Rieju & GasGas Legacy Riders Club Forum  

Go Back   Rieju & GasGas Legacy Riders Club Forum > General Forums > General Discussions & Announcements

General Discussions & Announcements General Announcements, General Questions, e.g. What bike do I buy?, etc.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-18-2018, 10:29 PM
sled_fiend's Avatar
sled_fiend sled_fiend is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 39
Default Year to year changes - my next bike

I need some advice. I have a 2005 DE200 which I've rebuilt and turned over to my wife and I've been riding my backup bike (88 KTM 250). I've had fun with the old left hand kick KTM but I'm kind of over tinkering with it and am ready for a newer bike. I'm a trail rider and not a particularly fast one so I'm not looking for the fastest bike but rather the one that handles great and is light and nimble feeling. I really like riding technical trails and have some interest in hare scrambles or amatuer enduro but nothing real competitive.

I love that DE200 so I'm basically wanting to get a newer version of it. I've tried to find a run down of the changes and updates through the years to the Gas Gas EC but I haven't really found much. Here's what I have found:

2007 - body work update not sure about performance upgrades
2010 - another styling change, frame, suspension and engine updates but not really sure how all this translates on the trail
2011 -six days edition available (2010 also) not sure what difference is
2012 - maybe a year to avoid due to reliability problems?
2013 - first year for e start
2015&17 - new suspension, no 200 available
2018 - all new, no 200

I actually think the new 200 EC Ranger would be perfect for me I just have a hard tIme justifying that much of my family budget for a new bike when I can get something really nice for half price.

My question for you all is, which year EC200 should I try to find?

I appreciate any input and experience.

Thanks


Reply With Quote


  #2  
Old 09-18-2018, 11:48 PM
Jakobi's Avatar
Jakobi Jakobi is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 7,994
Default

If you liked the geometry and handling of the old chassis a 2007-2011 model would be the go! and could be had for next to nothing out of the pocket too.

2012 had plastic subframes and a few odd bits. I'd probably skip.

2013 is a solid chassis, sharing a lot of parts with the 2014-17 models.

2018-19 are verrry nice.

That's from someone who has put 300+hrs on a 2010 model, 200+hrs on a 2013, and just taken owner ship of a 2018, yet to put any hrs on it; all 250cc though.

The chassis feel different between them all. Have pro's and con's. Depends a lot on personal preference. One thing for sure though, the newer ones are much nicer to work on.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-19-2018, 01:34 AM
Anders's Avatar
Anders Anders is offline
Gold Level Site Supporter
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kongsberg, Norway
Posts: 1,113
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sled_fiend View Post
Here's what I have found:

2007 - body work update not sure about performance upgrades
2010 - another styling change, frame, suspension and engine updates but not really sure how all this translates on the trail
2011 -six days edition available (2010 also) not sure what difference is
2012 - maybe a year to avoid due to reliability problems?
2013 - first year for e start
2015&17 - new suspension, no 200 available
2018 - all new, no 200


My question for you all is, which year EC200 should I try to find?

Thanks
I don't know about the US, but here in Europe there was 200cc in at least 14 and 15. I have a 2015 EC200 and my previous bike was a 06 EC200. I prefer the 15. So my advice would be to search for a 11 model if you really like the old, smaller chassis and a 13-15 (or 17) if you'd like a somewhat bigger, more modern chassis.
__________________
Anders

"So you know, that you're over the hill when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill" (Little Feat: Old Folks Boogie)

2015 EC200 Racing: TE bars, Rekluse Core Exp 3.0, 38mm Lectron & Ohlins S3 steering damper
2006 EC200: 2011 plastics, Rekluse Z-Start, revalved KYB forks & Scotts steering damper
1998 Bimota Supermono
1986 Duc Mille S2
1975 Guzzi sidecar hack
1961 Morini Corsaro 125
etc
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-19-2018, 06:37 AM
GasGas's Avatar
GasGas GasGas is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 694
Default

