Calling EXC200 owners for opinions

[camchain]

Thinking about options for next bike. Along lines of WR250f or EXC200. Tending towards EXC200 at present as should be cheaper to maintain (?)

Been trolling Trademe for a while, have the impression gearbox might be a bit on the fragile side (Are they a 125 gearbox?). Also a bit leary of PDS suspension. Magazine tests often seem to dislike and seem to be fussy to set up. Danger? Any thoughts/impressions appreciated...

Forgot to ask. Any idea of bottom end performance compared to 250f. (I tend to short shift in rough ground for better drive/less deflection off stuff)

My height and weight just under 6' and 80 odd kgs. Budget 6 or 7k. Experience is 9 years on dirt bikes with the odd club MX about 20 yrs ago and 1 year on the KLX as born again.

Excellent info and feedback. Thanks guys, What a great thing this forum is!

[Ktmboy]

Having owned an EXC200 I would consider your height/weight to be one of the most important factors. The exc is designed for up to the 80kg type. I rode mine at 90kg and whilst really good it did struggle on hill climb sections.

Apart from that I had no problems with either gearbox nor suspension after 180 plus hours.

[ali-s]

Hi Camchain,
Not a KTM 200 owner but I traded from a '04 KLX300 to a 2 stroke a couple of months ago (Gas Gas EC 125 to be precise) - don't regret it for one minute, the Gasser will haul me (approx 80 kgs in riding gear) absolutely anywhere all day - have a riding mate with a KTM 400 4T and we bang bars all round enduro loops - in the tight stuff the light weight of the 2T will have you grinning from ear to ear - i imagine the KTM200 is around the same weight - but can't comment on the gear box or Shock set up. One thing to bear in mind coming from the tough as a mule KLX is the maintenence on the 2T will not actually be any cheaper once you factor in 2T pre-mix, you still have to change the gear box oil fairly regularly, clean air filters + keep an eye on pistons,rings etc - OH, and be prepared for a sore ass after leaving your comfy armchair KLX seat for a new slim line enduro plank of wood

[marks]

have you considered something like this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-147368784.htm

[ali-s]

have you considered something like this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-147368784.htm

That looks a primo deal (depending on where the 'nearest offer' bit would end up !) - on the suspension thing (again can't compare to a KTM) but the Ohlins rear/marzzochi shiver front setup on the Gassers is bloody sweet as......

[Rupe]

That looks a primo deal (depending on where the 'nearest offer' bit would end up !) - on the suspension thing (again can't compare to a KTM) but the Ohlins rear/marzzochi shiver front setup on the Gassers is bloody sweet as......

And the engine is built the same as the 250, and 300.

Bikesport in helensville is my local gasgas dealer, but unless you like being raped in the arse deliverance style. Go to Dirt Action Services, they are cheap and helpful, totally the oposite from Bikesport really.

[camchain]

Good point on size/weight KTMboy I think I'd fit a 200 pretty well. 06 EXC on trademe at moment 'set up for 90kg rider.' Judging by silverware in box behind bike has been ridden pretty hard - and has had gearbox bearings done.

Ali S, Sorry I didn't clarify maintenance, was thinking 2t to modern 4t. Don't remind me about saying goodbye to comfy bumfondler KLX seat! Screwed up lumbar disc and crushed vertebra = constant reminder. Luckily I stand up 90% of time now

RE: GG200 on trademe

Yeah, I quite like the gassers, and have oggled this one. but resale seems sketchy and this new 06 doesn't fit current spending plan, = around 6 or $7000. Plastics also look a bit below par on GG (self tappers to attach etc?)

Test rode an XR400 at Bike Sport before buying KLX and looked at an ex isde Gasser 250. Guy Seemed pretty good but I generally prefer to avoid arse rape where possible, especially without a bit of foreplay. Where are Dirt Action Rudecopp?

Thanks again all.

[cheese]

And the engine is built the same as the 250, and 300.

Bikesport in helensville is my local gasgas dealer, but unless you like being raped in the arse deliverance style. Go to Dirt Action Services, they are cheap and helpful, totally the oposite from Bikesport really.

So can you get a 250 or 300 cylinder new piston and pop it on? I was told you can do that to teh EXC's

LOL at bikesport. I sold them a coffee machine years ago and they just took ages to pay and I had to go see tehm about 10 times to adjust the fucker!

