200 riders, how big/heavy are you?
- Thread starter GMP
- Start date
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
i rode mine for 2 years at 190lbs. you will be on the pipe... it's not as bad as a 125 when you come off the pipe, but being in the right gear helps bunches.
I have a 300, 250, and 200. I am a pretty big guy, at least 30 pounds on you. Let me just say the little 200 is an amazing bike. It does have limitations and depending on what you ride it may/may not be right. The motor is powerful, it hits like crazy but still has a bit of torque. It begs to be ridden WFO and you can actually do it, holding it open much more than the 300 or even the 250. This is great in fast, roost-brake slide-roost trails, bad for technical hills. If you find yourself always on the pipe with the 250, the 200 will be great. It has the power of a Japanese 250 2t and the handling of a 125. Just don't expect to roll on the throttle on take off up the hills using the torque of the motor like you do a 250 or especially a 300.
skid jackson
New member
I weigh around 190 and my husky cr 144 had no problem getting me around New England. E gorr did the top end and I did have him set it up for more bottom and mid. As mentioned above there was a penalty if you blew it on a technical climb getting going again. I did most of my riding off the pipe. At 190 I would not worry about it pulling you around. Its most wether it fits your riding style. I don't know anything about the 200 but I bet you could mod it for the bottom end your looking for. But the beuty of my buds ktm 200 is the smooth bottom end.
GMP
Active member
I'm keepping my 250 at least for awhile so its not a replacement. I'd ride that in the real technical stuff. I'm thinking the 200 would be more for racing, and when its real slick. Like a 250F without the 4-stroke hassles. I've eliminated the 300, don't need or want that. 200 or another 250.
stainlesscycle
Site Sponsor
yes, as mentioned, you will not grunt up hills, you'd be zinging up them...
200 power
My son rides a 2011 200 six day. He is an A rider weighing around
180lbs. We race in the southeast were tight techinal trail is normal
everyday riding. He loves the 200 it doesn't hit quite as hard as the 250
but seems to pull almost as good. You do need to keep the revs up
as it makes its power up high but it does still have pulling power in the
low range too. It is just a good all around bike.
My son rides a 2011 200 six day. He is an A rider weighing around
180lbs. We race in the southeast were tight techinal trail is normal
everyday riding. He loves the 200 it doesn't hit quite as hard as the 250
but seems to pull almost as good. You do need to keep the revs up
as it makes its power up high but it does still have pulling power in the
low range too. It is just a good all around bike.
Rick
New member
Glen,
I am 5'11, 190lbs and without gear, and I am getting close to the big 50! Of course I really like the 200, At one time or another I have rode all of the GasGas 2 stroke line up. I have a chance to ride a 300 when ever my buddy and I get together for a ride. We very seldom switch bikes, he likes his electric motor in the 300 (lazy), and I like ride more aggresive....so the 200 works for me. By buddy is not a racer, however he has game and can wick it up when he choses. I myself have backed off on racing the last few years, but when I was racing cross country style events the 200 was right at home on the tight courses. When the courses opened up and there was longer hill climbs, or desert events it was a little harder to run with the 450's, which was the most common bike in my class.
I have never rode back on the east coast, and from what I've seen and heard about the terrain is much different than out west here. You guys have endless rock gardens, the tree's appear to be much tighter than out here and it looks like you have some elevation changes. IMHO, I think that 200 seems like a great bike for that type of terrain, meaning you can lug it around all day, or you can scream it when needed but have more down low when you need it on the rough stuff.
It is not a 250, so clutch works is required in some cases to loft the front wheel. I have not ridden a newer 200, so I have no idea what they are like, but I'd love to for a seat in the pants test with my old 99 200. The motor is the same, frame is different and so is the suspension.
