Differences

[firffighter]

If I were building the ultimate easy woods bike, I'd start with a nice clean used Gasgas 300 because of the durability, the smaller frame making it easier to ride in tough woods conditions, and stand out handling and stability. Add a Rekluse and you can take on anything that comes your way.

 

[Jakobi]

That or an aircooled 4T...for something to learn on. I know a guy that is awfully quick on a Honda 230...you can pick up a barely used one for not much.

One of my mates owns a pumpkin 450SX and is quite handy on it. When he joins us on trail rides he brings his sisters 80's model XR250 and runs the front of the pack all day long, so much so that even he says he doesn't think he'd be much quicker on the other bike.

Honda XR, Suzuki DR (or even DRZ), Yamaha TTR, etc will all be big heavy pigs that won't go forward real fast, won't stop real fast, but will tractor and run as reliably as Briggs and Stratton. As Mick has said, the real beauty is that they can be bought and sold easily without much in the way of loss.

OK if you want a bike to get used to with the intent of upgrading when you have refined a few skills, are over picking up a heavy piece of machinery, and find the limits of the suspension.

 

[gasgasxc]

Jakobi you got me thinkin now.
Maybe an 85 XR 350 engine in an early Gasser roller.
I think the engine may fit.

Hmmm.

 

[hadfield4wd]

There are people using xr 200 motors as they are so light. These end up being sub 200lb dirt bikes

 

[12Bravo]

Gear that bike down. I would suggest 12/48 or 13/52 or better yet 12/50. GasGas 200s put out a lot of power just not a lower revs so you have to gear them lower than they come from the factory. They also rev freely to the moon if jetted correctly so you can still get a decent top speed even when geared quite low.

Your close to me, want to help with the jetting?

I understand some of it, but the little differences I can't feel yet. So the bike might be set fine, but I don't know and would start to play with it and mess it up.

I really need some that know the 200's to ride this one and give me the low down on how it is running and what to do to get what I am looking for.

I'm going to put the 12 on the front again and try that again. Now that I have felt what the 13 feels like. Next I will try a 50 on the rear with the 12 up front and see how that goes. But the Jetting is something I just don't get. I understand the concept of it. Just not what It's truly suppose to feel like.

 

[12Bravo]

I have 13/52 and 12/50 on my 200 they both work great. I am @ 220 with gear
And the 200 have no PROBLEM hauling my but at all. Yes you need to work more shifting to get it on the sweet spot.

Jetting is a big think with the 200. You just need to play with it.

Sorry it has nothing to do with the differences between the bikes you were asking.
Just don't think bigger (cc ) is better

I'm starting to think the same.

I'm going to play with the jetting some more and get the suspension fitted to me and see where it goes from there.

Still want a newer bike though!

 

[Chaz955i]

I'm starting to think the same.

I'm going to play with the jetting some more and get the suspension fitted to me and see where it goes from there.

Still want a newer bike though!

From a few of your posts it sounds like you don't have an unlimited budget yet you do want a newer bike. Perhaps worth considering a max budget to drop on the current bike and start putting money toward something else. The jetting shouldn't cost much but if your suspension is worn out plan on parts+Springs+valving+labor, not to mention linkage rebuild so your new suspension can work properly. Looking at at least $600 to a grand and your bike will be worth no more than it is now unless you can find a person your weight looking for a nearly two decade old bike. You have a good bike to learn on. Unless you plan on keeping this bike for a long time ride it hard, learn, and move on to something worth putting your money into. Best of luck.

 

[gasgasxc]

There are people using xr 200 motors as they are so light. These end up being sub 200lb dirt bikes

You can make the 85 XR 200 rip.
They were doing Powroll 240 kits for them.
The clutches and first and second gear of the transmission wouldn't hold up.
Killer engine though.

 

[hadfield4wd]

I was really going to build a xr200 motor to put in a cr250 chassis I have. But it was cheaper to buy my GG

 

[RBrider]

Bravo, I'm sorry we weren't able to hook up for a ride back when you first got your bike running. I think you would have really liked my '01 XC 200. Except maybe for the rear suspension (I'm 200 lbs, fully geared up.) And I could've maybe helped you out with your jetting or whatever.

For me, my little 200 does great in the mtns and I did a ride in Mich over the Halloween weekend and it did great up there too. (Well, till my rear shock gave up the ghost. Just old age and neglect. Ohlins USA fixed it up for under 200 bucks)

I'd been riding 350/400/450 4 strokes for twenty years and after riding a really tough two day dual sport ride back in August, I decided I needed a torquey, light weight, good handling, 2 stroke off roader.

I feel like I found it with my '01 XC 200. I can't imagine that your '99 can't do just as good a job for you. If you still have it in the spring, maybe we can get together then and compare bikes.

RB

 

[12Bravo]

Bravo, I'm sorry we weren't able to hook up for a ride back when you first got your bike running. I think you would have really liked my '01 XC 200. Except maybe for the rear suspension (I'm 200 lbs, fully geared up.) And I could've maybe helped you out with your jetting or whatever.

For me, my little 200 does great in the mtns and I did a ride in Mich over the Halloween weekend and it did great up there too. (Well, till my rear shock gave up the ghost. Just old age and neglect. Ohlins USA fixed it up for under 200 bucks)

I'd been riding 350/400/450 4 strokes for twenty years and after riding a really tough two day dual sport ride back in August, I decided I needed a torquey, light weight, good handling, 2 stroke off roader.

I feel like I found it with my '01 XC 200. I can't imagine that your '99 can't do just as good a job for you. If you still have it in the spring, maybe we can get together then and compare bikes.

RB

Sounds good to me!

I don't see me getting rid of it before then.