It's a Gas!
By TMX Archives on 4th Jun 08
GAS GAS, the enthusiastic Gerona-based concern which recently announced details of its new ownership and management structure, has been ultra-quick off the mark to prove that it means business by announcing its full 2009 line-up of machines which will be steaming into production after the summer break all Euro factories take August off! The models can be split into three distinct categories: trials, enduro and an exciting new line of trail and supermoto models which have been given the generic name of Halley, the name of the company's very first model back in 1987.
On the trials front, a brand new tubular steel lightweight chassis, as developed by factory number one Adam Raga, gives the TXT range a brand new lease of life and keeps Gas Gas at the forefront of trials development. It will of course be available in all capacities: TXT125/250/280/300. The
trials models are also available in super-trick Raga Replica guise (250/280/300) and a similar 125 model designated TXT125 Racing. These models sport beautiful magnesium casings/ swinging arm, titanium exhaust front pipe and carbon-fibre silencer.
The Enduro range comprises the popular two-stroke models: EC125/200/250/300 and the four-stroke EC450 and mighty EC515.
The trail/ supermoto styled Halley range is like all the Gas Gas range fully compliant with Euro 3 environment laws and the 125 two-stroke should find plenty of teenage road-bike fans, particularly in its native Spain. There is also a 125 four-stroke version plus the meatier 450R and 450SM.
Looking forward, Gas Gas also has its unique side-valve trials four-stroke well into the development stage and which should be in production in around six months. The flat-head is of 350cc and features Kokusan baterry-less electronic ignition/fuel injection. It features the brand-new tubular chassis and the claimed weight is a mere kilo and a half over the already skinny 66K of the two-strokes.
And looking further ahead, Gas Gas has a brand-new, super-trick, short-stroke 250cc DOHC four-stroke engine on the cards which is planned as a 2010 model. The message is simple, Gas Gas is going for it...
(See Youth and Trials columns for more pics).