2021 GASGAS TXT Racing 300
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Introduction :
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Changes:
Power:
The power of a trials bike is an interesting element of putting on plenty of power when needed, for big hits, and then transitioning to be as smooth and controllable as possible in all other cases. . The engine is confined to a unit that must be very small and light, while having a torque and a flywheel effect that is generally reinforced by a large and heavy crank. In other words, the greatest of compromises. All this is achieved on a two-stroke engine with a small 28mm Keihin carburettor, without a power valve and without a real expansion chamber. The first hurdle to overcome is getting this little monster started. When cold, the choke is needed, followed by a good kick with a bit of technique to get a good full swing. Do you remember Top Dead Center? Remember having to roll the throttle as you kick? With this smooth, controlled push on the starter lever, the motorcycle usually starts right away. If you're kicking ¾, too fast or too slow, or doing anything weird with the throttle, you're going to have trouble starting. When it gets hot, starting gets easier, but you still need to use the right technique. If you don't have this technique, you will always have difficulty getting started. Starting is the biggest hurdle and our biggest worry with this bike. However, if we look at the standards of not so long ago, when electronic start was a rarity, this would be completely normal. The 300cc displacement offers significant power on a motorcycle that weighs only 40 kg when fully fueled. It offers a pleasant idle, excellent pick-up and a good start. The twist of the throttle on the trials bike, which feels like a longer pull on the wrist, is light and easy. Compared to other trials bikes we've tried, the 300 boasts expert-level aggressiveness, in that there's more throttle-induced jerk than most riders have. need. Even our experienced riders found it to be perhaps a bit excessive in the way it responded quickly and increased power and rpm as soon as the throttle was pressed. It takes a while for the pilot to smooth out the wrist turns to compensate. Don't tell a trials pro who will probably want to know more. We're told the power is easy to master and tune with an accessory slide that offers interchangeable squish domes. Also, the engine can be prone to stalling because there isn't much flywheel inertia to spin it at low rpm. The two-position mapping switch for power distribution was also interesting. One corresponds to cloudy conditions, the other to sunny conditions. We believe that the mapping was activated when the knob was turned in the direction of the symbol, but we are sure that the cloudy/rainy position was more dynamic than the sunny position. The cloudy setting had more oomph and response from idle and seemed to have more stable rpm and somewhat better traction, except in the high revs. If you were really doing aggressive splashes and hard jumps from a stop, the rider felt the top end of the sunny setting was more aggressive, but most of our riders didn't The trick then is to control this monster. This is where the clutch is great and the gear ratios are a bonus. There's a gear for each gear level needed to get through the sections and have fun using the higher gears (4th, 5th, 6th) to move from section to section or to explore. 5th and 6th are really overdrive gears and you have to be careful when shifting into those gears. Clutch pull is light, and the system that houses the slave cylinder inside the clutch side cover provides a nice, consistent feel. It took the beatings well and never wavered during our testing. The fan turns on and off intermittently, to keep the engine at the correct operating temperature. We never lost any coolant during our testing. Its fuel tank has a capacity of just under a gallon (2.3 liters), which is usually sufficient for the most enduring drivers. How many kilometers is that? We have no idea because we've never really done long trips with this bike. It was usually about getting to a place where we test drive, riding until exhaustion, then coming back. We did about 3 tank rides which was about 3 hours of driving. We mixed the gasoline 100:1 with pump gasoline and never had any issues.
Suspension:
The American motorcycles have an Ohlins shock and a TECH Aluminum fork. The shock is adjustable for spring preload and rebound, while the fork is adjustable for spring preload and heel control. Our testers never complained about the suspension, and for all but the top trials riders, we think the bike provides all the control needed through the suspension. There's enough "spring" to deliver smooth jumps and bounces and with adequate damping control so there isn't too much springiness. It can be soft on jumps, especially if dirt bike riders aren't used to low-pressure tire tuning and feel more "rim" than usual. The adjustments make some difference, but that's not what a motorcycle rider is used to. This is most apparent in the sag control which seems to control more how you can jump the bike when used with spring preload to get the best result. If you land hard on big jumps or bumps, you'll want to use it all the way. On this bike we had issues with the fork seals and they always seemed to ooze, if not outright leak. We hear that aluminum slides are prone to stone damage, even with the protective coating, but we haven't damaged ours yet.
