Befurious editorial on GasGas
- Thread starter tm_enduro
- Start date
andoman
New member
My spanish isn't the best, but here is what I gather:
First off, these Balfurious guys drink Red Gasser Koolaid, which is a good thing! Their concern is genuine. They aren't just industry snobs with an opinion.
They worry that, although there is a talented young crop of Gas Gas racers, the racing team management seems to be in disarray.
They point out that, although Gas Gas has won on 4T's in the past, the future of the company is in their outstanding 2T's. But not if they don't win.
For the past 20 years, Gas Gas has been "on the very point of the spear" in the motorcycle industry. But to stay there, they need do be able to export to countries with better economies. The best way to generate this demand is to have an image as a winner in competition.
I think they have a point. Just to the left of the article is a large KTM add with Dungey's smiling face? Its advertising "Power Days 2012." He's saying, "A Title for me and a 50 euro value for you!"
Yep: Winning sells bikes.
First off, these Balfurious guys drink Red Gasser Koolaid, which is a good thing! Their concern is genuine. They aren't just industry snobs with an opinion.
They worry that, although there is a talented young crop of Gas Gas racers, the racing team management seems to be in disarray.
They point out that, although Gas Gas has won on 4T's in the past, the future of the company is in their outstanding 2T's. But not if they don't win.
For the past 20 years, Gas Gas has been "on the very point of the spear" in the motorcycle industry. But to stay there, they need do be able to export to countries with better economies. The best way to generate this demand is to have an image as a winner in competition.
I think they have a point. Just to the left of the article is a large KTM add with Dungey's smiling face? Its advertising "Power Days 2012." He's saying, "A Title for me and a 50 euro value for you!"
Yep: Winning sells bikes.
GMP
Active member
If they are serious about growing here, they need to be serious about racing here. Your average rider in the market for a new bike doesn't give a crap about WEC. I know the budget is very limited but perhaps what is there shift to the market that needs it. They need a top guy in the nationals, on the bikes they want to sell.
Vindicator
New member
I sure hope it's not going down the drain again...
ShelbyJohnson
New member
Agreed, here in the U.S. you would want to see some more GasGas effort at Hare Scramble clubs in the state level races and two top level GNCC guys. It would be neat to see someone make an effort similar to what Fred Andrews has done with Husqvarna.
I AM the target market. 43, started Hare Scrambles two years ago on used MX bike that I slowly converted to woods racing and now that I have learned what I did not know before, which is the kind of bike I need. This article describes my plight. Its been a month since I wrote that article and after weekly research I'm convinced that a new bike purpose built for woods racing in the long run is a better option. I have yet to swing a leg over a GasGas so my notion is without experience but I am thinking if I had one of these bikes I could be even more competitive this next year in a higher class.
GMP
Active member
I think the bike is an even better harescrambles tool than enduro tool, out of the box. It works VERY well, and will not take much effort to set up for a top rider. Also, harescrambles is growing here, due to it being easier to both host events and enter them. GNCC is already huge, but takes bucks though, so that may be a stretch.
krazy
Gold Level Site Supporter
The article struck a chord with me. I am just beginning at 37 and we have a 3 year old, run my own business, don't have much time to tinker on engines. I bought a 2001 ec300 and had some engine work done for a few hundred GBP and same for suspension. Bike was ?1300, I know this is quite old but it is in good shape. I can't compare to the learning curve of a 4 stroke as this is my first off road bike but this bike is pretty torquey. Your investment in suspension does complicate things but GG seem easy to dial in from what I gather.
Rick
New member
Have we been down this road with the Air group team from Texas? They are on the blue KTM's now..........
Hmmm, the rising GNCC star kid, Williamson......XC2 champ once right?
i don't think we was arm chair qb's have any idea as to what the cost is to fund a regional or National effort to bring the brand to the big stage.....National Enduro, OMA, GNCC, WESTERN AMA HARE SCRAMBLE, etc,etc.....just thinking out loud....
It seems to me that the only time we think about the WEC is after the ISDE.......how to make that format work here in the U.S so our trophy team can be on top of the box.
Just my .02.
Hmmm, the rising GNCC star kid, Williamson......XC2 champ once right?
i don't think we was arm chair qb's have any idea as to what the cost is to fund a regional or National effort to bring the brand to the big stage.....National Enduro, OMA, GNCC, WESTERN AMA HARE SCRAMBLE, etc,etc.....just thinking out loud....
It seems to me that the only time we think about the WEC is after the ISDE.......how to make that format work here in the U.S so our trophy team can be on top of the box.
