2011 vs Ranger

[singletracker]

I'm planning to get back on the bike after a 5 year hiatus. Former racer 40A-40B speed when I quit riding. I don't see myself racing again, but I would like to hit some trails at a moderate pace to maintain my sanity. A guy needs a stress reliever from time to time!

I'm looking at the new Ranger, but I'm not sure there is a big enough advantage over my 2011 xc250 kicker only with modified Marzocci forks and modified cylinder head. The 2011 is set up pretty well for HS and enduro racing. I'm short and prefer a shorter seat height for technical trail riding. Seat height is listed as the same for both bikes, 940mm. The electric start would be nice since I'm not worried about saving the extra weight any more, and my knees aren't getting any younger.

I haven't rode anything newer than 2011 so I don't know if there is a significant difference in vibrations, handling or anything that makes the newer bikes significantly better.

I realize the Ranger isn't available yet, but I would appreciate any relevant insight.

 

[memphis2857]

Your 2011 is a great bike, arguably the best year ever until 2018. The new generation GG is not even comparable to anything they made in the past. I imagine the ranger is going to be a trail riders delight


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[CDN Rick]

I doubt anyone here has ridden the Ranger yet. (Unless we have a magazine tester in our midst.) So it?s hard to say for sure. But if the ?18 Enduro bikes are any indication of what to expect from the coming line of GasGas machines I?d expect to be impressed with the Ranger. Since the motor is the same basic power plant as the current EC/XC with mods for torque I?d guess it will have nearly no vibrations off idle. Beyond that I can?t really give any insights. The specs do make it look like a perfect trail riding bike for non-racers though.

 

[Elvis74]

If you like the concept of the KTM Freeride or Beta Xtrainer, I would wait for the ranger. When I see the technical specs it looks like the ranger has the best suspension and components.


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[gasser]

If you like the concept of the KTM Freeride or Beta Xtrainer, I would wait for the ranger. When I see the technical specs it looks like the ranger has the best suspension and components.


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The Freeride should not be mentioned in the same breath as a ranger or a xtrainer. The freeride motor will not rev out forcing constant shifting and the bike is overly tall for it's very short wheelbase which makes the bike unstable to ride at any decent pace. I have ridden my friends freeride on the trail and I wouldn't trade my 8 year old gasser for a brand new freeride.

 

[Doc Brown]

When I see the technical specs it looks like the ranger has the best suspension and components.

Just out of interest why do you assume the Rangers suspension is best, which means its better than the suspension of the other GG models?

BTW I think we know each other from a German forum or its just by chance that soemone there has the same nick as you...

 

[Zman]

You may want to consider a GG125 with a 144 big bore kit. It will save you 20 to 30lbs.

 

[singletracker]

I'm with Elvis on the suspension. From what I've read it seems as though the suspension is somewhere in between an EC and an x-trainer. I expect it will be a more mild mannered EC with a step down in suspension, lower seat height and a pleasure to ride at a fast trail pace or slow race-pace unless modified.

 

[singletracker]

You may want to consider a GG125 with a 144 big bore kit. It will save you 20 to 30lbs.

There was a time when that sounded pretty appealing, but I don't want to use the clutch that much these days. I feel like a larger bore or 4 stroke is more versatile for the type of riding I want to do.

 

[Elvis74]

Just out of interest why do you assume the Rangers suspension is best, which means its better than the suspension of the other GG models?



BTW I think we know each other from a German forum or its just by chance that soemone there has the same nick as you...

I means the best from these three bikes, Freeride, Xtrainer and ranger.
Here in Germany a lot of people have the Freeride and the Xtrainer and the dir they do is changing the suspension and the breaks to the same like the EXC or RR.
I like the 46mm KYB’s. They work pretty good.
I would never say that a standard suspension can be better than the 48 KYB SSS.



