Gas Gas Txt280 Pro
GAS GAS TXT280 PRO
Quick Ride
When anorexia is a good thing
WITH OBSERVED TRIALS as popular as it ever was, rivaling, oh, say, sidecar motocross for percentage points in the overall motorcycle market, it’s easy to let something as small as Gas Gas’ latest trialer blow right by. At 156 pounds full of gas, it wouldn’t take much wind either!
By shedding nearly 15 pounds off the already light TXT280, the new Pro model is the definition of “light.” Its tidy, liquid-cooled two-stroke engine and six-speed transmission are the size of a minibike’s. Using only three clutch friction plates and a diaphragm spring instead of conventional coils lets the motor squeeze into an extremely narrow space. The cylinder looks wafer-thin, the casting bulging to make room for the transfer ports. Even the bolts holding everything together are small-diameter, and few at that. The hydraulically actuated clutch uses the right sidecover as a slave unit-simple and crafty. The aluminum shift forks are delicate, though, and there were some
clutch teething problems on early 2002 models. So shift carefully.
Chrome-plated chromoly perimeter frame rails run from the steering head to the footpegs without ever bowing, the engine hanging from dual downtubes, the swingarm pivot running through the cases. Wedged between the frame rails is an aluminum gas tank that holds barely 1 gallon. The tiny radiator and its thermostat-controlled electric fan fit nicely above the cylinder head. And the thing that hangs off the back isn’t
even worthy of being called a subframe; it’s an airbox with a sculpted plastic fender flying out in the breeze to keep the spray of mud and water off your cute, spandex-wearing ass. Seat? There is none!
One stab on the tiny kickstart lever and you’ll notice that the heavy, heavy flywheel typical of a trials bike has been shed in favor of a freer-spinning engine with a lighter, more responsive feel. The Spanish bike-maker relies on tuning to provide the torque. As long as the throttle is cracked, this engine will not stall. And throttle response is very lively, adding more justification to the name “Pro.” But it didn’t take long to get used to this style of motor and really start to like it, prompting this tester to try things ordinarily out of his skill range-and cleaning them to boot.
Amazingly, overshadowing the engine performance is the TXT’s light feel. It seems more mountain bike than motorcycle-you can literally bunny-hop it with the engine off! Combining all that lively new power, great brakes, slim body and springy suspension, the Gas Gas makes most other trials bikes-especially those a few years old-feel obsolete.
Sure, this motorcycle is as focused as a MotoGP racer, and about as practical for everyday riding. That’s okay; that’s not what it’s about. But for the level of world-class performance you get for only $5495, the TXT is a pretty amazing piece of machinery.
See you in Scotland...
—Jimmy Lewis
