Potential Gasser

[dxdt]

Hello All!

Greetings from snowy northern Utah. I am glad to be part of this forum. I do have a few questions for all you resident Gas Gas experts though. I am an avid desert racer here in Utah and and seriously considering a "new" Gas Gas. I currently ride an '06 yz250. I am set on owning/racing a two stroke but have some concerns as to whether pulling the trigger on a Gas Gas is going to be right for me. I have previously owned an older (~1999) Gas Gas trials bike, a txt 280 if I'm not mistaken but that was a few years ago and the brand has intrigued me ever since. My concern is mainly the suspension on the Gassers. I already know I will love the 6 speed trans.

The main reason I bought my yz is the suspension, I absolutely love the twin chamber SSS suspension. Are the 48mm TC zokes any comparison to the kayaba? What about the Ohlins forks? I came across a post on here about someone who did a fork swap on their gasser and I need to look more into it, but was it a viable option? What year/model(race, six days, nombotin, etc) would be best for 70/30 fast single track/rocky technical? Thank you all in advance for your opinions on this. And one last thing, are there any Utah or desert racers on here? I think Gas Gas is missing a target audience in the desert.

 

[Jakobi]

The Ohlins 888 shock will work just as well as any other after a revalve to suit your needs. The reports from all who own the 48mm CC zokes are very positive. Right up there with all the other twin chamber/closed cartridge designs. I don't think you'd find it a step backwards from the KYB SSS forks at all, but its only an opinion and not based off any experience or seat time. I have a 2010 model and dropped in a set of TTX inserts to replace the stock Sachs OC internals. Worlds apart as expected. I have been so impressed with them out of the box I haven't had to do much more than have a little play with the spring preload, clickers, and oil heights. They just keep soaking up everything I throw at them, from technical ST through to fast flowy wooped out fire trail.

 

[GMP]

The Ohlins 888/and Zoke 48mm combo is very good, like anything you will want to tweak the valving though. You don't need TTX. The new bikes have a much more aggressive feel and perfect balance between steering and stability. The fork has similar internal dimmensions (piston/cartridge sizes) to a KYB SSS fork. The difference is the floating piston (free piston in KYB) starts out at a 7mm preload and can be adjusted up, where the KYB is actually zero preload. This keeps the cavitation down and gives the fork that firm initial feel. Its firm, but does not deflect and you learn to trust and like it. I'm experimenting with dropping the main spring preload down to 2mm so the PFP adjustment will be more usefull.

FWIW, you can put a YZ front end with clamps and SSS forks on a GG with great results.

 

[dxdt]

Thank you for the input. I've been shopping around for a while. are there any major advantages to the 2012 over a 2010 or 2011? I know they changed the linkage and frame in 2012 but other than that is there any benefit to buying a newer one? I kind of like the look of the 2010/2011 frame better.
I haven't confirmed this yet but did GG do away with the steering stops? or was that a figure of speech? Also, is the transmission considered a wide ratio? thanks again for your input.

 

[GMP]

The '12 has the newer 48mm forks, frame is bigger, and overall a better racer expecially for higher speed events. A no brainer for desert. You would hate the Zoke 45mm fork on the '10/'11 after riding the YZ with SSS, trust me I have a GG with each. The older open chamber fork is decent in technical woods but at speed its not in the same class. '12 is also taller than prior years too. Steering stops are bolts in the lower clamps. The larger frame spars on the '12 limits lock a bit more than the older frame but its not bad and will be a non-issue for desert riding. Transmission is perfect, always was, no BS like XC/XCW KTMs. Its a semi close six speed, gear to your preference and ride. Stock geraring would probably work good in the dez, for woods we go lower.

For desert its an easy decision, '12/'13.

 

[Jakobi]

I agree with all above! The 2011 Race models were fitted up with the 48mm CC Zokes if you wanted to go that way, however judging from all reports the 2012 was a significant step forward in regards to chasis. Thats from reports of people who have owned 2007-2011 models and then upgraded.

The gearbox is near perfect and with 13/50 my 250 will still run up to around 120km/hr (maybe more - I never hold it flat for too long) while still being tight enough to be able to stay on the pipe through the gears with enough gusto to have the front wheel lofting in 5th. I've never had any issues with the box feeling wrong.


I'd personally get a 2012+ just for the increased footpeg clearance. Thats my only real complaint about my 2010.

