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 Post subject: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:11 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:25 pm
Posts: 55
Hi all
I'm currently running a honda xr400 which I have lovingly put loads of new bits on but I'm finding it a bit heavy for me and a bit tall , I'm looking at ktm 250 or gas gas 250 , has anyone got a gas gas ec250 as I know nothing about these bikes , I'm going to look at one tomo but am unsure what to look for ?
Are they reliable etc

Any help greatly appreciated


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:41 pm 
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650 cc Monster

Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:08 pm
Posts: 4440
You will find any 250 2-stroke a bit 'racy' after the XR400.

GasGas are behind KTM in terms of build quality and finish, but more forgiving to ride. Newer ones are better. The older they are the poorer the detailing, with a multitude of different nuts & bolts holding them together.

Dont be distracted by new plastics and stickers or put off by old tatty ones.

These bikes are fine if maintained properly, but not if not.

Look for rounded nuts, torn screws, missing bolts and general signs of bodgery...walk away if they are present.

If the bike kicks over too easily, the ring is knackered. If it's dripping black gloop everywhere the exhaust packing needs doing. If the clutch is dragging, it will need new springs at least.

Assess the owner...is he a tosser?

Make sure that some of the questions you ask him are ones that you already know the answer to...if he gets them wrong he is either ignorant or a liar.

Ask what engine oil he's running it on...a good quality full-synthetic race oil like Putoline is the only acceptable answer.

He should be changing the gearbox oil every couple of rides....just ask him how often the gearbox oil needs changing.

Ask him how often the air filter needs cleaning...he should say every ride.

With proper routine maintenance, proper oils and a clean air filter, these bikes go on and on...without them they go bang!


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:47 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:25 pm
Posts: 55
Cheers that's good to know . It's from a dealer in Milton Keynes . It's a 2007 with low hours . He's going to give it a full service and a new mot so hopefully it will be ok .
The only down side I can see is it's got a small tank only 9.5 litres .
Will have a look . Just need to sell my Xr now


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:59 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:36 pm
Posts: 608
I have had 3 gas gas bikes over the last 15 years. Just got rid of an 11 plate 300 as it felt exactly the same as my 03 bike. The engine clutch and gearbox are a bit dated now, all of mine had a touch of clutch grab from neutral in to first and were harder to start in gear than other bikes. But the low seat and gentle geometry is timeless and perfect. So in my opinion they are great bikes when you are paying 1500 for an older one. Not such good value when you are paying 3 for a newer one! In terms of reliability, the shoddy finish is a bit off putting but mine were as reliable as any thing I have ever had.

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Husqvarna WR165, Ducati 1100SS EVO, anything but a KTM


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 7:54 am 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:34 am
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Location: East Sussex
But as GasGas appear to have gone t*** up, what about the spares situation?

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2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:25 am 
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650 cc Monster

Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:08 pm
Posts: 4440
When was that David...?


They sent a rider to Japan to compete in the World Trials Championship last weekend

http://www.gasgasmotos.es/en/home.html


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:45 am 
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300 cc
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Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:36 pm
Posts: 608
He must own a Ktm if he is so worried about spares, only ever needed a side stand for mine


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Husqvarna WR165, Ducati 1100SS EVO, anything but a KTM


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:49 am 
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650 cc Monster
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Location: East Sussex
I understood GasGas/Ossa were having severe cash problems.

Not where I read it initially but some info from February: http://www.catalannewsagency.com/busine ... rs-meeting
We were discussing it at the weekend as one of the guys on our Welsh trip had a stinky 300.

_________________
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:52 am 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:34 am
Posts: 5141
Location: East Sussex
richgilb wrote:
He must own a Ktm if he is so worried about spares, only ever needed a side stand for mine


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Ha ha. I think you may find most bikes actually need consumables but your's is obviously able to run on the same stuff for years ;)
A side stand is one thing of many that I haven't need.......so far.

_________________
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: New bike decisions
PostPosted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:07 am 
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650 cc Monster
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Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:34 am
Posts: 5141
Location: East Sussex
I can never understand peoples mass anti policy to manufacturers...KTM, Apple, Microsoft etc etc etc.
Always seems a bit blinkered to me and smacks of an inability to know quality when they see it ;) :lol: .
Not every purchaser can be a blind faith idiot.

But that isn't helping the OP.
I always have concerns about small companies lurching from crisis to crisis and I gather that did include KTM some years ago before I had really heard of them or had an interest.

_________________
2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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