What kind of manufacturer is GASGAS? GASGAS is not well-known to the general public, but it is one of Spain's most famous off-road manufacturers. From 2019, GASGAS will become a member of the KTM family, strengthening its structure and accelerating the development of new machines. Recently, KTM has been attracting a great deal of attention, as evidenced by its sudden victory in this year's Dakar Rally, which will be held in 2022.
This time, the international launch of the SM700 and ES700, GASGAS's first street models, was held in Spain.
Engine and body are shared, but the suspension is separated into different characters.
The SM700 and ES700 are twin brothers that share most of the same engine and chassis, with the SM being a supermotard and the ES being a travel enduro. Both are street models that can be driven on public roads. The engine is a liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder OHC 4-valve engine with a displacement of 692.7 cc and maximum output of 74 ps (55 kW).
On the other hand, the body is a lightweight chromoly steel trellis frame equipped with WP front and rear suspension. The electrical system is also simple, but the package is well thought out, with two ride modes, ABS with lean angle sensor, traction control, and a common slipper clutch.
The differences are mainly in the suspension, with the SM having a more on-road-oriented suspension setting and the ES having a more off-road-oriented setting, even with the same WP. The wheels of the SM are cast (alloy) 17-inch front and rear, while the ES are 21-inch front and rear./18-inch wire spoke type. The tires are also optimized for each character.
[SM700] Fastest on the winding road? The fastest motard in the world!
First of all, it looks cool. The GASGAS logo stands out prominently and prominently in the crimson exterior, the brand's color. It is a very motivating image. GASGAS means "More gas! Open up the gas pedal!" The Marquez brothers and the Espargaro brothers are among the Spanish riders who have been dominating MotoGP recently. This machine is the embodiment of their mischievous and energetic spirit.
The wheelbase is 1475mm and the seat height is 898mm, making it quite large, but when straddling it, the slimness of the body allows the legs to be extended right under the seat, so the leg room is not as bad as it looks. The 179 cm tall rider's knees are just slightly bent.
The new-generation LC4 engine is torquey with a solid pulse that is typical of high-compression big singles. The 6-speed transmission has a smooth and moderate shift feel. Thanks to the up-and-down quick shifter, the driver does not need to clutch the transmission at all during driving.
The ride is firm and moist. The tubular steel trellis frame framework is rigid and stable, even on European highways. If space permits, it is even possible to cruise at speeds in excess of 150 km/h. The cast wheels, with their mass concentrated in the center of the hubs, make the handling light. Handling is nimble thanks to cast wheels with mass concentrated at the hub center. It is like a light, slim naked motorcycle with slightly longer legs. It is also much more agile than other road bikes in its class. On winding roads, it can compete with supersports bikes, and on short circuits, its lightness (weighing less than 150 kg) and instantaneous power make it unbeatable.
However, despite its radical appearance, it is a very straightforward and easy-to-ride bike. The handlebar angle is sufficient enough to make U-turns a breeze. A few tips on how to ride the bike: A large amount of stroke of the front and rear suspension produces a large pitching motion during acceleration and deceleration. It is also easier to turn over and turn back.
Mode 2 is recommended for advanced riders who want to take it a step further. In this so-called SuperMoto mode, ABS on the rear side is deactivated and TRACTION CONTROL is minimized. For experts, ABS and traction control can be fully disabled with the touch of a switch.
Incidentally, the instructor at GASGAS was showing off his amazing tricks such as long wheelies, jackknifes, entry slides, etc. (lol). In other words, if you have the skills, you can perform a wide variety of tricks to your heart's content. This may seem out of reach for ordinary riders, including myself, but that is the very appeal of motards.
[ES700] A big off, just open the gas pedal and it's all good.
The ES, built more for off-road, is even bigger and calmer in motion. This is the right choice; if a 700cc big off-roader were to make nervous movements on dirt roads, it would be too scary to ride. This size and power is used to its fullest advantage.
First, we headed from the highway to the winding roads, where the bike, including the WP front and rear suspension and Continental block tires, exhibited extremely stable road grip and stability. Even on asphalt, the long, supple legs smooth out the bumps in the road and make for a comfortable ride. Yes, the ES is more off-road oriented, but its goal is to be a versatile machine that can be used on the street for fun and extended range.
After a while, we veered off to a side road and entered a forest road course deep in the mountains. Even on a gully that looked dangerous and a sand section that looked like it might take the front end off, as long as the throttle was open, we were able to overcome the obstacles as if nothing had happened, thanks to the bouncing torque and the chassis with its excellent stability. We crossed several knee-deep rivers, which were easily cleared as long as we concentrated on keeping our balance and letting our long, supple legs do the work. I was honestly surprised at this. Such a feat would be difficult to duplicate even with the huge adventure models that are all the rage. I realized that the lightweight and slim chassis of the single-cylinder engine was the reason for the way the rider handled himself.
As I was also riding a 2010 KTM 690 Enduro R, which can be said to be the common ancestor of the ES, I can clearly see the evolution of the ES. It is sticky and smooth from very low speeds and revs well up to high rpm. It is easy to say that the handling in this area is vital, especially in off-road riding where low speeds are often used, such as when slowly climbing a slope with poor footholds, or when taking a tight corner with a half clutch while putting your foot out of the way.
In this respect, in a sense, GASGAS has the nostalgia of being able to respond to you even if you handle it "roughly". It may not be for everyone, but for those who are serious about forest road touring, this is the one for you.
See GASGAS Moto Index Page
See KTM Moto Index Page
See Accessories for KTM 690ENDURO R
