[ad_1]
2 hours in the past | Phrases: Jarrad Duffy | Pictures: GASGAS Bikes, Savage.Division, Jarrad Duffy
So, how does the overhauled 2024 GASGAS six-bike enduro vary stack up?
We acquired the possibility to throw a leg over the brand new machines on the GASGAS Worldwide media launch in Città di Castello, Italy, and it’s protected to say there’s been a hefty shake up.
THE LOWDOWN ON THE MAJOR CHANGES:
- New body
- New aluminum subframe
- New die-cast aluminum swingarm
- New bodywork
- Up to date WP XPLOR forks with open cartridge (in contrast to the brand new closed-cartridge XACT forks seen on the KTM and Husqvarna enduro vary).
- WP XACT rear shock
- New cast triple clamps
- Up to date Braktec brake disc
- New footpegs
- New ‘TBI’ Throttle Physique Injection with separate oil tank for the two-bangers.
- Up to date motors throughout the vary
- New unified motor place
Yep! How’s your frothometer sitting now?! With a lot newness, it was a tricky gig to slender it down to simply 5 stand outs… however that is what we’ve landed on…
1. TWO ADDITIONAL MODELS TO THE RANGE – EC450F & EC500F
Thrilling information if you’re a desert fanatic or somebody who’s been ready for Gasser to drag the pin on some large rigs… the 2024 vary welcomes the addition of two new bikes to the GASGAS line-up – the EC450F and EC500F four-strokes. Now, I’m usually one to suppose that extra juice than a 350 within the Aussie bush isn’t vital… however these new powerhouses actually shocked me, and I believe they’ve modified my tune! Each of those fashions have been silky easy right through the rev vary, and the additional bottom-end lugability certain did come in useful once I buggered up a flip simply earlier than a hillclimb. Should you’d like some further mumbo with out sacrificing any of the bikes agility, both of those
2. THE FEEL IS MORE PRECISE
Now, I’m not going to spin shit right here, as a clubman rider it may be exhausting to actually really feel the distinction between engine mount hangers and different body “updates” at occasions, however these modifications are removed from that. The brand new body from GASGAS is recent from the bottom up. Primarily based on what the designers are “calling a stiff body idea”, these new fashions have a really totally different character within the bushes to the Gasser fashions we’ve beforehand recognized. The stiffer metal body felt prefer it elevated the Gasser nearer into the realm of a “race bike”. With the earlier mannequin, I discovered the entrance finish felt a bit imprecise at occasions, whereas this body gives a way more rider suggestions, especialy when guaging the place the wheel is monitoring over the dust, which was tremendous noticable within the shallow ruts. And so as to add up to now, the bike felt much more nimble total when flip flopping in second and third gear by single path. And out on the grasstrack it gave me extra confidence push the bike more durable and quicker right into a flip and nonetheless really feel like I might belief the bike. Now there’s a complete lot of positives right here, however I did really feel these new perks come at the price of a bit little bit of the consolation we’ve recognized with the earlier technology. While it’s not an enormous gripe, I did really feel it extra the within the arms and toes over chattery sq. edge bumps and tree roots on the brand new 2024 body. However as a result of the bike gave me extra confidence on 80% of the opposite terrain, it’s worthy commerce off.
3. IT DOESN’T GET THE NO NEW FORK? NO WORRIES!
If you’re a little bit of a tech head, you’ll have seen that the GASGAS enduro vary didn’t rating the brand new closed-cartridge WP XACT fork just like the KTM and Husqvarna enduro bikes did. However is it a strike? Nicely, I reckon that basically is dependent upon your potential and what stage of feeling you might be chasing out of your suspension. It’s no actual secret, that GASGAS is concentrating on their fashions at path riders and social riders relatively than racers. And that appears to be why they’ve continued to run with open-cartridge WP XPLOR forks on the Gassers. So if you aren’t counting lap occasions,slamming large holes and pure terrain jumps with tempo, then I’d say you’ll in all probability be actually pleased with this up to date XPLOR fork. With extra maintain up and bottoming resistance in comparison with the earlier mannequin, however nonetheless a pleasant supple plushness within the first a part of the stroke it certain does provide the stage of consolation you’d need within the tough and rugged terrain. Now…Sure, the XPLOR fork did dive underneath brakes greater than the closed-cartridge WP XACT (featured on the GASGAS EX cross-country fashions additionally on the launch) however I discovered the frontend didn’t really feel gentle and unstable on the grasstrack just like the earlier Gassers.. It did take me by suprise, simply how good the entrance finish felt , when evaluating the EC modelsto the EX on the take a look at loop. Total, I discovered the WP XPLOR fork undoubtedly offered extra frontend really feel and connection to the bottom 90% off the time. Leaping it off a ledge, and sending it deeper into downhill turns (aka driving it extra like I used to be racing it, than path driving and conserving vitality) is what i’d think about the ten%, and the one time the place I felt I used to be lacking the efficiency of the closed-cartridge WP XACT forks.
4. ROLLING IN COMFORT
As you’d know, the rider triangle (the space between the deal with bars, pegs and seat) is a kind of niggly issues you possibly can spend hours tweaking. As each rider is a special top and has a special driving fashion, it’s actually a private desire as to what’s going to really feel good. However it seems like GASGAS actually hit the nail on the pinnacle for ‘24 and landed on mixture to swimsuit many riders. The footpegs are noticeably decrease, wider and grippier, which removes the marginally cramped feeling I skilled on the earlier mannequin when seated in turns. And whereas the seat top has remained the identical, the bars do really feel a tad taller which makes the standing place a good bit extra snug if you happen to’re a little bit of a taller rider like myself . I reckon that adjustment, mixed with the sleaker extra refined physique work, has created a extremely snug base for riders . As common although, if doesn’t fairly swimsuit you, it’s a fairly simple repair, simply modify your bar bend or go get some bar raisers and also you’ll be nearly as good as gold.
5. NEW TWO-STROKE MOTORS… WOWZA!
There’s little doubt about it, the subject of two-stroke gasoline injection is thought to divide a crowd…It’s made for a cleaner burn, smoother trip, and it’s virtually four-stroke like powerplant, however though it has had these advantages, I reckon the TPI (Switch Port-Injection) system from KTM Group lacked a bit little bit of that two-stroke pleasure and aptitude all of us love. Nevertheless with these new Gassers, I’m glad to say that the all-new TBI (Throttle Physique Injection) system does certainly carry again that two-stroke enjoyable issue we have been eager for . With the brand new TBI motor together with the digital energy worth, you actually retain all of the helpful benifts that comes with not needing to pre-mix gasoline (which makes it unreal for lengthy path rides,permitting you to pop right into a servo and never fear about carrying the correct amount of two-stroke oil). And you continue to retain the gradual velocity/gradual revs lugability of a gasoline injected two-stroke,however with the added bonus of the exhiliarating on the pipe feeling like a carb-fed smoker. Take my phrase for it, it’s actually bloody good!
WELL… ARE THEIR ANY DOWNSIDES?
You might say that riders like to choose and select whether or not they run their handguards and skid/bash plates, however personally I discover they’re a should have when driving within the Aussie bush! So, for these fashions to be launched with no handguards, it seems like they didn’t fairly hit the mark on this name. .
Other than this, the one different factor that i really feel was a little bit of a miss, was the brand new electrical begin/kill swap. . Having each features integrated within the one button, while compact, just isn’t a characteristic I loved and while it sounds a tad choosy, the electrical begin motion of the swap appeared to require rather more thumb pressure than every other swap I’ve used. Yet one more private desire however I discovered myself hesitating each time I went to begin one of many bikes which was a bit off-putting.
However hey, other than these two factors, I’ve no hesitation in saying that total the brand new GASGAS 2024 enduro vary is made up of six very prime quality constructed machines which have as soon as once more, actually lifted the bar for path bikes.
[ad_2]