🚀 go-pugleaf

On 7 Jul 2003 20:50:24 -0700, unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com (Slingblade)
wrote:

>I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
>keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>
>I have read as much as I can, and there is not much to read on
>them...maybe the people who own them dont write much?
>
>Anyone ridden the below bikes?  Any one heard anything good or bad
>about them?
>
>EC250
>EC300
>EC450 4 Stroke
>
>Their website is useless in my opinion...I found this link in this
>newsgroup
>http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
>
>If I hadnt found the above link, I wouldnt have known these models
>exist...their website says nothing about any of them.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Now narrowing down to KTM, Gas-Gas, and Suzuki is getting far out of
>the race.


The Gas Gas US Web site is pretty useless for any info on anything
other than their Trials bikes.

The UK site is pretty detailed:
http://www.gasgasuk.com

The manufacturers site is pretty good:
http://www.gasgasmotos.es
make sure you click on the British flag unless you read Spanish

There are several folks who read and post here regularly that own them
and one that's a dealer.

unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com (Slingblade) wrote in message news:<f75456f5.0307071950.fc67ee5@posting.google.com>...
> I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
> keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>
>> Anyone ridden the below bikes?  Any one heard anything good or bad
> about them?
>
> EC250
> EC300
> EC450 4 Stroke
>
I've ridden an EC300 for about 15 miles on some of my favorite trails,
and I recently rode my husband's `02 ECO250 (the "O" denotes Ohlins
suspension, it's a very sweet option) for half a day up in the El
Dorado Nat'l Forest. I got to ride a very nice EC200 up in Oregon last
month. I also own an `03 Pampera 280. Most fun bike I've ever owned.
The motors are the sweetest I've ever had the pleasure to ride. They
are very versatile. You can lug them down like a 4-stroke tractor and
putt around as slow as you please, or you can scream them like the
2-stroke that they are. Very smooth delivery.

The EC300 knocked my socks off on the fireroads when I decided to wick
it up just a bit. Before I knew it, the rear fender was dragging the
dirt and I was involved in the most massive wheelie I've ever done.
Yow! I'm only 5'1" and I don't need that kind of power. I just rode it
a gear high on the trails. If I hadn't, I would have rocketed myself
into oblivion for sure.

The EC200 was a blast. It's not as exciting as the KTM200, which has a
more high-strung motor, but it was much easier to ride as it has more
useable power all throughout the range. It was the "buzziest" of the
3.

I liked the ECO250 the most. The suspension was like velvet for me,
which was interesting, since it was set up for my husband and he
weighs quite a bit more than I do. It was so easy to ride, and it
handles like a dream. It turns on a dime with very little input. It's
a bigger bike than I'm used to (my Pampera is fairly small, and my
CR125 and WR250F are lowered 2") but I had no problem whatsoever
weaving it through the trees at a speed that surprised me. I had a
hard time giving it up at the end of the day, and it will most likely
be my next bike. Maybe <G> The motor rocks, simple as that.

GasGas makes a beautiful machine. They are nice to look at, but a
nightmare to work on (apparently <G>) You will use wrenches you
haven't seen in years. Getting parts has never been a problem. Jim at
Smackover does a great job helping us keep our bikes in one piece. The
ECO250 got drowned out at an enduro recently and bent the crank. We
had all the parts needed for the rebuild within a week, and the prices
are very competetive, if not lower, than the Big 4 Japanese stuff.

> Their website is useless in my opinion...I found this link in this
> newsgroup
> http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
>
> If I hadnt found the above link, I wouldnt have known these models
> exist...their website says nothing about any of them.
>
I guess you missed the article on Smackover's site about the EC300
being voted the best enduro bike in Europe? Check out the Talkin'
Smack Forum and see what owners have to say about them.

> Thanks in advance.
>
> Now narrowing down to KTM, Gas-Gas, and Suzuki is getting far out of
> the race.

Hopefully some of the GasGas owners will pipe up, here. Baxter? Dean?
Jim?

Tami-

I've had an EC 250 for about 2 years.  I only ride motocross.  Greatest
thing since sliced bread......  however....  I don't think I'll buy another
one because they are too hard to work on.  Nothing fits and a simple task
becomes a three hour ordeal.

Other than that it is the best bike I have ever owned.  Well....  *maybe*
I'll buy another...... if their crap would just *fit*!

