2014 Pics and Ride Report
- Thread starter Malcolm
- Start date
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desertgasser300
Banned
I'm as guilty as next gasgas loyalist in defending the weight vs other bikes, but I have now come to terms with it. The GasGas is not a light bike, it is heavier then others. I have come to a point that I really don't care if it is or isn't. It performs better then I can and I love the bike more everytime I go for ride and that's all that matters! I don't go trail riding and bench press my bike anyways. I occassionally pick it up, but not enough to tire me. In all facts are facts, it is one of the heavier two-strokes out there. Not ashamed to say, but Beta did there homework!!
Bandit9
Platinum Level Site Supporter
On the positive side, the extra weight increases the "planted" feel and stability in the rough stuff.
Just for comparison, I weighed my 09 WR450 the same day. I had all the lights on it, 3/4 tank of fuel, full guards, but the battery and exhaust, plus a few other little weight reducing mods keeps it from being "stock". It weighed 271 lbs. Only 3 pounds heavier than my Gasser. In fact, when I remove all the lights, kickstand, etc and put my WR into what I call "XC" race mode, it weighed 262 lbs.
However, when riding the bikes on the trail and not chatting about them on the internet, the Gasser feels 30 lbs lighter due to it's weight being way lower. It's super stable for a 2 stroke. I'm also much faster on the Gasser on single track. I also believe that that extra weight makes my Gasser more "robust" and "tougher". It should be able to withstand more punishment than it's lighter competition. Everything is a compromise, I'll take tough, robust, and stable over fragile and skittish any day. I'll also take CC Zokes/Ohlins over Sach's any day.
I know from years of experience that it really doesn't matter if I'm on a lighter Beta/KTM or a heavier Gas Gas, I will still finish in the same spot every time because of my riding ability and fitness level. I think the difference b/t a 2 stroke and 4 stroke is a bigger factor in my finishing position in Eastern style Enduro, not the small differences b/t the 2 strokes.
Just for comparison, I weighed my 09 WR450 the same day. I had all the lights on it, 3/4 tank of fuel, full guards, but the battery and exhaust, plus a few other little weight reducing mods keeps it from being "stock". It weighed 271 lbs. Only 3 pounds heavier than my Gasser. In fact, when I remove all the lights, kickstand, etc and put my WR into what I call "XC" race mode, it weighed 262 lbs.
However, when riding the bikes on the trail and not chatting about them on the internet, the Gasser feels 30 lbs lighter due to it's weight being way lower. It's super stable for a 2 stroke. I'm also much faster on the Gasser on single track. I also believe that that extra weight makes my Gasser more "robust" and "tougher". It should be able to withstand more punishment than it's lighter competition. Everything is a compromise, I'll take tough, robust, and stable over fragile and skittish any day. I'll also take CC Zokes/Ohlins over Sach's any day.
I know from years of experience that it really doesn't matter if I'm on a lighter Beta/KTM or a heavier Gas Gas, I will still finish in the same spot every time because of my riding ability and fitness level. I think the difference b/t a 2 stroke and 4 stroke is a bigger factor in my finishing position in Eastern style Enduro, not the small differences b/t the 2 strokes.
hamilton
Gold Level Site Supporter
On the positive side, the extra weight increases the "planted" feel and stability in the rough stuff.
Just for comparison, I weighed my 09 WR450 the same day. I had all the lights on it, 3/4 tank of fuel, full guards, but the battery and exhaust, plus a few other little weight reducing mods keeps it from being "stock". It weighed 271 lbs. Only 3 pounds heavier than my Gasser. In fact, when I remove all the lights, kickstand, etc and put my WR into what I call "XC" race mode, it weighed 262 lbs.
However, when riding the bikes on the trail and not chatting about them on the internet, the Gasser feels 30 lbs lighter due to it's weight being way lower. It's super stable for a 2 stroke. I'm also much faster on the Gasser on single track. I also believe that that extra weight makes my Gasser more "robust" and "tougher". It should be able to withstand more punishment than it's lighter competition. Everything is a compromise, I'll take tough, robust, and stable over fragile and skittish any day. I'll also take CC Zokes/Ohlins over Sach's any day.
I know from years of experience that it really doesn't matter if I'm on a lighter Beta/KTM or a heavier Gas Gas, I will still finish in the same spot every time because of my riding ability and fitness level. I think the difference b/t a 2 stroke and 4 stroke is a bigger factor in my finishing position in Eastern style Enduro, not the small differences b/t the 2 strokes.
+ 1
I don't know the weight of any of my bikes and don't care. I know my 500 is heavier to put on a stand then my 200 and their both heavier than my 150. If I was buying a bike to push thru the trails I would stick with the 150. Because I prefer to ride mine,the smooth engine power makes up for the extra weight. I think there's is a very good chance that I'll have a 14 200 in the garage when they get here.
On the positive side, the extra weight increases the "planted" feel and stability in the rough stuff.