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Chassis – Steering:
You don't really experience a lightweight bike until you've experienced a trials bike. GASGAS pioneered the switch to ultralight motorcycles in the early 2000s, dropping about 15lbs of the usual weight, and has been making them lighter ever since. Weighing just 157lbs with full fuel, the TXT 300 feels like a feather, but it's built solidly the way it should be. The layout is spread out and with the handlebars so forward and little legroom, a trials bike can feel very awkward. Trials bikes are traditionally narrow at the ankles, leaving nothing to squeeze with the knees like on a motocross bike. Not to mention the total absence of a saddle. Then yes, the only driving position is standing! The handlebar wobble is quite large providing a very tight turning radius, provided you are balanced and riding slowly. These are all traits of a trials bike, designed to be comfortable and perform at the highest level. Not being at all close to this level, and rather like most enthusiasts interested in a motorcycle of this type, we can say that you will not be bothered by the handling. On the contrary, you will have to get used to it. In conjunction with the suspension, the TXT is easy to bounce and use the spring to literally hop the bike. The handlebar geometry is dynamic enough to provide stable steering while allowing for steering movements that will help correct minor loss of balance. Take into account the contact of the wheel with the ground when racing on the track and the fact that turning back and forth helps to stabilize and control the motorcycle. Motor inertia helps maintain balance but never feels too heavy, limiting maneuverability. The bike thus seems much lighter than the trial bikes of yesteryear. The details of the TXT 300 have been given great attention. The bottom of the skid plate is reinforced and allows for snagging on things like logs and rocks. The snail-shell cam adjusters are placed inside the swingarm, preventing them from dragging on obstacles and snagging. The air filter is an allen bolt away. The plastic resisted tip-over damage, and the plastic rear fender pins did their job of coming loose and allowing the fender to flex and move rather than break. |
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Conclusion:
If you've ever thought about buying a trials bike, now might be the right time. With the launch of GASGAS on the market and the partnership with a brand like KTM, the dealer network should be stronger than ever. In addition, the brand will certainly enjoy greater popularity. We'll never say trials is the next trend, and it'll never take off like adventure trials, but it's a market segment that appeals to all types of riders for all sorts of reasons. The biggest plus for most of them is the training aspect. Motorcycle balance and control skills are applicable regardless of which class you participate in. Trial can be a lot of fun and doesn't need a lot of difficult space or terrain to be practiced and have fun. All you need is flat ground with a few man-made obstacles and you can have hours of fun. Besides, it is a true full body workout that helps to get in shape and feel a sense of satisfaction. It's been a few years since we rode Beta, Sherco or Montesa trials bikes, so it's hard to say what this GASGAS is worth. That said, we bet it is up to the task and competitive against any bike. We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! flat terrain with a few man-made obstacles and you can have hours of fun. Besides, it is a true full body workout that helps to get in shape and feel a sense of satisfaction. It's been a few years since we rode Beta, Sherco or Montesa trials bikes, so it's hard to say what this GASGAS is worth. That said, we bet it is up to the task and competitive against any bike. We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! flat terrain with a few man-made obstacles and you can have hours of fun. Besides, it is a true full body workout that helps to get in shape and feel a sense of satisfaction. It's been a few years since we rode Beta, Sherco or Montesa trials bikes, so it's hard to say what this GASGAS is worth. That said, we bet it is up to the task and competitive against any bike. We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! a true full body workout that gets you in shape and feels a sense of satisfaction. It's been a few years since we rode Beta, Sherco or Montesa trials bikes, so it's hard to say what this GASGAS is worth. That said, we bet it is up to the task and competitive against any bike. We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! a true full body workout that gets you in shape and feels a sense of satisfaction. It's been a few years since we rode Beta, Sherco or Montesa trials bikes, so it's hard to say what this GASGAS is worth. That said, we bet it is up to the task and competitive against any bike. We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one! We think choosing a trials bike is a bit like choosing a taste of ice cream. There is no bad one!
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