2012 worth it?

[roostafish]

My question is: Is it really worth it? I mean, the 2011 is great, it is proven, and we know what it is. Are the 2012 improvements enough to make me wait for one? I can bolt every item from my 2008 onto a brand new 2011 for a lot less money than a 2012.

I will by trying to qualify for the ISDE again this year, and I'm just looking at the dollars, and the ability to get it right now vs. waiting.

 

[gasgasman]

I'm sure the ISDE rental bikes will be 2012 bikes.

Use the 2011 bike to qualify, then get the 2012 to practice on.

 

[roostafish]

And that is a good point about the rental bikes. I have been pondering that too because renting is cheaper overall, but you don't get your suspension, your little nice things that you have tweaked to make the bike work for you. I think I'll be shipping my bike.

I have no problem riding a 2011, but if there is a compelling reason to wait for a 2012, I will. Suspension components won't sway me, because I will send them out before I ride it. Having the right spares on hand may be a compelling reason. A really good air filter design would be nice, the composit subframe is interesting.
A real compelling reason would be if the bike were actually easy to work on. The only drawback to a Gas Gas has been that the bike is such a PITA to do any work on it.
I read on Clay's thread that the new bike is taller but still turns. I'm cool with that.

I even considered a new KTM 250SX because they are dirt cheap, are super light, and have a power to weight ratio that would make a drag racer proud. They are also very easy to work on.

 

[GMP]

The fork alone should make a difference for a fast guy like you Mike.

 

[roostafish]

Is the fork just the 48mm twin chamber Zoke? Good fork, yes. Have them on our '09 Husky rental bikes.

My inclination is that waiting for a 2012 250 is the way to go, but if the bike isn't a good percentage better than an '11, I can save myself $2000! Another consideration for me is that I have a spare cylinder and piston in my spares that, as I understand it, won't fit on a '12. No big, I'm ready to forge ahead, just considerations.

 

[twowheels]

Is the fork just the 48mm twin chamber Zoke? Good fork, yes. Have them on our '09 Husky rental bikes.

My inclination is that waiting for a 2012 250 is the way to go, but if the bike isn't a good percentage better than an '11, I can save myself $2000! Another consideration for me is that I have a spare cylinder and piston in my spares that, as I understand it, won't fit on a '12. No big, I'm ready to forge ahead, just considerations.

You might be surprised, but it looks like the powertrain is largely carry-over from 2011. The frame, sub-frame, and plastic are the headliners for the new year.

 

[Todd5774]

The one thing that I have read in the 2 magazines over here in the uk is that gasgas have listened to complaints about working on the bikes and have made most of the bolts a 8mm to make it easy to work on, and both magazines stated the 2011 was a good bike but the 2012 is significantly better, and the bike of 2012!

 

[Nhuskys]

Is the fork just the 48mm twin chamber Zoke? Good fork, yes. Have them on our '09 Husky rental bikes.

My inclination is that waiting for a 2012 250 is the way to go, but if the bike isn't a good percentage better than an '11, I can save myself $2000! Another consideration for me is that I have a spare cylinder and piston in my spares that, as I understand it, won't fit on a '12. No big, I'm ready to forge ahead, just considerations.

'09 Huskys were 50mm Zokes. Some bikes were twin chamber, some open bath. I have the twin chamber on my '09 WR165. I've heard the 48mm is even better.

 

[Clay]

The 48mm Zokes have the Progressive Floating Piston System (PFP) that is unique to it. This system adds pressure to the cartridge while the compression clickers work on the valve stack. On my 2011 with this fork, I left the PFP alone and adjusted compression with the compression clickers alone. On the 2012 that I have I tried something different. I backed the compression clickers all of the way out and added one turn to the PFP system and the fork worked really, really well on our little test loop. If I was going to a course that was faster or that had sand whoops, I would try adding 1/2 to 1 more turn on the PFP system. It is critical that you get the spring rate correct though.
I will let you guys know how this works later as I use it more. Second national enduro this weekend in GA. Lots of roots there! One other thing....the PFP valve is difficult to adjust with the bars in place. Richard Wilson at Cannon Racecraft makes a cool little tool that makes adjustment easy.

 

[GMP]

Mike,

First, the cylinder has not changed as was first stated, so all older spares should be good. Another nice improvement on the '12 is the clutch, hard coated basket with more oil flow. My '07 and probably your '08 are fine but '11s have a different basket design and some seem to suffer from squealing in hard use.

The new 48mm fork is unique to GasGas as an OEM component so we hear.

 

[roostafish]

Great info guys. I haven't been much of a tech info geek, so all of this is very helpful. I guess the only thing to do is wait for a 250.

Clay, have your boingers been revalved? I know Richard Wilson and his work, and have used him, currently I am using LTR suspension. Is the new bike finally good enough to run with only adjustments? I know my now Marzocci 45's were confused before sending them to Les. What I have now works very well.

 

[thumperrider1]

mike there is a very good post by "solidperformance" on the new 48's in the suspension forum.

 

[Clay]

Great info guys. I haven't been much of a tech info geek, so all of this is very helpful. I guess the only thing to do is wait for a 250.

Clay, have your boingers been revalved? I know Richard Wilson and his work, and have used him, currently I am using LTR suspension. Is the new bike finally good enough to run with only adjustments? I know my now Marzocci 45's were confused before sending them to Les. What I have now works very well.

I have not revalved either end. Both are stock except for heavier springs. Stock springs ar .42 front and 5.2 rear which is ok for guys around 150 . I weigh 220 so I went with .50 fronts and 6.0 rear. I haven't even touched the rear shock setting. It seemed spot on. I believe that the 2012 Gas Gas suspension is finally good enough to ride out of the box with only adding the correct springs.

 

[AZRickD]

I have no doubt that the 2012 is going to be a significant improvement.

I can't wait until April.