KDX vs GAS GAS EC

[alanreeves]

I know mabee I'm asking the wrong guys about this but please be honest:ugg:
I have jjust spoken to one of my neighbours, who also rides enduro, and we discussed our options for new bikes in '02.
Now I've never had a brand new bike before but '02 is going to be the first! I've owned a KDX 200 before 1990 model E2 and liked the torque of the engine but it felt a bit clumsy compared with my present RM125. (which just doent have the right power for the type of riding I do)
I had my heart set on a KDX 220 but now perhaps would like more info on the opposition.
My friend says the Gas Gas is a better bike than the KDX? He says it has USD forks and ohlins shock as standard . Is this true?
Does it have similar engine charateristics to the KDX or is it tuned more like mx?
Just wondering if any of you guys had any experience of the EC models?:confused: :confused:

 

[stinx]

Te Gas Gas is a great bike. The gas gas comes with all top of the line parts. I believe the gas gas will go better than a Kdx. The Kdx is not as racy as a gas gas. The Kdx will be much cheaper and with a few modifications can bea competive bike for most riders. Jeff Fredette has had good luck racing KDX s. There bith great bikes but I would give the gas gas the nod over the Kdx if your considering any type of racing.

 

[dirt bike dave]

I've ridden a '99 Gas Gas EC200, and it was a sensational bike for woods riding. Extremely nimble and better handling than a KDX - you can toss it around like your 125.

Just as much low end power but a LOT more top end than my old '90 KDX with all the usual mods. You can crawl over nasty obstacles using the low end power like a KDX, but it is not nearly as strong as most 250's down low.

Excellent bike - lots of fun to ride and very quick. The '99 I rode had conventional Marzocchi forks - good but not great. The newer ones have different forks but not sure which models get what forks. Your neighbor is a smart guy - Gas Gas makes very good bikes.

 

[Jim Crenca]

If absolute performance in the woods is the objective, I would recomend the gas gas or KTM. These bikes handle well & go like hell. I don't think there as much fun for trail riding or just goofing around; kinda like horses, the more performance the higher the maintenance & quirks.

 

[teton]

The GG is said to turn better and have a smoother powerband than the KTM, Im not here to flame the 'Toomer it is a great bike. Of the three 200's available the GG is the most intriguing. The KTM and the GG come with the same fork but the GG has better control, they use different rear ends, the GG is more like the Kawasaki, infact the frame is also like a KX, the KTM still has a few problems with there rear suspension to work out. The KDX on the other hand is really only hampered by the handling, somewhat heavier feel, I dont really buy into the fact that the suspension is junk and that you cant win a race on it, not that long ago everyone was jumping on the conventional fork bandwagon, the fork that came on the RMX (1995-96, was a 45 mm conventional fork, and all the KTM's were using 45mm 'zokes, including the GsGs) were and still are great off-road forks. If the KDX didnt hang down so far and maybe 2mm larger they would be awsome. The motor came be modified to compete with the other 200's, sure its abit down on power, but you can still run with other riders on the other bikes, you just need to learn how to ride the bike. It is much cheaper, parts are much easier to find new or used. It really depends on your budget, I would really like to try the GasGas 200, a rider in the club races one here in the desert for Motowest and has the number 1 plate on his bike in the 1-200cc expert class, though last week he broke his frame:scream:
BTW, you can still order the GG with a set of Ohlins conventional forks, there most exspensive bike comes with an all Ohlins suspension. It is a tough call, a good cheap bike that needs some modifications, or a highend woodsracer that will still need a few goodies to make to your likeing.

 

[canyncarvr]

kdx vs: gas gas?

You like orange pie? Howzabout apple juice and kahlua?

I prefer apple pie...and a tootsie roll (orange juice and kahlua) is pretty tasty!

How much more 'apples&oranges' can you get than 'kdx&gg'?

These bikes are in the same price range? Of course not! You're comparing them on the basis of the cc of the motor? Do you consider that reasonable?

 

[WoodsRider]

I owned and raced a Fredette modified KDX200 for two seasons. It was a great bike but had a few problems. Items like the sidestand, kickstart lever, brake pedal and shifter seem to be made from whatever slag the foundry could scrape out of the crucible.

I've never liked the way Euro bikes handle in the woods. I owned a KTM 350EXC and rode several other Euros. To me, Japanese MX bikes handle the best, but the power delivery wears me out too fast. Then I rode a friends '99 GG EC200. The bike handled like a Japanese MX bike yet had a very smooth and linear power delivery from the engine.

After last season I was going to buy an '01 KDX220 and have it modified by Fredette. Then Offroadr steered me towards a very clean '98 GG EC250. One test ride and I was hooked. The engine is super smooth yet very fast. It doesn't wear me out while riding a four-hour enduro.

