RUST magazine: RUST #44

Gas Gas EC250/300
GAS GAS 2019-2020
While not strongly promoted, the
Gassers have been winning the odd
shootout (notably that by Australian Dirt
Bike – beating all-comers in the 300cc
two-stroke category, yeah including
KTM/Husky!) and winning the odd race
here and there, mostly in the hands of
privateers in sub-national competitions
(we should add Christophe Nambotin –
former world champion – has won the
French E3 championship this year). For
sure they’ve been flying below the radar.
Probably because of their rollercoaster
financial position it’s been a brave
man/woman who’s bought a Gas Gas
recently. But such bravery has paid off,
for the Gas Gas as it stands today is a
fighting-fit bike. It’s a rose by any other
name – badged Beta or KTM (ah yes!) it
would sell more.
It is worth considering the spec. That
new frame – you can see that it’s not
a million miles from a KTM in the way
the frame’s double cradle curves and
the junction around the swingarm and
footrests all looks very familiar. And so
the geometry is slap bang middle of the
road, not some crazy outlier of a design.
So match that chassis with industrytopping
Kayaba suspension and already
you’re 80% toward a great bike. Add
in Excel wheels (with Michelin tyres),
add in a complete FMF exhaust, Keihin
carburetor (no fuel injection), Neken
handlebars. It’s all top shelf.
Only the engine seems dated given its
long standing. The fact that the electric
starter is still sat outboard above the
left crankcase does date it now that so
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