How About A EC200 ????

[victorykid]

I tried to get some info in another thread without much success so I hope maybe I can get more suggestions here. I am going to return to dirt riding after a long absence. I really want to own a GG if possible. I want to start riding Dual Sport events. I figure I'll need to start back with an 200 to make sure I'm going to handle this adventure without killing myself! From what I can find out there should be wiring on the bikes that one can place headlite and tail lites. I believe placing the required equiptment will get me on-road certified here in Ohio. If anyone has accomplished this can you give me details ??? Also, what does everyone think about starting with the 200 ??? We have got a new dealer in central Ohio (2 hrs away) but, I just want to ride a Gas Gas and have fun like I used to. Looking forward to your comments and suggestions and thank you !! The Kid

 

[skid jackson]

don't know anyting about how to actually wire up a 200 but you are correct in that some of the older models came pretty much set up so light etc were pretty much plug an play. Not sure of the 09, 10, or 11 models. A two hundred would be a great bike to get back into it on. At 63 you want light and easy to manage power!!

 

[victorykid]

Skid, I'm glad you're around to help me........otherwise.......

 

[john01]

I like the idea of a 200 also and it's got to be a GasGas for me. I had an 2010 GG 300 that I just gave to my son. It came with a headlight and wiring for the other lights. Give Steve Beane a call at 313-332-4091. He is a GG dealer and has a full lighting kit he sells for the street and knows a ton about the GasGas bikes. Good luck in your quest.

 

[victorykid]

John01, Thanks, I'll try to give Steve a call here soon as I can. I want a new Gas Gas too and the 200 looks like what I need unless someone talks me into a 250 or 300 or........Geez, I just want a Gasser !!! The Kid

 

[GMP]

The 300 is not violent or basically hard to ride, it has about the same top end power as the 250. If your older and/or have a less aggressive style its a great bike. My only issue is that it it pulls hard off the bottom, and over the course of the day in an enduro with a lot of tight stuff managing the excess power can tire you out more. For dual sport or casual riding where a rest is possible at any time it would be a very nice bike, because it has enough grunt to pull you up and over stuff should momentum fail. The 250 has just a little less off the bottom when you twist, and a little more hit in the midrange. Its eaiser to ride longer in the tight woods where your on and off the throttle constantly, enough but not too much, for me anyway. I don't have much time on 200s but they should take this trade one step farther. I'm planning on a new 200 myself if I can free up the cash in spring, but will keep the 250.

 

[victorykid]

Thanks GMP, That's the kind of feedback I'm looking for. You are right that I'm older and have a few pounds to carry around. I was raised on two strokes and have been away from the dirt scene way to long. I'm excited about getting back to riding dirt and don't want to "over-bike" myself for a while until I'm used to it again.. I don't think it'll take to long tho !!! I do know I want a new Gasser to begin this adventure. I am an old Bultaco rider. I have had alot of great times and years riding those machines, so, I know the Gas Gas and I will have a super relationship !!!! Tom

 

[wence]

Mate,
If I were you I would go the 300 as you can lug it like a four stroke or ride it like it was stolen, depending on how you feel.
They are so light and nimble you will be laughing.
The 300 will wear you out if you are racing on the pipe but it sounds like you won't be doing that straight away so uou will have time to bond with it and work out the suspension b4 you get rider fit and start going quicker.
All the best ,
Mark

 

[gasgasbird]

Hello I'm a girl and there are 2 issues why I prefer the 200.
The 300cc is 105kg approx and the 200cc is 95 kg. 2011 models.
When I fall off, it is very important because I can hardly pick up the 300.
I can't kick start the 300cc ither.
Only if its warm and I dislocate my leg trying for an hour.
Not good if you stall in the middle of a hill.

At the moment I have a 2007 four stroke 450cc Gasser. It rips the ground Its got more torque than an F-18 fighter jet, and Its never broken down on me. However, its too much bike for me. Too heavy and the power is a massive overkill.
Its got electric start thank god. No human leg has been able to kick start my 450cc.

