Is GG just allot of hot air?

S

Spode

New member
OK, so I WAS interested in buying a Gas Gas after reading the Cycle News test but....

I got some phone numbers off of the GG website and it seems that just about every shop I called, had either gone out of business or didn't sell GG anymore. I even had one guy laugh when I asked if they had bikes on the floor. (One particular shop on the current dealer list, went completely out of business 3 years ago) What few shop owners that did claim to still be GG dealers, didn't stock ANY GG bikes but said they could order me one.

My feelings about that are simple. If the "dealer" doesn't believe in the product enough to stock them, them why should I consider purchasing on? Also, with dealers being so few and far between, why should I buy a bike that depreciates even worse than the other brands? Seems like once I buy it, it will be mine forever, which also explains why there are so many of you guys that are still riding older machines.

Cycle News ad's, demo rides, test write up's....for what? Maybe the folks at Gas Gas should invest some of this "fluff but no stuff" money into developing a dealer network if they really want to sell more motorcycles in the U.S., instead of operating like a "fly by night" Chinese cloning outfit. Sorry to rant on my first ever post but it's more than a little frustrating to see a company that produces what seems to be a quality motorcycle like GG, not being represented in this country no better than it currently is. With KTM sales continuing to nose dive, and more and more Husky and Husaberg dealers popping up everywhere...it very apparent that someone at Gas Gas has dropped the ball.

Are there ANY GG dealers reading this (or a Rep from Gas Gas), that would care to share their thoughts and feelings on the subject?
 
I know they are working on a better dealer network.It is a tough sell to get dealers to go out and get a new line of bikes that most of the general public has never heard of.Take it from me GasGas bikes are for real they are a great bike very dependable better then the orange bikes (yes I've ridden orange bikes). Parts are only a phone call away at www.Gofasters.com Mark and Steve will bend over backwards to help you out and get you what you need and they have in stock everything.Don't let a small dealer network stop you from buying a great bike.I'm right now trying to figure out how to get a new bike basicly no dealers in Mi but that won't stop me.Can you say road trip if need be.Also the ISDE winner was on a GASGAS has to say something about the brand. :)
 
First thing that would help is to know where you are located. Second, I'm not sure how often gasgas.com get's updated, but it should be more frequently. Third, the GasGas distributors have stepped up big time over the last couple of years. This site is the best resource for GasGas owners.

I live in the North East and have no issues finding a dealer or parts supplier.

If you expect the the typical small dealerships that sell GasGas to carry a huge floor plan so they can stock dozens of bikes, then maybe GasGas isn't for you. They just can't afford to do that. You may be better off with a Jap bike or KTM. If you are willing to own a ride a great bike then you need to be open to dealing with smaller dealers.

Resale does drop faster than other bikes, but most GasGas riders don't feel the need to buy a new bike every year. In my experiance KTM value drops fast too (but not as fast) because the market is saturated with used bikes being turned over every year.
 
Point taken

eff said:
First thing that would help is to know where you are located. Second, I'm not sure how often gasgas.com get's updated, but it should be more frequently. Third, the GasGas distributors have stepped up big time over the last couple of years. This site is the best resource for GasGas owners.

I live in the North East and have no issues finding a dealer or parts supplier.

If you expect the the typical small dealerships that sell GasGas to carry a huge floor plan so they can stock dozens of bikes, then maybe GasGas isn't for you. They just can't afford to do that. You may be better off with a Jap bike or KTM. If you are willing to own a ride a great bike then you need to be open to dealing with smaller dealers.

Resale does drop faster than other bikes, but most GasGas riders don't feel the need to buy a new bike every year. In my experiance KTM value drops fast too (but not as fast) because the market is saturated with used bikes being turned over every year.
Click to expand...

You make good points eff. Actually I prefer the small dealer over the typical box store and understand they can't keep rows of bikes on the floor but exactly how many bikes are required by GG to be a dealer? Surely it can't be that many, since there aren't that many models in the line to begin with.

The last time I considered GG, (back in the late 90's) the brand seemed to be really be gaining ground, especially down South then all the sudden, the brand disappeared, so...after seeing the company have a dealer show and demo ride in IN. this year, it sparked my interest again.
 
