GasGas FSR450 07′ Owners report

[JasonMember]

Well I thought I might give an update on my machine…
I’ve had the bike for 2 years now and racked up just over 4,000kms.
Modifications made include Larger Clark tank, Race Tech suspension (Both ends springs and revalve), 08′ model seat, decent rim lock on the rear, B&B bashplate, Force radiator guards, Barkbuster EGO hadguards, Heavy Duty tubes.
I recently gave it a new chain and front sprocket, new plastic radiator shrouds and another rear tyre (IRC M5B ).
I also sent it into Picton to get the fuel trim reset… It was out of spec. running rich…

The valves have not moved since new. It still runs all the original bearings for the wheels and linkages… (I like to clean and pack regularly).
My first worry I had with the bike was a wiring fault from new that stopped it from starting.. This was something that was a common problem in earlier models around the header pipe and was easily fixed..
I had a clutch basket failure early in the relationship, but this I was told was due to an off I had which dented the side cover and impacted the clutch assembly..
I had to replace a waterpump seal as it let a drip of water into the oil round 3,000kms
So after an early rough start to my relationship with the GasGas brand, I have got to say it has been very reliable.. I suppose you might be wondering why I didn’t post up any concerns earlier. Well I thought it would be an injustice to the brand to slander it after owning it just a short while. And I just gave it a chance. I’m glad I own my Gasser it has been so far a great bike to ride and the support I get from my dealer is nothing short of fantastic..Would I buy another GasGas ? Yes ,but only when they improve on the one I already have. :)The new models I have ridden, I’ve found them to be the same as mine with suspension mods except for a little more poke up top.. I think I might hang onto it for another year. I feel I have got this bike dialled in for me and recently feeling quite proud of it
Here are a few recent pictures of it..

[Anonymous]

It does look nice mate. It’s nice having a bike that you’re totally happy with. I’m getting closer to that with mine.

Are they the standard brake rotors front and rear?

I like you new sig as well

[Eric SmithMember]

I’ve always liked this Gasser, and thought I’d get one to replace the banana. Unfortunately things didn’t happen that way (not that I’m unhappy with the WR). The Gasser feels slim and light (with the stock tank) and has plenty of torque. Nice smooth power that goes from idle to the top end. The bar/seat/peg relationship fit me nicely, and I think it would suit most blokes without needing serious changes.

The small issues JRD had early in the piece had me wondering, as did the water pump seal, but the aftermarket support from Picton Motorcycles is great. So good in fact that I would buy one through them if I was in the market. There are quite a few locals who have Gassers through Picton, which also says good things about them.

All in all a good reliable bike. I’m not too sure about the new price considering what you can get in other brands (think Husky under 10K, Yamaha under 10K) but the product itself is top knotch.

Glad to hear you’re hanging on to the Gasser for a while yet JRD, I think that’s a wise choice!

[JasonMember]

Moto wrote:

Quote:

Are they the standard brake rotors front and rear?

Yep, they are stockers..

[GregMember]

Yeah I agree with all that ECKS said seems a good thing, service would be the only thing that would worry me, JRD is mates with the owner of the Picton shop so that helps (thats right isnt it Jason, I read that at DBW I think) Ollie sourced all his stuff from Melbourne which would worry me, that aside shouldn’t need much as JRD’s bike seems sorted and like I said a good thing and definitely not just a WR, CRF or Kato like everyone else (not that there is anything wrong with any of the previously mentioned brands Moto)

Yesterday I rang up for a tail light lens for a 1990 NX650, and Honda had 7 in stock in Melbourne! Shocked me I was fully expecting a back order from Japan or even unavailable I would have thought.

TB

[JasonMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Quote:

JRD is mates with the owner of the Picton shop so that helps (thats right isnt it Jason, I read that at DBW I think)

Actually I had never met Steve (The part owner) before I looked at Gasser’s and once I had purchased my bike I found out his wife used to date my older brother:blink: .. He comes from the country, the town of Forbes. So I guess we have a similar background and found him very easy to talk too.. He always takes as much time out as he can manage to accommodate my needs as a customer.. I suppose we have over the last 2 years developed a good relationship that would be called friends..

