GG vs KTM...current KTM rider

[jgas]

Recently the Kawi/KTM dealer in Little Rock Ar., (Tom Murray, Kawasaki-KTM-GasGas Sports Center), just started selling GGs. They have always been willing to order parts for other brands, non factory parts anyway.

Kawi/KTM/GG Sports dealer in Little Rock is great bike shop, been going there for over 20yrs and they sell GGs now! It is too cool that I bought a GG and now the dealership I use sells them. They don't stock parts yet, but I think they will after they sell a few new bikes. They do order GG parts and get them in pretty quick.

Many dealerships will order non-factory parts for brands that they don't sell. If you want a GG you can get parts either through most dealers or mail order.

None of the local bike shops in my area stock any but the most often purchased factory parts for even the bike brand they sell, so odds are any part you order for any bike will have to be ordered Why not buy a GG if that's what you want? Don't let parts availability influence your decision to buy. You can easily get parts for any GG, most likely just as quickly as any other brand.

 

[john01]

Exactly what he said . Awesome bikes and parts....not a problem.

 

[Nhuskys]

'12 Husaberg TE250 vs '12 GG EC200 and '13 GG EC300ES

I rode the '12 EC200 and the '13 EC300ES yesterday in a limited grass track. I had my '12 Husaberg TE250 along to compare and I wish I had brought my '09 Husky WR165 along as well.

I'm 5'7" and 180 and the GG's fit me like a glove. I prefered the lower '13 to the '12, but liked the 200 over the 300. The 300 was super smooth and powerful, but I always felt it had a little too much and I could get in trouble, if I wasn't careful. I liked the 200 really well, but it seemed softer on the bottom than I thought it would. It was fat on the bottom, so leaner jetting might fix that. I think my WR165 has more bottom end. I realized after years on Husky 125/144/165, that I'm really a small bore rider. I like really twisting a small bore's throttle, as opposed to riding a 300 low in the register. Late in the race, it's easier for me to control a small bike, than be careful with a lot of power on tap.

I've been riding the Husaberg for five months and still try to dial the chassis. I thought I was really close, until I rode the GG's... It was like being on rails in fast wet grass track. The HusaKTM can hook up, but it takes a lot more work... on the gas cap to turn and slide way back to hook up on acceleration. The GG you ride in a more neutral position, more like a Husky.

The Husaberg is for sale and a GG will take the spot, but I need to ride an EC250, before I decide on which bike.

 

[GasGas]

Personally I think the 250 is the best of both worlds or the 200 and 300. We have a Husky CR 150 here and certainly understand your love affair with that bike.

 

[john01]

Nhuskys thanks for that ride report. Lol you sound like me on which bike to get 200 or 250. I know it will most likely be a GG. I miss my 2010 GG300 but I too like the feeling of the small bore bikes. It's something about the big piston chugg chugg feeling or something; can't quite figure it out myself. I love chugging around on my 08 CR165 Husky but not so much on my GG300 at the same speeds; weird . I was wondering how the new KTM/bergs would feel in compairson so thanks again.

 

[M357.5]

I had stayed away from 2T's due to everyone saying a 4T was much easier to ride. I have had a few 4T's since and had ended up buying a FE450 Berg.

Great bike, but it scared me more than anything. It was too much bike for me, and my limited skills lol. It tired me out quickly, and because I was scared of it I never felt comfortable on it. I spent more time trying to reel it in than just flowing with it.

I bought my EC250 and had thoughts of it being more bike than I needed. But after riding it, THIS BIKE IS AWESOME. It still has a ton of power but I find it easier to control than a big 4T. Steers unbelievably, super stable too. For me this is a far better fit, now I can get started at improving my riding instead of concentrating on not crashing.

Yes I have buyers remorse....because I didnt buy a GG 2T sooner

 

[roostafish]

It is a common mistake in the current climate for people to choose a 450. They're animals. A 300 seems to be the ideal size no matter how many strokes. 250 2t is probably more versatile than it's 4t counterpart.

I'm in agreement though and think the 450 is a bit too much on the trails.

 

[GMP]

I rode a wet slick mess of a race yesterday, and I think a GG 250F would have been perfect for me. My bike was OK, just a bit too much work to maintain traction in the greasy conditions.

 

[thumperrider1]

Nhuskys- Send me pics/details on the TE250. I know someone that is looking.

Jeff@newmarket.com

 

[jgas]

I rode some beyond AA level enduro style singletrack this weekend on a DRZ 400. That bike has a near perfect motor for me, but the weight kept me tired. With only stiffer springs front/rear and slightly higher fork oil level the suspension was fantastic for the gnarly stuff, and not bad on the open stuff. But the weight!

If someone could make a bike with the bulletproof-ness of a DRZ, weight around 260 with gas, it would be perfect. I don't need 50 hp! Can't use it. I only need about 40 or so with perfect delivery, which the DRZ has when uncorked, (exhaust, backfire screen removed, rejetted). Oh, and it has to weigh no more than 260 with a 100 watt lighting coil, e start, real useable lights, and not be too expensive. I don't want too much do I?

The KTM 350 was looking good to me until I realized the many and serious reliability problems it has, and it costs about 2 grand too much.

I whined and pined to myself about my blown up GG. But that button was sure sweet, and I rode back to camp in the full dark with a bright headlight. I have owned a KTM 4t and it was great, but they just cost so darn much new. This sport is simply a hobby to me and I can't justify the expense of new bikes. At least you guys with fatter wallets, or who just aren't cheapskates like me have a few good choices. I will probably just fix my GG and have the DRZ for a spare and DS bike.

 

[SGM]

I had stayed away from 2T's due to everyone saying a 4T was much easier to ride. I have had a few 4T's since and had ended up buying a FE450 Berg.

Great bike, but it scared me more than anything. It was too much bike for me, and my limited skills lol. It tired me out quickly, and because I was scared of it I never felt comfortable on it. I spent more time trying to reel it in than just flowing with it.

I bought my EC250 and had thoughts of it being more bike than I needed. But after riding it, THIS BIKE IS AWESOME. It still has a ton of power but I find it easier to control than a big 4T. Steers unbelievably, super stable too. For me this is a far better fit, now I can get started at improving my riding instead of concentrating on not crashing.

Yes I have buyers remorse....because I didnt buy a GG 2T sooner

My thoughts as well after a few years with enduro and mx bikes - the bigger 4-strokes are brutes in the woods...the 2-stroke bikes are as good as it gets in the technical stuff.

I used to ride a FE450 (2008) and loved it, but never got that flowing feeling I get with the current EC300.

For MX I prefer my old CRF450R actually, the old CR250R wore me out something terrible.