The Future of GasGas in the USA

[cal_tony]

Lot of good points Tony but have to disagree with you on this one. That KTM RFS motor that Beta still uses is a great motor with excellent reliability. Many KTM people wish they still used it as there are issues with their new dual oil system motors. Consider how many of those RFS motor bikes are running around out there and it's huge. The Beta is a VERY nice motorcycle with that Italian beautiful attention to detail and I personally would love to own one. I believe GG is working on a 50 state legal bike for the US market as well which is important IMO.

I wouldn't want to disagree with you on what you said about the beauty of the Beta. Side by side with a KTM and it's obvious what a good Italian designer can do to enhance the appearance of what might otherwise be a KTM.
I also wouldn't want to disagree about the reliability of the RFS motor. Compared to some other 4 stroke motors, it is reliable. I just don't think it's GG or DRZ reliable. For street use, both KTM motors just run hot. They don't carry as much oil as the GG or the DRZ and they don't have the drysump to keep the oil cool. To compensate for this shortcoming, most 4 stroke motors require constant oil changing. My neighbor, with a KTM, and I ride together quite a bit of the time. For a while I carried a thermometer with a 6" shaft with me. When we would stop, I would measure the oil temp of my GG and his KTM. My GG was always between 220-260f. His KTM was always over 300f. This would lead me to believe that those critical moving parts in my GG just never reached the same temps as his and I think that's why my valves, my pistons and my rings will definitely last longer than his.
And isn't what reliability is all about?

Tony

 

[Boomhauer]

Welcome to GasGas Anonymous:

Hi, my name is Matt... {long pause with uncomfortable silence}
I have a gasgas problem...
I have had gas since 2002.
It all started with a trials bike, then developed into an enduro thing.
Over the past 7 years, I had different types of gas (3 to be exact).
There was a brief period when I took Gas-X and was on an orange bike.
After suspending that medication, I accepted the fact that I enjoyed having gas better.
I admit... Gas feels wonderful, sounds good, gets attention, etc..

So my loyal brothers of gas, I ask you today... would you rather have a life without gas? Or accept your addiction and become one with it?
I am happy with my gas!



Thank you for listening.

{crowd applauds... a few cheers are heard too}

Matt thanks for the laugh. This is way too funny. I will never call you a traitor again!

 

[Mark Berg - CPD]

Plateable Bike

FYI: GasGas USA is currently going through the procedure with a third party to make the 450/515 street legal...expected time is 6-8 weeks. The Retail of the bike will rise a couple hundred bucks to offset the large fee's involved.

The long awaited 250F (when it arrives) will NOT be legal and we will not pursue that avenue due to lack of interest vs costs.

Also, costs will prohibit GasGas from selling more the 499 of the street legal 450/515's per year in any version, competition, halley, supermotard...not a concern in 2009, but could be next year (we hope ).

Matt--that cracked me up!

 

[Skidad]

I wouldn't want to disagree with you on what you said about the beauty of the Beta. Side by side with a KTM and it's obvious what a good Italian designer can do to enhance the appearance of what might otherwise be a KTM.
I also wouldn't want to disagree about the reliability of the RFS motor. Compared to some other 4 stroke motors, it is reliable. I just don't think it's GG or DRZ reliable. For street use, both KTM motors just run hot. They don't carry as much oil as the GG or the DRZ and they don't have the drysump to keep the oil cool. To compensate for this shortcoming, most 4 stroke motors require constant oil changing. My neighbor, with a KTM, and I ride together quite a bit of the time. For a while I carried a thermometer with a 6" shaft with me. When we would stop, I would measure the oil temp of my GG and his KTM. My GG was always between 220-260f. His KTM was always over 300f. This would lead me to believe that those critical moving parts in my GG just never reached the same temps as his and I think that's why my valves, my pistons and my rings will definitely last longer than his.
And isn't what reliability is all about?

Tony

Great info. Man that's freaking HOT HT Racing makes a nice oil cooler for the RFS bikes that also increases the capacity. Not a bad idea to invest in if you own one I suppose.

 

[REVERUP]

No worries Juice76, Gas Gas makes super durable machines, that work.

I'm also on my third one and could not be happier with the brand. Over the last 5 years these bikes have helped elevate my game and provide me with the confidence to take 3 local championships.