[Eric SmithMember]

I rate Steve over the local dealers, and I have only met him once or twice.

[DeanMember]

Nice report JRD

I concur with the Rimlock,they are an absolute joke,Michelin I believe, I replaced mine as soon as I saw it.

It is good that we have good dealers that we can build a relationship with, I went with Scotties also because of his phone manner and his genuine care about his customers,(plus he has a cool website) I am sure Steve at Picton would be the same,we just need more of them eh? On Saturday whilst we were in the middle of warchoppy whoop whoop we rang up Mud and Tar and ordered some wheel bearings, Lukes wife picked them up and I had them in my hands that ArvoB)

Ollie

[Eric SmithMember]

Makes me wonder whether the bigger brand’s dealers are getting complacent. When you see the service a smaller brand like Gas Gas offers it makes me wonder why I put up with crap from the local dealers for Yamaha, Suzuki and KTM. (Have no problem with the Honda dealer in Dubbo, other than the fact that I don’t have a Honda!)

[GregMember]

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

Makes me wonder whether the bigger brand’s dealers are getting complacent. When you see the service a smaller brand like Gas Gas offers it makes me wonder why I put up with crap from the local dealers for Yamaha, Suzuki and KTM. (Have no problem with the Honda dealer in Dubbo, other than the fact that I don’t have a Honda!)

I get awesome service from both Sutto’s and Westerns at Penrith, and they are not small dealers, having said that I walked out of Frazers at Newcastle last week because I stood around for 10mins and got nothing, only person at the counter, KTM01 and I couldn’t believe it :ohmy:
I think its got a lot to do with your approach, not how big they are or flash there web site is, Ballards have always given great service its the only reason I go there because the service is good and they normally have whatever I am after in stock and that counts as much as service any day, cause it doesn’t natter how nice they talk or how hard they try if they don’t stock your needs you ain’t riding and that’s a piss off.

I normally have one person that I like to deal with because I have dealt with them before.

Battyes is the smallest place I deal with and he always looks after me and anyone I send there, but old fashioned service on the whole is dead!

TB

[DeanMember]

Yep TB I agree on the points you mentioned above as well.

Sutto’s and Ballards excellent,same as R&D Husky cant comment on Battyes or Westerns(yet)Its a very competitive market and they have to perform or the customers will go elsewhere. Find a mob you like and stick to emB)

ollie

[alanMember]

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

. (Have no problem with the Honda dealer in Dubbo, other than the fact that I don’t have a Honda!)

walked into honda dealer in dubbo last week they had bridgstone back nobby tyres for 180$ after just buying a mitchelin m12 back tyre from grandys for 100$ glad i don t ride a honda imagine if you had to buy a part from there:unsure:

[GregMember]

white rocket wrote:

Quote:

Quote:

walked into honda dealer in dubbo last week they had bridgestone back knobby tyres for 180$ after just buying a michelin m12 back tyre from grandy’s for 100$ glad i don t ride a honda imagine if you had to buy a part from there:unsure:

I hardly ever need to buy honda parts its always the bits and pieces around, chains tyres etc just sitting here cant remeber to last Honda bit I bought for my XR :blink: Old age :laugh:

TB

[Nick AgainMember]

I hear this. Up here in QLD.. I’ve burnt a few Moto shops off the List of places to shop. Now I just use a Mech. Shop. I get my Tyres, oil any mech work I dont feel comfortable doing etc done All in the one place. As forparts..If I’m paying attention to the bike, i can pre-order through him. Takes a bit of time..cupla days..is no prob though. Has me thinking though as he doesnt sell bikes..and I’m thinking of adding a bike to the shed?? Dont know where to go??

[alanMember]

most honda parts i have brought in the past have been resonably priced just the price of the tyres etc at this particular shop scared me.i have had 4 hondas in the past

[Author]

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