Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/280528
GASGAS I have been testing the GasGas line since 2010 and each year I experience a different side to its personality. Last year the open terrain of Colorado exposed the bikes' abilities to handle chopped-out double track at speed. It also dispelled the notion that the GasGas was only good in the technical terrain. After we dialed in the jetting and adjusted the Marzochi fork, the 2013 GasGas ate up the faster double track. My brother Keith went on to ride the GasGas to 3rd overall in the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit – which is a serious departure from the terrain the GasGas is most famous for. Short of screaming across the desert and huge whoops, the GasGas handled everything from Texas to Wyoming – in style. Am I proclaiming the GasGas as a great western style open-terrain bike? Nope. But I am firm believer that the average Joe can set up a bike to per- form adequately for the average Joe's terrain. This year we headed to Nashville, Tennessee and rode the 2014 GasGas in the rocky, muddy mountains of Tennessee. It could not have been more different from last year's test and yet I am still a fan of this exotic beauty. The GasGas took a beating last year in some of the western shootouts for its static weight. While it is heavier, the weight isn't what stands out when the bike is in motion– it's smooth motor and easy turning does. Imagine for a moment if an off road "shootout" was held in the mountains of Tennessee where a smooth motor and a stable machine rule the roost? How would that have upset things? Do you think the GasGas would have finished at the bottom? Not a chance. For this test we rode the GasGas over a two day period. Day one was a bit mellower; the trails were smooth with a few slick river bottom crossings and elevation changes. For day two we headed to the Carter Mountain riding area which was straight up nasty – steep hills, slick terrain and rocks, lots of rocks. This was the first year I had ridden the GasGas with the e-start. I like the e- start, but it nullifies the seven pounds the GasGas shed this year. The E-start model requires you to turn the key to the on-position and is a weak spot for the GasGas; it's heavy and seemingly vulnerable to impacts. It works fine when the bike is in neutral but tends to spin when in gear. I'd opt for a model without it and enjoy the weight sav- ings. When we first got on the bike, we ad- justed the sag from 130 mm to 108 – which made it turn a whole lot better. The compression was almost all the way out and the rebound significantly in. So as a caveat, you are going to want to check the off-the-showroom- floor settings before heading out. We then turned the high speed compres- sion out two full turns. As the Sherco was on hand and analo- gous to a shiny new toy, I spent most of the first day on it. I did about a half dozen laps around a 3 mile loop on the GasGas and came away thinking it is 2014 300 XC