EC200R vs EC250R (2012 model)

[john01]

I really think you should get the 200! You have the 300 and everybody says the 250 is a little less than a 300 so you won't see a big change in how you ride the two so you gotta get the 200. I need somebody to get a 200 and write all about it so I now which one to get . I too have a 300 and want a 2012 just keep gong back and forth.... 200 or 250 and that sir is the question.

[bchatt]

Originally Posted by Jakobi

This is exactly how I ride the 300 though, and considering I'll be keeping it I'm wondering if the 250 will be too similar. If I was selling the 300 it would be an easy choice to get the 250.

..It somewhat sounds like I've answered the question myself

If you get a 250, you won't need a 200 or a 300! I love my 250, it's like having 2 bikes in 1. Good low down torque and totally rips when on the pipe. Personally, I don't want linear power - I want to get my arms pulled off every time I hit the pipe! The 250 is pure 2 stroke. Yeah ha!!

[lonetree]

hi.
I've got a 300 and a 250. I really like the 250, its a different beast to the 300, heaps snappier, but with more controlable power. feels heaps lighter to ride, easier to throw around. and i find im actually faster on the 250 than the 300, you can get on the pipe a bit earlier and hold it for longer... heaps of fun and it sounds like your a pro when ya ride it..
i think a 200 would be great, if it had a smaller frame setup, like a 125 should be. not sure if a full sized ec frame with a 200 would be quite, well "powerful" enough? im guessing it would be a bit like riding a 250f? perhaps faster but more fun? hmmm.
Have you ridden a ec250 yet jake?

[noobi]

Originally Posted by lonetree

i think a 200 would be great, if it had a smaller frame setup, like a 125 should be. not sure if a full sized ec frame with a 200 would be quite, well "powerful" enough? im guessing it would be a bit like riding a 250f? perhaps faster but more fun? hmmm.

GG only has one size frame, a few different frame cradles though.
The 200 is more powerful than an uncorked wr250f, which is what the gasser 250f is. It is more like a hotted up mx 250f. Only time it needs more is when you fall out of the powerband riding up a really steep hill.

Jake, considered getting a 250 top end ? and having a 200, then you would almost have the set..

[lonetree]

Originally Posted by noobi

GG only has one size frame, a few different frame cradles though.

Thats the problem, if GG made a proper sized 125/200 frame, id get one for sure....

[Jakobi]

I received word from SOLO today.

Hi Jakobi
Just to let you know all the 250R have been sold and we do not have a date if and when we will get any more.
the other big problem we have is still no date on the 200R.
We have the 300R, 300E and 250E arriving next week, the 250F will arrive at the end of March with the sold out 250R and no news on the 200R.

I know you have been waiting on a 200 so I thought I would keep you up dated.

John

Great news for Gas Gas Australia, but not so great for me at the moment.

I have only ridden KTM 250's. Never sampled a GG but imagine they would be somewhat similar. I had considered getting a 250 barrel and head and doing the conversion on my bike which is what I might do when its time for the next top end if I can't get a 2012 model.

Lonetree: I think everything you said about the 250 would apply with the 200 but even more so. Even faster to rev, and be able to hold it on even longer. I don't think the frame size will be that much of a negative. The 200 should be able to pull it and me around effortlessly. It may suffer the same fete as the 250F in that anything over 80km/h starts to be considered ringing the neck out of the poor little thing, but I'm not all that into riding wide open trail anyway. Most of my terrain 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear flowing, with some occassional 1st gear tech sections. Thats running 13/50 on the 300.

With my yamaha 250F (2004), even to this day its the suspension and somewhat aggricultural feel that holds the bike back. Between the trees the engine has more than enough power to get the job done, and done quickly. Its just not overly exciting, so something with a bit of snap should fix that up.

The coins are stacked and ready. Now its just waiting to see if they can land me one

[singletracker]

I have only ridden KTM 250's. Never sampled a GG but imagine they would be somewhat similar.

I just sold a well setup and tuned 2009 250xcw, and I have a 2011 250 Race. I rode them back to back, and they feel completely different to me. The Gas Gas is racier, and revs up quicker IMO. The KTM had an SX head, PC Platinum 2 pipe and PC spark arrestor and 13/52 gears. The Gas Gas is stock except for jetting, and the gearing is 13/48.

I'm not knocking KTM, because the 09 was one of the best bikes that I ever owned, but the Gas Gas really inspires confidence and really fits me well.

[Jakobi]

Originally Posted by singletracker

I have only ridden KTM 250's. Never sampled a GG but imagine they would be somewhat similar.

I just sold a well setup and tuned 2009 250xcw, and I have a 2011 250 Race. I rode them back to back, and they feel completely different to me. The Gas Gas is racier, and revs up quicker IMO. The KTM had an SX head, PC Platinum 2 pipe and PC spark arrestor and 13/52 gears. The Gas Gas is stock except for jetting, and the gearing is 13/48.

I'm not knocking KTM, because the 09 was one of the best bikes that I ever owned, but the Gas Gas really inspires confidence and really fits me well.

You'd imagine the smaller capacity 200 would follow the same trend in that it would rev even faster and feel more racier.. This is what I'm looking for! Will have to do a nice report if I'm fortunate enough to get one.

If not, whats the best route for sourcing a 250 top end? New/2nd hand?

[Todd5774]

For sourcing a 250 top end then eBay worldwide is a good bet, I bought mine from the USA and then 2 weeks after that I saw one on eBay uk for half the price!

Something else to consider is buying a 200 ktm engine and adapting your frame to make it fit.... Should only be a case of making new engine mounts maybe a machining/spacing the swing arm to fit?

[Jakobi]

Originally Posted by Todd5774

For sourcing a 250 top end then eBay worldwide is a good bet, I bought mine from the USA and then 2 weeks after that I saw one on eBay uk for half the price!

Something else to consider is buying a 200 ktm engine and adapting your frame to make it fit.... Should only be a case of making new engine mounts maybe a machining/spacing the swing arm to fit?

I'm not all that keen to go taking on any mega missions. A second hand jug would be alright but then might need some work to be brought up to scratch. I'm not really looking at doing things by halves

In all honesty if SOLO can't get a 200R in for me I'll probably see out another year on the 300. Might throw some coins at the XR6T and chase a few KW there instead. I don't have a top end due on the 300 for a few more hours yet.