Gassers PROficient 2011 bikes
By TMX Archives on 18th Nov 10
The Gas Gas PRO range is well-known to all trials riders and there are thousands of them out there up and down the country. And the state-of-the-art 2011 range is only going to add to that number.
In 2009 the PRO range (headed by the awesome specced Raga Replica) was treated to an all-new chassis, which set new standards in lightness for a production trials bike. The tubular steel chassis was an object lesson in keeping things simple and the geometry and weight distribution were subtly tweaked to give the optimum balance, and in doing so the designers removed the Gassers' tendency to be a little twitchy at the front.
For 2010 the factory basically left well alone, apart from going back to the popular default mainly red colour scheme which is always a winner.
But for 2011 the Gerona factory has been right on the development case again with a serious update that includes several major changes – and all to the good.
Firstly, there's an all-new perimeter chassis that utilises basically the 2010 main frame loop, but incorporating many quality ‘micro-fused' (cast) parts coupled with a completely re-designed rear end.
The rear cross-piece, which incorporates the top shock mount, is now a lovely tubular steel external arch that is actually incorporated in the styling with cutaways in the plastics to show it off. This is both simple and strong – and allowed the factory to then address several components that the design team had been itching to get at. Both the airbox and exhaust system are completely new.
The exhaust retains its lovely titanium front pipe but then flows through an all-new middle box and tail-pipe. The mid-box is more robust and features stronger mounts while the rear-box includes a replaceable end-cap for when you damage it in a loop-out! The airbox is definitely the best yet on a Gasser with clever design that should surely keep all the muck and water out – short of actually drowning the bike.
The whole frame is also actually wider in the footrest area – about 1.2mm – which was at the suggestion of factory rider Adam Raga – to allow better control as it encourages you to grip the bike between your legs.
Other changes include a ‘ribbed' rear wheel rim (external spoke fastening) which needs no central sealing band (hooray) and a lighter front rim. There's also a new rear brake master cylinder with the reservoir built-in plus lots of detail stuff.
The unique PRO engine and gearbox, which magically produces six ratios from just four pairs of gears, remains pretty much untouched although importer John Shirt tells us that the factory is constantly refining the unit.
With the latest Marzocchi forks up front and a Sachs shock working through a linkage and aluminium swinging arm, the 2011 Gasser PRO, in its usual four-bike format, 125/ 250/ 280/ 300 is ready to rock...
CONCLUSION
I'VE been doing the trials tests for a good few years now and we often stand and look at a bike and think: "Surely they can't improve on that now, it's as small and light as you can go.”
Then the manufacturers come up with next year's model and prove us wrong. The 2011 Gas Gas PRO is just that bike. The new chassis has allowed the designers fresh scope to re-arrange components and suddenly they have moved the goalposts – the 2011 PRO range really is state-of-the-art trials design.
Once again I reckon that they have one model too many in the range but whatever, if you are thinking of buying a 2011 Gasser you really MUST beg or borrow a ride on all of them before making a choice.
I can't tell you which model to buy – everyone is different. There are those who wouldn't have any other model bar the 280. There are some out there on 300s who really would be better with a 125.
Just go in with an open mind – and choose the one that best suits you.
SPECIFICATIONS
2011 model Gas Gas 125 PRO/ 250 PRO/ 280 PRO/ 300 PRO
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke with direct crankcase reed-vale induction
Capacity: 124.8cc/ 247.7cc/ 272.2cc/ 294.1cc
Bore x Stroke: 54 x 54.5mm/ 72.5 x 60mm/ 76 x 60mm/ 79 x 60mm
Induction: 26mm Dell'Orto carburettor
Ignition: CDI Digital Magnetic Flywheel
Gear Selector: Gas Gas patented coaxial selector
Clutch: 1/3 diaphragm discs with adjustable hydraulic actuation (Gas Gas patented)
Gear Box: Six-speed with GG 4/6 technology
Transmission: Roller chain
Lubrication: 2% Fuel/ oil pre-mix
CHASSIS
Type: Chrom-Molybdenum tubular design with aluminium swinging arm
SUSPENSION
Front: 40mm adjustable Marzocchi telehydraulic aluminium fork. 177mm travel
Rear: Sachs hydraulic mono-shock with adjustable rebound and spring preload. 164mm wheel travel
BRAKES
Front: 185mm disc with four-piston calliper
Rear: 150mm disc with two-piston calliper
WHEELS
Front: Light Morad aluminium rim with 2.75 x 21” Michelin tyre
Rear: Morad ribbed rim with 4.00 x 18” tubeless Michelin tyre
ANCILLARIES
Kick Start: Forged aluminium
Brake Pedal: Forged aluminium with retractable tip
Exhaust Pipe: S3 titanium header pipe, aluminium middle-box and repackable silencer
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length: 2,045mm
Wheelbase: 1,340mm
Seat Height: 660mm
Fuel Capacity: 2.5 litres
Dry Weight: 66kg/ 67kg/ 67kg/ 67kg
