Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

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Fst96se
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Fst96se »

So I am a new rider at age 38! I've been riding for about 6 months. I started on a Honda CR125, quickly got a CRF450R, and quickly sold it! :mrgreen:

I rode a friend's Husaberg 300, and figured a 300 2T was the ticket for me!

I found my completely loaded 2013 GasGas 300 for a marvelous price and picked it up. I really have no complaints, other that it is SUPER powerful. Not completely unmanageable, but it does surprise me every so often.

I have three close friends that I ride with that have KDXs. All three are new riders as well, and started riding when I did. They bought their KDXs at my recommendation, and they love them. I've ridden them a little bit, and found them to be eminently rideable! Plenty of power, good "grunt", and fun!

I've thought on several occasions that I would like to really hone my skills on a KDX. I HATE crashing my GasGas since it is so pretty! :oops: It has happened a few times, and I know it will continue to happen as I explore my limits. No major crashes at all so for, just several "get offs", especially when climbing.

I consider myself an aggressive beginner. I like to go fast where appropriate, I like to push my limits. When I was younger I raced BMX and mountain bikes, and skated street and vert. So "extreme sports" are not completely foreign to me, but it has been a while since I've done that stuff. :supz:

So here is my dilemma... I am pondering selling the GasGas, and picking up a KDX. I'd put a TON of money back into my pocket. Unfortunately, I am a "looks" conscious guy. I like stuff that looks cool. :boogie:

FORTUNATELY, I found a KDX that I am interested in buying that looks amazing. Cosmetically, it looks how I would set it up. Functionally, it hits all the right notes too. Price is great, but it is about 8 hours away. I could get a bike that I think I would be satisfied with, enjoy, and really learn on. And not cry over everytime I tip it over!

Here is the KDX I want:

Image

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And my GasGas:

Image

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And myself and some riding buddies!

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darb808
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by darb808 »

Sounds like your minds set. + kdx - gas gas = happy rider

Good luck either way
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by KarlP »

The only thing I would caution you on is that the KDX chassis may let you down if pushed hard. The GG won't.

I found a good compromise for me on a KTM 200. My buddies are almost all on 300 2ST and I find them to be a bit too powerfull. On the 300 I think I would find it is too late when I let off the throttle, not so much on the 200.
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by kdx633 »

the kdx in the photo's look's beat to ****,Keep the gg .
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Julien D »

Yeah, at a glance, the current owner of that poor KDX cares more about appearance than functionality and maintenance. Looks like he attacked a beat up bike with graphics and a rattle can. Run away. Your Gas Gas is a beautiful machine, but is definitely overkill for a new ride. A KDX would probably be a good fit. If you really want to make that change, look for a clean, low hour, unmolested KDX and you'll be happy for a long time.
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by KarlP »

I don't know, it looks O.K. Heck, he just washed it.....

8 hours is a long way to go to look at a bike. You might buy it cheap and end up having to put another grand or more in to make it near new.

Have you considered something like a GG 200? It is getting harder to find good clean KDX'es
'08 KTM200xc
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by scheckaet »

keep the gas gas. Can't they be somewhat "de-tuned" a bit? I thought they had different engine map setting or something?
Think about it this way: you're afraid to crash it and damage plastics? A set of new plastic is cheap. Replace them when they are beat after you're more confident riding. The chassis is better on the gasgas AND you have 2 sets of wheels: dirt AND SM ( :supz: ).
What is your complain about the gas gas? Also, a lower counter sprocket might help the power delivery.
8 hours is a looooong way for what looks like a just ok bike, with old tech and conventional forks.
Set up your suspension for your weight and riding style, it'll make a huge difference everywhere, especially on hill climb.(no matter what bike you ride)

Oh, and to answer your question, YES you are CRAZY :busted:
Wanna trade your gas gas for my hybrid?
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by JasonK94Z »

