The Gas Gas TXT Racing 80 is the pinnacle of a tiny, but transcendental, segment. A true competition bike that shares 90% of the components of its larger displacement sisters, but duly tamed in performance and chassis for children’s use. In this report, we break down their market context, their competition and the nuances of their behavior in the dynamic test.
LIKE A STICK, LIKE A SPLINTER
When a father wants his offspring to either continue with a hobby that may come from several generations ago, or start from scratch with a sport as exciting as trial, he has an arduous task ahead of him, since depending on the age and experience of the child there are endless possibilities.
We can find new or used motorcycles, electric or petrol, 50 cc 80 cc or 125 cc, automatic or with gears, with 12″, 16″, 20″, 24″ wheels in the case of electric and automatic wheels, and with 19″/17″ or 21″/18″ wheels in the case of 80 and 125 cc. And there can also be several combinations between them.
In this case we have in our hands an 80 cc gasoline Gas TXT Gas. with a “small wheel” (19″/17″) and with 6 speeds, which is currently together with the Beta EVO 80, one of the only two options of these characteristics that can be purchased new, and that from my point of view would correspond to two fairly defined types of user, although each situation deserves a personalized analysis.
The first of these scenarios would be a child between 11 and 14 years of age with no experience in trials or even any type of motorcycle. In this case, a 125 cc motorcycle, which is the one that would correspond to an expert 11-year-old child, would be too radical and powerful an option, and an automatic, either electric or combustion, too small in size.
Therefore, the motorcycle we are testing today is ideal for its size, ease of riding and controllable power for this case.
The second of these scenarios, and for which this Gas Gas is more focused than the Beta due to its more racing characteristics, is for an expert child who leaves any of the automatic options behind and gets into the “big bike”. The right age of course depends on the child, their experience and size, but at 8 years old they could start to adapt without problem to this special trial, and I could ride it until the aforementioned 11 years of the jump to the 125cc.
SAME ESSENCE, BUT UPDATED IN 2018
The Spanish brand for this model has made a totally innovative design in the 80 cc trial segment, since they are the first to have started from a large motorcycle and have adapted it to the smaller ones.
So far, as it is still the Beta, the 80 cc Gas Gas motorcycles. They had their own design that was more shallow and with a less racing character, based on a simple chassis to which a motocross engine adapts, not entirely ideal for our sport.
It can be said that this Gas
Gas
is a revolution in its segment, a small-scale reflection of the successful TXT saga. This has its pros and cons, since it has first class performance and components, but on the other hand it is not a chassis or engine originally designed for this displacement, and this has required on our part, an after-sales refinement work on our motorcycle, not especially easy, and that we consider that the brand should carry out in the factory in its next units.
“PRO” GENETICS
The Similarities Between This Little Girl and Her Big Sisters They are obvious, since not only does it share the chassis with the upper displacements, but also its aesthetics and decoration, as well as elements such as the crankcase that reduces its internal volume to adapt to the small cylinder by means of knobs designed for this purpose, the clutch, the brakes, the intermediate exhaust and the silencer.
This makes the new TXT 80 Racing It has to be adapted in other aspects such as the incorporation of footpegs with a more forward and raised position that allows a position closer to the handlebars, which did not convince us for a radical use as we will see in the dynamic test.
Added to this is the adaptation of several elements such as the swingarm, which is one of the “good ones” but smaller in size as well as its wheels, with measurements of 19″ front and 17″ rear, a new front fork and a rear monoshock made specifically for this model.
As we have said, the new Gas Gas TXT 80 Racing has a new engine in this version compared to the previous model of the saga. A new engine based on professional trials and not coming from other specialties such as motocross (which also required adaptation before), which takes advantage of the maximum components of the larger displacements, and which is presented to its riders with a new cylinder, piston, crankshaft, pinion and primary transmission nut, Hydria magnetic flywheel -to which there is the possibility of adding a flywheel-, Spal electric fan and Dell Orto 21 mm carburetor that we will talk about later, since we were not convinced by its operation either.
The small G.G. also adapts its slight gear change and renewed exhaust curve to the needs of the new engine.
As well as its secondary drivetrain, with a half-inch chain protected to comply with the demanding FIM regulations in trial competitions. Finally, it should be noted that users of this new 2018 version will be able to incorporate, if they wish, an optional lighting system, since this new Gas Gas TXT 80Racing arrives prepared with the necessary electrical installation so that the user only has to connect the front and rear lighting kit using simple and easy connectors.
AT THE CONTROLS
The first thing we do is put on the
chassis protectors
and
carbon exhaust elbow protector
, as well as the “man overboard” that we consider essential and then we get on the bike.
The truth is that from the riding position it looks like a 300 cc, we turn the starter lever exactly the same as that of its older sisters and quickly check that it obviously does not have the compression of these, it can practically be operated by hand. The sound of the engine, on the other hand, did surprise us, since one expects the “cicadas” sound characteristic of a small 2T, instead this G.G. offers us a sound “similar” to that of an “adult” trial bike, which indicates that it is not an 80 cc in use.
With the engine running and with the 9-year-old CMT rider Álvaro Ruiz Yeves at the controls, we are ready to make the first contacts with the trial.