Just for comparison, I weighed my 09 WR450 the same day. I had all the lights on it, 3/4 tank of fuel, full guards, but the battery and exhaust, plus a few other little weight reducing mods keeps it from being "stock". It weighed 271 lbs. Only 3 pounds heavier than my Gasser. In fact, when I remove all the lights, kickstand, etc and put my WR into what I call "XC" race mode, it weighed 262 lbs.
However, when riding the bikes on the trail and not chatting about them on the internet, the Gasser feels 30 lbs lighter due to it's weight being way lower. It's super stable for a 2 stroke. I'm also much faster on the Gasser on single track. I also believe that that extra weight makes my Gasser more "robust" and "tougher". It should be able to withstand more punishment than it's lighter competition. Everything is a compromise, I'll take tough, robust, and stable over fragile and skittish any day. I'll also take CC Zokes/Ohlins over Sach's any day.
I know from years of experience that it really doesn't matter if I'm on a lighter Beta/KTM or a heavier Gas Gas, I will still finish in the same spot every time because of my riding ability and fitness level. I think the difference b/t a 2 stroke and 4 stroke is a bigger factor in my finishing position in Eastern style Enduro, not the small differences b/t the 2 strokes.
I'd agree with this assessment. My '12 rides fairly light compared to many other bikes, but the KTMs 2ts do ride lighter still. However, the pumpkins don't have that planted feel.
It's even better since since I mounted a new pair of Motoz's at the end of Sept.
My Gasser is the first bike I've owned that I feel comfortable on it right away as soon as I start riding. I need very little warmup time on this bike.
Every other bike I had, I always needed a 1/2hr or more to get warmed up.
The only thing holding me back now is my own natural slow reflexes and info processing speed......
Here is the DirtBike Beta test, 252 with fuel, no rad guards, no metal skidplate, no wrap handguards no extras.
http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=7A080EE629AF40AF8EBFFFD579C22118
http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=7A080EE629AF40AF8EBFFFD579C22118
JP4
New member
Too much acrimony over this.
The GG is a heavy bike compared to the competition. That's what the numbers say, and when you ride or even push bikes around the garage, you notice it. And I don't even have an e-start bike!
Some say this makes it feel 'planted', and the extra weight makes the bike more 'stout', etc.
I dunno ... the extra weight just makes it feel heavier to me?
Sure, you might not go on a ride to pick the bike up repeatedly. But sometimes a race loop has technical nasties, or is stupid slimey or sloppy, and you spend the day picking-up and dragging the bike around. The extra weight is a huge disadvantage in these situations.
I love the Gassers, but they could use to lose some weight.
The GG is a heavy bike compared to the competition. That's what the numbers say, and when you ride or even push bikes around the garage, you notice it. And I don't even have an e-start bike!
Some say this makes it feel 'planted', and the extra weight makes the bike more 'stout', etc.
I dunno ... the extra weight just makes it feel heavier to me?
Sure, you might not go on a ride to pick the bike up repeatedly. But sometimes a race loop has technical nasties, or is stupid slimey or sloppy, and you spend the day picking-up and dragging the bike around. The extra weight is a huge disadvantage in these situations.
I love the Gassers, but they could use to lose some weight.
TwoWheels is a dealer for both brands, he put both bikes on his certified scale and posted the weights. Seems like a lot of fuss over five pounds, if Steve is wrong, which I don't think he is. Isn't Dirt Bike one of those West Coast rags that is dismissed around here?
Beta is lighter because it doesn't have a sandcast engine and swingarm, they are diecast, like Sherco & KTM use. Also the starter motor and mechanism is much smaller on the Beta. Beyond that, I'm just speculating... frame perhaps? Seems like the 2012/13 bikes gained weight with the new frame and the plastic subframe, so I'd suspect that is a factor.
If GG can upgrade their swingarms and cases, they will close the gap substantially with the other bikes in the market. That will take cash, something that has been in short supply the past few years.
Beta is lighter because it doesn't have a sandcast engine and swingarm, they are diecast, like Sherco & KTM use. Also the starter motor and mechanism is much smaller on the Beta. Beyond that, I'm just speculating... frame perhaps? Seems like the 2012/13 bikes gained weight with the new frame and the plastic subframe, so I'd suspect that is a factor.
If GG can upgrade their swingarms and cases, they will close the gap substantially with the other bikes in the market. That will take cash, something that has been in short supply the past few years.
Bandit9
Platinum Level Site Supporter
It's just pure spin on my part to be positive about our extra girth.
Nah, really just mostly based on the theory that heavier vehicles are usually tougher. Like a HD 3/4 ton truck vs 1/2 ton. In the case of dirt bikes, it probably doesn't mean a whole lot. However, that theory allows me to be content with my Gas Gas.
twowheels
New member
As soon as I get one I'll throw it up on my certified scale ... not that will mean much
JP4
New member
It's just pure spin on my part to be positive about our extra girth.
Cool ... the lightness is back.
You ask about the 'Official Weight' of the 2014s. I'm sure that will be disputed, even after they hit 'Certified Scales'.
I did here they lost something like 12 pounds. We'll see ...
twowheels
New member
Clay
Banned
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