Gas Gas Explained

Gas Gas Motorcycles
Industry:Spanish Motorcycle Manufacturer
Predecessors:-->
Successors:-->
Founded: in Salt, Girona
Founder:Narcìs Casas and Josep Pibernat
Areas Served:-->
Owners:-->
Parent:KTM motorcycles

GasGas Motorcycles is a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer specialising in off-road and trial bikes. The company was founded in 1985 in Salt, Girona, Catalonia, by Narcìs Casas and Josep Pibernat after the closure of the original Bultaco factory, where they previously worked. GasGas gained a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable motorcycles, particularly in the realm of trials riding, a sport that requires precision, balance, and control over challenging terrain.

GasGas Motorcycles History

Early years

GasGas was established with a focus on trial motorcycles, leveraging the founders' experience and the local culture of motorcycle trials in Catalonia. The first models, such as the Halley, helped GasGas quickly gain a foothold in the trials market. The brand expanded its product line to include enduro and motocross bikes, meeting the growing demand for diverse off-road motorcycles.

Expansion and success

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, GasGas solidified its position in the off-road market. The company's trials bikes achieved significant competitive success, with numerous world championships won by riders such as Jordi Tarrés and Adam Raga. GasGas also invested in developing competitive enduro and motocross bikes, further expanding its presence in off-road motorsports.

Financial difficulties and acquisition

Despite its successes, GasGas faced financial difficulties in the 2010s, leading to insolvency in 2015. In 2019, Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, a part of Pierer Mobility, acquired a significant stake in GasGas. This acquisition brought financial stability and resources, allowing GasGas to expand its product offerings and integrate KTM's advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities.

Championships and riders

In 1993, Gas Gas succeeded in luring the multiple world trials champion Jordi Tarrés away from Beta and he promptly won three successive world trials championships (1993, 1994 and 1995) for Gas Gas.

More recently, Gas Gas won the Trial Outdoor World Championship twice (2005 and 2006) with Adam Raga. It has also won the Trial Indoor World Championship in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 also with Raga riding.[1] [2]

Gas Gas has also been successful in the World Enduro Championship. Paul Edmondson won the 125cc world championship in 1994 and the 250cc class in 1996, Petteri Silván the 250cc and the overall championship in 1999, and Petri Pohjamo the 125cc class in 2003.[3]

In 2006, British Enduro Champion Wayne Braybrook, riding a Gas Gas, was one of only two riders to finish all 80 miles of the Red Bull Last Man Standing event. 126 other riders did not finish the race.[4]

It was announced that Gas Gas would field a one rider team for the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season. Justin Barcia rode the #51 Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/Gas Gas Factory Racing team bike to a win in the season opener at Houston.

The brand has competed in the Dakar Rally with Laia Sanz (2012 and 2021), Daniel Sanders (since 2022) and Sam Sunderland (since 2022). Sunderland won the 2022 edition.

Importing

Gas Gas bikes are currently imported into many countries in Europe and around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, South Africa and the United States.[5]

Product line

Enduro motorcycles

GasGas Motorcycles's enduro lineup includes models like the EC and EX series, which are built for long-distance off-road riding. These bikes feature robust engines, durable construction, and advanced suspension systems, making them suitable for a variety of terrains and competitive enduro racing.

The FSE and FSR are the fuel injected, four-stroke enduro bikes similar in appearance to the EC models.

Prior to 2007, each color on the EC model line represented the engine displacement range of the motor.

In 2007–2009, the company standardised to the colour red for all displacements and models. As of the 2010 model year, all standard EC models are black with red and white accents. The "Six Days" edition uses white plastics with red, yellow, and black accents. The "Racing" models are white with black and yellow accents.

Trials motorcycles

GasGas is renowned for its trials bikes, which are designed for agility and precision. The TXT series is among the most popular, featuring lightweight frames, powerful engines, and advanced suspension systems. These motorcycles are designed to excel in the intricate and challenging environments typical of trials riding.

Motocross motorcycles

The motocross range includes the MC series, designed for high-performance racing on motocross tracks. These motorcycles are equipped with powerful engines, lightweight frames, and advanced shock absorption technology to handle the rigorous demands of motocross racing.

Electric motorcycles

In recent years, GasGas has also ventured into electric motorcycles with models like the TXE. These bikes offer environmentally friendly alternatives while maintaining the high performance and agility that GasGas is known for. The TXE, for example, features an electric motor designed to deliver smooth and controllable power, ideal for trials riding.

Quads motorcycles

The Gas Gas sport quads are sold under the Wild HP brand and come in two-stroke and fuel-injected four-stroke models.

Prior to 2007, the Wild HP line of quads were available in a choice of blue or red regardless of displacement. Beginning in 2007 the Wild HP line standardized to black.

Motorsport achievements

GasGas motorcycles have achieved significant success in various off-road competitions. The brand's trials bikes have won numerous world championships, and its enduro and motocross bikes have also earned accolades in international competitions. Riders sponsored by GasGas consistently perform at high levels, contributing to the brand's reputation for excellence in off-road motorcycling.

Racing

Grand Prix

Moto2

Starting from the 2022 season, Gas Gas is the sponsor working with the Aspar Team in the Moto2 world championship and uses the name GasGas Aspar Team.[6] The partnership concluded at the end of 2023 season as Aspar will carry the branding of Pierer-owned CFMoto in 2024 season.[7]

YearClassTeam nameMotorcycleNo.RidersRacesWinsPodiumsPolesF. lapsPointsPos.
2022Moto2GasGas Aspar TeamMoto275 Albert Arenas2000009012th
96 Jake Dixon200620168.56th
2023Moto2GasGas Aspar TeamMoto228 Izan Guevara1800002022nd
31 Jordi Torres20000032nd
96 Jake Dixon2025112044th
2024Moto2CFMoto Aspar TeamMoto228 Izan Guevara5000010*16th*
96 Jake Dixon300000*28th*

Moto3

After being acquired by KTM, Gas Gas entered the Moto3 World Championship as a unique constructor using their KTM-based RC250GP.

YearClassTeam nameMotorcycleNo.RidersRacesWinsPodiumsPolesF. lapsPointsPos.
2023Moto3AutoSolar GasGas Aspar Team M3RC250GP6 Ryusei Yamanaka2000018413th
80 David Alonso2048032453rd
2024Moto3CFMoto Aspar TeamMoto378 Joel Esteban5000133*8th*
80 David Alonso5333193*2nd*

Notes and References

  1. http://www.trialonline.org trialonline.org
  2. http://www.indoortrial.com/ indoortrial.com
  3. Web site: abc-wec.com . 2007-12-18 . 2011-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707072811/http://we.abc-wec.com/ . dead .
  4. http://www.redbulllastmanstanding.com/ redbulllastmanstanding.com
  5. http://www.gasgasmotos.es/eng/db/dis.htm gasgasmotos.es
  6. Web site: GasGas dan Team Aspar Sepakat ke Moto2 . . 2021-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315181104/https://id.motorsport.com/moto2/news/gasgas-dan-team-aspar-sepakat-ke-moto2/6651636/ . 2023-03-15 . live.
  7. Web site: CFMOTO and Aspar Team will fight together for the Moto2 and Moto3 titles . 2024-04-04 . www.cfmoto.com . en.