New member, first post... Trying to become a first time GG owner!

[Kyle01]

Thanks in advance for any assistance you might give me. I've been riding big heavy dual sports for a while now and my primary goal has been a bike that I can ride 300 miles on Friday fully loaded for camping, 2 track all day Saturday and haul my tired bones home on Sunday. For the past 2 years my trusty Husky TR has done just that- but I made the fortunate mistake of riding someone's KTM 300 on the trails.... Love. So I took a look at my stable and offered up my DRZ supermoto for trade and I've got 2 bikes that I'm trying to choose between. That being said, I'm not expecting these to carry much gear or cover 300 highway miles. I will however need it to be able to cover some highway (the places I ride require some on-road) so street legality is necessary

My choices:
2005 Gas Gas fsr450. It's low hour and has an FMF slip on, Scott's dampener and some spare parts. Brand new fuel pump.

2009 Gas Gas ec250. 119hrs, never ridden on the street. Looks new

Any recommendations?? Apples to oranges, I know. Both would be fun.

 

[JP4]

Cheers, and welcome to the forum.

Straight up ... I have no knowledge of the GG FSR 4-ts. Dunno what engine the 05 FSR 450 is derived from (maybe Yamaha). The 4-t GG's are a somewhat rare beast from my experience - never seen one in person.

The 09 2-t 250 is a known commodity. Lots of info and parts availability. The engine is pretty similar through to current models. I have a 2010 300 which is not that much different. My bike is road plated for convenience - legallly riding from trail to trail - but it's not much fun on pavement. These are full on off-road rides and not really dual-sport bikes.

Maybe this helps ...

Jason

 

[Fred1956]

My opinion......You'll be happier long term with the 2t.

The 4t models while still a GasGas have been plagued with ECM and fuel injection issues and there isn't a huge amount of knowledge that is wide spread on them. There are 2-3 guys on here that do have experience and very good knowledge of them (Big China is one I think). However, when they are right, they are indeed a good machine.

The 2t may be an issue for titling & plating as I'm under the impression some/most of them have some kind of code on the title the 'tags' them as off-road only. I have no experience with this but I also know many have been able to tag & title their bikes, seems to depend on the state and even the individual DMV office involved.

There is far more info for the 2t models here than the 4t. Do some homework on the tag/title thing and then choose.

Again, I have not owned a 4t model, just observed the replies or lack there of with those seeking info. I also have no experience trying to get a 2t street legal. Just my observations.

 

[Jakobi]

As above.

I'd consider the 4T a risk - not that they are unreliable - but they don't have the knowledge base or info availability that the 2T range has. Plus, if looking at purchasing a 4 stroke there are more brands with more offerings, and its easy to find a better bike for the coin. Just my opinion.

 

[1RobAusdemore]

I have a EC 250 that is street legal in Minnesota. Where do you live? I think in some states it can be almost impossible, and in others it's much easier than you would expect.

 

[Kyle01]

Thanks for the input- I picked up the 250. I'm in Wisconsin and I've plated a KTM 450smr here before- and the title I got is a clean Michigan street title- so shouldn't be a problem. I'll let ya know as soon as I try.

 

[Jakobi]

Congrats on the purchase! Pic time!

 

[Kyle01]

New to me 09' EC250.

Traded a DRZ400 (08') for it. I don't like stickers... So it's just red/black. And I hate the front fender- I've read a YZ fender is a bolt on? Any 00's YZ? Also- this thing came with a steering dampener- a rotary type. Not like a Scott's- well, kind of I guess. Not that it needs it (or I've read) but I've got no clue how it mounts. Also, it's got a Clarke 3.? Gal tank. I need to set it up for my type of riding (gotta figure out how to power my gps, should be easy enough) and the best way to carry some spares and the like (wolfman mini panniers??) Also- how the hell do you get a thirsty 2t 100 miles between fuel stations? Should I have gotten a 4t? I'm pretty much kidding... Although I've got some adjusting to do.

Can't figure out how to put multiple pics up or I'd show the other side. It's got a full FMF exhaust on it with a carbon fiber guard and a scorpion belly pan. I'm excited.

 

[liv2day]

I'm excited.

Congrats man - looks like a nice, clean bike We picked up pretty much the same bike for my brother-in-law ('08 250). It's a heck of a machine, definitely more oomph than my 200...lol.

I'm not sure about getting 100 miles, might be possible with the Clarke tank, but I think it'd be a stretch. One thing that might help is the head mod; had that done on my 200 (RB Designs) and my riding range up to 55-60 miles of decent pace on single track.

What brand is the steering damper? If you're not interested in keeping it, let me know - been seriously considering one for my '11 200 (don't know if it'll fit though).

Be sure to post up your first ride report once you get her sorted

 

[thumperflipper]

that is a nice looking bike, esp with the black rims.

I have the Clarke and can easily get 80 miles (depending on my riding style that day) on my 07 EC 300 (one day I got 60 mi out of my stock tank).

A smartcarb with the Clark tank might be your best bet

Does anyone know if the Smartcarb coupled with the head mod produces additive MPG gains?

 

[Kyle01]

I've gotta figure that out... I'm not guessing a rotopax is gonna fit anywhere real easily. I'm the only 2t in our group and all the other bikes can easily top 100 miles. I'm reading around 25mpg at a pretty good pace? So a slowpoke like myself should see 80 or so pretty easily I'm hoping. Maybe I'm making too big of a deal out of it. I'm used to a big ass DS bike with almost 200mi range. I'll put on my big boy pants and quit bitchin. Sure is pretty though!

 

[gasser]

RB head mod is cheap and good for at least a 10% increase in mileage. Bike will run better and be much easier to jet. If you come close to any stores where gas is available you can carry extra oil. I run Amsoil Sabre (a 100/1 oil) at 70-75/1. Sabre is available in small soft squeeze packets that I mix 1 packet to .7 US gallon. I carry them in my camelback. If you choose not to use a 100/1 oil you can put whatever oil you run in one of those flimsy plastic pint bottles that drinking water comes in and collapse it so you can stuff it in a pocket. One oz. of oil will do .3 gallons at 40/1 and will do .4 gallons at 50/1. Fill the pint bottle twice for each oz. of oil at 40/1 and three times for 50/1.

 

[Kyle01]

Thanks for the tip. If you're still down in Cookeville my girlfriend grew up there. Gotta be some great riding there- I've spent plenty of time down around Knoxville (but only street bikes) and it's such an amazing state.