That clutch rocks.  Engine is fast as a mofo.  Handling is great.
Suspension is great.  Rarely breaks.  Hmmm.... wonder how much a new one is?

"Slingblade" <unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:f75456f5.0307071950.fc67ee5@posting.google.com...
> I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
> keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>
> I have read as much as I can, and there is not much to read on
> them...maybe the people who own them dont write much?
>
> Anyone ridden the below bikes?  Any one heard anything good or bad
> about them?
>
> EC250
> EC300
> EC450 4 Stroke
>
> Their website is useless in my opinion...I found this link in this
> newsgroup
> http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
>
> If I hadnt found the above link, I wouldnt have known these models
> exist...their website says nothing about any of them.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Now narrowing down to KTM, Gas-Gas, and Suzuki is getting far out of
> the race.

"Mike Baxter" <mgb061@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:sqqlgv4h2te5tes5f9ijcl9m5720jhdfcc@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 13:56:05 GMT, Mike Baxter <mgb061@comcast.net>

> >I have ridden both the EC250 and the EC300.  IMHO, you can't go wrong
> >with either bike.  I'm not on the 4-strock bandwagon yet.  The build

4-strock?

> >quality is way up compared to my 2000 XC/EC300.  Jim Cook owns
> >Smackover Motorsports and is the soul reason that I purchased a GasGas
>                                                                "sole"
> >over all the other bikes.  I won't knock any of the other bikes, as
> >they are also good choices.  It boils down to who gives you the best
> >deal and which dealer do you like.
> >
> No coffee = bad post

Seriously.

Jay

On 7 Jul 2003 20:50:24 -0700, unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com (Slingblade)
wrote:

>I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
>keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>
>I have read as much as I can, and there is not much to read on
>them...maybe the people who own them dont write much?
>
>Anyone ridden the below bikes?  Any one heard anything good or bad
>about them?
>
>EC250
>EC300
>EC450 4 Stroke
>
>Their website is useless in my opinion...I found this link in this
>newsgroup
>http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/2003_enduro.htm
>
>If I hadnt found the above link, I wouldnt have known these models
>exist...their website says nothing about any of them.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Now narrowing down to KTM, Gas-Gas, and Suzuki is getting far out of
>the race.

I have ridden both the EC250 and the EC300.  IMHO, you can't go wrong
with either bike.  I'm not on the 4-strock bandwagon yet.  The build
quality is way up compared to my 2000 XC/EC300.  Jim Cook owns
Smackover Motorsports and is the soul reason that I purchased a GasGas
over all the other bikes.  I won't knock any of the other bikes, as
they are also good choices.  It boils down to who gives you the best
deal and which dealer do you like.


Mike Baxter...2000 GG EC300...1997 GG JXT270...Timekeepers MC

My sponsors in no particular order:
www.smackovermotorsports.com    www.aftershocks-suspension.com
www.acerbis.com                 www.sinisalo.com

On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 13:56:05 GMT, Mike Baxter <mgb061@comcast.net>
wrote:


>
>I have ridden both the EC250 and the EC300.  IMHO, you can't go wrong
>with either bike.  I'm not on the 4-strock bandwagon yet.  The build
>quality is way up compared to my 2000 XC/EC300.  Jim Cook owns
>Smackover Motorsports and is the soul reason that I purchased a GasGas
                                                               "sole"
>over all the other bikes.  I won't knock any of the other bikes, as
>they are also good choices.  It boils down to who gives you the best
>deal and which dealer do you like.
>
>
No coffee = bad post

Mike Baxter...2000 GG EC300...1997 GG JXT270...Timekeepers MC

My sponsors in no particular order:
www.smackovermotorsports.com    www.aftershocks-suspension.com
www.acerbis.com                 www.sinisalo.com

In article <f75456f5.0307071950.fc67ee5@posting.google.com>,
Slingblade <unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
>keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>
>I have read as much as I can, and there is not much to read on
>them...maybe the people who own them dont write much?

They are all busy riding.

There was a test of the EC300 in a recent _Dirt Bike_.
They loved it.

>Their website is useless in my opinion.

I'm not 100% sure, but I belevie that recently GG USA
took over importing the enduro and MX bikes.    They
have been the trials importer sine day one, but someone else was
the importer for enduro/MX.  GG is the most popular
and best supported trials bike in the US.
(I say that as a non-GG rider, but I've heard
a lot from people on the trials list over the years).