Dont be afraid,

Spode, you bring up some very good points that we have been working on with Dale the US importer. In the spring of 2008 when Dale agreed to pick back up the enduro side (from Dixie Sales, who dropped it & Husaberg in the middle of 07) there was a what I would call an exagerated list of dealers of well over 100 in the US. Steve n I both knew that this list was just a paper list of dealers that was either a current dealer, past dealer, or dealership that plainly stated, yes I sell GG.

We wanted to put structure back into the US with dealership criteria's (small that they may be), and weed out the supposed non-stocking dealer. If you go to our website and look at the dealer locator link on the lower right you will see a simple (for now) google link to every dealer that is promoting GG to this day. These are the dealers stocking parts, attempting to stock bikes, and promote the brand. (if you call one of these and they stated differently....call me)

This group of dealers is growing, but and I hate to use this word again as a crutch.....the economy has really made it very difficult for us to find suitable dealer floorplanning and consumer financing for the interested GG dealer or consumer. In the beginning of 2008, GE Financial dropped GG along with 45 other lines that they provided dealer floorplanning to in an effort to cut back, cut losses, no explanations, no revisions, just DROPPED! (they are big enough, they can do whatever they feel). We are working on new company's that want to work with GG. But currently without these tools it is very hard to gain a larger dealer network more rapidly. So what can we do in the meantime to still attract dealers and convince them that this is a product they want to pay for up front and stock on their floors? We do it by advertising, marketing, and having all the magazines we can, test, ride, and place articles in their mags about how really good these bikes are. So that a consumer as yourself wants to go that extra mile to find a GG dealer, or to convince your local dealer that "hey I should be selling these bikes, because they are dang good and they are an alternative.

The new people at GasGas Spain see the US as a market they need to be in and are willing in the years to come finally help the US importer get to where it needs to be. It just takes time...
 
I'll chime in here being a past dealer. First about the bikes, i love them, believe in them and ride one and will probably continue to ride one. Why i'm not a dealer anymore, Three distributors in three years. After starting out and doing good, i couldnt get the models i could sell when they should have been released. You just get used to dealing with a company and now its someone else, then yet again. I think the ones that have stuck with GG have other means of business and i relied on just being GG. Also i would now have to buy from a dealer i have to compete with for business and i refuse to. Would i do it again, YES if the structure of distribution was what i believe it should be and stays consistent. I know that GF is working toward being distribution only but till then ??? Nick
 
dealer support has never been a deciding factor for any purchase i've made.. but then again, i tend to ride antiquated shit...

i must say gas gas is one of the easier bikes to get parts for.. easier than husky in my opinion...so far i've not needed any major stuff - they are built pretty tough....

if you ride hard, you know what parts are gonna break (the same ones you broke on any other bike..) - just plan ahead and get the usual stuff in advance.. levers, bearings, pedals, etc..


try finding parts for an aprilia climber. or a gilera 175 gina macho. or an mz ts250. or body work for a montesa 314r... you'll love the gasgas once you realize parts are a phone call away.
 
Usually dealers of GG are enthusiasts, and know a good product when they find it. Unfortunately, the brand is not going to keep you afloat. The closest dealer to me had an established business before Gas Gas, so thankfully he's doing okay. I'd love to see him sell more bikes. He's had a very nice stock of Gas Gas bikes, from little to big. He still has a 50 and a 65 on the floor, plus a 125 MC and a 300 EC, and even a trials bike. He's committed, he rides an EC 250 himself. There are a cadre of folks around here that have Gas Gas and it seems to be growing slowly. It seems that once somebody has one, they like it, the more people who get a test ride on my bike, the more good stuff gets passed on. I've only had one person in the last 10 years ride my bike and tell me he didn't like it. He is a local suspension tuner and completely ran down my suspension. It worked fine for me, and he outweighs me by 50 plus pounds, so I chalked it up to him pining for business.
 
Spode said:
OK, so I WAS interested in buying a Gas Gas after reading the Cycle News test but....
....just about every shop I called, had either gone out of business or didn't sell GG anymore. I even had one guy laugh when I asked if they had bikes on the floor. ...., didn't stock ANY GG bikes but said they could order me one.

My feelings about that are simple. If the "dealer" doesn't believe in the product enough to stock them, them why should I consider purchasing on? ....
...... Sorry to rant on my first ever post but it's more than a little frustrating to see a company that produces what seems to be a quality motorcycle like GG, not being represented in this country no better than it currently is. With KTM sales continuing to nose dive, and more and more Husky and Husaberg dealers popping up everywhere...it very apparent that someone at Gas Gas has dropped the ball.
......
Click to expand...

