GasGas sales - USA and worldwide

[tm_enduro]

Just curious what folks know about GasGas sales in the USA as well as worldwide. I understand that GasGas sales (such as the ec300 in France) are quite brisk, yet things seem kind of quiet around my area. Our local GasGas dealer sold quite a few bikes in the early 2000's, but sales dropped over the last few years. I occasionally run into someone with an older Gasser that loves the way that it works, but will never buy another one due to reliability (real or perceived) issues or lack of resale. I find this truly sad, because I have found the 250 and 300 to be pure magic for enduro use. Anyway, are Gasser sales (and production) up, down, or flat? Is the reputation of the Orange Crush and the Japanese contingencies quashing GasGas here and abroad?
BMG was the USA savior for Husaberg, can they do (or are they doing) the same for GasGas?

 

[CACTUSREID]

tm: I for one certainly hope that the sales are big enough to keep everybody in the "black" but the selfish side of me doesn't want EVERYBODY knowing about the MAGIC that these bikes really are!

 

[eff]

I saw a lot of '07 Gassers up at the the Classic Turkey Run in NH a few weeks ago.

 

[brains]

There in SA sales are about 40 a year. Not huge but growing.

 

[TooFastTim]

I saw a program on "Two Wheels" in SA (is it still running Brains?) total annual production numbers then (about 2 years ago) were 15,000, with 5,000 trials bikes, 5,000 enduro bikes and 5,000 quads (believe it or not, although I could be mistaken).

 

[brains]

Tim

I'm not sure as I disconnected the decoder about two years ago to restrict the kids viewing. I'll mail the factory and try and get the no's.

 

[flybars]

Here in Wenatchee Wash. Condotta's Motorsports dropped the gasgas line. From what I've gathered there just wasn't enough support/ info. from GG. Also Skagit has dropped the 2t's and 4t's and kept the trials. They couldn't even promise me they will be able to do any work on my 4t in the future. TM do U happen to know of a good GG shop in Wash. that knows gasgas and can work on them? Maybe Erik? Would be good to know if I need some help down the road.

 

[tm_enduro]

Here in Wenatchee Wash. Condotta's Motorsports dropped the gasgas line. From what I've gathered there just wasn't enough support/ info. from GG. Also Skagit has dropped the 2t's and 4t's and kept the trials. They couldn't even promise me they will be able to do any work on my 4t in the future. TM do U happen to know of a good GG shop in Wash. that knows gasgas and can work on them? Maybe Erik? Would be good to know if I need some help down the road.

Flybars, I do not at this point. Like others, I am waiting to see if the prospective dealer works out a deal with GasGas. Support from the new importer has been strong with Husaberg, I would surmise that the same would go for GasGas.

 

[Eric K]

flybars,

I do not know of any dealer in SW WA that sells GasGas.

It is tough for a GasGas dealer to make a go around here with the strong presence of other Euro machines and the 4T movement. Many off-roaders are buying 4T, especially with the DOT approved dual sports from KTM and Husky.

A street legal dual sport from GG would be a big plus as the dual sport street licensing is getting very tough in WA and OR.

 

[tm_enduro]

flybars,

I do not know of any dealer in SW WA that sells GasGas.

It is tough for a GasGas dealer to make a go around here with the strong presence of other Euro machines and the 4T movement. Many off-roaders are buying 4T, especially with the DOT approved dual sports from KTM and Husky.

A street legal dual sport from GG would be a big plus as the dual sport street licensing is getting very tough in WA and OR.

How true that is. KTMs seem to be sold on every corner and Husky wr250 (2007 models) are being sold for $5K (the clearance of Husky stock seems to be an annual thing now) and the DOT euro enduro bikes are really having an effect on potential GG buyers. Sadly, as much as those of us in the know are aware of the great attributes of GasGas, public perception and other factors are conspiring against a great brand.

 

[flybars]

Eric, my 'o5 fse has the Wa. plate. The dealer took care of it. Did they not get that code letter remedied. Thanks guys. Of course you're right. Guess I'll keep hang'en in there too. Great bikes.

 

[bobr]

Here in the N.E. the used prices are horrible. They're good for the buyer but the seller's are getting hammered and taking what I would call "massive losses". This isn't good for the product line overall. This situation is scaring off potential buyers of new bikes. I'm one of the few who would purchase a new bike without taking into consideration the loss at time of resale. I've been in the "business" for 20 years and I'm realistic.

