The new 2010 Gas Gas EC 250 4T is the Spanish company's first 250cc 4-stroke enduro offering and uses a Yamaha motor.
Spanish manufacturer
Gas Gas is bringing more models to the United States for 2010 with Enduro, Motocross, Trail, Supermotard and Trials bikes – not to mention a sport ATV. A blend of 2-stroke and 4-stroke machines complete the lineup in a very attractive and wide-ranging array of dirt bikes.
All the bikes get new chromoly “B” tube frames which have the same dimensions as the older versions, with the exception of the 4T models which now also have a 26.5-degree offset. It's in the 4-stroke lineup that the big news for this year comes to light. Completely new for 2010 is the EC 250 4T – Gas Gas' first ever off-road 250. This bike uses the same engine that was found in the 2006 Yamaha WR250. Sourcing the proven Yammie powerplant is a temporary solution as the Spanish engineers design a quarter-liter engine of their own. Since it’s powered by Japanese technology, it also uses a cable clutch with five-speed transmission where the other bikes all use hydraulic unit and six-speed. The EC 250 and EC 450 both get a 48mm inverted Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock, Nissin brake calipers (double-piston front, single rear) with steel-braided lines and 260/220mm discs front and rear. They are equipped with headlight, kickstand, electric start and FIM-legal Michelin tires.
Top: Gas Gas EC 450 Desert.
Bottom: Gas Gas EC 250 Race
The EC 450 uses an in-house motor. Gas Gas designed the single-cylinder liquid-cooled mill with four valves, 449cc and a 97 x 60.8mm bore/stroke. It has a battery for the e-start (kickstart backup) but the fuel injection system does not access that power source. The 450 is available with a Desert kit which provides rally-style bodywork up front with a fairing, dual headlamps, signals, wrap-around handguards and a mudguard over the tire. It also looks, according to photos, to have a different triple clamp.
On the 2-stroke roster are 125, 200, 250 and 300cc machines. These bikes come in three different trims – the EC, Race EC and Cross Country EC. None have the benefit of electric starting, but the 250 and 300 do feature dual ignition mapping adjustments. The difference between the model trims are in the suspension and graphics. Standard EC bikes come with a 45mm Sachs fork for the 125/200 and 48mm on the 250/300. The rear end is handled by a Sachs shock. The Race models get an Ohlins unit out back. Race models also get Galfer wave rotors with the same dimensions, a FMF Turbine Core 2 muffler and some assorted variations in aesthetics.
Riders who like a bit of pavement in their diet will find the SM 125 (2T) and SM 450 (4T) supermoto versions. ATV fans will be interested in the WILD 450, and for the kids, Gas Gas offers its sole motocross bike, the MC 65 Cross.
Check out the vide below for a peek a the 2010 Gas Gas lineup.
