New 2012 GasGas

[Clay]

I see that the 2012 has a new frame etc.

I have the following hard parts on my 2011 300EC:

Rekluse CoreEXP
Scorpion Racing Skid plate
Scorpion Racing Rad guards
Enduro Engineering Rear Rotor Guard
Straitline Handlebar Perch Riser to accommodate Sub mounted Scotts Damper
FMF Gnarly Pipe

I've only had the bike since June but have a line of guys wanting to buy it. I'd upgrade to the 2012 in a second if I knew I could take my aftermarket parts along with me.

How many of the above will make the transfer? I'm most concerned about the Rekluse having heard that there have been changes to the clutch. I called Rekluse today and they know nothing.....

Clay (or others) can you comment?

Thanks

Zhack,
It is my understanding that the changes to the clutch were a new coating (chrome or nickel) to increase durability but that the basic design of the clutch basket would be the same. It should use the same plates so your Rekluse should work. I will let Rekluse know that.
One other significant change to the clutch is the clutch cover. I have been meaning to point this out but was in New England and didn't have a lot of time on the computer. (I drove 16 hours straight home from Springield, Mass yesterday.) Anyway, the clutch cover is a hard plastic with a "v" shape molded into the inside of it. The point of the "v" corresponds with the center of the hub/basket. At the point of the "v" there is a small funnel that channels oil directly into the center of the basket. More/different holes were added to the fingers of the basket to allow the oil funneled into the basket to escape. I was told by the GG tech guys that this cover would fit older models and made a significant difference in durability and clutch action. I think it will fix the squeal some riders have experienced, too.
If you look at the pic of the clutch side of the bike, you can see this shape in the cover that I mentioned.
The other parts you mentioned are prolly not going to swap over. The swingarm and wheels are pretty much the same so the disc guard will fit. The seat won't fit. The rad guards prolly will. I'm not sure about the skid plate but keep in mind that the bike is coming with the same thick plastic skid plate that the Nambo and Cervantes have and it works really well. (I know cause I tested it in "rock hell" last Saturday.)

Clay

 

[Clay]

Hope the hubs still use the same/similar bearing configuartion too. Especially on the rear! Sharing the load across 2 bearings is a great design.

The bike Rod and I saw in late May was a mock up. The frame was plastic and the tank was made out of clay. However, the bike did have forks and swingarm with wheels attached. Basically, the parts in front of the steering head and behind the swingarm pivot have not changed (except for the linkage). It had 48mm Zoke forks with the same wheels and hubs. It had a swingarm from a Nambotin model with standard wheels. I don't remember what triple clamps were on the bike but they pretty much standard GG triple clamps. In other words, while this bike is all new, it really isn't 100% new. No need to make different wheels, swingarm, fork, triple clamp. That means a lot of guard items will still work. If you have a set of spare wheels for your 11 model, they will fit the 12.
One other note.....the factory was adamant that the handling would still be the same because there is no doubt that the GG is the best turning bike on the market.
Clay

 

[Clay]

Will the Rekluse Core EXP from an 11 bike fit the 12 bike?

I believe that it will. The clutch basket was supposed to get a hard coating, either chrome or nickel. It will also have some more oiling holes but i THINK the clutch plates are the same. I believe there are no changes that will keep us from using the EXP.

 

[eff]

It also looks cool how it folds behind the plastic.

The older bikes like 2004 do that. I'm not really loving it because my side stand has broken the number plate on that side because it hits it.

 

[Gas]

Yep November on the first batch of 250 and 300's followed by e-starts then in December my 200 will be here. If I can wait and not nab a 250!

Good deal. Just need to figure out; 250 or 300.

 

[Bobt250]

Dirt Rider magazine did a test of a K&N type filter for dirt bikes and they really liked it. I'll have to see if I can find the article. I think I still have that magazine around here somewhere.

 

[Clay]

Yep November on the first batch of 250 and 300's followed by e-starts then in December my 200 will be here. If I can wait and not nab a 250!

