RACING DNA
Even when it’s standing alone, the Racing DNA of the 2020 GASGAS TXT 300 model jumps out at you with its race-ready signature red aesthetics. Its minimalistic appearance lets you know that you are looking at a machine that can take you to the very top in the world of motorcycle trials.
When you have a manufacturer with such a proven track record, it’s very much a case of refining and fine-tuning to make a good machine better year on year, which GASGAS have achieved. You have to look as far back as the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship to understand that GASGAS is the only machine to interrupt Toni Bou in the TrialGP class and his dominance of the sport when they took victories on both days in Japan with the TXT 300 model.
Off the back of rider feedback, GASGAS has provided ease of maintenance and better weight distribution along with new suspension settings to continue to offer a machine capable of winning straight out of the box.
With the two Spanish riders, Albert Cabestany and Jorge Casales, as part of the team, they have the perfect blend of experience and youth to keep pushing the boundaries with development and riding.
We needed a young rider to find out just how good this 300 model is, and so, in the safe hands of Mitch Brightmore, it was put through its paces to arrive at this ‘Quick Spin’ report. You might remember the name of our guest test rider as he was a leading young schoolboy/adult rider until early 2020 when he made the switch to Enduro racing.
Skimming the surface, and away from its impressive stand-out red, the 2020 model styling encourages you to ask more. Still, in truth, it’s an evolution of a good solid product now secure under the umbrella of the Austrian KTM/Husqvarna group. Still produced in Spain, the development engineers have listened to both Cabestany and Casales with the main focus for this GASGAS model on the ease of riding, maintenance and more controlled stability.
FRAME – HANDLING
This more controlled stability has been achieved by the relocation of the centre of gravity to give a more neutral sensation to the rider, which has allowed them to improve the front-end stability. Careful tuning of both the front and rear suspension adds to this improved feel of the machine. The fitting of the new rear linkage for that vital connection from the swinging arm and the reaction capacity of the adjustable Ohlin’s shock absorber allows the machine to ‘drive’ positively under acceleration for improved adhesion in the most extreme of conditions.
Aiding this smooth drive is a new chain ‘slipper’ which can be replaced without removal of the swinging arm assembly. The new chain tensioner is also easier to maintain, with better protection from exposed obstacles. Adding to the ‘Racing’ appeal is a new disc protector and the new rear swinging arm and more effective brake master cylinder, which is anchored directly to the brake calliper and incorporates a new guide for the rear brake hose. The side stand is new and more effective and applied easily by the rider’s boot.
ENGINE – PERFORMANCE
The single-cylinder two-stroke engine is also refined, with the evolution of the diaphragm Kevlar clutch system which incorporates a new spring and variable preload that offers the possibility of adjusting the tension of the clutch to the rider’s preferences. A new, distinctive clutch cover not only looks very ‘Factory’ but also easily allows direct access for any maintenance or adjustments. Inside the crankcases, a profiled crankshaft assembly runs with less friction for quicker, smoother throttle response, once again giving the rider more confidence in the most difficult of riding situations.
For ease of engine servicing, new crankshaft seals are fitted which can be changed without having to ‘split’ the crankcases, making it a quicker process and less labour intensive, which is a major plus-point for the owner.
QUICK SPIN WITH MITCH BRIGHTMORE
“Without a doubt, off-road motorcycling is my life, and my first choice for a trials machine is the GASGAS. The need for speed drove my move from trials to enduro at a young age, but it’s in the slow speed world of trials where I found my feet, for want of a better word, on an off-road motorcycle.
“The dominant 2020 red styling from this Spanish manufacturer jumps out at you and urges you to throw your leg over it and ride it. Having predominantly ridden a GASGAS during my trials years, I knew what to expect, and I was not disappointed. All the controls are easily to hand and easy to use. Maybe it’s just me, but this 300 model appeared to be smaller; maybe it’s the time on the enduro machines that gave me this impression, but it felt tiny! This was a stock machine, but in just a few minutes and with some small control adjustments I felt at home. Appearances can be deceptive, but machine performance cannot be hidden once you turn the throttle.”
RIDER-FRIENDLY
“It’s good and very, very rider-friendly despite the 294.1cc on hand at the turn of the throttle. The engine runs and performs very strongly at all throttle openings, and yes, you do have to respect the power output. It’s smooth and controllable in all situations and works very well with the diaphragm clutch. To me, this is the single strongest part of the engine, the clutch. It drives well, does not snatch, and when worked with the smooth, strong power delivery, it certainly encourages you to push yourself and your limits!
“The choice of four trials gears and two for open moorland and trails give you a good range. After some practice, I found that for the rest of the day, my chosen gear was second. In first gear, I felt a little slow. I used third for when I needed some extra ‘grunt’ on more considerable obstacles. In second gear, I felt very comfortable in most situations. I must say that it did take me a good 15–20 minutes to find my trials roots by not relying on power but throttle control and how to use it.”
CONTROL
“It’s nice to see little touches included, such as the rear brake pedal assembly which makes it easier to use. The throttle, clutch and brakes all rely on input from the rider to get the machine to perform, so you want them all to work well and be very sensitive.
“The suspension is very active to say the least. Without a doubt, it feels more stable than my previous experience on the GASGAS and very neutral when you want to find your balance and realign in a hazard. I made no adjustments as I was reviewing a 'quick spin', but when
I was competing in trials suspension setup was sometimes overlooked. As in the enduro world, suspension setup is critical to achieving optimum performance, and with Ohlins at the back and Tech at the front, you have a perfect package to work with. I really enjoyed my time on the GASGAS, but at the moment my motorcycle life remains with enduro – if in doubt, flat out!”
GASGAS 2020 TXT RACING 300CC RRP: £6,699
MOTOR: Single Cylinder Two-Stroke Liquid Cooled – 294.1cc – Bore and Stroke: 79mm x 60mm; Clutch: Hydraulic Diaphragm System; Gear Box: Six-Speed; Ignition: Twin Spark System.
CYCLE PARTS: Frame: Tubular Steel Chrome Moly; Swinging Arm: Aluminium; Front Suspension: Tech Aluminium Ø 39mm – Travel 167mm; Rear Suspension: Ohlins – Travel 174mm – Two Way Adjustable; Brakes: Disc Ø 185/150mm – BRAKTECH: 4 (Front) and 2 (Rear) Piston Callipers; Wheels: Front 1.6 x 21; Rear: 2.15 x 18; Tyres: Front Michelin Trial X11 2.75 x 21; Rear: Michelin X11 4.00 x 18 TL.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height: 630mm; Wheelbase: 1,320mm; Weight: 67.5kg; Fuel capacity: 2.4 Litre.
For more information on all GASGAS products or to find your nearest dealer please go to the website: www.gasgas.com