Gas Gas Pro 280
By TMX Archives on 18th Nov 10
I've always had a big problem with the 280 and 300 Gas Gas models. My question is always: Why? And the factory doesnt make it any easier as it has continually pushed and pulled the power up and down the revs range between the two models trying to make them different.
Traditionally, I never liked the 280, then last year I felt that the 280 was just like a bigger 250 and surprise, surprise, I actually liked it.
This year though they seem to have abandoned that and made the engine really 'wick' and ultra responsive.
The chassis remains the same for all models of course, whether 125 or 300 so the only differences are in the engine power departments. So I had no probems with the riding or handling. But with such a quick power delivery, I really didn't find the 280 an easy ride. I was continually fighting it and trying to slow things down. It was harder to ride a straight line on rocks and I also found it tiring.
Now, if I was a teenage whiz-kid straight out of the youth ranks, I would probably be running off with one now. The 280 is everything that a clutch-mad, hopping and bopping young rider dreams of.
Flick it round a tight turn using the chassis and slighty suspension, then rev that motor up to full revs, drop the clutch and wham - straight up that six-foot step!
In a world of horses for courses this is just not my steed of choice.
Specification:
Gas Gas, 2011 model: 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
