Searching for the ultimate ride

[deadeye]

Back ground. Came off of Honda XR's 200 and 250. Great bikes actually wouldn't win any races but no problems finishing either.

On a 2002 Husaberg fe400e now. seemed to be the answer at the time as i wanted a lighter bike with more modern components and power. The bike lacks a little playfulness that I was seeking although is still worlds better than my previous bikes and tractors up anything.

Goal: a lighter bike. Able to flick around and play with a little snap to it. Must also be able to climb some hills not requiring a break neck speed to get to the top.

I weigh about 150# geared been riding for 25 years. I don't race just out to have fun. My riding style seems to be faster in the tight stuff and hill climbs. Sometimes I like to lug around. usually straights and fast sections I don't really have much enjoyment at top speeds at least for extended periods.

Looking to switch to a 2 stroke. Light and agile seems to be the answer.

Having no experience on the 2 stroke I'm unsure of which size engine to get.

Was thinking the 200 would be best but I don't wish to ride at a racers pace the entire time. the lightest weight is the most appealing just not sure if i would like the motor.

Not sure about the 300 since i'm so light might be a handful.

the 250 could always be bumped up if I want more low end.

Some guidance on choosing an engine would be appreciated being new to the 2T.

 

[GasGas]

You would have lots of fun on the 200, 250. At your weight I would not over look the 125 either. I'm 200 LBS without gear and I have a hoot of a time on the 125. The GasGas 125 is rock solid and stone reliable, as are all their 2 strokes. From the kind of riding your described, you fit right in up here and a 125 is all a guy really needs where we ride. Tight, rocky and rooty terrain.

 

[swazi_matt]

I think the 300 is for you. I also had a XR200 and you can ride the 300 the same as the old 200. you can either putt around up climbs etc or you can twist your wrist a bit and it is a different bike so nice and fun

 

[Binni]

+1 on the 300, makes you king of the hill But still very light and agile bike, flickable and great lugability in the tight stuff, and when you see a big hill you are gonna have a good time!

 

[prk03]

I have a 07 250 and it is perfect. If you want to go slow it will but if you want to go fast hold on. Never found a hill it would not climb with ease. It is easy to give a little more low end with a tooth or two in the rear. I had the carb worked on at RB with proper jetting which cleaned it out with a snappy throttle. I am 175 pounds and ride 50 plus class.

 

[GMP]

prk03 summed it up good. If you don't race though, and like to technical trail ride in mountainous terrain, a 300 would be a good choice especially if your not aggressive. The weight of the 200/250/300 is about the same, frame size is the same, but the more power a bike has the more it wants to straighten out when you twist it so it feels a little heavier. Even the 300 will feel like a mountain bike compared to a big 4stroke. You could add a G2 throttle and jet it for smooth power and it will be fine.

 

[bukwheat]

Lots of good advice here and I agree with all of it. I am just about the same size as you, I am 160 lbs geared up and 5'11". I am on a 300 now, coming off an 06 250. The 250 was a great "do it all" bike. Never found a hill it wouldn't climb. I had a Rekluse clutch on it and it would lug with the best of em. Never had a minutes problem out of it. I am now breaking in the 300. This is the first bike I have had over 250 cc's. I figured the weight was very close to the same as the 250 and the power would not be so much more that I couldn't handle it. So far I am liking it. I plan to put a Revloc DynaRing in it and I suggest you look into one also. They make a bike so much more "luggable" it is astounding. You won't find a better steering bike than the GG. The quality of the bike is as good or better than any thing on the market. Let us know what you decide. Good luck with you "hunt".

 

[HuskyDude]

All suggestion on here so far are great not much to add. The 300XC would be a good choice. I sure love mine. But IMHO you would fall in love just as easily with the 250XC. If I didn't have such a fat arse and rode some where different than the Canadian Rockies. I'd be on a 250. If you get a chance you should try and get a ride on each before you buy.

 

[stainlesscycle]

200/250/300 all have their plusses. very few minuses - since the only difference is the motor, and all the motors have proven to be very solid.... you can tune each motor to mimic whatever style you like. they all have plenty of hp for 150lb rider...

the general consensus is the 200 and 250 can be ridden faster longer, due to less throttle fatigue. the 300 will lug up anything. you can trail ride any of them.. the 200 needs to be on the pipe on giant hills, but with proper gearing that's not breakneck speed either. the 200 and 250 are snappier. they'll all be lighter and snappier than an xr200/250. you will need to relearn some techniques, as none of them handle like a 4 stroke (not a bad thing...)

 

[deadeye]

Wow thx for all the replies so quickly.

I guess all of you are like me waiting for some better weather to ride.

after reading this I know a little more about the GG's

I thought the 200 was a fair a mount lighter like on KTM's If thats not the case then I would probably Get a 300. If I think its way to much bike I can put a 250 kit on it and sell the 300 parts hehe.

I actually went to the KTM shop to buy a 200XC but it was gone which is fine now I can spend some more time figuring things out.

2009 and up seems to be the models to get for GG right now?

 

[GMP]

The GG 200 is based on the 250, so there is not much difference in weight. That said all GGs are more compact than 250/300 KTMs so the difference in size between the 200s is not night and day. Steering is second to none on a GG.

Where are you located and what kind of hills are we talking about? If your at a high altitude then the 300 would make up for the loss. In the tight, sandy southeast at sea level with smaller hills (a lot like south NJ) I don't want any more than a 250, and I've raced all sizes from 200 to 450F. I ride a mix of steep rocky hills and tight pine woods and the 250 does it all, you really can't go wrong with it.

 

[deadeye]

I ride in in the cascade range mostly at east fort rock and some other places its about 4500-6500 feet.

On the coastal range its only about 300-800 feet.

The newer gas gas shows the 200's weigh at 94kg and 300 102kg.

From the 4 stroke to two stroke there was a huge difference and from the 300 to the 200 just a slight difference at least just leaning it over in the shop.

These were KTM's though.

trying to find a dealer near me to go see the GG in person.