Would you buy another Gas Gas?

[blitz11]

Swingarm bearing with seals? Where did you get them?

I bought them from a local bearing house. It's a standard 2216-2rs bearing. It goes in ALL of the suspension linkages except for the lower shock bearing.

You need 13 to do them all. 2x2 swingarm, 2x1 swingarm linkagae, 2x2 + 1x3 for the rocker arm.

http://www.fagbearing.cc/INA-bearings/HK2216_2RS_INA_39116.html

I just loaded my bike up, so we'll see how it goes.

BTW, I use the O-rings/shim deal, too. I had a horrible time until i did that change. The O-rings & shims work well. But, I figure another layer of protection for really small money is worth it. I hate servicing that linkage. If i can make this go 2 years instead of 1 on service, I'll never get rid of that bike.

 

[GMP]

Huskys had the sealed needle bearings for awhile. On my brother's '02 it didn't help. What did help is using a GG sleeve(yes, it fits) and o-rings. O-rings and either moly paste or Pyroplex Blue is all you need. If you have trouble with the swing arm pivot o-rings walking out because they have no shim retainers, back them up with a 1.5mm o-ring, problem solved.

FYI, I've been looking at the '12 parts and it appears to use 22 x 7mm seals. What this means is that you should be able to replace them with two 21 x 3.5 mm o-rings. Seals are a step backwards IMO.

 

[boyscout]

Would i buy another Gas Gas? Yep, just did. Im not at all brand sensitive, and can ride pretty much anything i want. I have ridden a lot of different bikes and I love my Gasser. As soon as i bought it my ability to stand while riding went way up as did my balance. Are they the end all be all? No i don't think so, but if you ride single track or do enduros they are really really good.

I own a 2011 EC 300 and would buy it again definitely.

 

[Tlineman]

The original reason for I bought a gasser is due to the price difference vs a KTM. I managed to get a heck of a deal, 2K less than a katoom and that sold me on the bike. Having said this, I've never been so dissapointed in a front fork as I am with my GG. It is hands down the worst component on the bike and completely unacceptable from my POV. So far I've invested over $500 into the front fork, trying to make it work. I'm still not happy with it and think it could be better yet. Having said this I find a KTM to have a very unusual feel to them but love the suspension on even a stock bike.

Would I buy another one? Yes but only if the price difference was significant. If a GG was the same price as say a Berg 300 2T, I think I'd give the blue bike a try.

GasGasPacific, our canadian importer, has been great to deal with. This counts too

 

[Jakobi]

Which forks are giving you the troubles Tlineman? Just curious if its the Sachs or the Zoke 45mms.

 

[mrkartoom]

Yeah I'm curious, too. I'm loving my Sachs and they are still stock. I find them better overall then the WP's on my EXC that cost me a bunch of benjamins.

 

[lonetree]

i have two gassers, and would happily buy another. i have a 09 250R with very low hours and wear on it... yet, due to injury. its a brilliant bike, does everything great, love it to bits
i also have an old, battered 04 300. I've flogged the hell out of it, and it keeps coming back for more. i did the kx subframe conversion, which has helped out heaps to make the back end tougher in a crash. But this is still a very reliable bike with over 8000kms of thrashing. has lots of scratches and a few more zip ties on it than it should but i havent had any major dramas. i have also found this bike to be way easier to work on than a ktm 2t of similar age.
i find oem parts to be as cheap or cheaper than jap bikes usually, and being in oz, i have no problems getting parts- thumbs up for scotties and mainjet.

 

[GMP]

I'm pretty sure Tlineman has the Zokes.

Would I buy another GG? I did.

 

[firffighter]

Interesting thoughts from everyone, especially as it pertains to other brands.

I have owned 4 KTM's, 3 Gasgas, 3 KDX's, 2 Yami WR's, Honda XR's, etc. etc. My current Gasgas is an '03 EC250 and it has a good amount of miles on it, but is in superb operating condition. I believe each bike/brand has it's own little quirks and Gasgas is included.