The amount of hours I use my machine are substantial. You see I can only afford 1 bike at a time, no practice bike for me. So it better be durable but competitive and thats exactly what Gas Gas is.

I race 2 series, enduro and offroad, am a member of a club that hosts several events, and my wife rides. So with all the practice for racing, fun rides with friends and family, pre riding, sweeping, laying out race courses, and trail work and then the fun races I do that aren't a part of any series like the 25 hour etc...Then add racing the 2 NMA series to the mix. Were talkin, many hours and miles of abuse. But in those 5 years racing Gas Gas I have only had 2 DNF's. 1 from a broken lower leg, and another from a lower end bearing collar coming apart and sticking the motor, which did not damage the case.

Parts are available as others said and I think the future of Gas Gas looks bright, they caught your eye right.

Roscoe

P.S. Very creative MattR, I about spit my drink out all over my monitor.

 

[GMP]

On my Ducati Hypermotard (with oil temp function), 300 deg F is just below the warning message and time to shut her down. No wonder the RFS is a real steamer in the tight woods. 220 - 260 is good, thats were my Duc runs in mid summer. 260 absolute tops in traffic on a hot day. LV exhaust, race ECU properly trimmed. Mixture makes a big difference, sounds like yours is set up good.

 

[coolum74]

I dont know about parts availability ,but it doesnt sound like a problem .
I hope it isn't , I'm waiting on a 08 ec300 now ( Joined the gasgas revolution).

Great that they are sponsoring a pro rider,its always been a great way to market bikes or cars.

Get your deposit back now and run as fast as you can.

I was a bit unsure at first as well, but I am glad I bought the Gasser for many reasons. Parts availabilty was a concern for me especially being in Australia. Not that I have needed many (only parts that I have damaged through bad riding), but it has never been an issue.

I would never say that the brand is the best on the market, for the simple reason it's just horses for courses. But I'm certainly happy.

Enjoy

 

[GMP]

GasGas parts availability is only a problem to people who don't own one. Its pure internet BS, mainly spread around by some (not all) guys in the orange crowd who need to feel comfortable in their decision on which bike to ride. These same guys are generally the type that need to have their hand held during the ownership experience.

I was unsure too, back in '99. Owning four GGs since and wrenching on others, I never missed a ride for lack of parts, even through all the importer turmoil.

 

[biggstr6]

"Get your deposit back now and run as fast as you can. "


What do you mean?

sounds like you like the gasgas. Or, do you mean Once I get it I'll be hooked and cost me more money for goodies & more bikes?

 

[Skidad]

GasGas parts availability is only a problem to people who don't own one. Its pure internet BS, mainly spread around by some (not all) guys in the orange crowd who need to feel comfortable in their decision on which bike to ride. These same guys are generally the type that need to have their hand held during the ownership experience.

QUOTE]

Couldn't have said it better

In this day and age of the internet and mail order everything it confounds me how worked up people get over getting parts as a deciding factor in buying a bike weather it's a GG, Husky, Beta, Sherco etc. Be resourceful, inventory some needed spares (this goes for any brand) and dare to be different. If it doesn't work out to your liking just move on already but at least give it a try. I have the best KTM dealer in New England 10 minutes from where I live (yes I also own a 97 250 KTM) but I bought the Gasser anyway because I sifted through all the BS and misconceptions floating around the NET. Alway's ask the people who DO own one and not the ones who don't and are pretty much clueless and will give you the wrong info.

 

[jhendr3702]

update.... i was wrong on my parts from go-fasters. Usually, I order on monday and get it on Friday, ground shipping.... This week I order on Monday and had it Thursday !!!!!!

Way to go go-fasters....

Oh and I ordered spares as skidad said, but I have 2 bikes that are pretty much interchangeable... I figure if one needs it, the other may also..small stuff anyway..
jay

 

[coolum74]

"Get your deposit back now and run as fast as you can. "


What do you mean?

sounds like you like the gasgas. Or, do you mean Once I get it I'll be hooked and cost me more money for goodies & more bikes?

Just sarcasm..sorry. I am stoked with my Gasser and have not once ever regretted buying it.

 

[biggstr6]

Just sarcasm..sorry. I am stoked with my Gasser and have not once ever regretted buying it.

Oh, OK Sorry I didnt catch that . Sometimes the written word is tougher to decipher than the spoken word.

I am excited too, Cant wait!