GGOR Questions : 2T Electric Start Specs & Direct Injection
 

I expect to purchase a 2011 Estart 250XC this fall. On the US site http://www.gasgas.com/ec_end_2t.htm, there is only some generic info posted. When will the 2011 Estart specs be available?

Can you give us any idea where DI developement stands? I assume due to the recession, it's now lower in priority. Any idea how many more years before it might be available?

The site sited belongs to the previous importer. Don't expect any updates to specifications (or much else besides the trials side) there.

The estart 250 and 300 are supposed to mimic the base ECs, the specs of which are published on the factory site http://www.gasgasmotos.es/en/enduro.html

As for DI development (or any new feature), you can run down this checklist:
* is it implementation ready (package/function/cost/supply)
* does it represent a true or perceived competitive advantage
* can we make money selling it
* does a/the government require us to have it
* are there better/cheaper/faster/better looking alternatives we can offer
* will we lose customers by not offering it, or gain new ones by selling it
* do we hold the intellectual property rights to it
* can we protect it
* are we too busy working on something else at the present time
* will the product the new feature is planned for have a long enough life to justify the change
* ......

My bet is we'll see DI ... "soon enough" ;)

I also looked on the European GasGas site http://www.gasgasmotos.es/en/enduro/332-ec-250-cc.html
The bikes there look more XC than EC due to the lack of a mount for a plate and no signals. These items were shown on the Euro bikes in the past. I'm assuming that the Estart bikes will be the closest to an actual EC model, but with the road items removed. I'm hoping the headlight might actually be good enough for a night ride in the woods.

Before we get all exited about Direct Injection. DI bankrupted OMC (Johnson/Evinrude).

I think what bankrupted omc was years of making crappy motors, boats,etc.

Bombardier has done quite well with DI on the outboards and snowmobiles.

Can a guy order a 250 2t with the TTX front and rear?

I love my E-TEC snowmobile!

THAT....is a very good question. If I was buying new and had that option available it would be a no brainer.

Clay, what can you do for the guys wanting TTX on a 250?

Neil,
I have been promised that I will have full specs on all of the models early next week and will post them here when I get them.

CEO Ramon Puentes told us when we were in Spain that Gas Gas was working on DI. It is a high priority, I believe, to meet Euro emissions requirements. Honestly, I have no other info.

Guys,
Ramon said we could order "special request" models for the US with enough notice if we wanted to but I have not done that yet because I am still discovering what we all want. I need a little more personal seat time to find out what I want. I already know that I want a full rear knob tire rather than the FIM tire. I also know we need a bigger tank. Honestly, I have to see how the sales go on Race/Six Days models compared to the standard models, too. Dealers tell me we need to be competetive with the orange brand. All of these requests drive the price up so I need dealer input for higher end models. I will prolly not ask for anything special this year but be fully ready for a US spec bike in 2012. I got to crawl before I can walk!
Clay