Gg vs ktm

[Jamy]

Just curious if anyone has gone from a KTM to a GG and been unhappy. Any likes dislikes with the 2012's to 2013's? I'm 6'1'' and over 240# with gear. I may have a chance to demo a gasser in a few weeks. Thinking very serious of trading brands. I love my 08 XCW, but I'm ready for something newer. And I think it'd be great to pull up to a venue and not be on a punkin!

 

[Vindicator]

Try a '13 model and you will be answering yourself . The only thing I treasured on KTM was mechanical access, much easier to work on shock, carb . But after 6 months on my '11 I totally forgot about it as the pleasure I get from riding it makes it all worthy . This bike is awesome, makes it all so easy .

 

[desertgasser300]

Just curious if anyone has gone from a KTM to a GG and been unhappy. Any likes dislikes with the 2012's to 2013's? I'm 6'1'' and over 240# with gear. I may have a chance to demo a gasser in a few weeks. Thinking very serious of trading brands. I love my 08 XCW, but I'm ready for something newer. And I think it'd be great to pull up to a venue and not be on a punkin!

I came off of a KLX300, but rode a ktm and a gasgas when I was in the market. I walked away with the GasGas. My mind set was the same as yours about showing up on something everyone had already. The new 12's and 13's are doing very well in the enduros.

 

[bowhunter007]

I started my dirtbike saga 2 years ago on a KTM 2t. I've aquired 3 older Gassers in less than a year. I've ridden a couple 2012 300's. I'd ride a 2012 over my older GG's any day, despite some of the issues that have been, and are still discussed on this forum. Every major body style or engineering change have problems to be sorted out by the newest owners. I take that as a given, and do what I gotta do, to make it work(given it's within my ability). While I ride older Gassers, I've ridden late model versions enough to know I'd be very happy.

 

[bkwdc]

More gadgets, etc. for the KTM's. You won't believe how well the GG turns and handles. Bullet proof. I've owned 55 motorcycles. Last was KTM, current = GG 300 six days. Very happy with this bike.

 

[rgranger]

going from a well setup '09 KTM to the 11 with the 45 zokes sort of sucked, I still felt more confident on the GG even with the forks beating me to death. The '13 is worlds better, I am thinking that all the adjustment that I need may be in the clickers and springs (replaced for 250# ride wt.).

 

[desertgasser300]

The 45 zokes on my 07' worked great. I now have a set on my wifes 97' that work fantastic. It has alot to do with set up and valving. And having a competent suspension tuner that actually cares about his reputation and customers. But the 48's on the 12's/13's are the bees knees. Any year Gasser you get will put a grin on your face.

 

[rgranger]

I rode a couple of the older '07 zokes, they were awesome and are what initially sold me on the gasgas, the shit on the '11s, well they were shit.

 

[Simmo737]

the 13gg is a 'generation' better than 11gg and has all the 12 bugs ironed out. I rode my 13 back to back with a 12 ktm 500 on the weekend, so not apples with apples (ie 4t vs 2t). the 12 500 is an impressive bike but i don't like the ktm ergos (high pegs low seat relationship) and the rear end still does that pop sideways thing when you hit a bump mid corner or a couple in a row, it just doesn't upset the front end anymore (well done ktm), i continually turned inside the ktm when on a grass track and the gasser feels more stable..even than a 4t ktm. the 13 gg suspension is superior. Ktm finish is good, but my friend busted his plastic bit off the bottom of his side stand on the trail (PIA for him), its not that far ahead of gg anymore

 

[alta redneck]

I had a 09 KTM 450 xcw with the suspension all set up, now I ride a 2011 300 six days gas gas. This bike fits me better and I love the way it handles. The only thing I miss is the brembo brakes on the KTM. The gas gas brakes aren't bad by any means there just not as good.

 

[Jakobi]

For me its all about the ergos. I sit on the KTM/Bergs and never really feel at home. They don't inspire me to open the throttle like a jap bike does. The gasser feels much more familiar. Maybe someone with a newer 2012/2013 can advise how much the ergos have changed. I think they may feel a bit more KTM like to sit on but based on Simmos report maybe not. The only real complaint I've ever had about my 2010 chasis is that the pegs have a tendancy to drag in ruts due to the lower clearance. The price I pay for being able to touch the ground I guess.

 

[rgranger]

I lowered the '11 and can flat-foot and paddle, not touching the '13. I can just tippy tow and as long as I am moving I am OK My buddy was gigging me about crashing 4 times, last right, then, "well, technically he wasn't moving at the time..." I think the '13 is so nice I am not going to risk mucking it up!

