Small changes I would like to see.

[REVERUP]

Hey Clay I know its early on and you cant make everyone happy but thought I would mention a couple simple things that shouldn't add any cost to the msrp that I would like to see changed on the US standard model E start bikes.

Please can the factory lose the key switch for a button like a Yamaha WR. Location of key switch also makes Mx number plate mounting impossible without relocation.Ya its kind of cool to be able to take the key out for added security but its also kind of a worry.

Also change the gigantic dual sport handlebar switch set up for the E start and kill switch for a smaller design, or just have 2 separate buttons, a kill switch and a start button like most enduro models. When you cut the bars down things get tight in a hurry if your running enduro equipment with that behemoth.
The brake light sensor plug ins can also go. funny there even there as they aren't plugged in to anything and they don't include a tail light. If the bikes become road legal in the future or are easily made so, then I can understand including.

Black rims suck on an offroad bike they look good on the show room but it ain't long and they look like hell.

Oh and a question, is there a MX # plate meant for the 2011 bikes? I swap back and forth between a headlight and MX plate so I need to rig something. Thinking of using the older DE MC plates from past years if there is nothing specific or even from a different brand that fits like it was made for the bike.

I think its a huge 1 up over KTM that these bikes come with the headlight and spark arrestor. Please express that we want to keep them as standard equipment!

Roscoe

 

[gasser]

Biggest single change I would like to see is a 3 gallon gas tank. I don't like carrying oil for an all day ride. The KTM guys I ride with do fine with their 2.9 gallon tanks but I always had to add fuel at the lunch stop to keep from running out. I now run the clarke 3.2 tank and don't hit reserve on the longer rides so 2.8 - 3.0 gallons would be large enough.

 

[Clay]

Hey Clay I know its early on and you cant make everyone happy but thought I would mention a couple simple things that shouldn't add any cost to the msrp that I would like to see changed on the US standard model E start bikes.

Please can the factory lose the key switch for a button like a Yamaha WR. Location of key switch also makes Mx number plate mounting impossible without relocation.Ya its kind of cool to be able to take the key out for added security but its also kind of a worry.

Also change the gigantic dual sport handlebar switch set up for the E start and kill switch for a smaller design, or just have 2 separate buttons, a kill switch and a start button like most enduro models. When you cut the bars down things get tight in a hurry if your running enduro equipment with that behemoth.
The brake light sensor plug ins can also go. funny there even there as they aren't plugged in to anything and they don't include a tail light. If the bikes become road legal in the future or are easily made so, then I can understand including.

Black rims suck on an offroad bike they look good on the show room but it ain't long and they look like hell.

Oh and a question, is there a MX # plate meant for the 2011 bikes? I swap back and forth between a headlight and MX plate so I need to rig something. Thinking of using the older DE MC plates from past years if there is nothing specific or even from a different brand that fits like it was made for the bike.

I think its a huge 1 up over KTM that these bikes come with the headlight and spark arrestor. Please express that we want to keep them as standard equipment!

Roscoe

Roscoe,
I agree on the key. It's on my list.
I'm getting mixed reaction to the "big switc". Racers hate it. Dual sport guys like it. Same with the brake light sensors.
I understand the black rim comment but have you looked at the 2011 KTM with silver rims? It looks really dull to me.
The Euros don't get the number plate thing. it's on my list for next year.
I totally agree on the headlight and SA.
Thanks for the comments!
Clay

 

[Clay]

Biggest single change I would like to see is a 3 gallon gas tank. I don't like carrying oil for an all day ride. The KTM guys I ride with do fine with their 2.9 gallon tanks but I always had to add fuel at the lunch stop to keep from running out. I now run the clarke 3.2 tank and don't hit reserve on the longer rides so 2.8 - 3.0 gallons would be large enough.

I hear you brother!
How's the grandbaby?
Clay

 

[REVERUP]

I understand the black rim comment but have you looked at the 2011 KTM with silver rims? It looks really dull to me.
Clay

Yep I've seen em. But I'm the wrong guy to ask. I think everything on a KTM looks really dull.

