Do-Overs !!! I sold my Gasser. :(
 

I woke up with Seller's Remorse. :(

I sold my nicely sorted, 2011 GG250R. Massaged boingers, new Rekluse, rebuilt Lectron carby, RB Designs squish band mod... and gave him a pick-up bed full of 10 years of Gas Gas spares (I forgot to give him the motor bottom half from my 2005).

He had his 2005 GG DE250 stolen from his truck after a race very recently.

“At least I have some money to buy my daughter a new, loaded MacBook Air for college next fall,” I said to my wife, not really buying into the argument

As I got online the next evening to see what my future moto might hold -- I looked at option after option. New Gasser, new Beta (390 or X-Trainer), KTM150... I was all over the map.

"What the fark did I just do?!?" :eek:

I have plenty of time to figure this out, and back surgery, and the results therein, will help dictate my path. A light, mountain bike-like KTM150 (my back will love me), or a 2018 GG EC300 (a safer, all-around choice), or a Beta 390 (lots of weight and cost for the option of doing one or two dual sport rides).

You need to get a ride on an 18 GG. The 300 is awesome.

Dang Rick.
Don't be a stranger.:(

I totally understand my 2011 250 is awesome - it is very similar to my buddy's beta xtrainer (I have mine toned down with a suzuki needle and lower gearing). Power is similar and almost equal to his 300. His bike handles much the same also but it is 3/4 inch shorter wheelbase, same seat height, and 25-28 pounds lighter. I really like his bike but it is no better or more capable so I can't justify the cost of replacing what has been and still is the best bike I've ever rode.

As soon as I saw you were selling it, Rick, I knew I had to jump on it before you changed your mind! I really appreciate all the parts as well. I promise to beat on Mr. Beers when riding it! :D

If I opt for a new Gasser, I know where to go for spare parts.

The things that keep me away from the X-Trainer is not knowing when it will sign off on top or at what speed and terrain it will run out of suspension. What are your impressions of that? I will do some racing, but I will move down to 50C no matter what bike I get. These A/B courses have been on the edge of stupid, lately.

I have buddies with Betas: 390, 480, and X-Trainer, so I won?t lack for test rides.

Someone already offered to let me test ride each of their KTM 150 fleet (Hubby - SX, XC. Wife: XC-W -lowered-).

There might be a GG in the area for a test ride. There are two dealers.

You'd love the EC 300.

The X-trainer runs out of suspension as soon as you shift to 2nd gear. It’s awful. They are also the heaviest feeling bike I’ve ever been on. It’s like turning a Harley in the woods. Such a weird bike...

Beta 4 strokes are ok but they don’t really do anything great.

The 150 is super light and a fire breather BUT it’s still a 150 and leaves a lot to be desired for the first 5,000 rpms

The 18 GG will feel very familiar to you except all the little things you didn’t like about the past models are no fixed. Suspension is unreal, motor is a fire breather, easy to work on, and there’s more room in the cockpit. Still very very stable but much lighter


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Eh, maybe a 150 with a stroker kit.

A friend (bleeds Orange) is vacationing in Spain (went to the Grand Prix).

He stopped by a Gas Gas Shop in Barcelona and spied what he said was a fuel injected GG 300. Euro emissions, I guess.

Edit: He says it looked to him to have Direct Injection components, not the TPI throttle boddy injection of the KTM line of FI bikes.

I did a video of me test riding the KTM line a couple of months ago on my AZRickD youtube page.

https://youtu.be/twIK_T-gw18


https://youtu.be/twIK_T-gw18

I got to ride my friend's new '18 orange XCW FI 250 a couple days ago. Except for the price tag & the seat, it was hard to find fault. I really liked it.

But, I still had no trouble keeping up on a '01 GG XC200, so I'm not too jealous. And my check book is safe & intact. :)

RB

I rode the KTM 250 XCW TPI 2-stroke as well. See the video link —

https://youtu.be/twIK_T-gw18

The softer suspension of the XPlor forks were pretty good over chop. We had no rocks to challenge it on our six-minute test loop. I suspect that this suspension is in the ballpark for my tepid riding.

The XC bikes (both 2T and 4T) with the AirForks were defintely race firm, but reasonably compliant. They felt as firm as my rock-valved 48mm Zokes but more refined throughout the stroke ? perhaps more progressively shimmed than my tuner could achieve with my Zokes. A racer probably wouldn?t change them much. I, on the other hand, would require the AER Forks to be revalved softer.

The fuel injection was perfect across the throttle and rev range. However, the FI 2-stroke didn?t have the rip-snorting character of the XC carbed bikes. Perhaps it was tuned that way to exhibit a calmer XC-W behavior. I found the motor behavior of the TPI bike to have about as much power as my 2011 GG (which is tuned for more bottom end), except that my GG had more bottom than any of thr KTMs except for the 300s, which were in a league of their own.