I am always talking about wanting to get a newer bike. I have tossed around the idea of getting a "newer" YZ125 and converting it to a woods type machine, oversized tank, fly wheel weight, gearing, skid plate, suspension...you know the drill, but I am not sure if I'd be happy with the results..........In the mean time, I'll just keep my old 200
I am 5'11, 190lbs and without gear, and I am getting close to the big 50! Of course I really like the 200, At one time or another I have rode all of the GasGas 2 stroke line up. I have a chance to ride a 300 when ever my buddy and I get together for a ride. We very seldom switch bikes, he likes his electric motor in the 300 (lazy), and I like ride more aggresive....so the 200 works for me. By buddy is not a racer, however he has game and can wick it up when he choses. I myself have backed off on racing the last few years, but when I was racing cross country style events the 200 was right at home on the tight courses. When the courses opened up and there was longer hill climbs, or desert events it was a little harder to run with the 450's, which was the most common bike in my class.
I have never rode back on the east coast, and from what I've seen and heard about the terrain is much different than out west here. You guys have endless rock gardens, the tree's appear to be much tighter than out here and it looks like you have some elevation changes. IMHO, I think that 200 seems like a great bike for that type of terrain, meaning you can lug it around all day, or you can scream it when needed but have more down low when you need it on the rough stuff.
It is not a 250, so clutch works is required in some cases to loft the front wheel. I have not ridden a newer 200, so I have no idea what they are like, but I'd love to for a seat in the pants test with my old 99 200. The motor is the same, frame is different and so is the suspension.
I am always talking about wanting to get a newer bike. I have tossed around the idea of getting a "newer" YZ125 and converting it to a woods type machine, oversized tank, fly wheel weight, gearing, skid plate, suspension...you know the drill, but I am not sure if I'd be happy with the results..........In the mean time, I'll just keep my old 200
GMP
Active member
Well, whats making me think 200 is that I raced two HS races this year, thats it. I'm a 53 yr old B SSR. I took a 7th in an A/B combined race and a 2nd two weeks ago in my class. I've been training a lot harder this year so I was happy with the results, but honestly at 53 I don't know how many more years I can push a 250 hard enough for 2 + hrs. Being my kids and a friend of their's are getting into it now, I have an opportunity to do more HS racing next year. I'm thinking maybe I can ride the 200 harder longer, and I'd love to get my A card before I have to hang it up as far as racing. Then I'd get a 300 like the rest of the old dudes.
I'm 45, race hare scrambles (Sen. A class), 190 lbs. and almost 6' 2'' tall. I've owned 300's and a 200 GG. I'm selling the 200, it's fun for playing but I'm not competitive with it in racing. Took the 200 to a hilly H/S this summer and wound up 5th in class after a 2nd place start. Just couldn't keep up the momentum. Granted the motor could probably use a ring, but it has been ported and supposedly has it's head modded. Maybe the 9 oz. flywheel weight on a 2k2 ignition is just too much inertia, or the jetting is a bit off. Conclusion, or admission, after this summer's race is that I like torque. Actually I'd rather race a 450 with an EXP for two hours than fall off the pipe all the time on a 200.
Well Glenn at lest you made up your mind. Me, I'm still thinking I want a 200 GG. I have an 08 Husky CR144 and a 2010 GG 300 so I'm thinking the 200 should be the ticket. My 144 will crawl through the woods in second gear at a walking pace and really rip on the top. I'm 52 myself and just love the lower seat and ergo's on the GG. I just hope the 200 has a little more low - mid over my 144 Husky. I don't race so if I need to clutch a little I'm ok. Heck I think I'm going to get a Rekluse for it anyway. I want a light weight 2-stroke auto version of a XR250 with the GG handing and ergo's of course. Will the 200 GG get me there or should I just get the 250; that is the question.
barkeater
New member
My experience with the 200 as a 175-180lb rider is that in the gnarly, nasty, tight technical stuff, you'll last longer on the 200. It won't suck every last bit of energy from your body. However, in the wide open faster stuff, you'll always be trying to shift up into 7th gear. It's a great bike in the nasty stuff, but it needs just a little more poop in the open. Small hills are fine, but steep, rocky hills stretch the power to it's limit and often exceed it's ability. It's a great bike, but it has it's place. It is a competitive bike, I know a national level AA rider who piloted one successfully for a couple years before switching to the 300, but it all depends on the terrain you race.
firffighter
New member
This, for me, that is what a woods bike is all about. For those of us who do not race on a regular basis, but still want a great all around woods bike.
