USA Gas Gas importer ?

[PEB]

Rub it in why don't you! The "great" state of Washington has made it nearly impossible to convert a bike. I have been conecting trails for a year and a half now with no plate. The money I have saved on tabs shopuyld pay for the inevitable ticket. If It were not for this sweet job I have I would move, Kelowna BC sure seems nice. I will likely start shoping for a new bike in about a year not sure if I will pursue a plateable one or not.

Paul B

 

[GMP]

I just got a Vermot tag, no problem. Paul, you can look into an out of state transfer and see if its any eaiser than a new registration. Here they have it clamped down pretty tight now. If I didn't need a plate for enduros I wouldn't even bother, it would make no difference, my 4x4 truck is illegal on the trails.

You guys are in paradise compared to NJ.

 

[AZRickD]

I sent GG-USA an email telling him to reserve an EC300 for Summer 2008.

 

[bobr]

I feel bad for you guys!

In NH you can take the MSO with the "for off road use only" label and make a title.

Here's how it goes.

Add a working headlight and brake light, rubber horn, mirror and take it down to the dealer. Have the dealer fill out the check list saying it has been converted for road use. Then take that checklist plus the MSO to the DMV and now you have a title.

May not be like this in a couple of years but we'll have to see...

Did that work for you? The last bike I sold from Advantage in 05 and tried to have titled got kicked out. The DMV's are using an updated program that catches the "unrecognized" VIN's.

 

[bobr]

Quote: "The 07 and 08 two-strokes and four-strokes have all been approved by the US Government for importing as a competition motorcycle (one of the problems Dixie Sales was having problems with.)"

Wasn't this always the case? That's why the VIN's aren't recognized in the DMV computers. They are imported as race bikes and don't have VIN's designating them as road vehicles.

The last time I was involved with this I spoke with a representative from the NSTB. They control the importation of vehicles. He told me the Gas-Gas's where imported correctly as race vehicles with VIN's that aren't recognized and would designate that the vehicles meet all DOT regulations for an on road vehicle.

He explained they are running out of VIN numbers for imported "street" vehicles and the NSTB would be cracking down on all vehicles that have recognized VIN's but don't meet the requirements for such a designation. IE-Bikes like YZ's, RM's, KX's, would have to have VIN's like the Gas-Gas's.

He also informed me that a nationwide program was being launched for DMV's to have a linked computer system the will flag bikes, or vehicles, with unrecognized VIN's and any state to be found titling these vehicles will be fined heavily.

When Husky started selling their 4-strokes with titles they got a huge leap on the competition and this issue. So the days of registering dirt bikes with unrecognized VIN's are growing shorter.

 

[bobr]

Hmmm? Well that should be good, my dealings with Dale and Jim back in '94 were good when Dale brought in the original GasGas 125 and 250 with the TM motors.

Dale's an awesome guy to deal with. I used to call him up for a Trials bike and it would be waiting for me in Boston within 2 days for pickup. What was his last name?...Mcklusky or something like that.

 

[Eric K]

Quote: "The 07 and 08 two-strokes and four-strokes have all been approved by the US Government for importing as a competition motorcycle (one of the problems Dixie Sales was having problems with.)"

Wasn't this always the case? That's why the VIN's aren't recognized in the DMV computers. They are imported as race bikes and don't have VIN's designating them as road vehicles.

The last time I was involved with this I spoke with a representative from the NSTB. They control the importation of vehicles. He told me the Gas-Gas's where imported correctly as race vehicles with VIN's that aren't recognized and would designate that the vehicles meet all DOT regulations for an on road vehicle.

He explained they are running out of VIN numbers for imported "street" vehicles and the NSTB would be cracking down on all vehicles that have recognized VIN's but don't meet the requirements for such a designation. IE-Bikes like YZ's, RM's, KX's, would have to have VIN's like the Gas-Gas's.

He also informed me that a nationwide program was being launched for DMV's to have a linked computer system the will flag bikes, or vehicles, with unrecognized VIN's and any state to be found titling these vehicles will be fined heavily.

When Husky started selling their 4-strokes with titles they got a huge leap on the competition and this issue. So the days of registering dirt bikes with unrecognized VIN's are growing shorter.

bobr,

Thanks for the great explanation. This is the best explanation I have heard so far on what is going on with VIN's and what the NTSB and DMV's are up to.

It looks like it will be a matter of time before plates will be recalled on those motorcycles that were not DOT street legal.

This is a great opportunity for GG to expand their market by getting DOT approval for their enduro motorcycles. Since the EC200, EC250 and EC300 meet the stringent Euro emissions standards, why not get them certified to meet the US street emissions standards and get DOT street legal approval? GG could still offer racing versions just like they do Europe. The market for a street legal EC 2T would be big in the US with plates being revoked on other bikes.