I am not a dealer or rep. But as a long time rider (former racer) I can tell you that GasGas is not full of hot air. They make the finest 250/300 2T enduro bikes on the market. TM makes better 125s and Husaberg makes better 4Ts. Dealers don't pay the bills selling enduro bikes or trials bikes, they do it selling road bikes and quads, so GG has a big disadvantage from the getgo.

I personally don't like mail order bikes and parts, since I preach "buy local", nonetheless I am really thinking hard at ordering a 300 race model. I have ridden lots of bikes over the years, and it is my observation that the 300ec is the best do it all, everyday, everywhere, every terrain enduro bike made, every time I ride the 300 it makes me smile and ride just a bit faster! :)
 
The GasGas network is rebuilding after a few importer turnovers. The economy is not helping the rebound either. The bikes are fabulous but money cannot just be thrown at the problem like the is possible with the big 5. If you need a local dealer to hold your hand perhaps its not the bike for you at this time, but it is the best bike for what it is designed for.

I'm waiting a week and a half so far for parts for my 7 yr olds Yamaha PW50. A bike in production and unchanged since 1982. And people worry about GasGas parts? The thing is unless your dealer is a serious off road shop, your going to have to order parts, and the GasGas parts come a lot quicker than the big 5 parts.
 
nhrider said:
Maybe a traveling demo??? I think getting people to ride them is key.
Click to expand...


A traveling demo is a great idea. I've worked at a importer/distributor and it made a huge difference for us.

I knew people that did the Mad River Canoe traveling demos. A cool husband, wife, and dog team. They had a sponsored GM 3500 4x4 dually with a sponsored Coachman camper on the back pulling a trailer load of Mad River canoes. One night a week was spent in a hotel. Dealers usually fed them at the events. 6 months on the road, all expenses paid, and were able to bank large chunk of dough at the end.

You think it would be easy to find a quality rider/sales couple looking for a little half year on the road. Or you have regional reps willing to do the dog and pony show.


I was suprised at how many Gassers are in this ADVRider thread "Show us your singletrackin' machines" thread on ADV.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445904
 
Take a look at the ThumperTalk or KTM Talk threads where they're talking about all the dealers going out of business.

Harley is dumping Buell, Honda has major discounts on unsold 08 bikes and the list goes on. Gas Gas is a niche bike which means you'll have to deal with a bit of mail order and such. There's some good dealers out there that support the product well. I wouldn't let any of this put you off. There will be parts and Gas Gas should make a go of it. The economy is tough right now but things will improve. Dale, the new distributor, should make quite a difference.

I sent a 300xcw-e down the road for my Gas Gas. I'm quite happy.
 
Demo rides

A travelling demo ride is an excellant way to get more people on GG. I went to the KTM/ Husaberg ride in Millville, Mn. last summer. I commented about that event in this forum earlier. I wasn't interested in purchasing a new KTM, just wanted to compare a few models. I had an opportunity to ride a bike, Husaberg 570, that I otherwise would never would have ridden and I had to re-think my opinion of 250F's. It was clear that KTM had everyone's attention and most everyone at the ride was considering that brand much, much more seriously. There was no salesmanship, no talk of price, unless you asked. The reps on hand would point out a few features, or differences from previous years. No bad- mouthing of other brands and (other than a 250 w/a skid plate) the bikes were completely stock off the showroom. How many bikes were sold we'll never know, but they sure didn't sell fewer KTM's because of the demo ride. Just my two cents. Jim
 
iajim said:
A travelling demo ride is an excellant way to get more people on GG. I went to the KTM/ Husaberg ride in Millville, Mn. last summer. I commented about that event in this forum earlier. I wasn't interested in purchasing a new KTM, just wanted to compare a few models.

The reps on hand would point out a few features, or differences from previous years. No bad- mouthing of other brands and the bikes were completely stock off the showroom. Jim
Click to expand...

This is kind of what they do for snowmobiling in my area. They call it the SnoDeo. The local snowmobile club and all 4 manufactures show up for it. You can test ride the new snowmobiles, buy food, watch the racing and hit the trails with your on snowmobile. Good stuff if you are into the cold...which I am. The club even has a website for the event http://www.nhsnodeo.com/home.html. Yes, I know this is a little different with the club setting this up...

Edit: They do these rides in other state as well but not sure who sets them up.
 
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