I would look for a really clean 2011. That was the most advanced and most reliable bike of that generation. I put 350 plus hours on mine. Sherco also makes great 2 strokes and I would consider a 2015 and up in a Sherco. I have over 300 hours on the Sherco's and they are great bikes. They are a very easy transition from a GasGas and although don't come in a 200, the dual map makes the 300 pretty soft. I called it the 200 button. It works that well. Great when you tire out. But in the end there is nothing as nice as a new bike! I have just purchased a new 300 GasGas. You shoudln't rule out a 300, especially if you ride hilly terrain. The lug factor makes easy work of hill climbs. It sounds like you have the experience to ride one and they can also be tamed with jetting changes.
__________________
2018 EC 300
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-19-2018, 10:04 AM
sled_fiend's Avatar
sled_fiend sled_fiend is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 39
Default

So 2011 is the best of the "old generation" (200x-2011) and 2013 starts the "new generation". How is the riding characteristics different of the 2013+ from the 2011 and older?

Also, what is the difference between the six days edition and the normal EC?

The only 300 I've ridden I'd a 2007? KTM and I did like the power and tractability so I'm not necessarily ruling out an EC300 I just have this notion that the 200 will feel lighter but maybe that's just perception. 300s do seem to be easier to find also.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-19-2018, 11:36 AM
Danj56's Avatar
Danj56 Danj56 is offline
Bronze Level Site Supporter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 201
Default

Six days comes with Ohlins rear shock and Marzocchi forks and a couple of extras, larger rear brake reservoir. Motor and frame are the same. EC comes with Sach suspension in 2011
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-19-2018, 12:20 PM
Neil E. Neil E. is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Gormley, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,418
Default

2011 was the first year for estart. After reading this forum I was sold on GG because many riders were very happy with their older machines. I like the fact that the older GG (up to 2011) is slightly more compact than other makes.

I was originally thinking about a KDX 220 as a good woods machine. The GG 250 is the closest in performance with some extra torque and better suspension.

A 2011 with a KYB fork swap would be ideal for woods riding. I would stay clear of the 2012 models. 2013 to 2017 maybe fine. A 2018 and newer 250 with some changes to soften the power would be close in feel to a 200.

I'd say the choice is 2011 (or 2018).
__________________
2011 EC250E
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-19-2018, 02:01 PM
(F5)'s Avatar
(F5) (F5) is offline
Gold Level Site Supporter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington New Zealand
Posts: 2,062
Default

It's funny, I almost wrote, my 02 200 was perfect for me. Not too big or heavy, easy to start. I wanted for nothing more. My mates rode my bike and went off and bought GG. I rode a mates not too old 07 300.
I didn't want to give it back. I could see no disadvantages. I had to buy one.
__________________
'07 EC300 GG
'14 TXT250 GG
'? 496 CPI Cheetah RZ/RGV hybrid
'22 765 Street Triple RS
'21 XTrainer
'69 Stinger T125 Suzuki
'23 TRS 250RR (it's a Trials thing)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-19-2018, 05:46 PM
GasGas's Avatar
GasGas GasGas is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 694
Default

All 3 displacements are great bikes IMO. They all do things slightly different, but the 300 requires the least amount of work.
__________________
2018 EC 300
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-19-2018, 08:13 PM
(F5)'s Avatar
(F5) (F5) is offline
Gold Level Site Supporter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington New Zealand
Posts: 2,062
Default

Yes it suits my flaling-legs-startled-look style.
__________________
'07 EC300 GG
'14 TXT250 GG
'? 496 CPI Cheetah RZ/RGV hybrid
'22 765 Street Triple RS
'21 XTrainer
'69 Stinger T125 Suzuki
'23 TRS 250RR (it's a Trials thing)
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help ID the the model year of this bike? Dingo General Discussions & Announcements 4 09-04-2016 09:06 PM
Double checking year of my bike Munch Enduro Other... 10 06-25-2016 10:43 AM
Which year/model Jap bike uses same '06 EC300 brider Enduro Chassis & Body 6 03-19-2013 05:09 AM
Year By Year Comparison for 300 ?? GasGasDreamer General Discussions & Announcements 21 05-31-2011 10:53 PM
Need help on engine case changes from year to year CDBiker220 General Discussions & Announcements 1 05-26-2011 03:52 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright 2009 - GasGasRider.org