515 the REAL DEAL

[hasslbri]

Just got my 515 gaser put together on Saturday night. Oiled the filter, changed oil, and gassed it up. Bike started right away. Seemed to rev unbelievably quick. Absolutely no cough and stall! After a few heat cycles, I took it out for few icy figure 8's in the yard. Remember this is Minnesota here. Bike was very tight right away, but this thing felt suprisingly light.

On Sunday, I finished preping it to the way I would normally ride (bars, pegs, spike tires, ect.) I put about and hour on it in 15 degree weather. We maybe have about 6 - 8" of crusty snow here right now. I managed to go over the bars within the first 150 yards. Damn crusty snow!!! Picked my way through my enduro loop. Lots of nasty uphills and tight turns. It is a hard area to truely judge a bike by, as it is almost like riding in the mud,(snow is almost a foot deep in the woods) but man is this a quick handling beast. I haved ridden the 04 and 05 gas gas 450s and this bike is nothing like those. Very quick and easy to handle. The engine is already breaking in. Starting is getting better and better. It almost wants to start in gear, but it probably won't until I go to a lighter oil after my break in. Post stall starting is getting better too. My current race bike is a '07 300. I got this bike for another play/ practice bike, but I am thinking this will be more of a race bike than I originally anticipated. I have owned a 470 Husaberg in the past and have a lot of time on big KTMs as well, and from early indicators, might be the best big bike I have tried to date. Gas Gas has finally got a four stroke that is just as good if not better then the others. This is the highest quality Gas Gas I have owned to date! Big thank you to Mark and Steve at GoFasters!

I will get some pics out as soon as I can.

Man am I out of shape. Almost three months after the Six Days and I struggling.

For sale- 2006 YZ 250F Lots of extras, low hours!

Brian

[MattR]

I noticed this is your first post. Welcome to GasGas Rider's Club!

I'm looking forward to seeing some pics. I hope you will do a follow-up report in the future after some more seat time (perhaps in the Spring). When you get a chance, please update your profile with your location. It will help others in the future with any questions, etc.. Enjoy your new ride!

[JRDoz]

Welcome Brian, would love to see your new Gasser pics and if you can, post some video

[fury1]

Remember this is Minnesota here.

I must have read his post 50 times before I spotted his location,spent too much time dreaming of riding a 515! how sweet they must be

[eff]

It's been quite the buzz at the dealers show too:

http://www.gofasters.com/index.php?m...ub=news&id=226

[GMP]

Just curious, what does it weigh?

A guy on thumpertalk weighed a new Husky TXC450, 256lbs. no gas and no accessories. Not overly impressive so maybe the GG is in the hunt this time. ADB rated the '07 FSR 450 best motor in class last year.

[hasslbri]

Thanks guys. I will get pics soon. I don't know the weight for sure. I can tell you it isn't 300 light by any means. Lifting it on a stand it sure doesn't feel as heavy as the 05' 450. I was just so blown away by my first ride. I guess I was fearing the worst and when I go out and take a non studded spin and the bike feels real flickable. I was laughing to myself the whole time. I plan on doing quite abit of racing in and around the qualifiers. I will race my 300 for the most part, but want to really put the 515 through the paces at a few of the harescrambles. I'll keep you guys updated with what goes into it as far as, maint., problems, and mods.

Brian

[hasslbri]

Can't really get the pics any larger.

[bergerhag]

Brian, now look what you've done!
I was so happy with my '05 FSE, now I need to start raising the funds for a '08.

I noticed from your pics that the headlight is a '05-'07 model and not the one in the '08 pic on factory site. Was that anything you choose or did it just happen to ship like that?
Have the kickstarting improved anything with the new EFI system?

Darn it. I want one of those. But I want trials bike too. I need to get rich...

[GMP]

They all make a 2-stroke feel like a mountain bike, but I'm sure the GG geometry helps it feel lighter. Unfortunately a lot of people go by the Weight # alone. Ever ride a Husky TE450/510? How does the FSR compare to the TE? I have a fair amount of time on a TE, and while very stable at speed its just too much bike in the technical woods for me.