OMG! Seriously? DO NOT SELL THE GAS GAS. Throw a fmf woods pipe on it to calm the hit from the power band down some. I road a 300 gasgas with that pipe on it and it wasn't too bad at all. The KDX suspension is total sh*t! Even with race tech gold valves.
Sure, the kdx is a great 2 stroke beginners bike, but the gas gas will take you a lot further in your level of riding that the kdx will. Enjoy your gas gas, and slow down some when you need to. Your skills will come around soon enough and you'll be glad you kept it.
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by canamfan »

Keep the gas gas and buy you a cheap kdx locally and fix it up, best of both worlds.
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by SS109 »

If you want, I'll trade you straight up! :lol:
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by 6 Riders »

SS109 wrote:If you want, I'll trade you straight up! :lol:
I'll trade 2 KDXs for the Gas Gas!
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by KDXrider1989 »

Im with everyone else, that KDX might be decent but no way in hell is it worth giving up that GG for! even for an 8 hour drive just to look at, no thanks
Fst96se
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Fst96se »

But alas, I'll continue to lurk here and grow my wings on the GasGas. :cool:

:partyman:
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by KDX200-E2 »

Fst96se wrote:But alas, I'll continue to lurk here and grow my wings on the GasGas. :cool:

:partyman:
I think you made the right choice.
Keep the GasGas. If it is a bit too snappy for you. I would suggest putting a G2 Throttle cam on it.
Use the largest cam, I think it is the 400, might be wrong. They come with 3 options in the kit.
Put a 3 to 4 tooth smaller rear sprocket. You will loose some of the first gear low end grunt and
harsh throttle, but, overall the bike will be a lot smoother to ride. It will also have a bit higher
top end speed if you feel you need that.
I also have a EC300 GasGas and a KDX. The GasGas is soooo good, I turned the KDX into a SuperMoto.
GasGasRider.org is your friend.
Cheers,
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by matty86suk »

I'm a newish aggressive rider as well, 34 years old, skated, cliff jumped, bmx, wdyersports as a kid..
I think you'll want the gas gas back pretty quick after a few days on the kdx, the handling and suspension is just not there....what you want right now is kdx power but gas gas handling. Maybe check out the g4 throttle for the gas gas. Also, I thought the gas gas had a tuneable exhaust valve that you could detune the motor with?? Anyway, I'd recommend you keep the gas gas and deal with dropping it, buy some extra plastics, tape up the frame where it gets scratched....but it is a dirt bike and all...good luck
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by KarlP »

And yet another point of view......

The GG will never be as comfortable as the KDX for just plunking around the trails on, exploring a country dirt road, or following a kid on his XR70.
'08 KTM200xc
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Julien D »

KarlP wrote:And yet another point of view......

The GG will never be as comfortable as the KDX for just plunking around the trails on, exploring a country dirt road, or following a kid on his XR70.
Agreed.
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Gotanubike »

That KDX has almost definitely been laid down a few times, indicated by the bent kickstand...which I learned last week, mine now looks like that too :lol:
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Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Fst96se »

KDX200-E2 wrote:
Fst96se wrote:But alas, I'll continue to lurk here and grow my wings on the GasGas. :cool:

:partyman:
I think you made the right choice.
Keep the GasGas. If it is a bit too snappy for you. I would suggest putting a G2 Throttle cam on it.
Use the largest cam, I think it is the 400, might be wrong. They come with 3 options in the kit.
Put a 3 to 4 tooth smaller rear sprocket. You will loose some of the first gear low end grunt and
harsh throttle, but, overall the bike will be a lot smoother to ride. It will also have a bit higher
top end speed if you feel you need that.
I also have a EC300 GasGas and a KDX. The GasGas is soooo good, I turned the KDX into a SuperMoto.
GasGasRider.org is your friend.
Cheers,
I actually have the G2 Throttle Cam kit, the previous owner gave to me with the bike (and the supermoto wheels), new in the package. Haven't put it on. I wanted to see if I could tame the throttle myself first!

I'm getting there! :wink:
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Re: Am I crazy? Go from 2013 GasGas XC300E to 2002 KDX200??

Post by Worm »

You went to a crf450 after 6 months and now a gasgas, you have balls of steal. You should have bought a kdx first and you would still have it and not even be thinking about buying a new bike haha
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