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1999 EC 250 - Is this a good deal?

7K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  2stroksm 
#1 ·
Hoping the GasGas folks can help me make a call here.

A guy up the street just listed a 1999 GasGas EC 250 on Craigslist for $1500 obo. I have no idea how many hours or miles there are on the engine, but assuming standard wear is this a good price?

How difficult and expensive will it be to convert this to street legal?

If I give the bike a look, any tips on things I should be looking for to be sure it's not going to break down as soon as I get it home?
 
#2 ·
Since I own a '98 EC250....I'd like to say a '99 for $1,500 is a
good deal. But, it all depends on the condition of the bike in
question. For $1,500 it better LOOK good at first sight. And keep
looking good the more you peek into the knooks and crannies.
The late 90's model of the EC had the counter balancer in the
motor and were very smooth running for a 2-stroke. One of the
points I like best about my EC250SM. Depending on the color
of the bike now. The black radiator shrouds are unobtanium in
the USA. Side panels and rear fenders are the same as KX's.
Look at wear items, (tires, chain, sprockets, seat cover, plastic etc...)
Check the suspension, front and rear for leaks. Does the bike have
the Marzocchi 45mm conventional forks, or the 50mm Magnums?
Or does it have the Ohlins? Even better. Look for rust on the frame.
These bikes were nickel plated and some time corrode at the welds.
Look for frame cracks around the foot peg area. Does it start easy
and idle smooth? Does it shift smooth and easy? All normal questions.
Add up what you would need to spend to get the bike up to what
condition you feel is adequate and safe. Also look for aftermarket
goodies and add those into the equation. Skid plate, bark busters,
radiator guards, speedo, lights, horn ect...ect..
As for making it street legal. As always, it depends on your home
state. If the present title is street registered or OHV-only.
Only you can decide if $1,500 is worth it or not. Re-sale value
on a GasGas is very low due to people not knowing how good they
really are.
Between my 98 EC250 and my '02 EC300. I like the 250 best for some
reason. Don't know why.
You might like to do a little asking over on gasgasriders.org.
Good luck, Jeff
 
#3 ·
Great post - very helpful. Thanks, Jeff.

Living here on the coast of NC, I know service of any sort is going to be an issue - there just aren't any bike shops that focus on anything but cruisers and customs.

I wouldn't mind having a cheap enduro/mx to run on the beach and to learn to service myself. But 10 years old is 10 years old, and the bike was built to be ridden hard so I've got to assume it was serving its purpose for all this time.
 
#4 ·
The Dealer network for GasGas is pretty good from my experience.
It looks like you have 6 dealers in NC.
http://www.gasgas.com/dealers.htm
Parts have been easy to get when I need them. Most of the
dealers I have talked to are very knowledgeable about the brand.
And very passionate about their business and the bikes they service.
They are "Exotic" for a reason and they might not be for everybody.
Good luck with what ever your choose to ride.
:cheers: Jeff So. Cal.
 
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