Gasser quirks...what are they?

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:

SpeedyManiac said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

....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: