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General Discussions & Announcements General Announcements, General Questions, e.g. What bike do I buy?, etc.


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  #1  
Old 05-13-2009, 08:54 PM
GasGasSouthWest GasGasSouthWest is offline
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Location: Cherry, AZ (near Prescott)
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Default NEW! GasGas EC250 4-stroke w/Yamaha Engine!

Hey all,
I received an email yesterday from Dale (US Importer) regarding a
new 4-stroke EC250 with a Yamaha engine. Spain needs to know what the
market is in the US before they proceed. We would appreciate any input
that you can give regarding this bike. Here is a partial copy of the email
from Spain:

Dear all,

As you know, we had been working in a new EC 250 4 strokes.

Finally we have the first protoype running, and it's a great bike which
unites a reliable engine as the Yamaha 250 4 strokes and our great frame.

Our mechanics are really impressed with the bike!!

Attached you can see two photos.

This is not the definitive version, maybe the graphics will be different, or
some components will be more racing (front forks, brakes...). Nothing that
would change the price too much.

This bike will fit a Yamaha engine, and that's why the production of this
model will work in a different way than the rest of our range.

We need to know how many units we are going to sell, and also when we will.
We will only make three productions a year of this bike, no more.

To be able to serve all the bikes on time, and in order to buy the engines
to Yamaha Company, we'd like to have a real forecast.

Anual forecast: The number of bikes you think you'll be able to sell. Is not
an order, is just an estimation of the market in your countries.

1st, 2nd and 3rd order: This are the importants. This will give me the
number of bikes I know I'll have to produce. It means that if you think that
your market could sell 100 units but you only want to start with 50, the
total amount must be 50.

Then later, if we have enough engines and production times, you'll be able
to add more, but always the priority will be for the older orders.

If we don't recieve signed and stamped orders (it's not a contractual order,
is just a compromise that you'll order them), we won't keep going with this
bike.

We have a lot of hopes in that bike, and according to the information you
have sent us, there's a big potential with it.

In a nearly future maybe we will release a 450 version, but not yet.

Please, if you have any questions about that do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks a lot and best regards.

PS: I must have all the orders signed, stamped, scanned and emailed back
before 23rd May.

THANKS in Advance for your input. Click on the Thumbnails below for larger images.



Last edited by GasGasSouthWest; 05-18-2009 at 07:15 PM.
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  #2  
Old 05-13-2009, 09:12 PM
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Thats a good approach, use the industry's most reliable 250F motor for now rather than risk disaster with a premature release of their own. That motor will run for years in a woods bike, I've seen it. Parts are also on every corner. I'd buy one for my next bike, as I love the GG chassis and get along well with the Yamaha 250Fs I've ridden.
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  #3  
Old 05-13-2009, 09:27 PM
GasGasSouthWest GasGasSouthWest is offline
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Default Thanks for being the 1st to post a reply!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GMP View Post
Thats a good approach, use the industry's most reliable 250F motor for now rather than risk disaster with a premature release of their own. That motor will run for years in a woods bike, I've seen it. Parts are also on every corner. I'd buy one for my next bike, as I love the GG chassis and get along well with the Yamaha 250Fs I've ridden.
Glenn,
What part of the U.S. are you from? I should have stipulated that in the
original post because we are trying to get an idea of where these bikes will
be going and how many of course. What I'm concerned with is that when
the GasGas Reps and dealers in the 50 states get back to Dale we don't
have too much of an overlap on the total interest in this bike. It's always
difficult to estimate future sales (especially in this current economy and a
brand new bike). We want to order enough to satisfy the demand but not
have too many leftovers for the current model year.

Thanks again.

Tom
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Old 05-14-2009, 04:37 AM
Cruiser Cruiser is offline
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I'd even be interested in one of these,, but my next GG will most likely be another 2stroker.. And GMP is kinda near me,, mid atl. region,, He is N. Jersey, I'm Ne Pa.. And I could see this bike doing well up here.. Lots of WR250's out here.. one of the best 250 4strokes out there..
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Old 05-14-2009, 06:39 AM
rpduc rpduc is offline
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I'm in Minnesota and I am definitely considering moving to a 250 4stk. (or 300 )

High on my priority list...

