bulletproof
New member
Hi Guys, New here. I am considering upgrading my son from a TM125 to a gasser 200. (TM dont make a 200) Is this bike good enough for top level racing? The only other option is the KTM 200. Anybody have experience or tips?
Gasser 200 is it good enough?
- Thread starter bulletproof
- Start date
Rick
New member
Billy Burns....enough said
Do a search...
All GasGas bikes are able to race at the top level. The 200 is a 125 with more bottom, pulls strong through the mid, no massive hit, solid performer as far as I'm concerned. Most of the 200 owners on this site all ride or race enduro's and have very little complaints.
I race cross country here in Northern California, I am lost in a sea of orange bikes, mainly 300's, 450's and 525's & 530's..you get my point. Those big open class bike are NO faster than my 200 on the courses that we race on. Our races are 1 1/2 hours long and when you get towards the end of the race you are still in control of the 200, I mean it take less engery to race the bike due to the smoothness of the motor, which in turn gives you the ability to push hard to the end, that is where IMO the guys on the bigger bike start to slow down...of course phyical fitness also becomes a factor..
The 200 is a solid bike, do you dare to be different?????
Do a search...All GasGas bikes are able to race at the top level. The 200 is a 125 with more bottom, pulls strong through the mid, no massive hit, solid performer as far as I'm concerned. Most of the 200 owners on this site all ride or race enduro's and have very little complaints.
I race cross country here in Northern California, I am lost in a sea of orange bikes, mainly 300's, 450's and 525's & 530's..you get my point. Those big open class bike are NO faster than my 200 on the courses that we race on. Our races are 1 1/2 hours long and when you get towards the end of the race you are still in control of the 200, I mean it take less engery to race the bike due to the smoothness of the motor, which in turn gives you the ability to push hard to the end, that is where IMO the guys on the bigger bike start to slow down...of course phyical fitness also becomes a factor..
The 200 is a solid bike, do you dare to be different?????
TooFastTim
New member
The man has owned a string of TM's!
Brian's an old friend of mine and many is the race and beer we've shared.
bulletproof
New member
Thanks Rick. Problem is I really want my son to achieve his best. Im not afraid of anything different like Tim said. I think the gasser is a nice bike. Im just making sure. 
RONALD BRUNDIGE
New member
200
A 200 Jetted In With The Write Gearing Is All You Need. I Have Ridden Them All. That Would Be My Choice!!! Very Nice Bike. Any Questions We Can Answer Them. If I Cant Then Billy Can
A 200 Jetted In With The Write Gearing Is All You Need. I Have Ridden Them All. That Would Be My Choice!!! Very Nice Bike. Any Questions We Can Answer Them. If I Cant Then Billy Can
SpeedyManiac
New member
The EC200 is a great bike and is definitely competitive with the other 200 on the market. I eventually bumped up to a 250 though because where I race, the hills are huge and the 200 just doesn't have enough bottom end to haul me up the hills.
My son rids a GG 200 EC. He's about 5'10" and about 150 lbs. w/o gear.
We ride mostly tight, technical terrain. Lots of rocks and elevation change, some mud.
The 200 has been excellent! Very high quality components (Ohlins suspension, Nissin brakes, DirtStar rims). Easy to work on and maintain.
This bike will almost keep up with my '06 KTM 400 in a drag race (though I weigh about 40 lbs. more than he does), will turn underneath my KTM all day long - yet is VERY stable in a straight line and over obstacles and pulls strong down low if it needs to. His bike doesn't seem to rev as quickly as the KTM 2T, but for the terrain we ride on, that's a plus.
As a KTM rider for the past 21 years, I'm impressed enough with the performance of the Gas Gas that I'm trying to save enough money to add an EC 300 to our stable of bikes.
We ride mostly tight, technical terrain. Lots of rocks and elevation change, some mud.
The 200 has been excellent! Very high quality components (Ohlins suspension, Nissin brakes, DirtStar rims). Easy to work on and maintain.
This bike will almost keep up with my '06 KTM 400 in a drag race (though I weigh about 40 lbs. more than he does), will turn underneath my KTM all day long - yet is VERY stable in a straight line and over obstacles and pulls strong down low if it needs to. His bike doesn't seem to rev as quickly as the KTM 2T, but for the terrain we ride on, that's a plus.
As a KTM rider for the past 21 years, I'm impressed enough with the performance of the Gas Gas that I'm trying to save enough money to add an EC 300 to our stable of bikes.
ramcclure200
Gold Level Site Supporter
I have an 04 DE200 and this bike is impressive, I ride Eastern tight stuff mainly and recently ventured out to the local MX track and had more fun than should be allowed.