 

[canyncarvr]

but the power delivery wears me out too fast

I was amazed at the effect jetting has on this situation. Take a bike (mine) with a 35-150-CEK/4-#7TV jetset. What a terror!! 2nd gear hits so hard, it's a problem in anything less than excellent-traction/go-fast stuff.

Yep. It'll wear you out!

Same bike, 38-152-BEL/2-#6TV and the bike is smooth as can be. No more big 'hits' to deal with. Tractable. Great in more delicate requirements. Pulls from any rev in any (realistic) gear. Much less tiresome.

This isn't meant to be any comparison, just the idea that proper jetting does more than cut spooge and make your sparky pretty:D

At current exchange rates (1GBP=1.44USD):

KDX= $5076
GG = $5320

You'd have to be NUTS to even consider a KDX in this case. No, I've never ridden a GG..but I know what Excel rims cost (GG comes with, right?)...and you could hardly hope to buy 'em WITHOUT THE WHEELS for the difference in price!!

I would never have guessed the difference in price would be so small 'over there'.

 

[alanreeves]

Price difference

In the U.K the price difference is pretty small, £3525 for the KDX and £3695 for the GAS GAS.

 

[canucklehead]

Wow! That's not much difference at ALL. Over here it would be FAR more for the GG. (about 1.5 x as much?) I would say go with the Gas Gas any day, considering what I've heard in this forum.

Top of the line parts on a GG, compared to 'as cheap as we can get 'em' on the KDX... hmmm... I'll take the Gas Gas.

Gas Gas, what a stupid name for a dirtbike..:confused:

Dave

 

[woodchuck]

I have a 99 GG EC 300, it is an awesome bike all around. It out handles and has much smoother power delivery than my KDX even with the extra 100cc s. The GG is a fine machine, they'll cost you more up front, but worth the difference in my opinion, especially if you are considering racing.

99EC300
94KDX200

 

[DJM67]

This is what .....

.......the Australian model comes with/as

2 0 0 c c
• Capacity: 199.4ccr
• Type: Two stroke with case reeds induction and exhaust valve
• Number of Cylinders: One
• Cooling System: Water Cooled
• Bore x Stroke: 62.5 x 65mm
• Carburetor: Keihin PWK 38mm
• Ignition: Kokusan digital CDI
• Clutch: Multidisc hydraulic drive
• Gearbox: 6 speed
• Max Power/Torque: 38 bhp @ 9,000rpm

F r a m e T y p e :

• Frame: Deltabox type - made of rectangle chromoly tubes, swingarm in aluminium
• Front Suspension: Specially valved 43mm inverted WP forks
• Rear Suspension: Progressive System with fully adjustable Ohlin's Shock/320mm stroke
• Front Brake: Disk - 260mm with Double Piston Suspending Caliper
• Rear Brake: Disk - 220mm with Double Piston Suspending Caliper
• Wheels: DID Tyres U 18"-21" Rims with Michelin Tyres

M e a s u r e m e n t s :

• Wheelbase: 1,475mm
• Seat Height: 940mm
• Ground Clearance: 340mm
• Gas Tank Capacity: 9.5 litres
• Dry Weight: 99kgs

Go here http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/E/V/MELBO/0029/09/16/3.html for a (small) picture, no idea of the price.

 

[canucklehead]

"• Max Power/Torque: 38 bhp @ 9,000rpm"

And what's the KDX stock? about 28? Wow, that motor must be tricked out! Now that I think about it, that's probably at the shaft, not rear wheel. Still, seems a LOT higher than the KDX.

Dave

 

[DJM67]

That is 'claimed' power

straight off the website

 

[dirt bike dave]

Claimed or otherwise, the GG makes considerably more peak power than a KDX200. IMO, the GG feels like a KDX200 with 15 pounds of weight removed, 5+ more horsepower, has a much stronger blast of power up top when the trail opens up, better suspension, better brakes and more nimble in the woods. Other than that, they are pretty much the same. :)

 

[mwaterski]

Another advantage to the GAS GAS is that Don Knight from GAS GAS will set the suspension up for you based on your riding level and where you ride if you order one. Im on a 00 KDX 220 now and i will be ordering my 02 GAS GAS very soon. I feel the GG is well worth the extra money. Kawasaki has to get on the ball with the KDX they are disapearing from the Enduro and Harescrambles because they don't want to update the bike. People are more willing to spend the extra $$ to buy the bike with all the good stuff already on it. Just my .02

 

[alanreeves]

What is the price difference over there??
In the U.K the price difference is about the same cost as a new pipe!

 

[dirt bike dave]

The '01 KDX200 had a suggested retail price of $3,999. I found one page that shows the '01 Gas Gas EC200 has a suggested retail price of $6,224.

 

[alanreeves]

:scream: :scream:
It doesn't look like you pay any more for the gas gas, just that kawasaki U.k charge us way too much for the kdx. not that I'm going to pay them for it, I'm going yellow and ordering a new gas gas:) :) :)