. The '01 model and up received clear-coated plastic and a different left side panel with "no-tool" filter access. The early EC models came with complete lights, switches and wiring harness and lighing coil for "street" lighting. Most of these dissappeared with the '99 model changes. The '99 and older models came with a Messico (thin wall) pipe and a Messico non-S/A silencer. Later models came with the FMF Gnarly pipe and FMF Turbine Core S/A silencer. The 125 model came out in either '01 or '02.

 

[bonzo]

Woods Rider- How whould you rate the 43 wp to the other forks
you listed?

 

[headbanger]

I went from a 00 KDX200 to a 02 GasGas XC250. The 250 is great lots of low end (will lug like a KDX) and it will scream also very smooooth power! The Gas Gas suspension is way better than the KDX.
Good Luck