I'd go for the 200cc but Im 60 kgs, if u a big boy it may whimper at a Widow Maker Hill

Technically, the 200cc is a bored down 250cc.
A 300 is a bored up 250cc.
So the 200 has the same parts as the 300cc. Very likely it will never break because all its parts are designed for harder whipping (250cc and 300cc)

 

[Elvis74]

hy,
in general you are right, but I gave my EC300 a couple of weeks ago a absolutly beginner girl. She never rode a dirt before and she was very happy with my 300! The 300 is the most easy to ride GG you can buy, because it has torgque.
When you study the tachnical data of the different bikes, you will see that all Motors have different bore and different stroke, which means that the 300 is not only a bored up 250.
For sure the 200 is a bit lighter than the othes, but a 300 is min. 10-15kg less than a 450

 

[GMP]

The 300 is absolutely a bigger bore 250. 72mm x 72mm vs 64mm x 72mm. All that is neede to convert a 250 is a cyl/head /piston, even the PV parts are the same and drop in the 300 cyl. The 200 is different with different crank/trans/cases/top ends although they look the same from the outside.

 

[john01]

Good info GMP, thanks for sharing. I was wondering how the weights could be so different between the 200 and 250/300's. This helps explain some of the weight.

 

[GMP]

The differential weight from the 250 might be close (a few lbs max) but the absolute weights are like any other mfg. specified weight. No way is it lighter than a 125 based KTM200, by my showroom lift test method, FWIW. What matters is how it feels on the trail and anything with less power and inertia will feel lighter than its bigger brothers. I don't sweat the numbers, its a GG that means it handles second to none.

 

[blanc]

Hi

I have just bought a 2010 EC200. It is a fab bike, it feels lighter than my old crf250 and a little heavier than my buddies KTM 150 SX, think of a stable 125. It does not feel in anyway like a 250 two stroke

 

[hannesd]

get the 200!
i have a 300 on the side but switched to the 200 since it makes me feel better because i can handle the power better, you don't have to be so carefull on the throtlle when maneuvring thrue the woods.
it's so much less tiring and it just feels lighter.
i weigh about 80-85kg geared up and the 200 has enough to please me

hannes.

 

[theboogieman]

The 300 is a great bike, but I've just jumped from one to a 2010 250f
and Couldn't be happier.
The 250f has an almost electric power delivery, changes direction like a fly and will pull from nothing to as eye watering as YOU want it go.

In the real world it is only 6kg heavier than the 300 (mine measured together)
So unless you are super fit jockey that weighs less than a photograph of yourself, you wont feel it on the move.

And best of all is the magic button
(granted, if you go for a 12/13 you can have that on the 2t's as well)
Top trials riders maybe able to kick start their bikes whilst perched in the middle of a billy goats picnic table, but I wouldn't have a bike without it.

Although sadly it has just occured to me as I typed the above that I read somewhere that you 'good ole boys' (and girls, apologies gasgasbird) arn't getting the Yammy engined bike over that side of the pond??

 

[GMP]

No 250Fs for us. I seriously would have condidered one if they were brought here in the race configuration and any specific spares were not a problem. Competitive pricing was also a big issue. I agree on the estart for 4 strokes, a must have. They are also much better integrated into the engine design not an external add on. I've ridden Yamaha 250Fs and like them, and they are very reliable especially if ridden in the woods and kept off the rev limiter. The YZs are much lighter but no estart, and no EFI. EFI takes away a lot of the hot start hassles, from what I've seen on the Kawasakis and Hondas.

 

[chinesegav]

i just bought one as my 1st ever and its good fun so far and its not too down on the 250/300 as i can easly keep up on the drit with the other lads and the set up on my bike is very easy going

 

[Beta Steve]

I ride lots of tight woods, and as an experienced trials rider when I say the tighter, the better, I mean it. Interestingly enough, I find the 300 less tiring to ride. Much more useable power, especially when tired...

 

[Mo.man]

As far as lights , the 11's had a headlight and the 12's have a headlight and taillight/brakelight,
I ride a 07 200 with 2011 plastics, I weigh 180ish and I like the power, good low end but it can still rip on top. Don't know about dual sporting it, I usually ride tighter woods.