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[Zman]

There was a time when that sounded pretty appealing, but I don't want to use the clutch that much these days. I feel like a larger bore or 4 stroke is more versatile for the type of riding I want to do.

I fully agree with the 125 being more effort to ride, but I recently did a rebuild on a 2003 yz144 and I was very impressed with the amount of low end torque and midrange. It was night and day different from the base 125. If you get the chance you may like want to swing a leg over one and give it a try. My friend with the 1998 EC250 liked it so much he bought a 144 the next weekend.

I plan to do a 144 kit on my God daughters GG MC125 over the winter.

 

[sneaky98gt]

I have a 2011 EC250 e-start, and recently revalved the 45mm Zokes myself.

With my forks now behaving like they're supposed to, I personally can't see the Ranger providing any significant upgrade over my 2011, other than maybe weight (which I haven't heard an estimate yet).

My revalved 45mm Zokes and stock Ohlins shock works great for trail work.

The 250 has PLENTY of torque and power for slow, technical work, as well as more open stuff.

It already has a low seat and excellent handling.

The brakes and clutch work fantastically.

After stretching the bendix spring, my e-start works perfectly 100% of the time. AND I still have a kicker.

The weight is the only thing not 'perfect' about my 2011, but it's still in line with most other bikes on the market.

So while the Ranger is a really cool bike, that I'm glad GasGas decided to make, that will almost certainly outperform the Freeride and X-trainer, I see it as basically a 2010-2011 remake with a few tweaks.

I'm much more interested in a lightweight, updated suspension, e-start 200, which hopefully the US will get some of next year.

And if GasGas should happen to be reading this, PLEASE don't take the kickstarters off the EC/XC models. I saw multiple bikes at our local enduro this past weekend get DNFs because the battery died on their e-start only model bikes, including one pro that was heading towards a top 10, maybe top 5 finish. Literally no one is asking manufacturers to take them off, so it'd be great if you'd hold strong and leave them on.

 

[singletracker]

So while the Ranger is a really cool bike, that I'm glad GasGas decided to make, that will almost certainly outperform the Freeride and X-trainer, I see it as basically a 2010-2011 remake with a few tweaks.

That's pretty much what I'm thinking right now also. I wish I had e-start with a kicker backup now that I'm not as worried about a little extra weight.

 

[CDN Rick]

And if GasGas should happen to be reading this, PLEASE don't take the kickstarters off the EC/XC models. I saw multiple bikes at our local enduro this past weekend get DNFs because the battery died on their e-start only model bikes, including one pro that was heading towards a top 10, maybe top 5 finish. Literally no one is asking manufacturers to take them off, so it'd be great if you'd hold strong and leave them on.

I can't agree enough with this.. PLEASE leave them on!

 

[Elvis74]

https://enduro21.com/index.php/40-general/3458-video-2019-gas-gas-ecr-ranger-tested

First test of the Ranger


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[AZRickD]

Ya know, I might appreciate a different type of motor behavior for racing vs trail riding (depending on the group).

I wonder if the Ranger pipe could fit on the XC/EC line as the Beta RR is swapable with the X-Trainer? And if so, what would the power delivery look like?

 

[CDN Rick]

Ya know, I might appreciate a different type of motor behavior for racing vs trail riding (depending on the group).

I wonder if the Ranger pipe could fit on the XC/EC line as the Beta RR is swapable with the X-Trainer? And if so, what would the power delivery look like?

Take a hammer and put a big 'ol dent in that shiny EC pipe and you'll prob'ly find out quick like.

 

[AZRickD]

It had crossed my mind.

 

[CDN Rick]

It had crossed my mind.

I have four quite large dents in my pipe from slamming into some big rock gardens with no regard for my motorcycle and limited riding abilities...

Can't notice a huge difference but do see some.
I spoke with HydraForce Pipe repair and they developed a kit for the 2018 GasGas bikes. I have the first one on order. You'll be sure to see a review when I get it!

 

[AZRickD]

Whatz it do ??