Gas Gas 200/ General 200 info
- Thread starter Clay
- Start date
hamilton
Gold Level Site Supporter
There are alot of 125/150 choices in different brands, but only two choices in the 200cc. That's why I went with the GG, with a light weight rider and correct jetting 200cc power is hard to beat.
firffighter
New member
I have avoided bringing this up over the past several months because I didn't want to get flamed, but since Clay has brought it up I will chime in.
After buying and riding what many consider woods bike Nirvana (Gasgas 250 and 300), I thought I would stay with that format forever. But, a ride with fellow Gasgas member Farmerj, I began to contemplate a move. Farmer was interested in my Gasgas 300 and we met and did a ride in our local trail system. Farmer brought is KDX200 and we switch for a bit to give him a feel for the Gasgas. Getting back on the KDX200 immediately got me to thinking of making a change.
Fast forward to this past fall and I purchased a KTM200. It is a '98, but had 1500 original miles and was in pristine condition. Many talk about the KTM200 hit, and althought this bike stock has a hit, it didn't take much to make it into an amazing motor. I adjusted the PV, added a JD jet kit and installed a Rekluse Z-start Pro. I have to say that this now is the sweetest motor I've ever ridden in the woods.
I am faster, less tired and more aggessive than ever. I weigh 225 and it has hauled me (lugging) up and over the nastiest hills we have here in Oregon/Washington. It climbs just as well as my Gasser 300. It put all of the ponies to the ground in a easy and manageable fashion and corners well beyond a 250/300. Yes, my KTM has $1000 worth of suspension work, but I didn't have to pay for it and it works amazing in the woods.
We also have a EC200 in our garage (my son's bike), and the comparson with the KTM is close. The motors are similar, but the big difference is in the weight. The KTM feels a ton lighter, ever though they are probably close.
I would not hesitate for a second to own a another EC200, but the KTM works so well.
If any of you have ever considered making the move to a 200, do it! You wont regret it. Dont forget that this cc was the platform for tons of woods riders for many years before the 250/300 became popular. Go back to the 80's and the woods was full of Yamaha IT's, Kawi KDX's. Move forward to the 90's and you still had Yamaha WR's and KDX's.
Dick Burleson and Shane Watts swear by the smaller bike as well and someone once said it is way more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. It's also been said many times that you dont really need any more that 35 hp in the woods.
All fun things to consider.
Love live the 200!
After buying and riding what many consider woods bike Nirvana (Gasgas 250 and 300), I thought I would stay with that format forever. But, a ride with fellow Gasgas member Farmerj, I began to contemplate a move. Farmer was interested in my Gasgas 300 and we met and did a ride in our local trail system. Farmer brought is KDX200 and we switch for a bit to give him a feel for the Gasgas. Getting back on the KDX200 immediately got me to thinking of making a change.
Fast forward to this past fall and I purchased a KTM200. It is a '98, but had 1500 original miles and was in pristine condition. Many talk about the KTM200 hit, and althought this bike stock has a hit, it didn't take much to make it into an amazing motor. I adjusted the PV, added a JD jet kit and installed a Rekluse Z-start Pro. I have to say that this now is the sweetest motor I've ever ridden in the woods.
I am faster, less tired and more aggessive than ever. I weigh 225 and it has hauled me (lugging) up and over the nastiest hills we have here in Oregon/Washington. It climbs just as well as my Gasser 300. It put all of the ponies to the ground in a easy and manageable fashion and corners well beyond a 250/300. Yes, my KTM has $1000 worth of suspension work, but I didn't have to pay for it and it works amazing in the woods.
We also have a EC200 in our garage (my son's bike), and the comparson with the KTM is close. The motors are similar, but the big difference is in the weight. The KTM feels a ton lighter, ever though they are probably close.
I would not hesitate for a second to own a another EC200, but the KTM works so well.
If any of you have ever considered making the move to a 200, do it! You wont regret it. Dont forget that this cc was the platform for tons of woods riders for many years before the 250/300 became popular. Go back to the 80's and the woods was full of Yamaha IT's, Kawi KDX's. Move forward to the 90's and you still had Yamaha WR's and KDX's.
Dick Burleson and Shane Watts swear by the smaller bike as well and someone once said it is way more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. It's also been said many times that you dont really need any more that 35 hp in the woods.
All fun things to consider.
Love live the 200!
nambo-trev
New member
Great post! Do you weigh 225 without gear?
firffighter
New member
Yes. I ride some very steep nasty stuff as well and have no problems whatsoever. The Rekluse does help for sure, but the KTM has a ton of grunt.
nambo-trev
New member
That's great, my buddy just bought a ktm 200 and thought I'd be too big for it. Should be interesting to try!
bowhunter007
New member
A regular riding pal of mine has a KDX 200. We've traded bikes a few times. At first, I was pleasantly surprised at the "docile & easy-to-ride feel". Wick the throttle, and it tears through the woods with my fully geared 250# rear, just fine. I haven't ridden a KTM 200, but I'm sure it would produce similar results...at least the ability to carry me around. I guess the real question is...Do I really need a 200 in the stable? I would certainly add one, but really like either of my 250s. I gifted my 300 away because I enjoyed the 250s so much more. Maybe owning a 200 would prompt a similar issue...Maybe not.
