GasGas small fit vs others true? Sizing changes over the years?

[RonC]

Hello,
I did a search for this but could not find an exact answer. I'm extremely small at only 5'4 and 130lbs. I have heard over and over that GasGas bikes fit smaller than other brands(except maybe Sherco). I'm interested only in small displacement models: 200cc, but knowing your experience with bigger models is also food for thought.

Defining sizing: Standover vs reach. The Standover is convenient for stopping, but I guess the "reach" fit(once riding, the horizontal distance for the rider to reach the bars) matters most.

1) Do you guys find your GasGas bikes to actually fit smaller than a KTM or Husqvarna for example? Specs list GasGas lower by .75-1.75" standover. How about the "reach" when you're riding? Please let met me know year the bike is, as well.

2) Did GasGas change the sizing of their bikes change over the years? Are the latest models (2011-12) necessarily bigger or smaller than older models?

Thank you very much for any help. It is difficult to find a small enough dirt bike for somebody my size, and that is specifically why I'm interested in GasGas(along with its performance). If you have any other brand recommendations, please let me know! Thank you! -Ron

 

[Brian VT]

I'm 5'8" and 165#. I've been on my '03 GG300 for 7 years. I have a tall seat and "mini-high" bars. It fits me well.
We ride rocky/hilly terrain.
When I ride my buddy's 2010 KTM 300 if feels "long" to me. I feel more "attached" to the GG.
I would be fine with the KTM, I'm sure. I seemed to be able to carry the same speed. It just feels different.
Just my $.02

 

[john01]

I had the 2010 GG 300 and loved the fit. The bars have two positions for mounting them. I found the reach from the seat to bars a little to close with the bars in the back position. At 5' -7" myself I felt better with them in the forward position. So I would think for you having the bars in the back position it may be the perfect fit. The seat was also lower than my Huskys by a lot. It was the most comfortable lay out of any full size bike I've been on. I don't know of any other bike that would work better for a smaller rider out of the box. Great bikes check one out.

 

[fletchman45]

My 2 cents. Forget a Husqvarna unless you go with a pre 09 model 124/144 I am 5 foot 7 inches and anything Husqvarna 09 or up Ihave had professionaly lowered 1 inch and they are still pretty tall. MUCH MUCH taller then a pre 12 Gasser and quite a bit taller then a 12 Gasser. From what I remember it was Paul Edmunson that helped with Gas Gas and he is well 5 foot 7!! The pre 12 is compact and crowded feeling compared to a 12 or newer version, but will inspire confidence. There are also lowering links if really needed. Sounds to me since you are on the short size and 11 or older Gas Gas with proper front and rear springs may be the ticket! The 12 and up I feel feels superior to the old design, but the old design is also a proven winner! The KTMS (I have to be careful as I dislike KTM very much) Are taller and feel longer then a Gas Gas. But shorter then a new Husqvarna. The old Husky 125's are not bad and cheap, but if you lack experience the additional bottom end torque of a 200 Gas Gas will help you out. In my opinion the durabilty and build quality would be better on a Gasser or Husky then a KTM. Parts should not be a problem for any of these (Husky future????) Good luck in your choice!!!!

 

[Darkside]

I would look for a pre 07 ktm 200. super light and more compact. I don't care how light people say a bike feels when it's rolling. Sometimes you still have to pick them up. I have an 06 GG300, an 11 KTM 300, and 2 05 KTM 200's. Just got rid a an 09 Husky 144. the 200 is lightest most nimble bike I've ever ridden, including 125's

 

[Caravan Monster]

Defining sizing: Standover vs reach. The Standover is convenient for stopping, but I guess the "reach" fit(once riding, the horizontal distance for the rider to reach the bars) matters most.

For standover and reach, the Gas Gas 200/250/300 will be the same. The frames, suspension and engine cases are the same - a 300 engine will go straight into a 200 chassis of the same era.

Is the bike intended for trail riding or racing ? That would define the balance of priorities between standover and reach. Suspension performance v's ergonomics et c.

Is the KTM Freeride a good option for smaller riders ? There seems to be differences of opinion about it.