DELICATE SET-UP
We have to say that they were not entirely satisfactory, as our unit did not fail to give carburetion problems communicating several spark plugs. We also noticed that the engine had good lows and mids, not usual in these displacements, but a little stretch when opening the throttle at full throttle as well as a somewhat lazy operation. We tried to carburize the small Dell Órto 21 mm. by increasing high and low gum and modifying the mixture and needle pitch, obtaining some improvement in performance and distancing the spark plug change in time, but evidently that was not the desired result.
After many turns and inquiries we came to the conclusion that we had to change the small 21 mm carburetor for a larger diameter carburetor, so we mounted a 24 mm Dell Órto, like the one used on the old 125 cc, which after corresponding adjustment had the expected effect. The engine got a noticeable change, going up and down revs faster and less lazily and with a much longer stretch when revving the engine, yes, without stretching like the engine signed by KTM that mounts the Beta, but with much more bass.
Another aspect that did not convince us was that of the forward footpegs, which although they bring the small rider closer to the controls, they advance too much the weight that he transmits in the set, making it very difficult to lift the front wheel among other maneuvers, so we placed normal footpegs and solved the problem.
Once we are convinced of the good set-up of the bike, we move to an area where both modern and classic trial races are usually held, with areas of loose stone and sand, turns, ramps and areas of stones and steps. A perfect place to test the skills of little TXT.
PRECISE AND EASY TO ADAPT
As for the chassis part, the rider adapts quickly to the bike and from the beginning he does his usual zones without major difficulty. It is a heavy but stable and noble motorcycle, so in turns it does not give problems, in fact, it is very mousetrap since it has a small turning radius due to its 1,870 mm in length, 14 cm shorter than the large ones.
Even when we turn on a slope and with little traction, the bike is very efficient, since its exceptional clutch allows us to give the right traction with great precision and the “real” chassis does its job completely more than enough.
Suspensions They are sober, but they perform their function as they are absorbent and provide stability, and although the fork is somewhat heavy, riders of this age do not yet have the strength to make changes with the front wheel and it is not a big problem, perhaps a little slow in extension, something that we can only solve by changing the oil for a less viscous SAE since it does not have regulation dials of any kind. At all times, the bike feels safe even when hitting steps with the front wheel and when receiving jumps and descents. We didn’t have to modify the shock preload for the rider’s weight.
As for the engine , we have to say that once tuned we think it is exceptional. A great virtue of this bike is that when it comes to opening the throttle fully and giving traction, the bike shoots out with a lot of inertia but very controlled and allows you to climb obstacles very closely without the need for the “race” characteristic of these displacements, this is thanks to the clutch diaphragm and a full engine in low and mid ranges, which makes it possible to ride with a very technical trial, really using the clutch and opening the throttle unceremoniously, something that comes from cinema to small riders for the future.
To put a downside to this engine configuration, on strong and very very long ramps, the bike is in trouble at the end of them by not stretching as much as others, but we must not forget that it is still an 80 cc and only in very specific cases will we perceive this problem, of course in no regional race is this circumstance going to occur.
As for the braking system , Gas Gas has not skimped, and mounts the powerful Braktec equipment that mounts the rest of the TXTs and its performance is superb for this bike. On the other side of the handlebars we find the pump also signed by Braketec that activates the formidable diaphragm clutch of the house, which is a luxury on a motorcycle of this category. The gearbox works smoothly, having in principle a somewhat short development that according to the usual terrain will have to be adapted.
In short, Gas Gas has made a dream come true for the little ones. From our point of view, adapting this bike has been a very good idea, which results in an exclusive and efficient bike, with great performance and that will delight the little ones, especially the most expert riders, but without ceasing to be a great option for those who are just starting out. Of course, with a series of essential modifications if you want to get the best out of it, and that in our opinion should be solved from the factory.
In it, our children will feel like TrialGP riders not only because of its spectacular aesthetics, but also because of the very high qualities and performance provided by its TXT genes not known until now in its category.
Like everything in this life, quality is paid, and if we want to get this bike we will have to make a significant outlay… From now on the difference between a boy and a man is no longer in the price of their toys.
Text: Santi Ruiz
Pilot: Álvaro Ruiz Yeves
WHAT’S NEW GAS GAS TXT 80 Racing
CYCLE PART
· Chassis identical to the displacements, providing the quality and reliability of a chassis tested in extreme situations
· Forward and higher stirrups for improved user ergonomics
· Front suspension 33Ø
· Small swingarm
· Spring made specifically for this version, taking into account the weight of the user
· Front wheel 19″ and rear wheel 17″
· Aesthetics and decoration of the TXT range
· Electrical installation prepared to incorporate headlight and rear light
· Smaller clutch pump
· Specific front brake, with master cylinder and smaller lever for easier use for the little ones
· 19″ front and 17″ rear spoked wheels
· 175 mm front and 150 mm rear brake rotor
· 60z crown protected to meet stringent FIM racing regulations
· Secondary transmission adapted to the needs of the new engine with 1/2″ chain
ENGINE
· Butt
· 79.14 cc cylinder with exhaust mount and new logo
· Piston: bore 43 x stroke 54.4 adapted to trials
· Crankshaft
· Primary drive sprocket and nut
· Dell’Orto PHBG 21 DS carburetor, suitable for 80cc displacement
· Exhaust curve specific to this displacement
· High-quality intermediate and quiet, same as TXT top displacements
· New SPAL fan with more solid attachment allows for more space over the cylinder head and more cooling
· Hydria magnetic flywheel (with the possibility of adding inertia)
· Water Pump
· Ignition Cover
· Ultra-light gearbox, adapted to the new displacement