[Rupe]

RE: GG200 on trademe

Yeah, I quite like the gassers, and have oggled this one. but resale seems sketchy and this new 06 doesn't fit current spending plan, = around 6 or $7000. Plastics also look a bit below par on GG (self tappers to attach etc?)

Test rode an XR400 at Bike Sport before buying KLX and looked at an ex isde Gasser 250. Guy Seemed pretty good but I generally prefer to avoid arse rape where possible, especially without a bit of foreplay. Where are Dirt Action Rudecopp?

Thanks again all.

Dirt Action are in Christchurch, but they have been really good to deal with. They also get most of the parts to you within a few days and cheaper than the states, inc postage.

Yeah the plastics are pretty shit, self tappers are not the best. And the messico pipe is a bit thin, apart from that they are all good (but i'd be bias).

Ktm's do have a better resale it seems though, gasser are cheaper to buy 2nd hand which was why I got one.

[andy 101]

diailing in a new exc 250 2 stroke over previous rmz 450, for cross country, why I did not do this sooner I do not know, fucking awsome, just so light and nimble though the tight bush, and so much fun, 4 strokes are going down.

[Danger]

Personally all the Gas Gas bikes I have ridden have felt like an old TT250 trailbike handling wise, but thats just me so no offence to you Gas Gas riders.
Don't be put of by the PDS shock Camchain. Don't believe the magazines they do not understand KTM suspension set up for the most part and generally they rubbish the MX models more than the off road bikes. Like a lot of bikes they can be improved upon but the forks need more work than the PDS shock for off road use. A lot of people are happy with them stock but they just don't know any better.
I will say that my KTM200EXC is the bike that I've owned the longest out of any of my bikes and has been the most reliable, easy to work on, most fun and most versatile out of any of them. And I still enjoy every ride on it.

[Rupe]

Personally all the Gas Gas bikes I have ridden have felt like an old TT250 trailbike handling wise,

Shit, I didn't know those old tt's handle mint too!

[tnarg]

I took my mates 300 gas gas for a spin and the suspension felt wierd actually the whole bike felt kinda old school and its the same year as mine, I didn't like it but everyones different eh. He's selling and going for the KTM.

[camchain]

Copy that Danger. I always thought the issue was a problem getting a progressive action with the PDS and I think I read the new KTMs have the bottom shock mount moved back quite a bit? Bloke who changed from from SX to RMZ told me the PDS would blow right through the stroke and kick up going hard through whoops. (Obviously this is not definitive testing and I try to keep an open mind always)

RE forks. Yeah same again magazines testers often not happy with fork action as well. Seems damping a bit quirky? I have to confess I haven't even checked the sag on current ride but intend to sort next one properly. What would you suggest Danger and sorry to ask, but how long is a piece of string? (Rough idea on $? for a solid improvement)

Some might say it's not worth the trouble/expense of suspension sorting for a rider of average ability, but my view is the average rider would probably benefit even more than an expert.

Years ago I spent a day at the local track by myself and went through a range of suspension adjustments and was able to get a very noticable improvement especially on one particular section I was having trouble with, so I'm sold on the concept. The obvious problem sorting suspension on a dirt bike is the huge variance in terrain! A setup perfect for Riverhead will likely be too soft for the MX track at the Sandpit. Having said that I've read the odd article by Robert Taylor and the main impression is production stuff is made to a price and big improvements can be had. Anyone who has put their hand on the shock reservoir after a hard ride just knows that thing is fading and internals/oil is taking a beating!

Thanks again for the input, I'm an information pig and I love to wallow...

[Danger]

Yes straight rate springs with a too short of a needle that engages the secondary piston too late has been a problem for the SX bikes over the years. A shock that blows through its stroke to easilly will kick because that stored energy has to go somewhere. Too much HS damping also doesn't help.

As for the forks on the EXC models they tend to run too light a spring with too much reliance on the base valve (passive damping). The fork builds too much speed before the mid valve kicks in (active damping) if at all, and suddenly the air spring kicks in, you hit a tree root or sharp edge and bang you feel the shock transmission right through the bars.
They can be re worked to work well in both Woodhill, Harrisville and Riverhead. Your welcome to try my bike sometime although I have it setup a little stiffer than for most peoples use.

If you want to talk $ you are talking business and that is best done over the phone and depends on level of performance and diversaty desired.