NEW! GasGas EC250 4-stroke w/Yamaha Engine!

I think GG is off on the wrong track here. If I wanted a Yamaha I would go down to the Yamaha store and buy one. The 250f market is crowded with the most excellent KTM and Yamaha leading the pack with the street legal Husky also available.

I'd be a little concerned if I was a dealer ordering these machines. The GG300 has a decent following and some KTM riders have been picking them up. I just don't see a new 250f from GG making any inroads unless it has something really different to offer. The frame and suspension difference aren't going to do it IMHO. Street legal would grab some sales though.
 
Here's Sherco's 250F!
Found post on Thumper Talk:
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=719128

Sherco-25i_1498.jpg
 
Here is some interesting reading. Aussie Dirt Bike Mag shootout between the KTM, Husky, Sherco and Yamaha 250 4 strokes for 09. The Honda was not available yet. I like that Sherco and with proper tweaks could be super sweet.

FWIW they mention the Yami motor needs a 6th gear and even though jetted perfectly was a good bit less fuel efficient than the others in the test. Very good overall power though.

http://www.adbmag.com/ContentItem.aspx?contentID=3994
 
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I didn't want to poo-poo the idea, but just sticking a yamaha motor in it does nothing for GasGas. There is nothing unique to draw in buyers. The 250 4T market is overloaded as is. I agree with Glenn that it does lower investment cost but GasGas needs to only use the yamaha engine as a starting point. Perhaps the 5 speed tranny would work, but the 6 speed allows you to modify/fine tune final drive ratios with sprockets much better. I'm not going for top speed, but better spread of power.

IMO, GasGas should purchase unassembled engine components from Yamaha. They can install their own "300cc+ cylinder and piston kit", install the other Yamaha valve/cam components, and Yamaha lower case with tranny according to GG's spec. Then, replace the side covers with GG versions. This would be a true GasGas-Yamaha hybrid with a unique 300/350cc displacement. It's something that I would be willing to buy.
 
yamahahahahaha

If i wanted a jap bike i'd buy a jap bike, I say this is crap!!!!!!!
GG should build their own engine or stay with a Euro builder. I can't see it, even if they do top end suspension there are plenty of tuners doing the Yamaha's suspension and getting great results, why not just buy a Yamaha and tune it to yourself???

And regaurding KTM reliability, I've owned many of these hated orange bikes including some 4st models, and ride with many people that still ride them. I can say with complete confidence that KTM builds a bullet prof bike, as good as any and better than most. You can not buy a better bike than a KTM IMO. I prefer the GG but i don't think for one second it's a better bike. My reason for not riding orange is political as i'm big into road racing and KTM pulled some stinky crap in GP with the Roberts team, also some poor moves in enduro management over the years. Otherwise i would still be very happy with the orange machines.

I say NO to Yamaha.:D :D :D
 
Yes they did. I think this company survived as long as it did by playing it conservative, building on its strengths, and minimizing risk. This is no different. Don't forget GG is a SMALL company, nothing like KTM much less one of the Japaneese four. Let their marketing research play out. Also, no one said this was a replacement for their own motor, or they were giving up. According to the guys I talked to at the NYC show that were at the factory, the GG designed motor does exist, is quite small and powerful, but is not production ready.
 
I'd also add to the whats it gonna have that the yamaha won't question???
Maybe sell it as an upmarket 250f that yamaha wouldn't put together?? I'm currently looking at a 200 or 125 2t to replace my 300. If I got some ride time on a 250f and liked it I might go that route. If the gasser was a bit up market and had a little extra something that the yammie did not I might buy one. If it was similar to the yammie and priced the same I still might buy one. right now I'm still leaning to the 2t. ktm 2t is at the head of the pack at the moment .... 2t's are less work to take care of.
 
off subject.. if you want a 200 the Gasser is quite stronger in the motor and much more "flickable" I have had both
 
I suspect that this bike will attract current or past GG owners who like the chassis, but also like 250F style power. It doesn't sound like they would build a lot of them, maybe enough to fill a niche market. Sure the average buyer on the street is likely to choose the Yamaha, its a safe bet. Just like the KTM herd mentality, "If most people have one it must be best".

Speaking of KTM, there building a small sports car, the "X-Bow" or "Cross Bow", with an Audi engine. One could say, "Why not just buy a real Audi?"

It will be interesting to see how this plays out both here and in Europe.
 
GMP said:
Yes they did. I think this company survived as long as it did by playing it conservative, building on its strengths, and minimizing risk. This is no different. Don't forget GG is a SMALL company, nothing like KTM much less one of the Japaneese four. Let their marketing research play out. Also, no one said this was a replacement for their own motor, or they were giving up. According to the guys I talked to at the NYC show that were at the factory, the GG designed motor does exist, is quite small and powerful, but is not production ready.
Click to expand...

GMP is spot on here. Husky and TM are dropping major time and money into making new lightweight 250 4T motors. Sherco took 3 or 4 years to get out their 250f. GG has mitigated their risk and decided to concentrate their efforts in what they do best. This move should get 250f Gassers into the hands of the small group of GG riders that are really willing to put their money down on a 250f. In my opinion, most all of the guys attracted to the GasGas brand and no-nonsense riders that prefer a 2 banger.
 
With the world's economy in shambles, we should be lucky that Gas Gas is giving us an option of having a 4 stroke 250.

Maybe the Yamaha 250 motor is a stop gap so they can make some money to put back into their R+D program.

What's the biggest "problem" on Jap bikes?
Everything around the motor falls apart after a few races.
So having a Jap motor in a Gas Gas
chassis is having the best of both worlds.
 
Exactly...

I don't quite understand why some of you guys are so negative about simply having another choice.
 
As long as there's no Yamaha branding on the engine, I'd be okay with it. I would hope the price is significantly cheaper than the true GasGas thumpers. Hell, it shouldn't be more than the 2-strokes either.

Wouldn't mind adding a 250f to the stable. My dream: GasGas EC300R, FSR515, 250f and a Raga 300. That'd be one nice looking garage!
 
I need to throw my two cents in. Have you guys ridden the new alum. four stroke yamahas? They suck "IMO" in the woods. Top heavy, and long steering POSs. I owned one for 2 1/2 seasons and I absolutley could not get that bike to handle technical woods riding to same my life. Suspension was great and motor was outstanding. You could blitz whoops and rip through bermed up corners all day long. Put that bike into tight nasty woods section and man, it felt like it was literally 2'-0" longer then my gas gas's. It also had that heavy feel to it and it was the YZ version. Even my 515 out carved my 250F Yamaha! (It did everything easier except whoops.) If you do nothing but ride high speed stuff with lots of sand, moto, and whoops, you should be on the Yami. If you are a hardcore offroad (woods rider) the choice is clear. Gas Gas. Just my opinion. I think it is a safe option for now (by Gas Gas). I just hope that if they do release this bike, it has a hydro clutch. That was another BIG complaint of mine. Also, it would be cool if they included some type of billet plug to delete the electric start if you so choose. My 250F was a vary easy starter with the kicker - Hot or Cold.

Brian
 
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