Why Upgrade from a 2005 to a 2011?

[celler]

I have a 2005 DE 300. What makes the new bikes better? My 2005 is in very good condition so it isn't an end of life decision.

[dank]

umm to give clay some extra paperwork to do....... lol the usual. newer bike, newer stuff. personally i have an 03 250 and i like it, but if i had the means i would upgrade.

[bergerhag]

Life is short, guys.

[dank]

exactly! spend your money before you reach decrepitude and cant ride!

[HydroDog]

Why are the new bikes better?
If you rotate your bikes every couple of years your wife just assumes that the bike is worn out again and you need a new. This in turn helps out your buddy's with their mates on needing a new bike. It's a win win for you and your friends.

[einsteingarage]

I have been wrestling with the same question... What's in a new bike?

I think the biggest thing is tightness of the bike and looks.


It's like a new car, 80,000 miles and the car is still great but the new ones ride and drive a lot better and the newer ones look a bit cooler.

If they come out with FI then that would be a reason to upgrade. The electric start is ok but really how hard is it to kick a 2 stroke. Although, I wouldn't buy a 4 stroke without electric start.

I think I am just going to try a cosmetic upgrade this winter. Powder coat some stuff and new plastic and see if that cures my wanting of a newer bike.

[GMP]

The newer subframe and associated bodywork in '07 was a leap IMO, probably the biggest year to year chage yet. Really gave the bike a different feel. I'd be very motivated to upgrade if I owned a pre '07.

[john01]

You guys that already have GasGas bikes and don't have at least the 2010 have some serious self control. I have (had) the 2010 my first GasGas and I am now getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2011. I purchashed the 2010 GG having never even seen one other than pics. but after having it a few months and riding it I am sold on the GG bikes. I gave my son the 2010 because he liked it so much and now I see the latest Latin beauty with some revisions; now I gotta have it. I don't know how you can resist and I have no clue exactly how much better the newer bikes are. I can tell they are better looking and have improved hardware and built quality; LOL at least from the pics.

[einsteingarage]

Originally Posted by GMP

The newer subframe and associated bodywork in '07 was a leap IMO, probably the biggest year to year chage yet. Really gave the bike a different feel. I'd be very motivated to upgrade if I owned a pre '07.

Good point. I have thought of adding the 07 sub frame and getting the newer plastics.

[swazi_matt]

Are you looking for reasons to convince someone or are you looking for technical reasons?

I normally get a new bike when i am feeling unmotivated to ride, or when i see that my bike is going to require a lot of minor maintenance (read time consuming maintenance) in the near future, I have hardly enough time to ride my bike so do not want to use up my weekends replacing bearings and bushes