Sandpit-first ride after 3 months

[Danger]

: after all mine has the same front end as a ktm.

Yeah and that was a real high standard to aim for (insert sarcasm here). And most Gas Gas have Marzocchi forks, an even higher standard (insert even more sarcasm). No offence to you Rupecop or other Gas Gas owners. Some people love the Gas Gas, I'm just not one of them. I have to say if forced to be seen on one that I would prefer the WP forks as you have even with their short comings because they are fixed easier than the Marzocchi forks in my opinion.
I would be interested Rupecop if you could get back to us with the offset of the triple clamps on your Gas Gas. It might have a number on the top clamp somewhere. There is more to handling than chucking on a set of WP forks. I just know that the Gas Gas I have riden have either handled like my old 1987 TT250 or have had me feeling like I have a 40 gallon drum between my legs. That might be just the kind of bike someone wants though.

:By the way ktm boys, did you see which enduro bike won an 11 enduro bike magazine shot out???? It wasn't the ktm as it came middle pack

No not sure I've read that one but I gave up on reading bike magazine tests sometime ago depending on the magazine in question. Some magazines simply seem to continuley praise the virtues of their free ride bike of the year (why else are they given a bike to ride for free do you think)? There is never a bad bike in many of these magazines. Usually takes me all of 3 mins to glance through many of these magazines to see there is nothing of interest in most of them of any real value. ADB seems to be one of the better ones and they seem to love the WR's.
Did Gas Gas win? Which magazine? Most of them will not rate the KTM that highly either because KTM do require intelligent setup. Most magazino's are not that intelligent or have the time to set the bikes up correctly. Thats why it takes an intelligent rider to own a KTM.
I personally know a magazine bike tester. He came in with wide eyes and good intention. He is actually a very good rider (unlike some of them) and a good bike tester (unlike most of them). One of his first bike tests and wow, what a revelation! This bike was not all good. But wait. A call from said bikes importers to the boss and his ass was hauled over the coals. "No no no you can't say that!" Welcome to the life of a bike mag journo. Can you guess what the bike was that he tested? I will tell you Rupecop privatley if you really want to know.
I see he now has a free bike for the year to use. Bit of a shame that happens really. Also that sponsored riders get to test and evaluate many of these bikes. Well duh! But nice lark if you can get it.

So yeah try a Gas Gas. It might just suit you. You have my opinion but everyone has one of those and thats all it is. Although I do have a number of freinds that have converted from Gas Gas to KTM and would never go back. I don't think Rupecop could ever be seen on a KTM now tho eh? Doomed for ever Rupecop.

I should add I'm not really championing KTM either. I think they are over priced for what they offer. Buy second hand would be my advice. If I had to buy a new bike and it was my only bike it would not be KTM. I may buy a new KTM for other reasons than for enjoyment but I sure would not enjoy paying out the premium to own one.

[barty5]

I have noticed that most KTM riders seam to be the older generation ( likley due to the cost of them) have ridin a couple cant say i enjoyed the set much but guess as with all bikes need to be set up for the rider.

[Danger]

Well yeah Barty, you use a YZ450F for trailriding. Your a special case lol!
And with age comes knowledge, experience and wisdom (so they say).

[cheese]

Crikey put the nails away girls!

All comes down to what you like really. But support places a big card for me. I think that most brands are pretty good. The big thing that lets gassers down is support in NZ for them. The closest place in Auckland rhymes with dyke port who are a pack of homos and then the best place is in Chch!

Anyway most average riders will just adapt to the little imperfections that their bikes have. To be honest any factory bike out of the box isn't going to handle right for anyone cause we are all different. You should spend a bit of money and get the thing set up properly and it will far better spent money on any go fast parts. No point having a fast bike if you can't turn a corner!

[Danger]

Who you calling a girl Cheese Burger? I'll see you on the trails! And when did we swap bodies? I want my old one back ha ha!

[Reckless]

Careful!!
He's been running! Whatever that is! And eating right! I'm to old for that as well!
So cheese has got a new improved body for what I read.

BTW I'll see how my weekend goes. I might come out to play!

[Danger]

Careful!!
He's been running! Whatever that is! And eating right! I'm to old for that as well!
So cheese has got a new improved body for what I read.

Thats what I mean! I'm the Chunky Monkey now!

[Rupe]

christ danger that was an essay, I don't even try to understand the full workings of a bikes suspension as you do. But compared to other bikes I've ridden I like it. Surely it can't be as bad as a bus!!!
Anyway, could be worse, it could be a suzuki!

Each to there own, back the thread topic me thinks.

[Danger]

Can you get back to me on the triple clamp offset? I'm genuinely interested. It might have a number like 20 or 22 on it somewhere.

If your happy thats the main thing. Each bike is different and suits a different rider. Everyone should try before they buy.

[cheese]

LOL Greg you will still be much quicker than me cause even though I fitter now that I've been in ages, I've not got faster! LOL I'm quickly getting tubby again though cause I've not been doing much lately in teh fitness department and I'm just eating normally now not doing the body for life thing. Might Give Rick the run around..... LOL

Anyway yes back On topic!

[Buddy L]

Anyway, could be worse, it could be a suzuki!

Thats the harshest thing i have heard all day
makes me want to go and spend some money on my self.

[barty5]

Thats the harshest thing i have heard all day
makes me want to go and spend some money on my self.

Would that be on a box tissues???

[barty5]

Well yeah Barty, you use a YZ450F for trailriding. Your a special case lol!
And with age comes knowledge, experience and wisdom (so they say).

Ah for me was a case of allways wanted one but in saying that i do like the raw power and the way it handles is great havnt come across anything i cant get through appart from the odd places where everyone seam to struggle. Its a lot easyer to ride than the 426 was. But we would all be a bunch of boring fuckers if we all rode the same bike wouldnt we.

[dammad1]

At the end of the day what bike you ride means fuck all. The most important thing is that your comfortable with what you ride.
The whole reason I like this sport is because you dont need the latest and greatest bike to kick ass, when I had my Kdx I used to laugh when I would go flying past guys on there fancy new bikes, but If you can afford to buy something new then why not? and if you like they way one brand looks and feels compared to another brand then go for it, who cares what anyone else thinks.

[camchain]

I enjoy reading all the different opinions here. With a pinch of curry and a bit of a stir here and there, the result is great entertainment as well as being informative. Bon apetit.