2018 models
 

found this today, looks very interesting!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSscoXp2zc

Very cool. IIRC this is the same video that was showing on the screens at the EICMA show last fall. I seem to remember it from the background of someone's video on youtube. Nice to see the entire thing though.

I was shocked to see that they narrowed the bike. How much narrower can it get!?:eek:

It looks really nice . I do hope that the wheels will transfer over since I have 2 extra pairs so I can at least save that cost . It would have to be alot lighter to get me to leave behind the current chassis ,since it has served me well . But it is great to see that they made the investment to attack the other brands .

That long range fuel tank GG has rumoured to work with the new chassis may be all it takes to convince me to own a shiny new bike. I'll be a nervous man riding the Dacre Rally here in Ontario next year without it. 120 miles between some fuel stops. And thats a typical day for me. I'll have to be carrying extra fuel for sure until a new tank appears.

Rumour has it the new bikes arrive in England in April, I look forward to seeing them.

I assume those will be the same perimeter frame 2017's?

I'm pretty sure its a backbone. All new frame.

Personally I wish they would keep the looks of the 2017. I think its the sexiest bike out there. But thats only my opinion.

Nope. From my understanding it is to be based off of the phoenix project bikes revealed at EICMA. Backbone frame and a near total redesign of the bike including a lot of internal engine tweaking. More power, less weight, narrower bike and lots of other goodies.

Great to see the KYB suspension on it, hope GG stick with that. New frame and overall chassis design looks great too. However, mistake to redesign the engine without putting the starter under the crank as sherco, beta and ktm now do. Even outside of practical considerations, looks like an afterthought and detracts from the otherwise well designed and good looking bike.

I found this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ixt4jtEUQ

The engine is a carry over from the '17 model, with a few enhancements.

4 strokes
 

Are the 4 strokes long gone from Gas Gas? They had purchased the Italian Husky tech so I'm wondering what happened.

Its a good question. I doubt we will get a direct answer from the top.

If I took a guess at their business model I would say they are currently focused on getting the new 2 stroke released and marketing it heavily.

If sales numbers are high enough they will have three split focuses.
#1 will be meeting the Euro5 Emission Standards for their 2-stroke motors, which they are probably already working on.
#2 will be creating an electric enduro bike and maybe an electric trials bike.
#3 will be creating a line of 4 stroke bikes. Probably starting with something around a 300-350.

This is my guess because its what I would do. But its nothing more than a layman's guess.
(Obviously they have lots of focus on the trials bikes as well and will keep moving them forward.)

My understanding is that Husky engines are not being considered a serious option any more. This topic has been discussed in interviews of the top management of Torrot/GasGas several times and it is mentioned that new engines are being developed. It is also mentioned that they are not in hurry. So I would take a closer look at Spanish national championship bikes no sooner than 2018 season trying to figure out which of these bikes with odd plastics is actually a next generation 4-stroke GG test mule :)

Dang, I was really hoping they would address the awkward looking starter clinging to the side of the engine with the Phoenix bike. I've decided to buy my first ever brand new 2T this year, and am leaning (slightly) towards a GG... looking forward to seeing it in person!

The 2017 is sexy. Keep in mind you guys are looking at a prototype. The production bike could be different.

i'm in for 2018 ec300.