Gasser Wisdom Please

[dave portugal]

Hi Guys

What a great site.

I run a small off-road comapny in Portugal and am about to replace my fleet of trusty XR400s with; well I'm not sure. I have been talking with Gas Gas and am considering running the new 450 with some EC250s or 200s for a bit of variety. Am I insane considering the two-strokes? Are the new 450s proving reliable in your expereince? What about issues like range and running costs (for the 2Ts) ? We like to do things differently here (I'm not looking at the orange brand) and I would appreciate your input. Our rides are typically 100 -180 kms per day through all sorts of conditions, I know the Gassers ride great but do they last the course? Although we are right next to Spain Gas Gas is not a big brand in Portugal so I would appreciate you wisdom.

All comments/thoughts welcome.

Cheers.

Dave

 

[JRDoz]

A 450 will only get you 80km's in tight single track on a tank.
Don't know about the 2 strokers.

 

[Bearman]

Fuel economy isnt their strongest pint but if you had a support vehicle half way then i tihkn they would be great bike for you. The two-strokes from what ive seen are fairly reliable and hassle free. ive only had experience with the 06 450 and it seems to run oretty well. Mind you the owner is away for 6-8 weeks and is only home for 2 but in those 2 weeks he rides it to with-in an inch of its life. I think you need to go and see someone (if spain is close go direct) who knows a lot about Gas Gas and see for yourself whether they are up to your standard

 

[dave portugal]

thanks. Not too worried about the range as i see that bigger aftermarket tanks are available. I'm more concerned about reliability (with the 4t) and running costs of the 2T and also general quality - I can't have them falling apart after a couple of months hard use. Have been to Spain but only really got the 'offical' line from dealers, I need info from actual riders and owners.
Anymore comments would be very welcome. Thanks

 

[JRDoz]

Well I purchased my bike because I was also looking for a bike that lasts and reliable. I think I made a good choice.

 

[Metalefty]

I was thinking that I would buy a new bike after two years but my '05 450 still feels fresh and makes me smile after every ride. Still don't understand why this bike didn't catch on in the U.S. I understand the '07 are better yet, I need to pile on more miles and wear this thing out to justify a new bike...

 

[Boomhauer]

I own an 04 300DE 2T and love it. The only problems that cost me some $$$ was getting the suspension reworked. But it needed it. The 2 strokes are very reliable and last a very long time if properly maintained.

I would put one of each 200, 250, 300, and the 450 on your floor. All of these bikes are great buys and you are giving the customer some variety to choose from. Happy selling!

Boom

 

[PEB]

I think they are as reliable as nearly anything out there. You realize that the Honda xr 400 may be the most hassle free piece of machinery ever devised by man. I had one for years before I switched to a GG. I do more routine maitinence on my current bike, 02 se300, every six monthes than I ever did the whole time I owned the XR. The XR is a trail/play bike, the GG's are race bikes for better or worse.

Paul B

 

[dave portugal]

I think they are as reliable as nearly anything out there. You realize that the Honda xr 400 may be the most hassle free piece of machinery ever devised by man. I had one for years before I switched to a GG. I do more routine maitinence on my current bike, 02 se300, every six monthes than I ever did the whole time I owned the XR. The XR is a trail/play bike, the GG's are race bikes for better or worse.

Paul B

Yep Paul the XR is rock solid - that's why it's so difficult replacing them. I know the 2Ts are race bred but from what I hear the 450 is more of a trail tool than full on Enduro bike (which is why they interest me).

Boom - that was my idea too, a Gasser of every size, I'm trying to negotiate a big discount with the importer but business moves slowly in Iberia.

Thanks to all for the input, please keep the comments coming.

 

[JRDoz]

Don't be fooled, the FSR450 is a full blown enduro racer.
But it has excellent trail manners in the bush.

