Last October 2019 Pierer Mobility acquired the Girona brand. After a few years of instability, GasGas returns with renewed strength and enthusiasm deposited in the Trial.
We are talking not only about the development of the bike, but also about competition. GasGas already has among its ranks former trial riders such as the Polish Tadeusz Blazusiak or Laia Sanz, who does not rule out returning to competition, as well as Jorge Casales and Miquel Gelabert (outside the official structure). We also have the reigning Tiral-E World Champion, Albert Cabestany, who will take the reins of the racing team next year, bringing his wealth of experience and knowledge after more than 20 years as a rider.
WE VISIT THE GASGAS HEADQUARTERS IN AUSTRIA
As it could not be otherwise, and after some difficulties, we went to Mattighofen, KTM’s headquarters center. Gas Gas will continue to maintain its manufacturing in Girona but will share some departments with the orange brand, especially development and sales.
The GasGas MY21 Media Launch thus became the first staging of this great project, exciting as well as ambitious. As far as the world of trial is concerned, it is worth highlighting the great representation that will support this project, the experience of Albert Cabestany and the youth of Jorge Casales who has signed an excellent end to the season.
After a few days together with directors, engineers, riders and other media we can assure you that this project has a long way to go and that there is a lot of enthusiasm to do it well, not only at the competition level, where it is expected to structure a solid and well-represented team in all categories (125, Trial2, Trial GP and the women’s championship) but also in terms of the development of the bike and to regain the confidence of GasGas users and those who are joining this great family.
Gasgas TXT Racing 2021 News
If you expected that with the arrival of KTM you were going to find dozens of novelties and a radical change of chromatic, you will see that the new GasGas TXT Racing 2021 is far from those premises.
Looking ahead to 2021 there is some background work on the part of KTM – GasGas. Aware that the base of the model is of the highest level, efforts have been concentrated on small aspects of mechanics and chassis, focused on taking a step further in the reliability and durability of the whole.
Let’s take a look at those changes in the 2021 TXT Racing range.
ASPECTS OF THE CYCLE
- Reiger two-way shock absorber
- New rear shock linkages
- Front wheel axle lightened by 285 grams
- New handlebar clamping flanges
- New Nekken handlebar
TEST GAS TXT Racing 2021
Trying a GasGas is synonymous with feeling at home. The TXT (Pro) range has been on the market for almost two decades and the new model still retains the essence of the first series. A high-performance bike, born and developed in top competition.
The arrival of KTM is a breath of fresh air and tranquility. Fresh air because, without a doubt, the Austrian brand will introduce new technical solutions thanks to its capacity in R+D+i; and peace of mind because its financial lung will avoid falling into the serious crises of 2014 and 2018.
Perhaps these two points are the big headlines, because this 2021 TXT Racing varies little in appearance and technically from its predecessor. During the dynamic test in Austria, we confirmed aspects that were already very clear to us. The first is that the performance level of the bike is very high, especially when it comes to its mechanics. And the second, that the rider’s adaptation is fast. It stands out for being an intuitive bike.
Chassis and Driving Position
When you have very complete and powerful mechanics, the evolution of the bike tends to focus on working on the chassis part. The auxiliary industry is increasingly offering more competitive products, such as the two-way Reiger shock absorber, which has ended up eating up ground on the idealized Öhlins, or the Tech fork with aluminium bars.
It seems that these components have been consolidated among most brands, so the work of each one depends on how you adapt the rest of the components. In this 2021 edition, GasGas has worked on the linkage system of the rear shock absorber, providing a contrasting feeling of progressivity and lightness to the rear of the bike.
On the front end there is a general improvement in the riding position, the new Nekken handlebars, the fastening flanges, the grips… all this results in a renewed feeling at the controls of a GasGas. These are minor changes, but pleasant in driving. On the subject of lightening the front end with the new axle, the reality is that it is probably appreciated more in terms of durability or reliability than in dynamic efficiency.
As for the brakes, the performance is excellent. Their Braktec equipment is more than consolidated in the market, so the difference is more in the decision to bet on NG discs instead of Galfer. In any case, great behavior.
Rider's equipment in the test
- Helmet: Hebo Zone4 Extreme II
- Boots: Hebo Tech Comp
- Gloves: Hebo Nano PRO III
- Protections: Hebo Defender VEST
- Equipment: Hebo PRO 2021 by Trialworld
"The big news of this trip is not the dynamic test of the new 2021 range itself, but the development potential that the project has with ktm's experience and knowledge"
Gasgas TXT Racing 2021 Mechanics
The engine is the best thing the GasGas TXT has. Despite the years, the brand has been able to find the small evolutions necessary to maintain a very high level of performance. On the other hand, the effort of these last editions has been more focused on gaining reliability, an aspect highly demanded by the brand’s users.
Consequently, the changes we have seen since 2017 do not in themselves improve performance, but seek durability and efficiency.
Start-up has improved over the past couple of years, but it has traditionally been one of the weak points of this mechanic and should be monitored. The impression is that in the 2021 model everything works perfectly normally.
Dynamically, everything is familiar. The gearbox still has a long travel, but it works properly. The clutch is another aspect that we also see greatly improved, especially if we remember the feel of the 2017 model, which was somewhat hard and difficult to manage over time.
During the test day we had the opportunity to get on all the displacements of the new 2021 range. The TXT 300 is the jewel in the crown and the most sought-after displacement. The power delivery of the power is powerful from low revs and offers a real heart-stopping stretch. There’s always a full engine and torque available. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the preferred mechanics for high-level competition drivers; A true career-customer.
In the case of the TXT 250, we see a very balanced engine. Perhaps it is ideal for the vast majority of enthusiasts, as it provides a good compromise between smoothness and power in the low rev range, but with enough anger to offer a medium and high revs that has little to envy to the 300cc. For those looking for something more, there is also the option of the 280cc, with a plus of torque compared to the 250cc and a correct progressivity.
Conclusions
Paradoxically, the big news in this report is not the motorcycle itself. This visit to the KTM-GasGas headquarters allows us to know first-hand that there is a work plan and project for the Austrian brand to stand out in a discipline that for them is unprecedented. This landing is done hand in hand with a motorcycle with an excellent base, but that suffers from the fatigue of the passing of the years in a market that asks for more modifications to re-illusion with the model itself, not only with the owners of the brand.
The 2021 GasGas TXT Racing needs to take a step forward in reliability and it seems that the premises are correct, so this season will be interesting to gather information, mature the project and expect more from KTM in the next 2022 range.
The next step is to find out what the new TXT GP will look like, which is scheduled for next December.
The best
- Engine performance
- Authentic Motorcycle Racing Customer
- Improved shock absorber
- Homogeneity of the whole
To be improved
- Aesthetics with hardly any changes
- Start-up can be improved
- Rear brake master cylinder exposed to shocks
Gasgas txt Racing 2021 datasheet
- Displacements: 125-250-280-300cc
- Engine: 2-stroke single-cylinder
- Power: Keihin PWK carburetor
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Weight: 68 kg
- Price: 7.349 €
- Brakes: Braktec, with 185mm and 150mm discs
- Rear suspension: Tech 39mm
- Rear Suspension: Reiger 2-way
- Chassis: Chromium molybdenum
- Start: Kicking
- Fuel capacity: 2.4 litres