In terms of reliability, other than the KDX's I owned, Gasgas has it nailed. These bikes can take abuse and keep on going. They are very well built and built to last.

Yes, the unusual fasteners and minor challenges on replacement plastics or parts are something to deal with. Yes, the kick stand auto-return is a pain in the rear and has bruised my shins a million times. Yes, the carb is harder to get to and yes, not every part on the bike has perfect fit and finish. But, overall nothing that would prevent me from buying another one.

KTM has it's fair share of quirks as well, including a very large one, namely the PDS rear suspension. Some are able to make it work for them, while others have spent thousands and given up and sold the bike. KTM countershaft seals were a known issues for years, as well as leaking gas caps, stripped oil check bolts and leaking/squealing front brakes. But, overall, I liked my KTM's and they performed very well.

I have found that all the bikes I have owned have "worked for me", but the Gasgas is the one that seems to fit me and my riding the best. It's superb handling and fantastic motor characteristics are just about perfect for the NW woods.

When the kids dont take up so much of my time and money, I hope Gasgas is still around, cause I will buy a new one in a heart beat.

 

[byost]

Yes most def,
If I had to do it all over I would by the same Gasser I have today.Now if could keep mine and buy another bike, that's a different story. I want a 250F motocross bike, a trials bike, an adventure bike and an old Harley( thats right I used the H word). Seriously, I had not owned a dirt bike since 1985 ( an XR-500) and I did a lot of research before I bought my Gas Gas. It was an amazing value and as others have said the shortfalls are well worth the trouble.

 

[Rabbitist]

hmmm im in the market for a new bike and i really dont know if im going to buy brand new ora few years old if i buy second hand i think ill go orange but if i buy brand new it would be a coin toss between orange and gas

 

[dank]

i would buy another in a heartbeat. my first and only bike has been an 03 ec250 with so many mismatch and modified parts in and on her that only i could work on her, but there is no other bike i would rather tinker with and work on. if my 03 dies, i will buy another GG 250 2T. no question.

 

[desertgasser300]

Yes most def,
If I had to do it all over I would by the same Gasser I have today.Now if could keep mine and buy another bike, that's a different story. I want a 250F motocross bike, a trials bike, an adventure bike and an old Harley( thats right I used the H word). Seriously, I had not owned a dirt bike since 1985 ( an XR-500) and I did a lot of research before I bought my Gas Gas. It was an amazing value and as others have said the shortfalls are well worth the trouble.

I'm with you, got the Victory(my version of your Harley)want the trials and the adv. bike now. So many wants , so little cash!

 

[moto9]

Allthough my 08 has been a solid bike, the parts availability and cost are an issue for me.
So is the suspension componants, improper valving and a few other naging items.
I'll either get back on a 00'/01 CR 250 or go orange.

 

[Clay]

I'm a little confused here. I get why you would not buy another 2003 model or 2008 model but.....have you noticed the changes in the 2012?

 

[moto9]

I'm a little confused here. I get why you would not buy another 2003 model or 2008 model but.....have you noticed the changes in the 2012?

The parts issue is a dealbreaker for me, my bike has been down for 3 weeks now due to a broken shock part which is on back order...sadly with no knowledge if and when I'll ever get it.
The part that broke clearly was a factory defect, I know this because it broke right on the casting line.
I understand parts break but when you can't get replacement parts that sucks!

 

[blitz11]

Maybe a bit of perspective on new bikes (any brand) may help.

One issue with buying a new bike is coin. I am a pretty crappy rider. My teenaged daughters can kick my butt. Riding is fun, but i'm fooling myself if i think a new bike is going to make me a significantly better rider, or make riding that much more fun. Am I gonna' spend $10K on a new bike to ride it for 2 years, and sell it for $3-$4K? Depreciation alone costs that customer $3K per year. Am I gonna' get $6K more fun out of a new bike? I can't convince myself that I am.

Guys like me are gonna' wait for someone else to eat depreciation, then buy a used bike. In my case, I might buy a different bike once every 10 years. My guess is that there are quite a few of us who do this.

If i do a race, my goal is to not hour out. I guess I am not really "racing" with that attitude, but simply riding in a race. But, it's fun for me, so what the heck.

I understand your point of view. You want to sell new bikes. That's how you make your living. But, to sell new bikes, the old bikes have to go somewhere. If the old bikes have no place to go, you won't sell as many new bikes. Or, they'll switch to a brand where selling their old bikes is easier.

This site is invaluable as it provides the means where the older bikes still have value to guys like me, and provides rich source of information by which people looking to buy used GG can learn about the brand, or feel confident that they should make the leap. If they can have questions answered, they're more likely to make the jump. If confidence exists, then resale value improves, and the GG brand is even stronger.

I guess my point is to not abandon the older bikes as they can, and likely do, influence the sale of new bikes. I am really glad GoFasters will continue to support the older bikes 'cause there are probably a lot of guys like me who can't/won't drop big dough annually on a new bike.

 

[moto9]

Maybe a bit of perspective on new bikes (any brand) may help.

One issue with buying a new bike is coin. I am a pretty crappy rider. My teenaged daughters can kick my butt. Riding is fun, but i'm fooling myself if i think a new bike is going to make me a significantly better rider, or make riding that much more fun. Am I gonna' spend $10K on a new bike to ride it for 2 years, and sell it for $3-$4K? Depreciation alone costs that customer $3K per year. Am I gonna' get $6K more fun out of a new bike? I can't convince myself that I am.

Guys like me are gonna' wait for someone else to eat depreciation, then buy a used bike. In my case, I might buy a different bike once every 10 years. My guess is that there are quite a few of us who do this.

If i do a race, my goal is to not hour out. I guess I am not really "racing" with that attitude, but simply riding in a race. But, it's fun for me, so what the heck.

I understand your point of view. You want to sell new bikes. That's how you make your living. But, to sell new bikes, the old bikes have to go somewhere. If the old bikes have no place to go, you won't sell as many new bikes. Or, they'll switch to a brand where selling their old bikes is easier.

This site is invaluable as it provides the means where the older bikes still have value to guys like me, and provides rich source of information by which people looking to buy used GG can learn about the brand, or feel confident that they should make the leap. If they can have questions answered, they're more likely to make the jump. If confidence exists, then resale value improves, and the GG brand is even stronger.

I guess my point is to not abandon the older bikes as they can, and likely do, influence the sale of new bikes. I am really glad GoFasters will continue to support the older bikes 'cause there are probably a lot of guys like me who can't/won't drop big dough annually on a new bike.

I hear what your saying about the older bikes and I agree.

Here's my issue, it would'nt matter if I had a 12' model, I'd still be down with a broken sachs shock if the same situation occured.
My problem is I can't get a replacement part...I'm missing races and ride days, really bummed!

 

[GMP]

Screw the Sachs part, I'd get an Ohlins from a part out and service/valve as needed. Even an Ohlins from a different bike, just have the clevis changed.

FWIW, I had a KTM300 and the subframe cracked due to excessive force when the inserts were swaged in. KTM said they would not warranty the part until they got mine back for inspection. Not the dealer, the importer. How long do you think that would take? My answer was weld, sell, go GG.

 

[firffighter]

I completely agree on the used bike comments.

I for one, could probably pull off purchasing a new bike, but cant justify it with how much I ride and I only enter a couple of events a year for fun. I have not found any issues with getting replacement parts for my '03 yet and hope that continues to be the case.

All of my bikes, KTM's, Honda's, Kawi's, Yami's (no Suzuki's ), have been used and I have found that for the most part, parts are no harder to come by for the Gasser. I will say that calling Gofaster is, IMO, the best way to do business.

All OEM replacement parts are pretty expensive and Gasgas OEM parts are similarly priced.

I dont want to be the guy that bleeds Gasgas here because I truly believe that Gasgas may not be the bike for everyone. Go over to the KTM site and some on there will bash every other make and claim KTM superiority. I dont think we have that sentiment on this site, and I hope we dont go there in the future.