The carbed bikes had a definitive hit that was disconcerting. I feel it is a flaw rather than the feature that many 2T racers seek. My GG and the KTM TPI were quite linear. The KTM was even moreso, being smooth to the point of boredom ? sneaky fast.

The 2018 KTM carby bikes were all set to factory specs. The Mikuni jetting was very good from low-mid to top, but just a little burbly off idle. So little that I think an air scew adjustment would have fixed it, if not that, then one jet leaner on the pilot jet.

+1.

LOVE my '11 e-start EC250. Seriously can't imagine a bike being much more perfect for me.

I've ridden quite a few newer-ish bikes, KTM 250s and 300s, Beta 300RRs, YZ250x, etc. And to date, I don't think I've ridden one yet that I could fall in love with like I have my Gasser.

Why the 250 instead of a 300?

They behave differently. For some, the 250 is friskier and controllable. Others want more bottom that the 300 delivers.

When riding my 250, I only wished it was a 300 about 5% of the time. That beeing said, the 300 would be my default choice next time.

Of the bikes that I have personally ridden, because the 250 has more actually-noticeable advantages than actually-noticeable disadvantages.

Even though I know it's actually not on paper (or in real life), the 250 feels lighter when riding it. It changes direction more easily, and is simply easier to manipulate under my legs when riding.

Also, it has more ...."snap".... than a 300. I don't mean this as it has more "hit", because mine has virtually no "hit" at all. It just revs more easily and is more responsive with a quick fan of the clutch.

Lastly, it feels smoother. I know jetting could easily have an effect on this, but all of the 300s I've ridden were sputtery and just not smooth when not on the pipe. Plus, they've all vibrated a good bit more. My 250 is just butter smooth from idle to the rev-limiter.

On the downside, the 250s supposedly make less power and torque than the 300s. Granted it's not an equal comparison, since my bike has the RB head and carb mods done, but I've found this to be so imperceptible that it's almost not true. I haven't been on a 300 yet that had more torque than my 250. I have been on a couple have been roughly equal, and I've also been on a couple poorly jetted ones that were clearly worse. Power wise, I've drag raced many a bike from a dig thru 6th gear, and haven't come across a 300 yet that could outrun it. Virtually all of these 250 and 300 enduro bikes are completely equal in regards to flat-out power.

The one KTM 250 XC that I've ridden did seem to have just barely less torque than its 300 counterpart. But that's not to say that it still didn't have plenty, or that there was a huge difference; it had just a tiny bit less right off the bottom. In my opinion, it's just the perfect amount, in regards that it's not too little that you frequently find yourself in the way-wrong gear, but it's enough less that it encourages and rewards you for using the clutch a little bit (which will make you a better, faster rider in the long-run versus being lazier on a 300).

Don't read too much into my opinions. I haven't ridden every bike out there, and haven't ridden many at all brand new (17+) bikes. And, these differences I'm talking about are very small in magnitude, just barely noticeable at all. So the bottom line is, unless you REALLY care about these tiny tiny differences, buy whichever bike is most available and/or cheapest. For me, if they were exactly evenly priced, I'd pick the 250, for the reasons above. But that's strictly my opinion.

So 2 strokes are back in the running again for ya Rick? Those new gassers sure are tempting. If you like smooth and controllable, you might give some consideration to the Sherco 2ts as well. Very mellow characteristics, but I haven't ridden a new gasgas to compare yet. BTW moto center does have 2 demo bikes they'll let you try out, an EC250 and XC 300.

When's the surgery scheduled for?

Not scheduled. Surgeon wants to do more tests.

Frankly, everytime I test ride a 4T, as enjoyable as it is, when I get back on the 2T, it feels right.

Additionally, 2Ts are in the running because the strength of the 4T (dual sport, for one) is something I can?t do. Long rides and my back don?t mix. And even if my back were dandy-ish, post-surgery, six hours on a bike does not mesh with my personalty. When I look at a weekend day, I always envision doing three or more things that day. Riding the moto. Riding the mtn bike. Going to a movie with my wife. Making a dent in the laundry/yard/garage...

I looked closely at Sherco 4T 300F moslty. They?re not quite ready for me.

Gas Gas improvements (not limited to KYB) changed the lamdscape.

I'm of a similar preference to you. I'd love a big 4t back up bike to do the occasional big mileage day or maybe tag along on a baja trip, but it's just too much $$ to spend for a bike to mostly sit. I (and my wife) love phoenix for what you mention, the ability to crank out a good ride in 3-4 hours and be home with half or more of your day in tact to do other stuff. Though the summer is a mixed, and mostly negative, bag, I love being home by 10 or 11 having already ridden.