 

[skid jackson]

For tour duty I would also look into the yammie wr 250f and 450f. To save a few bucks you could look into the suzuki drz 400. Its a little old school these days but they are solid bomb proof bikes. Mine has been to hell and back with not much in the way of issues. It's a 2001. I would also look at the gas gas pampera. It's kind of like the 450 with a carb. It's about the same price as the drz. Honestly it looks like the drz built right. I think any of the gas gas 2t's would work fine on tour duty.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I have 3 racing seasons on my 2001 EC200 and it's been great. I've had to change fork seals twice, but otherwise the bike is bulletproof. The only damage I've had has been crash inflicted (brake pedal, rear fender, front fender). I would put GasGas on par with Honda XRs for reliability.

 

[bje]

For tour duty I would also look into the yammie wr 250f and 450f. To save a few bucks you could look into the suzuki drz 400. Its a little old school these days but they are solid bomb proof bikes..... I think any of the gas gas 2t's would work fine on tour duty.

My '06 EC 300 is the finest bike I've ever owned. However if I was running a tour group, I don't think any Gassers would be on my list. You need minimal maintenance bikes. I certainly would never put an inexperienced rider on it for his/her first off-road biking experience. The Gassers are true competition enduro bikes, not casual trail bikes.

Personally I don't think you can go wrong this the Suzuki DRZ 400E. In my opinion it is the last XR400 type bike out there.... and it has E-start!

 

[dave portugal]

We have a big mix of riders, from experts to beginners and although the XR's are great (mine all have electric starts) they are no longer very fashionable. This is also true now of the DRZ (which i think will be discontinued shortly) so it's not on the list. I don't think there are really many modern all-rounders out there now which is why I'm thinking of running a couple of smaller 200 2Ts along with 450 4Ts The Jap manufacturers are going to be pulling out of developing 2Ts, KTMs are too pricey here so that's why I'm looking at Gas Gas. The opinions I'm getting seem to be pretty positive i think now it's down to negotiating a good price.
Thanks for the input guys.

 

[flybars]

I have the '01 Xr400 with the 440 bigbore kit and the '05 GG 450. Both are great bikes in different ways. But my gasgas handles so much better and easier than my Xr! And the EFI makes is sooo smooth and consistent. The gasgas inspired confidence in my abilities first time out. So easy to steer and turn and climb etc. Made me a better rider right away.

 

[jyellard]

I would consider replacing only a portion of your fleet. No one makes a full-size air cooled bike like the XRs anymore. Anything you buy that is a competition type bike is going to require ALOT more maintenance than the XRs. I would keep the XRs and add some new bikes for your more experienced customers.

I would stay away from the new 250fs. I'd recommend either Yamaha WR450f or GasGas 2-strokes.

 

[Skidad]

Well the other options are Husky and Beta and Sherco. Husky doesn't have a 200 2 stroke but the bikes are reliable as are their 4 strokes. Beta doesn't have 2 strokes but the 4 strokes use the VERY proven KTM RFS motors and come in 3 sizes. 400, 450 and 525. The 400 is just a great do it all motor. I think those RFS motors are going to prove to be more reliable in the long run than their new motors. Don't really know to much about the new Sherco's but they look really nice and have tested well. Fuel injected as well which could be a good thing or bad with the GG and Sherco and Husky depending on model.

Who is close by to you should you need to get parts and service quickly? Everything does break down at times and customers take that ocassional crash or 2 also.


Skidad in MA

 

[west aussie gas 450]

[.

Personally I don't think you can go wrong this the Suzuki DRZ 400E. In my opinion it is the last XR400 type bike out there.... and it has E-start![/QUOTE]

Dave i own a FSE450 06 and i cant fault it in any way, but you were saying your current stable has XR's ,they are a great bike and i even tried to buy one but even 2nd hand you have to be there when the ad comes out or there gone.In Australia Honda have released a super moto XR 400 not sure about any where else, all that is needed is a fork change and rims and your back to a normal XR.I might get lynched for saying this but the DR 400 are idiot prove an have seen them take a pretty good hiding including being drowned ,it only took removal of plug to get the water out and a tow start and that bike is still going and the bloke rides it like he stole it flat out .