I think that explains why their web site has only
trials stuff on it, evidently they haven't
gotten time to update it.

Maybe someone with more/inside info (Jim?) will
update/correct me here.



Eric

*Note, This reply is going out by e-mail as well as to the group.*

           *Spam Alert!*
Please forgive me (, but I was asked).
BTW, this Spam is long winded.
             Jim

>>In article <f75456f5.0307071950.fc67ee5@posting.google.com>, Slingblade <unitedtowingjc@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>I have posted earlier about what bike to buy...I want that post to
>>keep working, but I need some info on GasGas...
>>
>>I have read as much as I can, and there is not much to read on
>>them...maybe the people who own them dont write much?

>On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 19:38:04 GMT, spam@lne.com (Eric Murray) wrote:
>
>They are all busy riding.
>
>There was a test of the EC300 in a recent _Dirt Bike_.
>They loved it.
>

>>Slingblade wrote:
>>Their website is useless in my opinion.

>Eric wrote:
>
>I'm not 100% sure, but I belevie that recently GG USA
>took over importing the enduro and MX bikes.    They
>have been the trials importer sine day one, but someone else was
>the importer for enduro/MX.  GG is the most popular
>and best supported trials bike in the US.
>(I say that as a non-GG rider, but I've heard
>a lot from people on the trials list over the years).
>
>I think that explains why their web site has only
>trials stuff on it, evidently they haven't
>gotten time to update it.
>
>Maybe someone with more/inside info (Jim?) will
>update/correct me here.
>
>
>
>Eric
>

            ********** Start of Spam************

Slingblade,
  Thank you for your interest in the quality line of GasGas
motorcycles.

  Gas Gas USA (Kansas City) is our Trials and Pampera importer.
www.gasgas.com
  Gas Gas Motors of America (Tampa, Florida) is our off-road, super
motard, and motocross importer.  I don't think their web site is up,
yet.

  Through the help of rmd'ers Uwe Hale, and now, Jeff Dunham (our web
site developer, and the current web master), as well as all the people
from around the globe who participate in the "Talking Smack" forum,
our web site is probably  the most informative one in the US,
concerning the GasGas enduro and mx line.  (We're still working on
building our trials related content.)
  www.smackoverrmotorsports.com
  http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/html/talking_smack.htm

  I will only say so much here, because I really try to not Spam this
newsgroup (too much :-).  I can go into much more detail on the phone.
If you would give me a call, I'd be very happy to try to answer any
and all questions that you might have.

  Having said that, I now say this:

    Nothing turns like a Gas Gas. Shift your weight to the inside peg
too soon, and you might just find yourself heading into the woods
before the turn, carrying all  your "pre-braking" speed. It will turn
under full power.
 The only place I read anything different, was in the current issue of
Rev magazine. They tested a EC/O 200 against a KDX 200 and a E/XC 200.
I truely believe that the Ohlins forks and shock were not broken in on
the EC/O (that takes almost 20 hours of use), and that GGMA sent "Rev"
a crated bike, without anyone checking the clickers before "Rev" got
the bike.

 The bikes are not the lightest around (at a personally  measured
"everything but fuel" weight of 233# for the EC300), but GasGas has
achieved a wonderful balance of frame geometry that makes them feel
very light weight and nimble. (The 250 weighs 1# less than the 300,
and the 200 weighs 4# less than the 250.)
  I feel that, if the clickers of the "Rev" test bike had been set up
properly and the Ohlins suspension had been broken in, the testers
would have been very surprised, and their coments would have been
differrent concerning the bike's turning ability.

  The EC 300 that "Dirt Bike" tested was "broken in" by two 30 mile
rides, and the clickers were set properly by Mike Osborne, my area
sales rep, before it was shipped to California for the test.
Otherwise, the bike was "crate fresh", with nothing added or monkeyed
with, to influence the testers in any way. They took the bike, without
riding it beforehand, and won their class in a desert race.  The
fellow who tested and raced the bike with Ron Lawson, then took the
bike and won his class in the next three races that he entered.
It sure made me proud.  <G>