- High end suspension

- street legal out of the box like the Huskys

- Quiet.

- WR six speed tranny which I assume you'd get with the Yammy WR motor

- Magic button

- I would "really" like a white "Six Days" version.
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  #6  
Old 05-14-2009, 06:45 AM
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May 23rd! Wow not much time. What is the price? Is it street legal? A 300 version here in New Hampshire would be awesome! I can't buy anything right now...so I'm out.
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Old 05-14-2009, 06:50 AM
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What do they mean a 450 version? Don't they already have a good 450 enduro bike? I wouldn't be ditching the old motor and sticking a WR450f motor in there. There current motor's pretty good IMO
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  #8  
Old 05-14-2009, 07:45 AM
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Yes I'm in Northern NJ. WR250Fs work real well in the nasty stuff here, especially in the rain over challenging terrain. Very easy to hook up and maintain traction. My friend comes out on his '07 with trashed rear knobby and gives me a hard time with my trials tire. I'm a big beleiver in "less is more" for riding/racing in technical terrain. I almost bought a WR250F and thought about getting one in the future as they as so easy to ride.

This does not appear to be a motor development project so don't expect any big bore 300 version. Also I wouldn't expect it to be street legal, even Yamaha has a totally different motor for that. I'm assuming its the WR motor with e-start. If you want a 290F there are a couple kits available for a decent price. Its a safe, cheaper way to get into the 250F market. One thing though, this can't be too expensive or everyone will just buy the Yamaha.

I can't say when I'd be able to buy a new bike, but this would be a top contender. My only issue (a small one) with the '07+ Yamaha WR250F is the seat height, and the GG frame would solve that. My next XRay is 6/10. If I don't get cleared to ride I'm likely sending my '07 and spares down the road and see what happens next year.

Another thought: Could they build a small pilot production run of demo bikes?
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Old 05-14-2009, 08:17 AM
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Yamaha motor is a 5 speed I also don't think it's a very light motor. On the Yamaha web site their 250 WR is listed at 260lbs wet (2.1 gallon tank). The list price for the Yammi is $6700 and I can't imagine what the Gasser will cost with the Yamaha motor but I'm sure it will be at least $1000 more and just how long is this gonna be produced like this? 1, 2 , 3 years??? Sorry I'll pass on this mongrel and if I want a 250 it'll be a KTM. Despite what many here want to think or believe the newer KTM 250 thumpers are really nice bikes, are very light, handle just fine and have a 6 speed tranny You also have the option of after market 280, 290, 320 and 350 big bore kits available depending on how deep your pockets are. It will be interesting to see how this works out for Gas Gas.
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Old 05-14-2009, 09:04 AM
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I am in the market for a 250 4t for my daughter (she's 12 now, but i'll get her the 250 for next year. She's a big, strong kid). Right now my options are the KTM and the Yamaha. This bike would fit her to a "T."

I'd be all over it.

The problem we have here, though, is for a trail rider, why not buy a Yamaha? I know we all love GG here, but if I am marketing to the general public, a Yamaha motor in a GG is really a Yamaha. (Devil's advocate).

I read once that a motorcycle company isn't a motorcycle company until they manufacture their own engines.

The GG will have to be substantially lighter and much better suspended than the Yamaha. How much is that going to drive the price up?

From a marketing standpoint, sourcing another motor makes more sense. GG started with TM. TM has a 4T, but i think it is a big bore. Maybe a joint development between TM and GG could produce a competitive motor both could use.

The other option would be to use the Husky 4T motor. This would be a lesser option than a TM/GG motor.

The point about a Yamaha as a five speed is another good point. If GG does this, an exclusive six speed might be of value. Is there enough room now for a six speed? I am not sure. Something to work out.

I just fear that the Yamaha motor brands this bike as a Yamaha.

GG should consider a joint venture with TM.

How is the new flat head trials motor? a first year motor need not be a disaster.

Thanks.

blitz
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