As some of you know I was involved with Gas-Gas, up here, for a few years and worked my "arse' off to promote and change public "perception" on the bikes and parts availability. The customers I used to take care of, for the most part, now outsource their parts through the internet instead of using the local dealer. I'm still getting inquiries from potential used buyers on reliability and the bikes attributes even though I'm not directly involved with the brand. And they always ask about parts supply. I always reassure potential buyers that the bikes are tough and parts supply isn't an issue from Gas-Gas or the after market.

What is Gas-Gas doing to promote these bikes at ground level? I've seen a few Dixie adds with Husky/Gas-Gas. Somebody needs to grab the "Bull by the Horns" up here and stop what I would describe as a landslide of buyer confidence racing downhill. I know some of the local riders will chime on this, but, I'm calling a skunk.......a skunk.

 

[eff]

I agree with Bob that it does seem like "promotion" has gone way down. This is after several years of increasing sales in the northeast. I would have expected a more proactive approach, rather than "wait for them to come".

 

[GMP]

I get the feeling there is some penny pinching in Spain thats trickling down.

 

[eff]

I get the feeling there is some penny pinching in Spain thats trickling down.

No doubt that is part of it. The dollar slid against the euro over the last few years making it harder to hold margins.

 

[nhrider]

What we need are a couple of NE GG meets to show the public that the bikes are out there.

 

[bobr]

Back "In-The-Day" we did test rides with great results. "Gas-Gas" was skeptical and I had to talk them into providing bikes. I was asked, "Do you think it will sell bikes if you let people try them?" This concept was completely foreign to the "Spanish." I actually did a 16 hour road trip and picked some bikes up in Western NY so we could have Demo's. The conditions included that all the Demo bikes be sold through our shop and I busted my hump to make sure that happened. I have 3 of those bikes in my neighborhood.

This, with tireless promotion and making sure no one waited for parts, had the word getting out there. A local racing family also provided a lot of time and effort towards this. As I feared, when my affiliation with them was severed I knew it just a matter of time before Gas-Gas lost this family as a great resource for promotion as the local dealer wouldn't be able to meet this family's expectations as "I" was providing for them.

Either way.....If "they" expect to thrive in the U.S. a couple of magazine ad's aren't going to cut it. Public perception of the brand being strong and supported by dealers and the factory is what's needed.

 

[bobr]

Ya know what? Instead of me doing all this "crying" isn't there someone active in this forum with Dixie that I could talk to direct? I was talking with Brett Saunders about the East Coast issue and then he disappeared.

 

[blitz11]

Gas Gas and the future

Greetings.

I had the great fortune of visiting the GasGas Factory in Spain two weeks ago.

I had been curious about the brand since 2002, when i first saw one (i started riding then after a 22 year layoff). I rode to GoFasters last summer to check out the brand. I was very impressed with the design of the bikes (no weird, special parts), and the fact that GoFasters has just about every part in stock.

I bought a used DE300 this spring. (a new bike would have been nice, but family dynamics dictated a used one). (Family dynamics being the "need" for the first all family vacation in three years). Anyway, i absolutely love the bike.

My wife planned a visit to Spain, so i figured, let's see the factory. Mark at GoFasters set it up, and it was GREAT. My confidence in the brand has grown even stronger. Terrific people, nice factory. We saw the humble beginnings, and have seen how they've grown it.

The people are fun, outgoing, and passionate about what they do. Working at the factory isn't a job, it's a lifestyle. It was really impressive. Their technical director is a 34 year old American engineer, Brian (promoted after redesigning the FSE 450 engine). The brand is in good hands.

The weak dollar hurts us in the states. Environmentalists in Europe are responsible for some of the slowdown in sales, but GG is moving forward.

In the next few days, I'll try to write a trip report. Hopefully, those who read it will get a sense of the brand, and it will boost confidence. GG really does a great job with what are really limited resources. Passion and dedication really carry the factory. I can't say enough good things about them.

blitz

 

[nhrider]

I didn't say demo days. Just a meet. I'm down for one at the Hopkinton/Everett riding area in NH.