Just my .02.
desertgasser300
Banned
Unfortunately it seems the American market is still mx based and not trail or enduro. I still see and know a lot of riders that will not trail ride. But tend to stick to the tracks and the other downside to that is the tracks are dominated by 4t's.
fletchman45
New member
The problem to of course is money. Gas Gas obviously does not have the funds to have a sweet cont. program like Husqvarna. With the boost from BMW. Gas Gas was once alot bigger in MN and now has dwindled down. I was advised to ride a Husky again just because I always finish in the top 3 in my clas (sen A) I choose to go with the Gasser anyway. It is SEXY! Has high quality componets everywhere, a lower seat height, and just more tech put into then the current crop of 2-strokes available. And of course it is not orange. But Yes they must do more then look good. I think with this new generation of Gassers 12 and above they are heading the right direction!!
Jetster220
New member
Agreed, I was looking for my new bike, the sexyness of the new Gassers is part of the reason I got one.
singletracker
New member
I bought mine because they were getting good reviews from owners, low seat height, spark arrestor, head light, and the Marz 48's. Not to mention the insight that I gained from this website and guys like twowheels. Oh ya, and I got a good deal on a leftover 2011.
mcnut
New member
desertgasser300
Banned
mcnut;100552 We'll keep racing enduros because we love it said:
tm_enduro
New member
Wow, this went sideways. The gist I got from the article was that they were concerned that GG wasn't funding a solid WEC team. What I couldn't tell is if there was concern that GG is simply short on funding and they were concerned about it's future.
I happen to love WEC, and believe that WEC breeds great enduro bikes that result in sales. With current WEC format, the advantage seems to be leaning towards 250f and 450f bikes on the slick hard special tests. KTM is clearly going after the true woods riders with the extreme enduro inspired Hbg line of 2T bikes.
I believe that Clay is going in the correct direction with his 2013 program by putting is advertizing $$$ in demo bikes, as opposed to trying to support a national race effort. Racing is big bucks. Fact of the matter is that is in this economy, riders will get support from mfg / dealers that do volume. A shop that sells 100 KTMs or 100 KXFs will be who supports racers (he will put 5 in the race program and sell them used at the end of the year), not a GG shop that sells 15 or 20 units. Be clear, race programs will drive the cost of units up, at least initially.
Recall that KTM now has a skeleton race team and has dropped alot of it's support / contingencies.
I happen to love WEC, and believe that WEC breeds great enduro bikes that result in sales. With current WEC format, the advantage seems to be leaning towards 250f and 450f bikes on the slick hard special tests. KTM is clearly going after the true woods riders with the extreme enduro inspired Hbg line of 2T bikes.
I believe that Clay is going in the correct direction with his 2013 program by putting is advertizing $$$ in demo bikes, as opposed to trying to support a national race effort. Racing is big bucks. Fact of the matter is that is in this economy, riders will get support from mfg / dealers that do volume. A shop that sells 100 KTMs or 100 KXFs will be who supports racers (he will put 5 in the race program and sell them used at the end of the year), not a GG shop that sells 15 or 20 units. Be clear, race programs will drive the cost of units up, at least initially.
Recall that KTM now has a skeleton race team and has dropped alot of it's support / contingencies.
firffighter
New member
It seems that most of us here that ride Gasgas are not your entry level riders or are a bit older demographic who like woods type riding. I say this because your average entry level rider who wants to get into the sport has probably ridden a buddies bike and goes down to his local dealer and buys what the salesman sells him. That means he jumps on a CRF250 or if he's done baseline research he buys a Orange bike. It is simply brand recognition. Say gasgas to most entry level guys and they have no idea, heck, even guys who've ridden for years don't know the brand. Bring up KTM and even someone who doesn't ride knows the brand.
One thing that would help would be to have local Gasgas dealers simply show up at local events with a Gasgas easy-up, 3 new beautiful bikes on stands and a handful of stickers and brochures. Hear in Oregon we have severl well attended GP's and Harescrambles where simply having a Gasgas dealer there with some information and a new bike to look at would be beneficial.
When I go to events everyone wants to look at the bike and wants to know what its like. Most veteran riders know they have a great reputation, but just buy Orange because of brand recognition.
One thing that would help would be to have local Gasgas dealers simply show up at local events with a Gasgas easy-up, 3 new beautiful bikes on stands and a handful of stickers and brochures. Hear in Oregon we have severl well attended GP's and Harescrambles where simply having a Gasgas dealer there with some information and a new bike to look at would be beneficial.
When I go to events everyone wants to look at the bike and wants to know what its like. Most veteran riders know they have a great reputation, but just buy Orange because of brand recognition.
Todd5774
Gold Level Site Supporter
5 bikes!!
Even top enduro riders normally only have 2 bikes! One for racing one for practice....
