Gas Gas TXTs are fourmidable
By TMX Archives on 13th Nov 08
GAS GAS has all the bases covered when it comes to off-road comp bikes. Last month T+MX brought you the first UK test of the Gerona firm's two-stroke enduro models. And what a line-up that was with EXC125, 200, 250 and 300 variations, i.e. a model for everyone.And the situation is exactly the same on the trials front with Gas Gas again weighing-in with four models for absolute maximum market penetration. All models are based on the very same platform with the new-for-'09 lightweight chassis housing the various capacity variations of the miniscule engine that outwardly looks like the Gas Gas engineers forgot to install most of the parts. They are of course all present and correct, it is just that they have been condensed into an incredibly compact package.
As most of you will know, the 2009 Gas Gas TXT range is a direct result of a development programme carried out with factory rider Adam Raga. The ultra-lightweight, round-tube, steel chassis was debuted by Raga in the Indoor series and he went on to finish second in the 2008 World Trials Champs. As a direct result Gas Gas really got their wheels in motion and released a limited edition run of all-new Raga Replica models mid-way through 2008. The production Raga was tested for T+MX by Woody Hole immediately it was released.
And the factory had its foot right on the throttle with the Raga followed-up by 'standard' versions of the 2009 TXT which is virtually as per the Raga minus the expensive magnesium cases and a few items of Bling!
Although the '09 Gassers have been on sale for a while now - and there are already a shedload around - it took some time for importer John Shirt to assemble a full-house of models so we could hit them all at once - and then pin Woody down in Britain for more than ten minutes from his extensive World travels...
First things first - this is the model that will make-up the majority of sales from the TXT range.
TXT250
Just standing there the latest Gassers look fantastic, trick and light looking without being over the top. The new frame looks minimal but should prove plenty strong enough and finished in red, with the white plastics the Gassers all really look the part, simple and clean.
As we expected, the 250 is the model with which to base the others against. It really is a cracking trials bike. Just firing the engine-up it sounds exactly right in the exhaust note with no fierce popping or airless gasping. It just sounds right with a steady, strong beat.
It is the engine that will sell this Gasser, the power output is just sooooo smooth. There are no surprises, no kick or flat spot and carburetion is spot-on - as it was on all the models for that matter. They really do run clean. The smooth power then makes it just so easy to ride, you are not fighting the bike and it won't do anything silly. Having said that, don't get it wrong, this is no super soft model, it is just bang-on - it genuinely is suitable for everyone from a raw beginner to a National class rider. For instance, when Ross Danby moved-up from the Youth 125cc model to the adult ranks he had a choice of models - but chose the 250 because he felt it was absolutely right for him.
The 2009 TXT weighs-in at just 66kg and while it does feel light it doesn't actually feel a whole lot lighter than the previous model. What it does feel is more planted at the front. The riding stance is similar to all modern bikes with the footpegs set well back and down but there seems to be just a little more front weight bias and this makes for a more stable feel.
Couple that stable feeling with that lovely soft power output and you can begin to understand how good the Gasser feels. Being very light it is obviously easy to trick-ride, lifting the front or rear takes minimum effort. But because of the more
stable feel you can just as easily steer round corners, as tight as you like, with the front wheel stuck to the ground with near-perfect balance.
The clutch is super-light in feel - with a small master cylinder - and there is no snatch or drag but the gearchange is still 'different' to other units until you get used to it. There is a very short throw on the gearlever in the lower gears but when you get to fifth and sixth the movement is a lot greater. It's not a problem - just different. Talking of gears, the first four are all close together and all are useable section gears. Fifth is a good moorland gear and sixth is quick on the road.
Brakes. What can you say these days, one finger on the front is all you need with all the feel you need and the back does exactly what it is supposed to.
The rear suspension offers a soft, plush action as it soaks up all the smaller stuff: you can watch it working up smaller steps and over rocks but when you hit bigger steps the linkage and damping kick-in to stiffen-up the action and drive you forwards. Front forks? Also offer a really plush, softly sprung, nicely damped action but always settle instantly which all helps with that improved, stable feel.
All in all this is such an easy bike to ride, it took a long time to get tired on it as it just does not wear you out.
If you are not sure which Gasser is for you - this is the one!
