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All Other Bikes... KTM, Husky, VOR, Husaberg & Hondayamazuki...


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  #1  
Old 03-22-2013, 11:15 AM
RonC RonC is offline
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Default ec200 alternatives? KTM 200 xcw & Sherco 250i?

I'm a completely new rider, no experience on anything 2 wheeled with a motor. However, I took downhill mountain bike really seriously, including running 4i days a week and strength training to help my racing. I intend on transferring that dedication to the enduro bike because I've ALWAYS wanted a motor, but had never made the move until now. I have raced in the 2006 Baja 500 stateside races, but only on 4 wheels.

Jeff Tasky, of Tasky's Metric Cycles in Washington state has recommended an EC200 and I trust his opinion. At first, i thought I wanted a 4 stroke for its linear and predictable power curve, but I learned of GasGas's legendary smoothness. I'm VERY light at 130lbs and anything bigger than a 200 would probably just tire me out over the course of a race.

Here's the problem: I have been looking for quite a while and I cannot find an EC200 or XC200 used anywhere! Well, that's not true, because Tasky's has a '12. But, everybody seems to agree that the 2012's are bigger than the '11 and earlier. So here are the requirements:
  1. Small size (I'm 5'4)
  2. Beginner friendly throttle
  3. Ability to allow me to compete in open engine classes(classified by age) in hare scarmbles.

During my search for a 2007-2011 GasGas 200cc 2t, I could not help but look at the alternatives. This is what I found:

1) 2009 Sherco 250i demo bike. 2 rides. $5500, no extra setup fees. The Sherco has such a LOW standover, like 35"!!! Won't the 4 stroke just make it easier for me to learn as a beginner? Predictable, consistent power up through the rpm's? Unlike other 4 strokes, this one is light at 225lbs. But will the 250f be all the motor I'll need?(just cuz the GasGas 200cc 2t is much more powerful).

2) KTM 200 XC-W '06-'07. Plenty of these around at $3200-$4000. A favorite woods bike of many with a low standover. Problems:
a) the model of '06-'07(as well as others) are known to hit pretty damn hard and throw you on your ass. However, I know the tricks of taming it via 12oz flywheel weight, adjusting the power valve, and if needed: FMF gnarly pipe and aftermarket throttle cam.
b) Notorious headshake thrives in these years! A damper will fix it.
c) Damn, that is a hell of a lot of stuff to buy just to make a used bike usable by me!! Not to mention the usual springrate/valving stuff.
d) After all these mods and money, will it be anywhere as user-friendly as a GasGas power curve???

I'm going to keep waiting for used 07-11 GasGas 200, but for how long? Okay, go ahead and do your best to convince me either way! Thank you very much from hopefully a future GasGas owner! -Ron



Oh yeah, is a EC/XC250 really going to tire me out that much more than a 200 during a long race? I asked, and the answer was to hold out for a 200 for my size. Just curious if anybody has differing opinions. I would wait/pay more for a proper 200.



Last edited by RonC; 03-27-2013 at 05:01 AM.
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  #2  
Old 03-22-2013, 01:07 PM
roverhybrids roverhybrids is offline
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I've got 2011 ec200 six days I'll trade for a 2012 ec200 lol
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Old 03-22-2013, 01:31 PM
RonC RonC is offline
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If you wanted to "upgrade" to a 2012, I could work something out, heh heh. I'm THAT desperate for a GasGas 200cc EC or XC. Six Days version is even better. The bike is a 2012 EC200R with the marzocchi and Ohlins 888 combo and can be viewed in the classified's New section or Tasky Metric Cycle's website.
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Old 03-22-2013, 03:30 PM
roverhybrids roverhybrids is offline
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Were you able to check out Tasky's 2011 gasgas 125?
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Old 03-22-2013, 03:40 PM
AZRickD AZRickD is offline
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You've done your research pretty well and I can agree with your general conclusions.

What you lack is what you need most -- time on the different bikes. We have't seen a 200 Gasser around here since 2007 and that was a 2000 model. I would like to know how a GG 200 compares to a KTM.
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Old 03-22-2013, 04:52 PM
john01 john01 is offline
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Ron there is a brand new 2006 GG200 listed for sale on this site in the new bike section. It's not the 07-11 that you are looking for but I understand it's the same size and also an excellent bike.
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Old 03-22-2013, 06:32 PM
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Jakobi Jakobi is offline
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Its your first bike man! Any bike is going to put a wickid grin from ear to ear. I agree what you need is seat time, so gather your coins and buy the bike that gives you the biggest stiffy!

Don't underestimate the fun of a 250F. At your weight they'll haul around. The sherco would be a great bike. I bet you could get a pretty decent, recent WR250F/YZF for a good price too. I still think I could ride my 250F harder, faster, longer, than I can any other engine, so you won't exactly out grow it. You'll just change later because you discover that you want a change just for fun, and a 2T is exactly where you'll find it!

Only negative to the 4T is the maintenance schedule, which isn't really much more than a 2T, but if its not followed it can cost big $$$ to fix. Shop wisely!
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Old 03-22-2013, 07:40 PM
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GasGas GasGas is offline
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At a buck thirty, I wouldn't rule out a 125/150 GasGas, Husky or Yamaha. Plus it would teach how to ride much more so than the 200. Not to mention much lighter to pick up when your tired.
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Old 03-22-2013, 10:35 PM
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pscook pscook is offline
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There is a great looking Husky 125 on Cafe husky right now for cheap, I just sent the seller a note. Hope he wants to ship to Washington.

I have read that the GG 200 uses the same frame as the 250 and 300, so if the size is a concern then you might want to look at a 125 sized frame like the KTM 200 has (as I understand it). If I had cash to burn I would be up at Tasky's, but right now that would be a very, very bad decision for me to go up there.
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:21 PM
AZRickD AZRickD is offline
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Huskies are very tall. Folks around here are having major problems with carburation to the point of swapping out carbs.

The post-2007 KTMs (IIRC) no longer sport the smallish frame. The older KTM 200s have peaky motors and don't turn well.
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