 

[Jakobi]

Word. I don't actually mind not being able to touch as long as you can get one foot down to hold the bike. Huskys feel far too tall, but Yamahas I can deal with. I figure if you're going to fall off on a camber it'll happen on any bike

 

[rgranger]

I had an '05 yz250T and liked it. the '13 reminds me of it somewhat. I sold it (gave it) to the buddy that was ragging me about falling over - it's a 280 now it was setup pretty good and would really knife though the trails. It had no top end, but would lift it in all gears. I wound up putting a weight on the flywheel and going down to I think a 48 rear and it really made it a nice bike... I miss it, but the wife was starting to give me that sideways look. I am a hord'er, can't see selling something for pennies on the dollar so at one time, during the height of my disease: Ducati Monster, Ducati 999, yz250, husky 610, ktm 300xcw, gasgas ec300. I sold 2, added one so I look at it as, "I am doing much better now!" - Buddy Ryan (see if anyone remembers that: hint: Bull Shannon)

 

[gas-gas 52]

As desert gasser I was riding a klx 300 which sets low and is very short. Started riding the 250 xcfw ,husaberg 390 then got a chance to ride the 2011 gas gas. I liked it instantly . Bought a 2012 as soon as they came out. The 2012 is a better bike than the 2011 but being a shorter person I can ride the 2011 better. If I were 6'1" the 2012 would be the weapon of choice.
When I went from the KTM to the Gas Gas I don't think I gave up a thing. I thought changing from the wp forks to the zokes was going to be bad. With a little help from enduro engineering they work great and I'm sure they are others that can make them work just the way u want them.

 

[rgranger]

Yeah, i like the 11 height wise, i am 5'8" on a very good day, 29" inseam, so vertically challenged at 55 is a bummer. And it is not like you can shave the seat on the '13

 

[Lonestar4x4]

I went from a KTM to a Gasser and I wouldn't say I was unhappy but after riding/racing it for 8 months and then getting back on a KTM the KTM just felt more natural for me. My gasser is an '11 and it feels too small to me yet I'm only 5' 11". I think it may be that the only thing I've ridden for 20+ years have been KTM's so it's what I'm accustomed to.

I really have nothing against the Gasser personally, the motor is awesome and mechanically it's been reliable as a stone, it just doesn't feel like home to me that's why it's for sale along with a bunch of parts. I really tried guys, don't hate me...

In the end you need to ride whatever you feel the most comfortable on, everyone is different.

 

[Simmo737]

I had an '05 yz250T and liked it. the '13 reminds me of it somewhat. I sold it (gave it) to the buddy that was ragging me about falling over - it's a 280 now it was setup pretty good and would really knife though the trails. It had no top end, but would lift it in all gears. I wound up putting a weight on the flywheel and going down to I think a 48 rear and it really made it a nice bike... I miss it, but the wife was starting to give me that sideways look. I am a hord'er, can't see selling something for pennies on the dollar so at one time, during the height of my disease: Ducati Monster, Ducati 999, yz250, husky 610, ktm 300xcw, gasgas ec300. I sold 2, added one so I look at it as, "I am doing much better now!" - Buddy Ryan (see if anyone remembers that: hint: Bull Shannon)

Sounds like Georgie Best, regarded as the greatest UK soccer player.
"I spent a great deal of money on fast cars, bikes, booze and women, the rest I squandered"

The 13 is a touch lower seat ( maybe an inch max) than the kato, the pegs are lower and can be lowered further, it felt very at home compared to a 2011, the bars are lower, I'm thinking of committing the bar riser sin. It felt a lot smaller than the 500exc and doesn't have a nuclear reactor for a motor like the ktm. The ktm had a rekluse and it didn't matter what gear you were in, millennium falcon acceleration was just a slight twist away, I used the rekluse like a slipper and rode without the engine braking, no idea what gear and it went up everything. Impressive. If we could get a 450 xc ( linkage) in oz I'd have it as an extra bike.

 

[rgranger]

I left out the Husky 450TC, so I am doing much better now!
I put a brp riser for underbar damper, have some new flexx bars but may not put them on. this is very weird riding a bike that is pretty much stock without having my wrists and hands gimmped up for a week after riding. I think the Flexx bars add a few lbs to the top, which I am liking not having

 

[gasgasman]

I think the '13 is so nice I am not going to risk mucking it up!

OMG. An epiphany.

Sorry Rob, I had to.