 

[jeffd]

Dale's an awesome guy to deal with. I used to call him up for a Trials bike and it would be waiting for me in Boston within 2 days for pickup. What was his last name?...Mcklusky or something like that.

Dale Malasek - both importer and rides trials too. And ditto on "awesome guy".

jeff

 

[jeffd]

bobr,

Thanks for the great explanation. This is the best explanation I have heard so far on what is going on with VIN's and what the NTSB and DMV's are up to.

It looks like it will be a matter of time before plates will be recalled on those motorcycles that were not DOT street legal.

This is a great opportunity for GG to expand their market by getting DOT approval for their enduro motorcycles. Since the EC200, EC250 and EC300 meet the stringent Euro emissions standards, why not get them certified to meet the US street emissions standards and get DOT street legal approval? GG could still offer racing versions just like they do Europe. The market for a street legal EC 2T would be big in the US with plates being revoked on other bikes.

U.S. emissions standards for motorcycles are more stringent than european standards. Although, if you spend enough money on controls/injection - anything is possible.

jeff

 

[nhrider]

Did that work for you? The last bike I sold from Advantage in 05 and tried to have titled got kicked out. The DMV's are using an updated program that catches the "unrecognized" VIN's.

I did that with my CRF250X but that was in 2005. I haven't had the time to do my GG. My GG has a MA title so I'm hoping everything goes smooth. If not I'll have to sell the GG and pick up something else. I guess I'll see.

 

[bobr]

Can somebody get me Dale's number. I just learned our local dealer is going belly up and I'd like to inquire on what this new deal is with Gas-Gas and what the parameters are for setting up a new dealer. It used to be a new dealer had to pay for their first shipment of bikes and flooring wasn't offered till late in the deal.

 

[AZRickD]

He responded to this e-mail address..

gasusa(at)qni.com

How many of us plan on supporting Gas Gas by purchasing a new Gas Gas this Fiscal Year?

Rick

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Just bought an 07 in July, but I'm planning on getting a trials bike next spring (hopefully) and depending on the 08 ISDE, possibly another enduro bike. I'm gonna be poor for quite some time.

 

[bobr]

Theres' a huge opportunity to open a "woods" store in our area. Like any one else I don't have the dough...just the knowledge. I've seen so many owners over the years work their asses off to do the wrong thing when it's way easier to do it right. Treat people fairly and with respect and they'll keep coming back. I bent over backwards to help customers. Some of them are in here and can attest to it. I'd kill to have my own store. I've seen so many people piss it all away...............Some day....maybe I'll hit Powerball.

Thanks for the contact info on dale,

 

[PEB]

I'll support them buy keeping my 02 in tip top shape with a steady stream of replacement parts.

Paul B

 

[REVERUP]

So has anyone seen or heard of, or maybe even seen a 2008 EC on u.s. soil.
I have a few questions maybe a dealer or sombody that has seen one first hand can answer on here.
They only list EC models, will there be DE models offered or is the racing model supposed to cover for the DE?
I remember seeing a post about FMF exhaust being put on these for the US market, does that include a Spark arrestor?
Did they change the air filter quick release system from the 2007 models?

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new scoot and want all info possible to finalize decision.

 

[Mark Berg - CPD]

2008 bikes

Expect an official announcement with in a week, but for now I can tell you there is approx. 18 enduro bikes on a container on its way over to the US, they should arrive in dealers hands by mid-december, with another 2 full containers (approx 48 bikes/container) coming in January. These bikes will be 250's and 300's unless otherwise specified by a dealer order.

These bikes will come with the DE version ignition plus the bikes will now have FMF Powercore 2 silencers and a new FMF designed pipe as OEM for the US. They will not come with headlight/taillight but will still have the wiring left in the bikes and you will be able to buy a lighting kit.

Also, expect many more press releases in regards to National support, sales promotions, marketing and information in the months to come.....

 

[GMP]

Sounds like they pulled it off, good news. DE bikes are a smart move, saves $$ in unneccessary hardware.

I'm seriously thinking about a new 125 or maybe a 200 to go with my 250.

I heard a rumor that pricing will be competitive with KTM.

 

[jlk_250]

Why the Powercore instead of the Turbinecore? (No spark arrestor.)

Jon

 

[Mark Berg - CPD]

sorry...

It is the turbine core II spark arrestor...typing error.

Unfornately as far as retail pricing goes, keep in mind that last year about this time the Euro was at 1.30, now its up around 1.43? Let's face it, our dollar stinks right now. Arctic Cat and others are having huge problems with dealers selling to Canadian customers, everyone wants a piece of good ole USA while it lasts. Plus, the Spanish use the same everything for the 200 as they do the 250,300 with the exception of the cylinder/crank so as much debate and attempts at reducing the 200 price, it doesn't appear that will be substantial.