*A bike that has that perfect power. Not too much, not too little. Puts it to the ground well. Has enough grunt to loft the front end and pull hills, yet wont kill you when you twist too hard.
*A bike that has top notch ergos and components. A bike that has a suspension that can handle a variety of terrain. A bike that handles well in the woods, yet tracks well at speed.
*A bike that is easy to ride, yet still fun and exciting. A bike that is cheap to maintain and looks great.
Is that too much to ask?
For 90% of the riding I think we are all talking about (tight trails and woods with B/A rider aboard), a 200cc 2-stroke meets the criteria very well. Is it the "perfect bike". Well, probably not, but is there one that exists? Can it be raced effectively? Yes, in the right hands, but there probably are better choices for the full-time racer.
After 4 years with modded KDX's and KTM200's, I believe that 200cc 2-stroke is just about as good as it gets and Gasgas seems to have hit it on the head with that mix of great power delivery (XR/KDX-like) in a great package.
With all of that said, I own a DE300 and absolutely love the bike. There are times when I think a 200 would be more fun and less work and there is something about tossing a 200 around in the woods that cant be beat.
GMP
Active member
My only issue with the 200 is its a small bore 250, or 300 for that matter. Yes I know it feels lighter but not when you pick it up. They really need to rethink this, as it would be a big success. I know the 250s, I can make them run exactly how I want them too. A 200 would be very interesting but I can't afford the mistake if I don't like it. I could find and build a 200 motor for my '07 frame, or go through my nephew's old GG125 for a small bore fix, that I would eventually pass on to my kids. That would be a lot cheaper.
dlwheaton06
New member
200 option
Im 5'8 and 180, the trick to my ec 200 is the fly wheel being a tork amping, low end woods bike and sense my broyher left his KTM 200 for a Gaser 250 I dont see much of the tail on his 250 as I did on the orange ride. If money isnt a real issue, Buy the 250 and youll not have buyers remorse.
Im 5'8 and 180, the trick to my ec 200 is the fly wheel being a tork amping, low end woods bike and sense my broyher left his KTM 200 for a Gaser 250 I dont see much of the tail on his 250 as I did on the orange ride. If money isnt a real issue, Buy the 250 and youll not have buyers remorse.
GasGas
New member
I've ridden all of my brothers 200's (He was stuck on them for a while but tried a 250 and never looked back). I found the 200 was a bike that you really had to try hard to go fast on in the woods. (if that makes any sense) I owned a mc 125 for 5 years and that was way more fun in the woods than the 200's in my opinion. It was just easier to ride it on the pipe and it's way lighter too. More work than my 250 but it was a giggle machine. After I broke a piston on the start gate at an MX(completely my fault), I shipped the top end off to Eric Gorr for a 144 kit. After the jetting was sorted out it was even better in the woods with enough bottom to match the 200, but you could still ride it on the pipe all day long. I'd be going for the 125/144 project bike before I bought a 200. I bet Clay would do a sweet deal on a new left over 125 too. BTW I run 220 lbs in my swim trunks.
GMP
Active member
That could be a KTM to GG thing, as KTM200s are a bit nervous. I know I was instantly more confident and faster when I got my first GG250.
kendunn,
Thank you very much for the offer. I've had many offers to come ride from some great people on this site, all over the country. When my kids hit that phase of not wanting to know me anymore in a few years, I'll start cashing in my chips! I'd love to have some of you guys up by me, its some of the nastiest, technical stuff you will find anywhere. No whiners, ask Cruiser. Problem is you have to be prepared to make a fast escape, and bring bail money in case you don't.
kendunn,
Thank you very much for the offer. I've had many offers to come ride from some great people on this site, all over the country. When my kids hit that phase of not wanting to know me anymore in a few years, I'll start cashing in my chips!
I'd love to have some of you guys up by me, its some of the nastiest, technical stuff you will find anywhere. No whiners, ask Cruiser. Problem is you have to be prepared to make a fast escape, and bring bail money in case you don't.
