GasGas EC200 2011 first ride

[Ryderod]

Looks like you also have some great terrain there, I must haul out some old photos, always brings back great memories!

[kyton]

I actually don't get to enjoy the terrain. I'm normally looking at the ground trying to pick the bike back up.

[FDB]

LOL!
It's ok. We all do that.
I would keep wearing the body armor if i were you. You will get used to it.
It will save you from injuries.

Best tip for rocks ever is that there must always be at least one foot on the pegs. Even when you paddle. Rather keep one foot on the pegs, raise your behind off the seat a bit and just dab-dab-dab your other foot on the terrain for balance.
If you are riding a rocky off camber, dab with your foot that is on the uphill side of the camber so that if you miss-dab and fall over, you fall towards the incline, not downwards.
That woks for me.

That is also where in my opinion the GasGas shines. The lower seat height makes it way easier in the hectic stuff.

[Ryderod]

Originally Posted by FDB

LOL!
That is also where in my opinion the GasGas shines. The lower seat height makes it way easier in the hectic stuff.

Being vertically challenged I must agree, also coming from a fairly aggressive enduro modified YZ 250, I find the bottom end torque, smoother power delivery and the plusher suspension all adds up to a far less tiring ride..

[liv2day]

Originally Posted by kyton

I actually don't get to enjoy the terrain. I'm normally looking at the ground trying to pick the bike back up.

Bahahahaha...that reminds me of when I jumped back into this sport a few years ago. We'd be out riding and someone would ask if I noticed XYZ and I'd simply look at 'em and respond with a middle finger solute

+1 to what FDB says about keeping the body armor; much better for protecting your torso/upper body compared to the roost deflectors. I've abused the hell out of my Fox Titan jacket and have a buddy that just switched from roost to that body armor and cannot believe he waited so long to do so.

The shots you posted look awesome, though that middle shot would make me want to find a route around those big rocks. Nothing like baseball sized loose stuff to contend with whilst trying to climb a hill