A friend had just purchased a 01 KTM200 and we switched bikes on the trails and mx track and at the end of the day he regretted spending money on the KTM.
The power spread and hit are 250 like compared to the KTM and hands down the suspension was far better in all conditions.
The bike with the right rider can compete on any level (Billy Burns).
I'm 5'7" and 155lbs no gear and my buds with their 250's 4T and 2t we were bar to bar racing and the 200 almost every time got the hole shot.
70' table tops no problem, step ups, doubles, rockers handled it all perfect.
I would recommend the Gasser over the KTM
Ron
A friend had just purchased a 01 KTM200 and we switched bikes on the trails and mx track and at the end of the day he regretted spending money on the KTM.
The power spread and hit are 250 like compared to the KTM and hands down the suspension was far better in all conditions.
The bike with the right rider can compete on any level (Billy Burns).
I'm 5'7" and 155lbs no gear and my buds with their 250's 4T and 2t we were bar to bar racing and the 200 almost every time got the hole shot.
70' table tops no problem, step ups, doubles, rockers handled it all perfect.
I would recommend the Gasser over the KTM
Ron
bulletproof
New member
Great feedback guys. I know what the ktm boys will say but I think most of them are lemmings. ooops!
So lets see if we can get a Gasser then...
So lets see if we can get a Gasser then...
TooFastTim
New member
"You know it's the right thing to do".
Eish!
Eish!
socalscott
New member
A mod to remember if he wants quicker and extended revs, MC125 CDI box.
Best power mod for 200's.
Best power mod for 200's.
bulletproof
New member
@Socalscott Can you tell me more? What is different? What about low down?
2 strokes 4 life
New member
I would imagine that the ignition curve is more advanced with a higher reving RPM.
barkeater
New member
I got into an argument on the trail with a YZ450 rider once because he was convinced I had a 300 with 200 stickers on it. He was actually pissed that my little EC 200 could keep pace, and in some cases kick his big thumpers arse. I had to be pulling shenanigans to do that. No way in his mind a 200 could have that kind of power. What you do lack in horsepower, you gain in handling.
The 200 is like riding a mountain bike through the tough stuff, not like a big thumper which feels more like pushing a chain down the trail.
On long, flat, farm road racing, the 200 keeps pace with a KTM 250.
I'm having mine buried with me when I die.
The 200 is like riding a mountain bike through the tough stuff, not like a big thumper which feels more like pushing a chain down the trail.
On long, flat, farm road racing, the 200 keeps pace with a KTM 250.
I'm having mine buried with me when I die.
2 strokes 4 life
New member
Had a similar disscisuion with a WR450F rider. He said i have a 300 with 250 stickers on it. I pulled him on the striaghts yesterday. It was funny.
SpeedyManiac
New member
The GasGas motor isn't extremely potent, but it makes good power and benefits from a well spaced tranny. The 250 will pull pretty much any 450 ENDURO BIKE (can't keep pace with a 450 mxer in the open stuff).
2 strokes 4 life
New member
Yeah i can see where a 450F would have destroyed me. But i lost him in the tight stuff so its all good.
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
Small bikes are great, but when my son is big enough to ride a full sized bike, I'm considering putting him on my 300. Mostly because it's just a dream to ride, and ride fast so easily. He's on a DRZ 110 right now, and only weighs 59 pounds, so I'm probably looking a little too far in the future, but I really don't understand the notion to put young skilled riders on bikes that demand so much attention from the pilot. Granted, a 200 almost rides itself compared to a 125, but you can ride a 300 in a tall gear, at low rpm and really haul the mail. I've had all three sizes, and loved all of them.
As far as the 200 is concerned, what makes it better than the KTM is nothing more than the perfect Gas Gas chassis. The KTM is a great bike with a great motor, and SCARY geometry. Ever since KTM went to the new 125 in '98, that small chassis has been an abortion. The big KTM's just don't have that problem, and work great for me, but the little ones just don't work for me at anything above a casual pace.
As far as the 200 is concerned, what makes it better than the KTM is nothing more than the perfect Gas Gas chassis. The KTM is a great bike with a great motor, and SCARY geometry. Ever since KTM went to the new 125 in '98, that small chassis has been an abortion. The big KTM's just don't have that problem, and work great for me, but the little ones just don't work for me at anything above a casual pace.
SpeedyManiac
New member
The reason why most young riders go to a 125 for awhile is to learn clutch control. 125s teach technique like no other bike can.
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I rode 125's for years. I spent several years campaigning 125s for ISDE. KTM's and Huskies. I reject the notion that it is to teach young riders clutch control. I had that down by the time I moved off of my XR to a KX 80. It could be that we just put the young ones on smaller bikes because we think it's the logical stepping stone.