 

[desertgasser300]

The 48mm zokes inspire way more confidence riding fast thru the gnarly stuff. It feels like it floats over the top of the rock gardens at a faster speed.

 

[siaknijustin]

. And one last thing, are there any Utah or desert racers on here? I think Gas Gas is missing a target audience in the desert.

I don't race but I'm on here! I was a sweeper at the USRA round last year at Bull Hollow and decided that I'd have to be in a lot better shape to race. Anyway, I'm clear down in the SE corner of the state; between Moab and Powell.

 

[dxdt]

I'd personally get a 2012+ just for the increased footpeg clearance. Thats my only real complaint about my 2010.

What do you mean by footpeg clearance?

I'm glad to see another Utahn on here. I did race bull hollow last year but had some technical difficulties. I stripped my shift lever shortly into the first loop and had some nice gentleman in the pits fix it for me every time I finished a loop. He would torque it down harder and harder each time I finished the loop, but it would only last a few minutes into the loop, even with me trying to go easy on it.

Anyway, how do you like your gasser for the Blanding area? How is the high speed stability?

 

[Jakobi]

Footpeg clearance. The distance from the ground to the footpeg. Its noticably lower on the pre 2012 models than the competition. Thats what happens when you have a lower seat height I guess. I own a Yamaha WR250F and in comparison the gasser makes me feel like I'm going to grab the edges of ruts etc a bit more often than I'd like. The 2012 models have increased clearance.

It might not be a biggy for you riding in the des but here we have heaps of roots, ruts and fallen trees. The more clearance I have the better.

 

[twowheels]

dxdt ... I get it! Do you go by Velocity or Speed?

If you're starting fresh, the choice is really only between the 2011 Race (48 Marzocchis) and any of the 2012s or 2013s. In my opinion, the Marzocchi 48s out of the box make any consideration of the Marz 45s moot ... it's just not worth going there. Tuned they are even better.

The newer chassis has a stouter feel, and gives you the confidence to hit obstacles at a higher speed. With the taller footpegs came a taller seat and a larger rider compartment.

The 2011 Race has a more compact feel, and if you're in the rocks a lot the more protected linkage of the older bike may offset the lower footpegs. If you're a little shorter the bike might fit you better, but the new chassis is very well done.

 

[siaknijustin]

I'm glad to see another Utahn on here. I did race bull hollow last year but had some technical difficulties. I stripped my shift lever shortly into the first loop and had some nice gentleman in the pits fix it for me every time I finished a loop. He would torque it down harder and harder each time I finished the loop, but it would only last a few minutes into the loop, even with me trying to go easy on it.

If you were on a YZ250 in the first big bike race starting on/near the last row, then I would've followed you for about half of the first loop aboard a Husky WR360.

If you saw a blue/yellow husky, that was me. Pretty sure that I was the only Husky there.

Anyway, how do you like your gasser for the Blanding area? How is the high speed stability?

I've only had the bike for a few months but so far I'm really impressed with it. It does everything I want it to do and inspires confidence.
As you've probably heard, the handling on these bikes is 2nd to none. At slow speeds they're extremely precise and I've found myself turning too tight at times. That only happens because I'm not completely used to its precision. At high speeds, my gasser does feel just slightly loose compared to my old Husky but not at all nervous feeling; no headshake either! My husky was a really long feeling bike and that translated into excellent high speed stability at the cost of low speed flickability. The GasGas sacrifices very minimal stability for outstanding flickability. I'm sure with a stabilizer there's no speed or terrain you wouldn't feel comfortable with.

 

[dxdt]

Finally, someone gets my name. Ha ha, I'm on a few local forums and no one has ever mentioned it. I think I'd go by velocity, for the vectors, I would like to think I had a direction....

If you were on a YZ250 in the first big bike race starting on/near the last row, then I would've followed you for about half of the first loop aboard a Husky WR360.

If you saw a blue/yellow husky, that was me. Pretty sure that I was the only Husky there.

I do remember seeing an older Husky out there. I was stuck in 4th gear that loop, plus I was running a rekluse which worked against me in this situation. I wanted one of those wr360s for a long long time but could never find one close enough to consider buying.

Well it sounds like a 2012+ is going to be my next bike. I hope I can find one before the season really takes off. Thank you guys for all of your input.