TXT280/300
I LUMP these two together because, frankly, they are essentially the same bike although there are differences in power output. Obviously with the same chassis as the 250 the handling remains essentially the same, but you have to make some allowance for the extra poke. These motors will murder hillclimbs and flatten big rocks and steps - but only if the pilot is good enough!
Of the two I found the 300 easiest to get on with because it churns out nice, smooth power. This motor sounds right, a bit more urgent than the 250 but still smooth and controlled. Make no mistake though, this bike does have a lot of power. Back in the day, Gasser 300s used to be a bit soft and woolly and older riders tended to like them because they reacted slowly.
Forget all that! The 250 is now the bike for them - end of.This bike is, in my opinion, if for the top 5 per cent or riders who will attack the hardest British Championship section. Sure it is easy enough to ride, right up to the point you get into trouble! It is also a lot physically harder to ride, a lot more. After only a short while I really noticed that my arms were being pulled far more than on the 250.
Firing-up the 280 it instantly sounds more aggressive, sharper, free revving with more 'pop' 'pop' 'pop' in the exhaust pipe. You will find this fun to ride for a few minutes but unless you are really fit it will tire you out. Like the 300 you can flatten monster obstacles but you need to be fit and skilled to get the best out of it.
For a genuine Expert rider, there is obviously tremendous potential in these larger capacity bikes but trust me, if you are only average you will lose more marks in a trial than on the 250.
TXT125
THIS, without doubt, was the most improved model in the range and the biggest surprise of the day. Gas Gas 125 trials bikes have always been extremely popular with the youths but their engines, while they revved for ever, never had any bottom-end to write about. And when Beta re-wrote the 125 book last year with its uprated, super torquey REV3 it left its rivals looking for something extra.
Well, with the 2009 TXT125 Gas Gas has found it - and the Gerona factory isn't even shouting about the improvement!
The bottom line is that torque from that little motor has been noticeably improved, without losing any of the famed Gas Gas top-end which remains awesome.
It should be obvious that the smallest engine should benefit most from the new, lighter chassis and that is the case - although the front-end did feel a bit heavier than on the other three bikes. This could be down to the fact that it doesn't have the same power but it did have a different feel. But lightweight kids should have great fun with the all-new chassis and the improved steering has got to help - even though the kids spend more time with both wheels in the air.
We headed for a steep rocky gully that we have ridden many times before and was amazed that I could ride up in bottom, second and even third! This has never been the case before when the choice was definitely bottom or bottom! And it genuinely rode up the section on the throttle , not just flat-out in peak revs. You could roll it off and the torque allowed you to build the revs back up. Second was easy and third possible with a bit of clutch.
CONCLUSION
Gas Gas not only came out with a virtually brand new model for 2009, with the latest development of their two-stroke engine in the Raga-developed chassis, they also stole a march on the opposition by releasing them early into the marketplace. The Gerona factory really is on the case at the moment and the current TXT range is the best ever in terms of performance with the 125 and 250 models in particular right on the money in their class. If you don't believe us - go blag a test ride!
SPECIFICATIONS
2009 Gas Gas TXT 300, 280, 250 and 125 models
ENGINE
Type: Two-stoke, single cylinder with reed intake directly into crankcase
Bore x Stroke: 79 x 66mm - 76 x 60mm - 75 x 60mm - 54 x 54.5mm
Capacity: 294.1 cc - 272.2cc - 247.7 cc - 124.8cc
Cooling system: Liquid
Carburettor: 26mm
Ignition: CDI digital magnetic flywheel
Clutch: Hydraulic of 1/3 discs progressive variable with diaphragm
Gearbox: 6 speeds (four/six Gas Gas system)
Transmission: Chain
Lubrication: Pre-mix 2.5 per cent petrol/ oil mixture
CHASSIS
Type: Cr-Mo tubular profile.
SUSPENSION
Front: Ajustable telehydraulic fork with 40mm aluminium stanchions
Rear: Variable progressivity system with single shock absorber.
BRAKES
Front: 185mm disc, four-piston caliper
Rear: 150mm disc, two-piston caliper
WHEELS
Front: 32 spoke rims with 2.75 x 21" tyre
Rear: 32 spoke rims with 4.00 x 18" tubeless tyre
ANCILLIARIES
Engine protector: Made in ergal
Kickstart: Forged aluminium
Controls: Brake and gear pedal in forged aluminium with flexible tip
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 1,330mm
Height seat: 665mm
Fuel tank: 3.1 litres
Weight: 66 kg
Specification: