Year to year changes - my next bike

[sled_fiend]

I need some advice. I have a 2005 DE200 which I've rebuilt and turned over to my wife and I've been riding my backup bike (88 KTM 250). I've had fun with the old left hand kick KTM but I'm kind of over tinkering with it and am ready for a newer bike. I'm a trail rider and not a particularly fast one so I'm not looking for the fastest bike but rather the one that handles great and is light and nimble feeling. I really like riding technical trails and have some interest in hare scrambles or amatuer enduro but nothing real competitive.

I love that DE200 so I'm basically wanting to get a newer version of it. I've tried to find a run down of the changes and updates through the years to the Gas Gas EC but I haven't really found much. Here's what I have found:

2007 - body work update not sure about performance upgrades
2010 - another styling change, frame, suspension and engine updates but not really sure how all this translates on the trail
2011 -six days edition available (2010 also) not sure what difference is
2012 - maybe a year to avoid due to reliability problems?
2013 - first year for e start
2015&17 - new suspension, no 200 available
2018 - all new, no 200

I actually think the new 200 EC Ranger would be perfect for me I just have a hard tIme justifying that much of my family budget for a new bike when I can get something really nice for half price.

My question for you all is, which year EC200 should I try to find?

I appreciate any input and experience.

Thanks

 

[Jakobi]

If you liked the geometry and handling of the old chassis a 2007-2011 model would be the go! and could be had for next to nothing out of the pocket too.

2012 had plastic subframes and a few odd bits. I'd probably skip.

2013 is a solid chassis, sharing a lot of parts with the 2014-17 models.

2018-19 are verrry nice.

That's from someone who has put 300+hrs on a 2010 model, 200+hrs on a 2013, and just taken owner ship of a 2018, yet to put any hrs on it; all 250cc though.

The chassis feel different between them all. Have pro's and con's. Depends a lot on personal preference. One thing for sure though, the newer ones are much nicer to work on.

 

[Anders]

Here's what I have found:

2007 - body work update not sure about performance upgrades
2010 - another styling change, frame, suspension and engine updates but not really sure how all this translates on the trail
2011 -six days edition available (2010 also) not sure what difference is
2012 - maybe a year to avoid due to reliability problems?
2013 - first year for e start
2015&17 - new suspension, no 200 available
2018 - all new, no 200


My question for you all is, which year EC200 should I try to find?

Thanks

I don't know about the US, but here in Europe there was 200cc in at least 14 and 15. I have a 2015 EC200 and my previous bike was a 06 EC200. I prefer the 15. So my advice would be to search for a 11 model if you really like the old, smaller chassis and a 13-15 (or 17) if you'd like a somewhat bigger, more modern chassis.

 

[GasGas]

I would look for a really clean 2011. That was the most advanced and most reliable bike of that generation. I put 350 plus hours on mine. Sherco also makes great 2 strokes and I would consider a 2015 and up in a Sherco. I have over 300 hours on the Sherco's and they are great bikes. They are a very easy transition from a GasGas and although don't come in a 200, the dual map makes the 300 pretty soft. I called it the 200 button. It works that well. Great when you tire out. But in the end there is nothing as nice as a new bike! I have just purchased a new 300 GasGas. You shoudln't rule out a 300, especially if you ride hilly terrain. The lug factor makes easy work of hill climbs. It sounds like you have the experience to ride one and they can also be tamed with jetting changes.

 

[sled_fiend]

So 2011 is the best of the "old generation" (200x-2011) and 2013 starts the "new generation". How is the riding characteristics different of the 2013+ from the 2011 and older?

Also, what is the difference between the six days edition and the normal EC?

The only 300 I've ridden I'd a 2007? KTM and I did like the power and tractability so I'm not necessarily ruling out an EC300 I just have this notion that the 200 will feel lighter but maybe that's just perception. 300s do seem to be easier to find also.

 

[Danj56]

Six days comes with Ohlins rear shock and Marzocchi forks and a couple of extras, larger rear brake reservoir. Motor and frame are the same. EC comes with Sach suspension in 2011

 

[Neil E.]

2011 was the first year for estart. After reading this forum I was sold on GG because many riders were very happy with their older machines. I like the fact that the older GG (up to 2011) is slightly more compact than other makes.

I was originally thinking about a KDX 220 as a good woods machine. The GG 250 is the closest in performance with some extra torque and better suspension.

A 2011 with a KYB fork swap would be ideal for woods riding. I would stay clear of the 2012 models. 2013 to 2017 maybe fine. A 2018 and newer 250 with some changes to soften the power would be close in feel to a 200.

I'd say the choice is 2011 (or 2018).

 

[(F5)]

It's funny, I almost wrote, my 02 200 was perfect for me. Not too big or heavy, easy to start. I wanted for nothing more. My mates rode my bike and went off and bought GG. I rode a mates not too old 07 300.
I didn't want to give it back. I could see no disadvantages. I had to buy one.

 

[GasGas]

All 3 displacements are great bikes IMO. They all do things slightly different, but the 300 requires the least amount of work.

 

[(F5)]

Yes it suits my flaling-legs-startled-look style.

 

[SS109]

Six days comes with Ohlins rear shock and Marzocchi forks and a couple of extras, larger rear brake reservoir. Motor and frame are the same. EC comes with Sach suspension in 2011

I have a standard '11 EC250R and it has the 48 Zokes and Ohlins rear and I'm pretty sure AZRickD didn't swap out the suspension.

To the OP, I love the '11 and older frames. Had an '05 DE200 that had a 250 engine in it that was great and my '11 is even better. If your short like me they just fit better. Haven't had a chance to throw a leg over any of the newer offerings.

 

[memphis2857]

I have a standard '11 EC250R and it has the 48 Zokes and Ohlins rear and I'm pretty sure AZRickD didn't swap out the suspension.



To the OP, I love the '11 and older frames. Had an '05 DE200 that had a 250 engine in it that was great and my '11 is even better. If your short like me they just fit better. Haven't had a chance to throw a leg over any of the newer offerings.

The “race” versions came with zokes also. Maybe this is what you have? The standard EC did in fact come with Sachs


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[Jakobi]

2011 250R, R is for race!! and it got the same suspension as 2012 models (48mm PFP fork, Ohlins 888 shock; including updated linkage to accept that shock).

Here in Aus we had 2011 models with Sachs forks and shocks, or the 6Days came with Ohlins shock. I can't recall if they also had 46mm OC Marzocchi forks.

They have kind of shuffled suspension components across all the years.

 

[SS109]

The ?race? versions came with zokes also. Maybe this is what you have? The standard EC did in fact come with Sachs

It is the "Race" model as it is a EC250R. Didn't realize there were three different versions that year.

 

[sled_fiend]

To the OP, I love the '11 and older frames. Had an '05 DE200 that had a 250 engine in it that was great and my '11 is even better. If your short like me they just fit better. Haven't had a chance to throw a leg over any of the newer offerings.

I'm 6 ft and my 05 actually feels a little cramped to me. Like I've always wanted the pegs to be lower and the bars to be farther away and taller. It's nice when seated like in a corner but standing I've always felt a bit hunched over and have trouble keeping my weight forward.

I wonder if the 13+ chassis would have a more open cockpit for me.

 

[singletracker]

I'm considering selling my 2011 250 Race. I'm the original owner, and it has a little over 100 hours on it. I've had health issues so it's only been started up occasionally and rode for a total of about 30 minutes over the past 5 years.

 

[SS109]

I'm 6 ft and my 05 actually feels a little cramped to me. Like I've always wanted the pegs to be lower and the bars to be farther away and taller. It's nice when seated like in a corner but standing I've always felt a bit hunched over and have trouble keeping my weight forward.

I wonder if the 13+ chassis would have a more open cockpit for me.

Yes, the '13 would definitely feel more open. I'm 5'8" and I can just barely stand straight up and keep my hands on the bars on my '11.