 

[desertgasser300]

My wife who is 5'4" and 115lbs soaking wet, rides a 97' GasGas 250. Standover is perfect for her and so are the ergos. And when it falls she has no problems picking it up. It is sprung as close as possible for her weight, it still might be a little stiff because I can't find springs for her weight, but I know when I sit on it it feels like its going to bottom out.

 

[RonC]

Hey GasGas community, thank you very much for the help! I will be using this bike weekly at the local ORV which I hear can be quite technical, steep, and tight. However, I want to get competitive with competing at Washington's Hare Scrambles and offroad races like the "Desert 100".

So if I'm hearing it correctly, GasGas stretched out the 2012s and newer 200-300xc/ec frames? The standover is still listed at 37, like the earlier years.

Are the 2 handlebar position(forward and further back) only available on certain years?

I would look for a pre 07 ktm 200. super light and more compact. I don't care how light people say a bike feels when it's rolling. Sometimes you still have to pick them up. I have an 06 GG300, an 11 KTM 300, and 2 05 KTM 200's. Just got rid a an 09 Husky 144. the 200 is lightest most nimble bike I've ever ridden, including 125's

Yeah, it seems like those earlier 200exc/xcw models had a very low seat height at 36.4". Did your pre '07 KTM 200 fit smaller, reach-wise, when you were riding than your GasGas 300?

Thanks, again, for everybody's help.

 

[webmaster]

Given that you are in Washington State - think about sending your suspension to Les at LT-Racing for suspension work and lowering. He is located near bremerton. Details on suspension work and lower are here :

http://www.lt-racing.com/html/body_suspension_topics.html#SuspensionLowering

http://www.lt-racing.com/html/body_suspension_topics.html#SuspensionLowering

Note that, while he has the fork apart for the revalve - because he has his own machine tools on site - the incremental cost to shorten the fork and shock is about $100.

I am 5'9 with very short legs - I say that I am 5'4" from the waist down. On some bikes - it is much more comfortable for me to have it shortened an inch.

I had my xr250 trail bike shortened an inch - it has marzocchi front and ohlins rear... Les' has a nearly identical bike with Ohlins and both ends. It surprised me that it made it alot more fun in the corners as well as making it more confidence inspiring when I had to deal with slow going nasty terrain where I have to "dab".


jeff

p.s. Disclosure - Les is a very good friend of mine so I have *very* biased! ;-)

 

[RonC]

Thanks for the tip about LTR. I have heard so many good things about Les on this board from people all over and was surprised to see that he is fairly local. On all my donwhill race bikes, I loved tinkering around with not just spring rates, but spring rate curves(via air volume reduction/increase), and the usual rebound, hi and low speed compression. Ohlins even partnered up with a bicycle components company to make the first twin tube shock with independent hi/lo speed rebound and hi/lo speed compression adjustments. I can definitely see how LTR's experience and workmanship with revalving, alone, can completely change how a bike behaves.(I wonder how many bad bike reviews/experiences are simply bikes without the right springrate). I already sent him an email last night. Thanks.

 

[phoenix]

The '12 and '13 Gas Gasses are definitely taller than the 2010-2011 Gas Gasses. I am 5'6" and test rode a 2011 EC 300 and 200 and was very pleased with the height. For once there was a dirt bike out there that was race worthy AND short in seat height. I couldn't find a new leftover with estart, though, so I got a 2013. With the forks moved up in the clamps and the sag set, the height is actually pretty comfortable, though much taller than the 2011. The ergonomics and handling characteristics feel very similar to my previous bike...2010 Husqvarna TXC 250. In my book, e-start makes up in most situations for inability to touch the ground. No 200 in 2013, though, I don't think.

A Husky 125/144 with the Wallybean 165 kit would be a nice comfortable bike and I hear the power setup is the cat's meow. It has the newer X-Lite frame, so its not nearly as tall as the 250 or 300. I'm a Husky fan and went to try the Husky 300 first, but literally could not get on the bike without a stepping aid. I also strongly considered the Husky w/165 kit, but really wanted estart.

My husband just got a Husaberg 300 and they sit almost exactly like a KTM. Pegs are high and ground clearance is high. The ergonomics make me feel like I'm being forced over the bars. Overall, the bike seems a hair taller than my Gas Gas, but when we measured it, the seat heights were the same as currently setup. Go figure.

I was reading about the Beta 2 stroke and it also sounds like it has a low seat height. I'm not sure if they make a 200, though.

