Gasser quirks...what are they?

[COMBEN]

http://www.gasgasuk.com/new/05ec200.jpg

Hi guys, I'm 99% sure I'm gonna buy a '05 EX-200 like the one above, to replace my '03 KDX-220 but I had one those "I wish I had asked at the time" moments recently, so may be you can help me!

!/ ...a guy at the local MX shop said Gas Gas are great bikes but Gas Gas have some real 'unusual' ways of designing certain areas of the bike...I suppose he meant that compared to jap' 'rice grinders' the spanish do things differently in some areas...what are these quirks?

2/ Also, I think the 200 uses the same frame as the 125 and the 250 and 300 another frame?....I would like the grunt of the 300 but I like the lightness and ergo's of the 125 so that's why the 200 may be the best compromise for me?...I short shift my KDX a lot of the time using the great torque back-up these 220R's have, it's the way I like to ride.

3/ ....ohh and another thing....I heard there are two front ends...Ohlins and Paolli.....I may be wrong...is this only on the 300?

4/ ...ohh one last question, I promise....are pattern parts available..you know items such as graphics for when I eat dirt!

one thing I do know for sure, I haven't met anyone this side of the pond that has owned a gasser and gone back to another make, so this says a lot for them!

Info' if it's needed I weigh 170lbs, 5' 9", 42 years young and use my KDX for trails and hare and hounds with a sprinkling of mild MX practice track thrown in for good measure.

cheers for your help kind caring gasser owners :cool:

 

[WoodsRider]

Best bikes I've ever owned. If you want more grunt go for the 250.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Amazing bikes. I have a 2001 EC200 and plan on getting another one next summer after I graduate. The front end options are Ohlins or Marzocchi on the 2005. There are some quirks (two piece gas tank, auto-retract kick stand, weird chain guide, 7x1 threads on triple clamp pinch bolts, to name a few) but the bikes are very solid. I've had very few problems with my bike (broke the needle holder, but was a $10 fix) other than crash related. Parts are reasonably priced and the dealer network is improving. I highly recommend GasGas.

 

[COMBEN]

Amazing bikes. I have a 2001 EC200 and plan on getting another one next summer after I graduate. The front end options are Ohlins or Marzocchi on the 2005. There are some quirks (two piece gas tank, auto-retract gas can, weird chain guide, 7x1 threads on triple clamp pinch bolts, to name a few) but the bikes are very solid. I've had very few problems with my bike (broke the needle holder, but was a $10 fix) other than crash related. Parts are reasonably priced and the dealer network is improving. I highly recommend GasGas.

thanks for that, but what is a auto-retract gas can?

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Changed it. Auto-retract kick stand. Posting right after cleaning air filters inside with varsol (damn rain) is not a good idea...

 

[the Eel]

You will love it ... these are the ultimate sleeper bikes. Great powerband ... chunky on the bottom but the 6th gear lets them open up, too. I'm not sure about the frames but the 250 is probably the most versatile for anything but desert racing or hillclimbing. Parts have been very easy for me to get here in the states, and many parts crossover from other bikes (brakes, brake pads, air filter, fork parts, fenders, sprockets). Great handling, especially when it gets technical. I love mine and when I'm ready for a new bike I'll be getting another for sure.

Good luck.

Here are some good websites:

http://www.gasgasrider.org/ (crossover parts listing)
http://smackovermotorsports.com/
http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/bb/index.php (awesome forums)
http://gofasters.net/ (I frickin' love this shop!)
http://www.gasgasshop.com/flash_shop.htm
http://www.gas-gas.net/
http://www.gasgasuk.com/new/
http://www.lt-racing.com/

 

[Matt R]

Adding to what Speedy said...

GG's are great bikes. The little quirks are minimal. If the auto-retract kickstand bothers you, you can use a chainlink to relocate the spring preventing the auto-retraction (pics posted on Talking Smack forum).

