Re: I need some advice regarding keeping my GasGas 125xc

motor's too small for an xr400 style rider
if it was running right that might be another thing.

if I owned it I might entertain putting a
150cc jug on it but as you know the
bike needs other work...

do you have a spare xr200 ish motor you could
stuff in the frame? if not I'd dump it and go for
a nicer condition kdx200

as for why I like gas gas, ride mine and you'll know.
john


"JayC" <j
No offense to the guys who love the euro-bikes, for whatever reason.
I don't understand the allure of the GasGas brand, I really don't, but
I'd like some inputs from folks who are experienced with them.

I just found and corresponded with the two-owners-ago guy who had my
125xc. I've determined the guy who sold it to me was a lying sack of
***, and was fully aware of the hidden issues that the bike has.
Life lessons, live and learn - always assume everybody is lying, don't
ever trust anybody, and screw everybody every chance you get. Anyhoo,
odds are 99% that my bike has a blown crank seal, which might explain
the odd jetting problems I've been having. I started to tear down the
bike to get to the seal, and found that the clutch is completely
toasted. The plates might even still be in spec for all I know, but
the basket is notched severely, mostly toward the outside, as are the
outer clutch plate tabs. The outer plate notch is at least 1/16" deep
- far too deep to file. I'd say everything has to go, and should've a
long time ago.

So, my question... should I fix it, or cut my losses and dump the POS
at the local consignment shop. I'm into the bike for ~$1500 now, and
I could probably get at least half of my dough back if I dump it as is
- GasGases are pretty much worthless on the used market in the
northeast, I don't know about elsewhere in the country. OTOH, if I
replace the clutch, I'm guessing I'd be into the bike for close to
$2k, and it still wouldn't be worth a cent more, and I can buy a late-
model CR125 in mint condition for $2k. Problem is, I really do think
the bike is a POS, and in my experience, I honestly can't imagine why
folks like these things. The engineering on the bike is horrible, it
weighs a ton compared to the jap bikes, and the motor literally can't
even make the power of my son's CR80 (though to be fair, the crank
leak might have a little to do with that - although I can't imagine
that fixing the leak will increase the power output THAT much). From
what I can gather from reading, OTOH, the claim to fame of GasGas is
the handling. Personally, I don't see it, and can't see how a bike as
heavy as this could possibly feel better than a race-bred bike that is
15-20 pounds lighter, but I haven't has the chance to spend any
quality time in the saddle, so maybe I'm completely wrong. What's the
deal with the handling anyway? It is anything other than high bars, a
low seat, and squishy WP/Ohlin suspension?

So, what do you think? Should I fix this POS? Should I go even more
into the hole, just to find out if there is anything to this GasGas
myth, or give up on it and cut my losses, then buy a jap 125 and live
happily ever after? I'm worried that I'll fix it, then something else
will go, then something else...it's already reminding me of my kid's
old KTM50. That bike was 2 hours wrenching for every hour riding. So
far, my GasGas has 25-30 wrenching hours and 1/2 hour riding, and
needs a whole lot more wrenching - pretty dismal ratio so far, and I'm
really sick of working on it.

Thanks - Jay



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