New Gas Gas 200

[Rob1965]

I currently ride a 2013 Husky TXC 310 and like the bike but am thinking I should go to a 2 stroke. The GG 200 looks to be a great bike for me. I am 5 "9
170 lbs and am 49 years old with a decent skill level. I am really focused on the 2015 model. Any input from current 200 owners or others would be greatly appreciated and any differences between a KTM 200.

 

[hamilton]

I really like my 200, if I were to buy a new one it would be at the top of my list. I can't say any thing bad about the ktm 200 both are great bikes.

 

[john r b]

+1 I agree with Hamilton, When the time comes I will get another 200. The '15's look nice.Sorry i have no experience on ktm.

 

[phoenix]

I'm almost the perfect comparison! My last 4 stroke was a Husky TXC 250 and despite the laundry list of problems I had with it, I loved the bike. I decided for my next bike I would go with a 2 stroke which I had never even really ridden one before. I got a 2013 Gas Gas 300 because everyone told me it was a good inbetween (3 stroke) and 2 rides and I was in love. The bike FELT so much lighter than the Husky when you were moving even though it was actually heavier on the scales. The 300 has e-start. People have been yapping at me for 2 years telling me I should get a KTM 200 and that I would love it. So, I kind of took their advice and got a Gas Gas 200 and love it even more than the 300! They both have their strong points, but the 200 is just so light feeling both riding and picking it up. I'm short at 5'6" and Gasser 200 at stock height is perfect. As far as handling, you won't get much closer to a Husky than a Gas Gas. The KTMs/Husabergs/HusKTMVarnas handle significantly differently than you're used to with that TXC. The height of the newer Gassers is similar to the TXC.

As for comparison with the KTM 200, I have ridden one (a 2014) and it was a nice bike. I think the KTM might have a little more motor out of the box, but it wasn't enough to sell me. Heck the KTM even had estart and my Gasser 200 (2014) doesn't and it still wasn't enough to sell me. I just really like the handling of the Gassers better. They are kind of easy going like the Huskies and really flow well in trees and tight stuff. To me, the KTM feels like it wants to fall over and every KTM I've ever ridden (including the 250 I owned) felt like it needed a steering dampner to be safe. And, the KTM is significantly taller. The one I rode was lowered and was about the same ride height as my 200 Gasser. You might like that having a few inches on me.

You know what one of my favorite things about the Gassers are? I almost never work on them other than maintenance stuff and tinkering with the jetting! But that's 2 strokes in general. No valves, no shims, no cam chains.

 

[2004ec200]

Rob,

We are almost the same for stats. I usually get a different bike ever few years just to try something different or maybe its the grass is always greener on the other side. Anyway I now have the ec200, although not a 2015 model The 200 engine feels more like a beefed up 125 to me. I've had couple of kdx 200's and ridden a few more to know I like the KDX 200 motor better than the ec200. If I were to get another gasgas I would get a 250. I think for me the 300 would pull harder than I like off idle. For enduro's or trail riding I like a smooth ride, not in just suspension but also engine response. The ec200 requires more clutch work than a kdx200, that's were the 250 would come in. As for handling and suspension I think its great, even with the Marzocchi forks. Its feels real light and nimble and sticks to the ground in corners. For me the 250 would be hard to beat. The 200 is list a little under powered on the bottom, other than that one issue I like the 200.


edit: I've never been on a KTM200. I can't get past the color. I did try a ktm250 4 stroke once and hated it. I also tried a friends ktm300 2t and also did not like it.

 

[firffighter]

Previous post has it dead on. Current ride is a '03 EC200. Had a couple of KTM 200's over the years .

The EC200 is the best handling bike in the woods I've ever owned. Nimble and stable at the same time. Carves really well and is a great tight woods bike. It definitely is lacking power wise though, especially on the bottom end. I've made several changes looking for a little more umph, but it isn't a powerhouse on the bottom. I agree it gives up some power to the old KDX and the KTM 200 is quite a bit more snappy.

It's all a trade off with the awesome handling of the EC200 compared to the KTM.

If you could do a bore kit on it and punch it to a 220 or 225, then I think it'd be perfect.

 

[2004ec200]

I would like to add the EC200 is not a slow bike by any means. A little under powered off idle but once in the pipe, yeha. A 125 would not stay up with this bike. A few weeks ago some friends and I were drag racing the bikes. A yz250f and crf250x got beat every time. A Huskvarna wr300 beat me by a wheel. I think I could have won but I just could not keep the front wheel down off the starts and had to let off the throttle every time. The drag strip was about 500 feet long.

 

[Jetster220]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlFgQESUK40
Thats me racign my '12 EC200, and nearly holeshotting against a bunch of 450's. Ive ridden a KTM200, nearly was going to get one before my Gasser, then I rode a Gasser, and have never thought of a KTM since. When I rode the KTM, didnt like it at all, kept feeling like it wanted to run over berms, wouldnt stay in ruts, and just felt twitchy. Got on my Gasser, and felt at home from the first kick, best handling bike I've ever owned.

 

[liv2day]

The EC200 is the best handling bike in the woods I've ever owned. Nimble and stable at the same time. Carves really well and is a great tight woods bike. It definitely is lacking power wise though, especially on the bottom end. I've made several changes looking for a little more umph, but it isn't a powerhouse on the bottom. I agree it gives up some power to the old KDX and the KTM 200 is quite a bit more snappy.

+1

I came off an orange 300 after riding a friend's orange 200 and realized the 300 wasn't the bike for me. I liked the KTM 200 and think it's a good bike, but the front end didn't feel nearly as planted as when I test rode the GG200 (have an '11). It's been such a great bike that I convinced my wife to let me sell her orange 250 4T and get another GG200

Great bike and when it comes time to get a new steed for the garage, it'll be the first bike I look at.

 

[barossi73]

Brilliant in the tight,superlight feel,planted front,(zokes/ohlins'13),very rewarding to ride.yes a little extra clutch work in th ugly stuff but th hydraulic clutch is so light its a pleasure and th mid to top end pulls hard.(vforce3 pwk as2).if u like getting up on the pegs u will love these bikes!if u don't the seat will teach u to!in just 1 day!factory guarantee!
and the '15 is prob better!