I'm older so my ideas may not be what today's generation wants. Cause I certainly have noticed all the rage to the younger generation these days is black rims on cars n trucks and Bikes.
Roscoe

 

[skid jackson]

The brake light sensor plug ins can also go.

not sure what you are talking about here but ...I need a rear brake light to make my bikes street legal. Usually you have to add an aftermarket hydraulic switch to the rear brake. If the gasser already comes with one in place ... so its a simple plug and play ...... thats a selling point for anyone riding enduros or turkey runs.

 

[iajim]

Black rims

I agree w/ Reverup on the black rims. I'll take function over fashion any day. One aspect worth noting is that black rims seem to "hide" small dings and dents. I'd rather be able to just glance at the rim & see if there are any irregularities. I would really like to see the mudless rims again. My '02 xc300 had those. Just a few random thoughts.

 

[REVERUP]

The brake light sensor plug ins can also go.

not sure what you are talking about here but ...I need a rear brake light to make my bikes street legal. Usually you have to add an aftermarket hydraulic switch to the rear brake. If the gasser already comes with one in place ... so its a simple plug and play ...... thats a selling point for anyone riding enduros or turkey runs.

Hey skid I understand everyone has their needs, and don't want to screw the majority out of usable equipment if the majority need it. Thats why the title says somethings I'd like to see, and that you cant please everyone.
If you can get a plate for one of these you are one of the lucky ones. We don't need plates for enduros over here on the left coast and frankly they probably won't street legal these bikes here again ever. The only way will be if Gas Gas are EPA and DOT approved street legal. They have been revoking previously qualified plates here for some time now.

Not sure how plug and play this is, the front brake light sensor isn't connected to any plug it was just dangling behind the headlight. My 2004 on the other hand was a true Ec and came with the brake light, blinkers, horn, and parking light all in working order.

Roscoe

 

[GMP]

In addition to that said:

Redesign the brake pedal pivot for strength and longevity (I have). The 8mm bolt and short shoulder sleeve do not hold up to NJ stick farms.

Add mounting points to the frame for skid plate and rad guards/braces (rear mount). I realize this would be a first, but it would make the aftermarkets job easier as well as routine service. I know the real Nambo 275 factory bike Boomer had was setup like this, very nice.

Stronger rims that hold up to rocks better, at least on the Race models, and rim locks that you don't have to toss.

Perhaps gear the bikes a bit lower for the US, at least the 250s and 200s.

Like was said in the other thread, suspension specs that are closer for the target US rider. Back in the old days the bikes beat KTMs by a mile in this respect. While most serious guys like us revalve anyway, the entry level guy may not have the coin and it would be a big selling point.

Basically anything you can do to bring the bike as close as possible to "race ready" out of the crate, while still being cost effective at the factory.

 

[Boomhauer]

It is funny you bring up my old bike Glenn.

The upper shock bolt had the nut welded to the frame and many other fasteners. This made quick work of removing the shock and yes the skid plate mounts were also welded to the frame from the factory. I ended up cutting mine off since I went to the hyde combe prior to the re-powder coating.

This might be something Clay could to talk to the factory about. The downside would be that everyone would have to run the same skid plate.

 

[REVERUP]

Stronger rims that hold up to rocks better, at least on the Race models, and rim locks that you don't have to toss.

Ya for sure Glenn. thats one of my worries with the black rims. when I bend one which I know I will. I probably don't really want to heat it up and bend it back. probably be creating another kind of damage to the rim.

Yep after owning 3 Gas Gas bikes now on the 4th Ive learned its a given when your ordering your extras, Skid plate, rad guards, disk guard etc. make sure you add rim locks to the list.

By the way I got the motion pro liteloc ones. First try, will see how they hold up, I hope they don't suck, havent seen anyones take on them yet.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/articles/view/662/motion_pro_liteloc_rim_locks/

 

[roostafish]

I want to jump on two comments listed here. I HATE needing two tools to remove the subframe, et al. captive nuts, welded on, something. This is really inexcusable. I deal with it because the bike rides so well.