I just sold my KDX 220 completely worked over . My 2005 gasgas 200 is my faverite enduro bike of all time , at 54 and having had lots of bikes that is a big statement . I added a recluse n a few other things like WER suspension n stablizer but this bike is just plian fun ! I am looking forward to testing out the bikes at Mattos when Clay comes up this summer .
firffighter
New member
So, a little update. I rode Friday with my brother and (ec250) in some classic Oregon spring riding. Wet, slimy, tight, roots and rocks. 40 miles of fun!
A few observations between the 200 and 250. In the wet rooty slime the light weight of my 200 was an advantage. When the terrain was more flowing, we were neck and neck. In the embedded rock garden he had the advantage with the heavier bike providing stability.
We run same tires and are neck to neck on abilities.
I think I was fighting my bike less, thus after a good ride less energy used. He was able to lug a bit more, but I had the advantage in between the trees with the lightness and super quick turning.
Also rode 35 miles with my boys on Saturday in more open flowing terrain. Pure fun wicking this thing up.
A few observations between the 200 and 250. In the wet rooty slime the light weight of my 200 was an advantage. When the terrain was more flowing, we were neck and neck. In the embedded rock garden he had the advantage with the heavier bike providing stability.
We run same tires and are neck to neck on abilities.
I think I was fighting my bike less, thus after a good ride less energy used. He was able to lug a bit more, but I had the advantage in between the trees with the lightness and super quick turning.
Also rode 35 miles with my boys on Saturday in more open flowing terrain. Pure fun wicking this thing up.
Jetster220
New member
Anyone wants to see a 200 in action, check the videos section on the forum. I just posted a video of me racing my '12 xc200 this pass weekend.
Jetster220
New member
Awesome, glad I was able to help 
. Hope it eared the Gasser some bonus points 
.
. Hope it eared the Gasser some bonus points .
nambo-trev
New member
Ok so I finally got to ride the 200 today! Now ill just give you a quick run down of my stats, I'm 225 without gear and have down sized to a 250 from a 300. I'm loving the 250 and find I'm much more nimble on tight single track and can climb things I've never climbed before. Enter the 200(however a ktm 200) I was absolutely shocked at how well this machine responded to my size and short steep inclined(20m long) and hoping on and over tree stumps for sheer right now power. Flywheel seems extra light and bike loads up power fast to handle my weight. I climbed the same hill in 1st second and third trying to bogg the bike but clutching like we should and the bike responded. It feels much smaller and turns on an dime. I will admit it feels a bit mx for me resposiveness wise but this is we're gasgas comes In. With there downsized engine instead of upsized 150. I am so pumped to try a gg 200 as I think it will fill in those bottom end gaps and that mx to enduro feel. Just wanted a bigger guy to post how much he enjoyed a little 200
Last edited:
firffighter
New member
These little machines are so much fun!
I rode my sons ec200 for 15 miles a week ago in our local woods haunt. I weigh 220 without gear. It is a great woods bike! Nimble yet planted, snappy and quick but linear power.
My ktm200 is definitely has peakier power delivery. It also turns quicker and feels lighter. But, the ec200 is easier to ride IMO. It stays planted where the ktm tends to deflect. The motor is so nice. Darn near perfect power delivery. So linear yet wick the throttle and it responds quickly.
The ergos on the Gasgas are bit different as it feels like you're sitting in the bike as opposed to sitting on top like the ktm.
If I were to go out and get something new, it would definitely be an ec200.
I rode my sons ec200 for 15 miles a week ago in our local woods haunt. I weigh 220 without gear. It is a great woods bike! Nimble yet planted, snappy and quick but linear power.
My ktm200 is definitely has peakier power delivery. It also turns quicker and feels lighter. But, the ec200 is easier to ride IMO. It stays planted where the ktm tends to deflect. The motor is so nice. Darn near perfect power delivery. So linear yet wick the throttle and it responds quickly.
The ergos on the Gasgas are bit different as it feels like you're sitting in the bike as opposed to sitting on top like the ktm.
If I were to go out and get something new, it would definitely be an ec200.
GMP
Active member
It came with a 36mm Mikuni TMX. Not a fan, as I have seen the slides/body wear and cause erratic issues on my brother's Huskys. Very low hours on this bike, and leaning all ckts. made it run well. I'll replace it with a 36mm Keihin when they are cheap after the Smart carb wave.