  Gas Gas is also pretty unique in it's theory of power delivery, and
the use of six speed transmissions in all of it's bikes.
They take a high performance two stroke engine, and through the design
of the ports and powervalve, make the power output very friendly and
usable.
  My bike will lug around like a trials bike, or, if I ask for it,
scream like a banshee.
  There is no real "hit" of power. Rather, the engine starts
developing usable power around 1500 rpm, and smoothly pulls itself
into the midrange. The effect is much like that of a rheostat on an
electric train. Twist the throttle more and it gives you more power.
  Around 6,000 rpm, there is a "rush" (not a "hit') of power, and
things happen very quickly (but smoothly) all the way to the 11,000
rpm cut-off point programmed into the cdi.
  This power delivery is illustrated by the hp and torque chart
available through a link on my home page. The chart shows the power
curves of a '01 GasGas EC250 vs a '01 KTM 250 E/XC.
  This smooth power delivery allows the bike to get it's power to the
ground very well. My bike has beat a good number of KX, YZ, & CR250
and CR 500 to the first turn in many hare scrambles. (mostly, when
someone else was riding it.  :)  This wasn't a function of hp, so much
as it was a function of starting easily and getting that power to the
ground.
  All the modern 250 2-strokes make plenty of power.  I feel that the
Gas Gas bikes make the most smooth usable power.

   The six speed transmission was a selling point with me.  I can gear
my bike down so low, that first gear is a granny low (trials) gear,
and it still runs 80 mph in 6th. (the 250 revs about 1k higher than
the 300).  Both the 250 and 300 have almost identical peak hp, but the
300 gets that power at 7,340 rpm, while the 250 reaches peak hp at
8,700 rpm.
  The 300 has a good bit more low end torque than the 250.

  When considering the Gas Gas two-strokes, think of them this way:
  The EC200 is a smooth and nimble screamer.
  The EC250 is the hot rod, but is also the most versatile engine. The
bike will lug around in a "gear too high", or it will scream with the
best of them.    If you have quick enough reflexes to ride it in the
woods at peak power, it will reward you with blazing fast times. If
you want to go fast, but not have things be so busy, you can just use
a higher gear, coupled with a lot of throttle.
  The EC300 is the tractor of the bunch.  Most EC300 riders never
scream the engine in the woods, but prefer to use the amazing torque
that is available.  (I sell a lot of rear fenders to new EC300 owners,
who wack the throttle wide open while running 4th gear at 3000 rpm.)
The bikes are sneaky fast. The EC300's power delivery is so smooth,
that you'll find yourself carrying the front wheel without realizing
it.

  When Gas Gas discontinued  using a gear driven counterbalancer (cb)
shaft (in the '99 models), they replaced the cb drive gear with a
"harmonic balancer", that rides on the right side of the crank shaft.
This 8 oz weight is not completely round, which helps offset the
weight of the revolving crankshaft and piston. ("Dirt Bike" was a bit
confused about this.)

  The only drawback of the Gas Gas off-road bikes is that they come
set up for smaller riders. Tall riders (6+ feet tall) often feel
cramped on a stock bike.
  To combat this, Smackover has acquired the accessories to make the
taller riders more comfortable.
  We carry IMS "lowered" and Fastway adjustable aftermarket footpegs,
a selection of taller bar mounts, and adjustable triple clamps.
  We even went so far as to independently develope a custom tall seat
foam and seat cover for the '00 & later models.

  GasGas EC & DEmodels are as close to a true woods racing bike as is
available on the market today. (The DE model is an EC with a smaller
flywheel, and less flywheel effect.)

  One word of advise, if you are not ready to purchase one, and are
not overly tall, it might be best to decline a test ride. If you ride
one, there is a good chance that you will buy one. They are adicting.

  My phone information is on the web site's home page. Call me for
information on our "buyers incentive program" and current prices.
(Although Gas Gas had raised their prices about 2 months ago, to
compensate for the weakened US dollar vs Euro-dollar situation, they
lowered those prices about three weeks ago. The bike prices  are now
lower than the level at which they were when my importer told me to
remove my discounted prices from my web site.)

Although Smackover Motor Sports is striving to be the best Gas Gas
dealer around, there are several really good GASGAS dealerships around
the country.  MotoWest (LA area), Road Track & Trail (St Paul area),
and Baldy's All-Bike (Michigan) , along with Smackover Motor Sports,
are some of the very best around.

  One more thing...  when Tami's Eric drowned his 250, he bent the
connecting rod, not the crankshaft. (Please forgive me, Tami. I just
didn't want Slingblade to get the wrong impression.)

Ride on!

Jim



     Wudsracer
 '99 GasGas EC274
     Team LAGNAF
    Smackover Racing
http://www.smackovermotorsports.com/