Black rims....... Beautiful on the showroom. SUCK in reality. Do a few ISDE tire changes and tell me how your black rims look. Silver rims with some rim tape should satisfy the inner 16 year old well enough.

 

[moto9]

I want to jump on two comments listed here. I HATE needing two tools to remove the subframe, et al. captive nuts, welded on, something. This is really inexcusable. I deal with it because the bike rides so well.

Black rims....... Beautiful on the showroom. SUCK in reality. Do a few ISDE tire changes and tell me how your black rims look. Silver rims with some rim tape should satisfy the inner 16 year old well enough.

Amen, to that brother !!!
First on the list should be to clean-up the bikes "period"
The current fit and finish should be highly scrutinized and brought up to (dare I say) Japanese standards.
The first thing I didn't like when I uncrated my bike back in 09 was how the shrouds were attached to the gas tank...by using sheet metal screws...ala chinese...it looks more like a temporary mc'gyver fix then a planed factory attachment.
And I can find lots of the same type of stuff if I look long enough.
Think how awesome the GG would be if the fit and finish were equal to a Honda, or Yamaha.
The performance is already there...work on the small details.

 

[socalgasgas]

How about a 19" rear wheel option?

 

[Vindicator]

I understand the black rim comment but have you looked at the 2011 KTM with silver rims? It looks really dull to me.
Clay

That's is the best thing you can say about it...

 

[GasGas]

The rim locks have to go. They just suck lemons.
Bring back the U-rims in silver. One hard ride and the black is gone on the edges. And it just goes down hill from there. Excel's are highly over rated!
Clean up the 2 tool fasteners and the rear brake pedal mount.
The bikes should be able to be maintained with 2 or 3 T handles and a phillips screw driver. Makes for easy trail side repairs.
There is no reason that these bikes should not come with a fartory mounted heavy duty skid plate with real mounts built into the frame.


Trust me, the list would be a lot longer on the Yamaha that I bought for MX. It looks nice, but thats about it.

 

[mcnut]

I like the brake light pressure switches. My jerry-rigged lighting always fails eventually. The front switch does plug into the wire harness and it works. I just got the OEM sub-fender and taillight installed this week. Sweet! We have to run a plate in most Midwestern enduros.

The black rims do get ugly after a while but there's an easy fix. Get out your Sharpie or black paint pen. They may not look perfect but they look good in pictures for eBay!

 

[mcnut]

The current fit and finish should be highly scrutinized and brought up to (dare I say) Japanese standards.

Having been a Honda guy for a few decades, I can tell you the 2011s are up to the current Japanese standards. Maybe the older models weren't.

In many ways the GG have surpassed the Japanese. Have you looked at a Kawasaki up close? At least the Spaniards put grease where it's supposed to be!

 

[GMP]

The skid plate mount tabs might be a little late to the party being that so many plates are designed and available already, but should be considered in any future frame design change. What would be good is a hard pipe cage/guard system, like the Whipps (no GG part available) as part of the hard parts collection, and coresponding frame mount(s). Nothing too complicated, just a threaded sleeve welded in the lower downtube. Could also be used to mount a mudguard.

Triangulating the mounts for rad guards/braces add a lot of strength, and it would be easy at the factory, not so for the bolt on aftermarket.

Look into molding the airboot from a softer compound rubber. This will ease carb work and also make boot/carb alignment and subframe reassenmbly easier.

Oh, and how about a longer throttle cable standard.


Moto9,

The fit and finnish is apparantly a notch up on the '10 and '11 bikes including the shroud mounts. My '07 is pretty good compared to my '00 and '03. Although somewhat of a corner cutting measure, I never really had an issue with the shroud mounts. I remove the shrouds and tank as a unit for service, so I don't wear out the holes.

 

[tnttimber]

I love black rims, dont change that. I prefer the DID U rims. The bolt/nut arraningement needs to be worked on. Skid plate mounts welded to the frame. Bike need to go on a diet, its a lot heavier than it should be although you dont feel it much while riding. Stiffer suspension srings.

Nate