A Motorsport for Slow Motorcycle Maneuvers Without Sitting Down

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Motorcycle Trials?

Motorcycle trials are about negotiating obstacles without putting your feet on the floor. Most of the time—but not always—the clock is ticking as the rider receives penalties for failing to clear a given obstacle satisfactorily. That motivates the rider to prioritize balance and precision over guts and speed.

The course features a mix of natural and manufactured obstacles. In a typical run, riders must conquer things like a near-vertical jump from a standstill to the top of a pile of stones. Or they might be required to pilot the bike across a deep open pit on a plank of wood barely as wide as the tires without putting a foot down or touching any part of the obstacle with their body.

An observer scores each run and adds one point each time the rider falls afoul of the contact rules. So a clear run will score zero while putting a foot down once, stalling the motor, going out of bounds, or going backward once will each incur one point. Like golf, the winner racks up the fewest points.

Give It Gas

In Spain, where this intriguing-looking machine for sale on eBay is built, the phrase “gas-gas” is most accurately translated into English as “give it gas” or “twist the throttle.” For a while, the company used the slogan “Gas Gas = Fast Fast” in North America to add some sense to the odd name.

As catchy as that was, it was misleading because trials riding is more about fine throttle, clutch control, and balance than pinning the thing wide open.

Established in the 1980s, Gas Gas mainly built trials and enduro bikes and was soon winning successive Trial World Championships. The sport found the most interest in Spain and the UK, although trials bikes can be found worldwide. Gas Gas machines have been competing and winning in AMA Supercross in recent years. Since the US Ladies Pro Series was launched in 2017, Madeleine Hoover has won every championship with a Gas Gas.

Like a Motocross Bike, But No Seating

There are some similarities with motocross machines. Professional motocross riders are known to ride trials bikes as part of their throttle, clutch, and balance training. However, the most significant difference is the lack of seating on a trials bike. In extreme cases, a rider might temporarily rest their weight on the rear mudguard.

Keen observers will notice that trials bikes need less suspension travel. Also, they tend to run two-stroke motors rather than four strokers for lightness.

Can This Gas Gas Pro TXT 125 Compete?

The answer is yes regard9hg this particular machine’s suitability to available competition. The North American Trials Council Championship, which has been running since 1974, features several classes and holds events in Rhode Island, Florida, Colorado, and Oregon. If you want to stay local, the American Motorcyclist Association can point you in the right direction.

The seller has owned the machine for sale on eBay for four years. It has been enjoyed and looked after in equal measure during a that time. Built as a 125-cc machine, the previous owner upgraded this to 225 cc, which will bless the Gas Gas with greater climbing ability. Even after this modification, peak power will be around 20 horsepower. Again, that’s all you need.

Routine servicing has apparently been carried out, as well as a welcome carburetor clean and a brake fluid flush. The seller mentions the odd scar, and it appears that a fresh pair of tires will be needed, especially if you’re considering competing.

Who better than 12-time Individual Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin to show us what these machines can do? Watch this video of Lampkin using a Gas Gas to negotiate Red Bull’s F1 headquarters.