But for the shercos, I meant the 2 stroke 300. There are a few guys on them locally and when I got the chance to try one I really liked it. Though I haven't tried the new gasser yet, it would get the nod for me (theoretically of course) for having a) KYB suspension, and b) a kickstart back up

Decisions, decisions... A very recent AC unit replacement has put a hold on my new bike dreams for the time being, sadly. Maybe there will be some leftover 18 gassers hanging around when the time comes though.

Best of luck with your back.

You video was very nicely done! I have my 2011 gasser and it is a great bike. You need to ride a 2018 gasser! As much as I like my 2011 the 2018 is like a newly refined 2011 in feel.

Googling ? The GG site is of little help

Trying to find the specific differences between the XC, EC, and GP.

Check out this thread scroll up.

http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/sho...094#post183094

EC-XC

1) XC has abbreviated wiring harness and no lights
2) XC has FMF expansion chamber; EC has Gas Gas "stock" expansion chamber
3) Suspension settings; Not sure about this, I had read that the settings may differ, but heard from riders that have ridden both, that they do not differ much, if at all
4) Ignition; again not sure about this, as I have read differing accounts on whether they share the same ignition, or not
5) XC has Renthal 997 handlebars

GP

1) Same wiring loom as EC with lights
2) DLC coating on inner fork tubes
3) X-trig triple clamps
4) Rekluse clutch cover
5) Complete FMF exhaust
6) New cylinder head/combustion chamber
7) Floating front rotor
8) Quick release front axle
9) Gripper seat cover
10) Renthal 997 handlebar

Hey Jacob, I see you're in the Valley too. How are you liking that 2018 out here? Have you made any changes to the bike beside guards? Suspension? Thanks!

We should create an Arizona Gasser club on Strava !!!?!

I?ll register a Go Fund Me page for a purchase.

I just bumped my springs up one size from .42's to .44 and from5.2 to a 5.4. Got me a gpr stablizer and some EE hand guards. That's about all I'm doing to it for now. I'll post a pic or two when I get it back together. Thanks to Motocenter in Mesa, they had all the parts in stock!

What is your ready2ride weight?

Here is the Aussie reviewer (Beta fan) and his review of the 2018 XC and EC.

The video confirms tbat the XC Gasser has somewhat firmer suspension (others say it needs to be firmer for racing) and the EC is the cush-mobile that I would want.

https://youtu.be/-xtdwsLY3z8

I love Barry Morris' work. His channel is a wealth of good training and skills vids.

Despite the fact he rides a Beta.

I too bumped my forks to .44's as I thought they were too soft. I'm 175-180lbs no gear. What do you weigh? Thinking about trying a 5.4 rear.

I haven’t ridden an EC but I own an XC300. I tip the scales at 260 and I have won a race or two at National level in the +30B class. I run .50 up front and a 6.6 on the back. The valving is near spot on for my race pace but at slower speeds I get some deflection in the rock gardens even with compression backed all the way out to 2 clicks from full soft. The suspension is very soft “feeling” if you just set on the bike and push on the bars but when actually riding it feels great and is near impossible to bottom. I figure this winter I will send it off and have the compression stack softened up on the forks and add some rebound to the shock to help compensate for the heavy spring I have to run.

On another note, the guys at GGNA and every dealer I have talked to swear that the EC has the exact same suspension setup.

Either way, this is by far the best suspension I have ever had the pleasure of riding on. I would imagine a properly sprung yz250x would feel very similar. I have only ridden one with stock springs so I really can’t give honest input.


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I typically like Barry’s work but he missed the mark with his GG review. It came off as 6 minutes of him trying not to admit that it was better than his beloved “Beeta”. He talked about the lack of bottom end and easily stalled. Total B.S.! I also know for a fact that the gg has WAY more topend than the Beta.

Does this sound like a bike that stalls easily?
https://youtu.be/mjV8-8XIRrI


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Yeah I've had two YZ250X's and actually prefer the GG valving stock vs stock.

My revalved factory connection YZ250X was better than the stock GG and was my benchmark.

I get some deflection on rock sections now as well but it's not too bad and the stock GG valving is totally raceable as is for me. I plan to send mine out to JDP mx when it's time for service and have them valve it. They have the most R&D time on the 2018 chassis I believe since they do the US factory bikes.

I had a 14 Beta 250 Race Edition with Stillwell Suspension and it was a great bike but I prefer the new GG 300 for sure. Way better motor and chassis for me.......

A lot of Beta riders seem to be getting butt hurt over the new GG! :D

HOLD THE PHONE!

You come in here makin sideways comments about someone spying a fuel injected GG and no-one bats an eye??

Details son!! Details!! Pictures? Anything????

He?s sitting next to me (after a mtn bike night ride).

What do you want me to ask him?

Ryan Dungy Ripping It on a New 2019 KTM 150
 

I just saw this today, look like it was posted 3 days ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggTSI1jJ28

He looked skeered on a couple of those table tops.