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General Discussions & Announcements General Announcements, General Questions, e.g. What bike do I buy?, etc. |
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#1
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At 5’10” seat height shouldn’t be a problem. You don’t need to “flat foot” on both sides. When my son first started on a dirt bike he was 5’4 on a full size RM125.
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Matt 1999 GG EC 250 Six Days 1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon 2001 Aprilia Falco 2001 Triumph Speed Triple for my 20 year old 2000 GG XC250 for my 20 year old 2003 Honda Rancher 350 for the wife |
#2
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I'm the same height & weight as you, but 45 yrs older. OTOH, I've got about 45 more yrs of experience.
I have a plated '06 KTM EXC 450 & like it a lot, especially the reliable E start. But finally decided I needed a light weight , good handling woods bike. I found a '01 GG XC 200 and love that bike. IMO, it does everything that I want it to do well. I ride it mainly in WNC, but have done weekend rides in Kentucky, Michigan & Florida. It doesn't seem to care if it's hilly like WNC or Ky or flat & swampy, it just does a great job. I still use the 450 as a dual sport ride. No put down of your Honda intended, but a well tuned, older, 200 or 250 GG will out perform it in just about in way you could think of. Sure, the E start is a bonus, but kick starting a well tuned GG is not a problem. RB |
#3
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^ This bike right here ^ Exactly what you want (need? ). I have ridden an older KTM 200, and it was peaky and twitchy compared to my (dearly departed) 2011 EC300. Comparing the CRF230F to either the KTM 200 or a GG250/300 is comparing apples to elephants. The 2011 GG chassis was allegedly the Premiere" configuration, but the earlier versions don't feel that much different (to me). My 2001 300 was pretty similar to my 2011 300, except the engine had different characteristics (E start on the 2011 and flywheel as well as carb and pipe were different between the two). Riding my new-to-me Husqvarna WR125 (with the 165 kit) feels so similar to the 2011 GG, that I would say that yes, the pre-2012 GG250/300 chassis is similar to a 125 in ergonomics, and it's pretty similar to the early KTM 200. So regardless as far as sizing, there is nothing really between them. But buy the 2015 250 posted above. You will NOT go wrong or have buyer's remorse.
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Phil (New bike pending...) |
#4
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Man, I'm only 5'8" and never felt my '05 250 was too tall or heavy. I ride a lot of flowy trails but also some hike-a-bike stuff and never noticed the weight being a problem. Of course, I did come off a KDX200, and those are just as heavy, but it felt much heavier than the Gasser even when dead lifting it. I assume that has to do with how the weight is carried much lower on the GG than the top heavy KDX. Having e-start on a 2T is nice but it's not nearly the necessity as with a 4T.
YMMV and IMO!
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WildAzzRacing YouTube channel Trail Riders of Southern AZ club AZ State Parks OHV Ambassador '11 EC250R '98 KDX220 |
#5
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Thanks for the help guys. This is exactly what I was hoping for.
One question left unanswered: how's the reliability of the e-start? I've seen a few complaints in old threads about some of the earlier e-start models, but it looked like something that could be fixed with some shimming or something. I haven't seen anything like the complaints about KTM e-starts, so that's definitely a good thing. Quote:
E-start is a LIFESAVER in a situation like that. Quote:
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And no need to worry about putting down the Honda! Haha. Because of the low seat height, E-start, very mellow power, and overall small size, I don't think there's a better bike on the planet for someone to learn how to ride offroad on. With just a tiny bit of investment into the suspension, it really is an excellent entry level bike. And then, after learning the basics, it's still a great bike to really start to learn more advanced skills on. Because it's so underpowered, and because even a fully reworked suspension is still only 3/4 the size of a proper suspension, you're practically forced to become very proficient with the clutch, and carry more momentum into corners / hills, and be smarter when it comes to picking lines. In the end, I 100% believe that spending a couple years on this bike has made me a MUCH better rider than I would be if I would have started out on some sort of full size, 50 horsepower enduro bike. But, all of that said, I ABSOLUTELY recognize that it has it's limitations. I used to be one of those guys that said it could do anything that any other bike out there could do. Then, I raced it a few times, including in an extreme enduro, and I realized that no matter how easy it might be to ride, it's not capable of doing the things a proper enduro bike can do. So that's why I'm here, looking for something to replace it. Something to address it's deficiencies, without giving up too many of the things that make it an extremely easy bike to ride. Quote:
I saw that bike, and I'm keeping it in the back of my mind. But, I'm also actively talking with a member about another one that's posted for sale. Will keep y'all updated on what pans out. |
#6
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I really don't see why the e-start is a factor in your decision. The GasGas or two stroke will light off pretty easy and the situation of stuck on a hill is rare in comparison to the extra weight of an e-start.
The Gas Gas motor is great for enduro riding and the jetting is not as finicky as the KTM's. |
#7
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Compared to kicking a hot 4t,a 2t is a walk in the park.Also bumpstarts easier.In very awkward spot you can hop off and roll the kicker with your left foot.Often a halfkick is all you need if youre wedged in deep.Id say the button is very useful on a 4t,but for the most part unnecessary weight/complexity on a 2t (except for a second or twos time saving restarting from a stall/drop in a race situation)
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2013 ec200r |
#8
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A good riding buddy of mine has a KDX, and it's definitely a little tractor. I've ridden it some, and overall liked it a lot. My biggest complaint was exactly what you just mentioned: even though it actually isn't any heavier than my 230, it felt as heavy while riding it as my XR4 does. It definitely didn't lend its hand to flicking around on a tight trail. So it's good to hear that the GG is better in that aspect, even if the actual weight is comparable. Quote:
I really need to post up my video from just last weekend that PERFECTLY illustrates why I want the button. When you're 99 yards up a 100 yard extremely steep and technical hill climb, with the bike stalled and turned sideways, and you on the uphill side trying to drag it the last 3 feet up. THAT is when the button is the difference between 10 more easy seconds and being up the hill, or having to go back down to try again, which may take 1 or 5 or 10 more tries to make. You're completely right that 99%+ of the time, it doesn't make a difference. And me being fortunate enough to be healthy, kicking it over is no problem. But for that <1% of the time that it's just not possible, it potentially makes a HUGE difference. |
#9
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RB |
#10
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While I haven't ridden everywhere, I have been around quite a bit. To me, Brushy Mtn is the best place to ride east of the Mississippi River. I've made the 800 mile trip from south Arkansas to Brushy several times, and have never regretted the trip. It's got everything from wide open fire roads to gnarly mountain single track. One note, though: when it's wet, those red clay hills are super slick on the fire roads, especially the downhills. Do yourself a favor and check out Brush as soon as you get a chance. http://bmmspark.com/ Good Riding! Jim .
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Jim Cook Smackover Racing Team LAGNAF '11 Gas Gas EC250 (primary ride) '06 Gas Gas DE300 2004 Gas Gas TXT300 Pro '94 Husaberg FE350 '86 Yamaha IT200 '86 Honda TRL200 Reflex '04 KTM 525EXC (soon to be dual sported) Several others, including project bikes, Deb's bike, and a fleet of grandkids' bikes Let's go riding! http://www.jebruns.com/Wudi19/wudi19.html http://www.ahrma.org/schedules-results/cross-country/ |
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