My 2 cents would be...if you can locate a 2011 GG 200, then you would be a happy camper. Low seat height and a good torquey engine without being out of control power wise. At 5/4, you'll probably still not be flat footed, but with the way dirt bikes are designed now, its almost necessary just to get used to only being able to put one foot on the ground.

 

[rgranger]

Phonenix,
it is odd that you say the 12/13 are taller than the 11's. I got to sit on one the other day, and it felt about like my lowered 11. Maybe it was my big butt weighing it down...probably that's it - LOL.


Their site also says:
NEW GAS GAS EC 2013. AN EFFECTIVE AND MULTI-PURPOSE ALL-ROUNDER
30/07/2012
The new features of the EC 2013 improve the grip, stability and performance of the enduro range.
The launch of the new range is a step towards becoming one of the leading bikes in enduro. One of the main improvements to the existing 250 and 300 (2T) is the change in rear suspension geometry that gives this new Gas Gas better grip, stability and agility. This change in rear geometry has also lowered the seat height in comparison with its predecessor.

 

[phoenix]

We have a race this weekend, so I can try them side by side, but I am positive my 13 is much taller than the 11 I rode. Maybe my memory is faulty!! The 12 was slightly taller than the 13, so I think that is what they were referring to with the "lowered seat height."

 

[rgranger]

The 11 may have settled in a little. I had to lower mine about 13/mm. I added a link longer link to the back and then had LTR lower shim the front 13mm to match the link. I can just tippy-toe on the 11, the 12 I could almost flat-foot, bu then springs could have been softer on the 12. I have a 13 coming in a week or so, we can compare notes

 

[GMP]

'12 is taller and overall larger in rider compartment. On my '07 I run the bars in the foward positon, but the '12 feels natural to me in the rear position. Maybe its just me, but compared to a previous gen GG, I think it also rides higher with the same rate springs. Perhaps the linkage ratio, and almost certainly the CC fork. The seat shape, with the bevel side cuts, negates some of the extra height. IMO the '12 is a better racer for sure. For extreme technical trail riding, while still good, not an advantage for a short rider. While frame ground clearance is higher, the linkage touches down a lot more in these situations, but thats a fact of life now with all new linkage bikes, as they seem to have the same link geometry. My brother's new Husky TXC310 linkage hangs at least as low as a '12 GG. A link skid helps here. The pre '12 GG was a great bike, its primary limitation was the fork. I think if you could find an '11 race with the 48mm Zoke fork, that would be a prize for a shorter rider. If you don't mind a little project, a KYB setup on these bikes works great, as those who have done it will tell you.

 

[rgranger]

Ok, got the '13 today, picked it up from my buddy's, and it is tall! I have 5.8 front and 6.0 rear springs, and it is a tippy-toe'er for sure. at some point I may have to send the stuff out and have it lowered, but I think that I can manage for a few weekends until stuff gets worn in and see out it sits then.

The whole thing just seems bigger. I think that I used to be able to half fit the bike in the back of the truck with the roll and lock, and could still tip the gate up to 45 degrees, now I have to fold it way over to one side. The crate that it came in looked HUMONGOUS too!

 

[RonC]

Thanks for posting your findings on the sizing for the 2012/2013 bikes, everybody! There is a 2012 200 on sale locally that I'll kick myself over if it's sold. an 07-'11 model would be awesome, but I just cannot find any in the country for sale in 200cc! I wonder how much I'll regret it if I pick up any of the common 06/07 ktm 200xc-w's. They are tiny and plentiful compared to finding a GasGas 200.

 

[john r b]

try Taskey's metric cycle there in your state. i think

 

[RonC]

try Taskey's metric cycle there in your state. i think

Yep, they're the one the local shop that has one remaining 2012 EC200 for sale. Thanks.

 

[MrBlah]

I picked up an 11 because of the changes coming in 12, I do not like riding tall bikes, I'm afraid it'll be my last gasgas as the main reason I bought it was it's size/ergonomics, and that is gone now. I'm not interested in lowering another bike unless it's a frame chop, I wish manufactures would give seat/bar options instead of expanding the frames so much.

I still have an 06 ktm 200 which feels like a mountain bike compared to the gasgas, but I prefer riding my 11 gasgas