Ec 200

Joaquarossi · #1 01-05-2021, 03:50 PM

Hi all, Brand new to the forum and to off road bikes. I know sports bikes well but enduro/mx bikes are very alien to me and need some help to make my first purchase.

Im looking for something to green lane mainly. I have seen a gas gas 200 ec im interested in. Its a 2003. The guy does'nt seem to be very mechanically minded and says its "good to go" but i imagine a bike of that age has had work/needs something.

Is there anything I should really look for. going to do the standard HPI. He says it has an mot. It does not have a speedo. Ive got a list of things to check if i view it.

Im pretty good with mechanics so will be able to do most stuff excluding specialist bits but just need some advice and direction on what i should walk away from. Its up for ?2000. number plate is EU03FTX if anyone knows it. Devon area.

Thanks in advance.

just did some checks. it has had intermittent mot's which i assume is normal, some big gaps between tests like 6 years.
Its had 8 previous owners-is this normal for these bikes?

One mot shows odometer reading the rest say not fitted.
Latest mot shows leaky fork seals.
This owner has only had the bike about a month. is this a bad sign? he says he wants a 4 stroke.

Zman · #2 01-05-2021, 08:42 PM

Hello, That year GG is pretty reliable. In addition to normal used motorcycle wear items I would look at the following areas. 1. get the bike on a stand so both front and rear wheels are off the ground. check for significant slop/play in the rear suspension. 2. pull out the air filter and see if there is any dirt in the air box which could be a sign of piston wear. 3. Do a compression check on the engine. 4. if the owner will let you, pull off the exhaust pipe so you can see the piston through the exhaust port. Look for a worn piston and look for dark discoloration below the piston rings which indicate it needs a top end. Also see if the cylinder has wear or scratches. 5. Check for a bent shifter shaft. 6. look to see if the shock is leaking. 7. yellow plastic from the 200cc bikes is hard to find any more, but I believe Polisport has red and white available new for that year bike. 8. check for signs of frame rust in the lower areas. While it is pretty rare to have this problem, if they are used as submarines the frames can rust from the inside out. 9. the carb air boot is probably petrified and hard. 10. If possible drain the oil and look for metal, clutch debris and see if it smells like brake fluid which could indicate a bad clutch slave cylinder.

All of the parts minus the plastic are pretty easy to source new or used.

In my riding group we have eight GG bikes from 1998 to 2004 and they are stone ax reliable when they are maintained properly.

Joaquarossi · #3 01-06-2021, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zman

Hello, That year GG is pretty reliable. In addition to normal used motorcycle wear items I would look at the following areas. 1. get the bike on a stand so both front and rear wheels are off the ground. check for significant slop/play in the rear suspension. 2. pull out the air filter and see if there is any dirt in the air box which could be a sign of piston wear. 3. Do a compression check on the engine. 4. if the owner will let you, pull off the exhaust pipe so you can see the piston through the exhaust port. Look for a worn piston and look for dark discoloration below the piston rings which indicate it needs a top end. Also see if the cylinder has wear or scratches. 5. Check for a bent shifter shaft. 6. look to see if the shock is leaking. 7. yellow plastic from the 200cc bikes is hard to find any more, but I believe Polisport has red and white available new for that year bike. 8. check for signs of frame rust in the lower areas. While it is pretty rare to have this problem, if they are used as submarines the frames can rust from the inside out. 9. the carb air boot is probably petrified and hard. 10. If possible drain the oil and look for metal, clutch debris and see if it smells like brake fluid which could indicate a bad clutch slave cylinder.

All of the parts minus the plastic are pretty easy to source new or used.

In my riding group we have eight GG bikes from 1998 to 2004 and they are stone ax reliable when they are maintained properly.

Thanks for reply, I can do a few of those not sure I?ll be able to remove exhaust and don?t have a compression tester.

Would you suggest walking away if the frame is rusty?

Not sure what the air boot is? How would I check that?

Would a top end rebuild be easy enough on this bike in terms of sourcing parts and reboring/re-sleeving.

How easy is it to get a speedo on this bike? As I say complete noob to Mx bikes, does it standard have lights and road gear? Would the generator be able to handle the lights?
Viewing tomorrow.

(F5) · #4 01-06-2021, 01:48 PM

Have a look online for parts on ebay etc to get a feel. The 200 run wiseco piston in a plated bore both of which are pretty robust. Replating is a specialist job but unlikely. However it is 17 years old. Rear suspension bearings/bushes aftermarket from ebay or try wemoto maybe.

What a quaint English term, greenlaning.

Joaquarossi · #5 01-06-2021, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (F5)

Have a look online for parts on ebay etc to get a feel. The 200 run wiseco piston in a plated bore both of which are pretty robust. Replating is a specialist job but unlikely. However it is 17 years old. Rear suspension bearings/bushes aftermarket from ebay or try wemoto maybe.

What a quaint English term, greenlaning.

I?ve had a look for some bits, the side stand looks like a pain to find/ expensive.
I?m unsure on no odometer too not sure how I?d get round that one. I?ve got a list written up of things to check. Possibly leaning to wards waiting for a younger bike to pop up and saving a bit more but will have a look at it anyway. I?m keen on a 2 stroke 250 but not many road versions about.

I?ll check out wemoto.

Thanks.

masterbill · #6 01-07-2021, 03:06 AM

How much is he selling if for ?

Joaquarossi · #7 01-07-2021, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterbill

How much is he selling if for ?

He?s asking 2k
Looks like he?s not actually interested as he hasn?t replied to me now so that was a waste. Thanks all for the advice was helpful none the less.

(F5) · #8 01-07-2021, 10:30 PM

I loved my 02 200. Only thing was a mate gave me a ride on his 07 300 and I had to have one. That was 11 years ago. Just getting idea of upgrading, maybe. 300 is a pussycat and forgiving to ride.

All old dirtbikes will cost some money to put right. Ridden hard and put away wet.

You probably can't magic up money but tyres will be the biggest compromise if dual use. Trailer and proper knobblies?

Joaquarossi · #9 01-08-2021, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (F5)

I loved my 02 200. Only thing was a mate gave me a ride on his 07 300 and I had to have one. That was 11 years ago. Just getting idea of upgrading, maybe. 300 is a pussycat and forgiving to ride.

All old dirtbikes will cost some money to put right. Ridden hard and put away wet.

You probably can't magic up money but tyres will be the biggest compromise if dual use. Trailer and proper knobblies?

At the moment struggling to find one in my price range. Leaning towards a 2stroke but would go 4 if the right bike came up. I don?t mind working on it/spending some money I just don?t want a pig that needs major stuff. Ie. Bottom end/new engine cases etc.

I?m still looking

Joaquarossi · #10 01-14-2021, 02:54 AM

So I?ve been contacted by a guy from an enduro club saying he?s selling his husky wr 250. It s a 2009, road registered. He wants 2800. He?s sent me over lots of info and pictures and it looks pretty good. When this lockdown ends I?m going to go have a look at it. Any views on this bike?