I have two parts to this post:
#1. Glenn, please hang around, no matter what you ride. You and Girard are two of the oldest contributors to this forum from the "old days", when it was "Talking Smack", and are the main people whose input I depend on when I have a technical question.
#2. Over the years since I got involved with Gas Gas in 1997, I've seen the factory shoot itself, and it's US infrastructure, in the foot many times.
In '99, as the Japanese factories removed their off-road racing support and abandoned 2-stroke off-road racing, Gas Gas was in the perfect position to dominate the US off-road market. The bungled this by what directions that they took.
KTM, however, was willing to do "whatever it took" to give the US riders what they demanded. They had great success, and built upon that success to have the current world market share they have today.
This brings us up to the present. I am no longer affiliated with Gas Gas in any way other than as an enthusiast and a rider. I bought my bike from a franchised Gas Gas dealer, just as you all did.
Last week, I was visiting with Jim Snell (trialspartsusa.com & Rising Sun Imports) on the phone. Jim spends two weeks each year in Spain, and now does all the English translation for Gas Gas, in addition to distributing all the GG trials parts in the US. Jim told me that the new GasGas owners are going to keep the factory open and producing during what has always been the "August vacation" at the factory ever since they have been in business. This should help with the parts and bike availability coming in on a timely basis.
Jim was very enthused and hopeful for the future of Gas Gas with the new management. Now, so am I.
I still love the bikes. That's what got me started with them in 1997. However, when I recently bought a new Gasser, I bought a 2011 instead of a 2013, because I was dubious of the plastic subframe. Now, they are again using aluminum subframes for 2014.
Looking at the new bikes on the GasGasmotos.es web site, and reading the specs (lighter weight, etc), I think they are going to turn heads, and get a lot of riders looking our way.
With Clay doing his very professional job in the US, and the new management style at the headquarters in Spain, I think things are really moving in the right direction. It ought to be a very good year, and a cornerstone in the continued future of Gas Gas Off-Road.
Good Riding!
Jim
I like those 2014 Gassers, they look great!