The bikes aren't even on the water yet and John has already claimed one as his own! I love it.
Just to be clear.....The factory told us that production should begin in October. That could mean October 1st or October 31st. I'm sure they plan for it to be October 1st. In 30 years of watching new or substantially changed models leave the assembly line, it has been rare when a manufacturer hits their production target date. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but don't want anyone to get disappointed if we're a bit late.
Our plans now, which are subject to change, is to bring two containers of XC300 Race models, then closely follow those with two containers with XC300 Race E Starts, XC250 Race and XC250 Race E Starts. It is possible that there could be XC 200 Race models on that container but I am still a little unclear of the delivery of 200s.
One other thing......If you definitely have plans to purchase one of these bikes, give your dealer of choice a deposit.
Well, two more things......Thank you all for spreading the word on the new bike. We certainly appreciate it!
Clay

 

[Elvis74]

Dirt Rider magazine did a test of a K&N type filter for dirt bikes and they really liked it. I'll have to see if I can find the article. I think I still have that magazine around here somewhere.

here is it:

http://www.dirtrider.com/drtested/141_1103_k_and_n_mx_xstream_filter_review/index.html

 

[john01]

Hummm since the Race models are comming first looks like my 2012 GG will be a Race! A Race 200 if I can wait that long if not a 250. Now where the pics of my "Race"? Hey I read that same article on the K&N filters but read almost everybody thinks they don't well on dirt bikes. Our new 2012's GG will be foam filters, panel style. I trust it's all been sorted by GG. BTW thanks for finding the article and posting it up.

 

[Pepperami]

Does that spanny look fat? how much 4t power are they after? I bet it pulls like a train!

 

[blitz11]

Does that spanny look fat? how much 4t power are they after? I bet it pulls like a train!

I have no idea what that means.

 

[Gas]

I think he means it's got a fat pipe.

 

[blitz11]

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Gas]

Now I'm going to ask a stupid question, what's the difference between a "RACE" and a standard EC ?

 

[jeffs2200]

I could be wrong but I think all the us XC models are considered race models.

There is no such thing as an EC model for USA. Clay will correct me if I am wrong.

 

[GMP]

I don't care what any magazine, especially a big west coast mag driven by advertising dollars, says. K&N type gauze filter is a bad deal for a dirt bike. Its even a bad deal for a sport bike unless it lives on the track(clean). Been there, done that. Drawn my own conclusions that are backed up by many, using science not ad $$. I suspect GG knows this as well, hence the noted use of a foam filter. If by chance they do come with a gauze filter I can guarantee that mine will never be ridden with it.

 

[blitz11]

Amen, brother.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone, for any purpose, would use a K&N filter. K&N claims that the filter "filters better" when dirty. Huh? Why on earth would you buy a filter which doesn't filter when it is clean? Their argument is that the dirt particles create "smaller openings," preventing smaller particles through. Therefore, it lets stuff through when it is clean.

You can tell the claim that is it easier to clean than other filters is b.s., too. I have never used filter products better than No-Toil oil and oxy-clean as a solvent. Even as an Amsoil dealer who used to use Amsoil filter oil, No-Toil has it beat hands down. That's probably why Amsoil discontinued it.

I am pretty sure that I'd flunk any design student who came up with this.

I would never put one on my car, let alone any of my motorcycles (street or otherwise).

Some things I'll never understand.

 

[Bobt250]

Did you ever see the video of the no-toil filter letting water pass through as if it were simply a screen?

 

[twowheels]

Did you ever see the video of the no-toil filter letting water pass through as if it were simply a screen?

Nope I haven't. My experience in cleaning a No-Toil'd filter shows no water passage and no oil removed until you apply the cleaner.

 

[Clay]

Now I'm going to ask a stupid question, what's the difference between a "RACE" and a standard EC ?

In the past, everything has been ECs. We began calling the full off road models XCs. The factory will adopt that method and bikes in Europe that are street legal will be ECs. Off road models without full street legal lights will be called XCs. Since we can not bring them here as street legal units (don't meet EPA emissions) everyting that comes into the US will be XC models. Even the graphics will match that name this year.
Just realized I forgot something.....The ECs in Europe have different suspension, mostly Sachs stuff I think. The US XCs will have Ohlins 888 shock and the Marzocchi 48mm fork.