The chainguide is the same as a Husky. It looks vulnerable but it works rather well. I bought an LTR chainguide for a more robust design (uses a Honda slider block). By the way, all of the LTR products make good improvements to the GG bikes.

A minor complaint of mine is the odd mix of fasteners on the bike. Some are 8mm hex and others are 4mm-6mm Allen. Overtime, I have slowly replaced many of the Allen bolts with 8mm hex bolts.

The graphics kits are limited in the aftermarket. The radiator shroads are custom to GG's and very few companies make the graphics kits. Your best choice is either the stock graphics or take your shroads to a custom graphics shop and have a set made.

Overall, the GG's are very reliable with a Honda-like engine, brakes, airbox, and powervalve design. There are many cross-over parts from other bikes (such as brake pads, air filter, fenders, etc.)

 

[05CRF450]

Best bikes I've ever owned. If you want more grunt go for the 250.

The only way a gas gas could be the best bike you ever owned is if that was the first bike you have ever owned or you have had other gas gases in the past. Ill let ya ride my 450 you'll never ride a gas gas ever again. srry, i just had to say that i rode a gas gas one time that my friend had right after just riding a couple laps on my CR and it felt like a scooter.

 

[the Eel]

ummm ... still the best bike I've ever owned. perhaps you were riding the 125 ? The 250s and 300s ain't scooters, I assure you !

 

[the Eel]

.. or perhaps the last scooter you rode had 45 horsepower ? That would explain why it felt like the last scooter you rode.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

The only way a gas gas could be the best bike you ever owned is if that was the first bike you have ever owned or you have had other gas gases in the past. Ill let ya ride my 450 you'll never ride a gas gas ever again. srry, i just had to say that i rode a gas gas one time that my friend had right after just riding a couple laps on my CR and it felt like a scooter.

You a motocrosser? It wouldn't surprise me. Everyone that I know that has ridden a GasGas offroad has stayed on GasGas. Sorry, you can keep your hard to start, heavy, time bomb. GasGas = best offroad bike every made. Pick your size and have fun. :cool:

 

[COMBEN]

....many many thanks for the replies guys, just been looking at some GasGas pornography with pictures of the new '07 models!
Hey, the CRF-450 owner is a welcome poster so easy on the cussing guys, I know what he means by the 'best is only what you know'....
But there is a caveat to my defense of the honorable mans post though.....
My local MX shop tells me they see something called the 'Blind-mans Honda' syndrome, which I also see as a car dealer only we call it the 'VW/Audi' symdrome. He sees so many broken Honda CRF-250/450's and with all sorts of problems ranging from broken valves, thru broken conrods, u/s gearboxes, broken wheel hubs etc and still people keep praising and buying them! He likes the business they give him ;)

yeah I know.....all bikes go bang but some like to do it for fun, the CRF-250 is worse from what he tells me to be fair....I know two CRF-250 owners and they have aslo been, well very unlucky we shall say.
The flip-side......a few 2004 RM-250's get a sticky gearbox selector problem it goes 'round the paddock like a rash and then all '04 RM have a crap gearboxes....life sure can be strange at times. The MX shop tells me they don't see Gas Gas very often which is due to two things, sure there aren't so many around to go pop (but I know now that in the SE there is a good dealer network) but they are also tough bikes.

Anyway, again many thanks for the advice and confirming my thoughts, the search is on :nod:

 

[WoodsRider]

Before I bought my second Gas-Gas I rode CRF450R. Well guess what? I bought another Gas-Gas. The Honda was not well suited for the type of riding I do.

 

[WoodsRider]

The only way a gas gas could be the best bike you ever owned is if that was the first bike you have ever owned or you have had other gas gases in the past. Ill let ya ride my 450 you'll never ride a gas gas ever again. srry, i just had to say that i rode a gas gas one time that my friend had right after just riding a couple laps on my CR and it felt like a scooter.

Yeah, I remember when I was 16. :blah: