Flyweight Gas Gas

FLYWEIGHT GAS GAS

What makes up a motorcycle? If it’s a Gas Gas TXT280 Pro, apparently not much. The Spanish marque’s new flagship trials mount is reputed to weigh a mere 144 pounds dry, which is a full 20 pounds less than last year’s model. The all-new, case-reed two-stroke engine and “miniaturized” sixspeed gearbox is only 6 inches wide, making it nearly 2 inches narrower than before. The frame-what there is of it-is made of ovalized chromoiy tubing, while the airbox, gas tank, seat (what seat?) and rear fender are integrated, eliminating the need for a separate subframe. An aluminum pipe/muffler and a fish-scale skidplate round out the features. At $5495, the TXT may seem costly, but only on a dollar-per-pound basis.

Jimmy Lewis