Gillen (who originally hails from Buffalo, NY and worked for four years at Magnetti Marelli USA on the H-D V-Rod project) had the idea for a round tube frame design in a special CR-MO material with 28mm diameter tubing that would strengthen, yet at the same time lighten the overall structure. While doing so, they could honor Raga's request for a slightly wider bike, making it more sensitive to his weight input on the footpegs.
  The first prototype with the round 28mm tube design was tested by Raga in August of 07. Then, on November 1, 07 at the Girona round of the Spanish Indoor Trials Championship, the public saw the prototype for the first time, as Raga took the win over Bou by three marks, giving the new machine the best possible debut, while everyone commented on the small size of the new frame and the color scheme of red with white plastics that changed the trend of the black frame, started by Sherco in 06 but used by every manufacturer besides Beta in 08.
  GasGas, in a very clever marketing move, soon after announced it would release the new bike in the summer, but this time the 08 Raga Replica would come first, instead of after the standard model as had been the case before, and the Raga would be available for the first time in not only the 300, but the 250/280 versions as well, and in doing so would satisfy all those people who thought of owning a Raga Replica before but didn't because of the 300 engine's power. With the Ragas coming and going, and as usual too few to go around, the standard 09 TXT GG's are here, and we have decided on the 250 version for the test because in the US, everyone familiar with the GG Pro has at some point been on a 280 or 300 model, but very few comparatively have experience with the 250 which happens to be the most popular GG throughout the world, and the engine size that when all is said and done is suited to the vast majority of riders out there.
In the USA, there has always been something of "the bigger the better" type of mentality, as has been the case for the sport of trials for some time now. When having a choice, many will automatically opt for the larger version of a particular brand, only to find those big motors a handful. Maybe it's the test ride on easy terrain, because not until the rider is in the tough part of a particular section riding a little over one's head where grabbing a handful of throttle on one of these "big bore" bikes could result in something so simple as the bike losing grip to, on the other extreme, the bike cart wheeling away! But, the US importers usually always have found the majority of most bikes in demand to be those with the larger motors. In the case of the GasGas Pro, since its introduction in 02 the power to weight ratio has always been extreme. The original pre-02 TXT series had a deserved reputation of being an extremely easy to ride bike, very smooth power but it weighed in at some twenty pounds more with less power and snap. So, it was somewhat natural for riders to just decide on the 280 or 300 motor when choosing the Pro, and compounding this was that GasGas USA did not bring in the 250 model for the first two years, because there just wasn't any demand for the bike here. Gradually, Importer Dale Malasek began bringing in the 250 version a few at a time starting in 04, and as word began to get around that this was a very nice motor, it has increased in demand so much so, that at the time of writing there have been over sixty 09 250 Pros sold so far!
  We have before us a brand new, shiny 250 just uncrated sent by GasGas USA for testing and the very first thing must say is what a beautiful bike this is, with the red frame, white plastics, and black and gray accents. GG's have always been great looking bikes, the 07/08 black frame Pro was a great color scheme but looks bland in comparison. The second thing is, just how small the frame is around the head stock area. It's not that different in the seat area since the same airbox/seat/fender unit is used as before, but standing next to the 07 Raga model, this new frame really does make the old design look bulky by comparison, and also makes maintenance even easier than before. Also, it really should be pointed out that the quality control at GasGas has really stepped up in recent years. From the welds and paint on the frame and motor, to the fit and finish on everything, to the markings on the important bolts showing they have been tightened to specs, to the special dished out fasteners, everything is excellent. There is nothing flimsy, cheap, or fragile on this bike. What also should be mentioned is the essential wiring that comes standard (since 08 actually), because it is so nice to get rid of the huge wiring harness with the combination handlebar light/horn/turn signal/kill button switch that interfered with the clutch lever operation. The wiring also made the bike difficult to turn left full lock, and the digital speedo with mount under the top triple clamp also made cable routing not the best, so of course virtually everyone would remove the excess wiring before ever starting, install a real kill button and just pass this extra stuff on to the next owner. The new essential wiring is so nice! There is a small light switch (on/off only, no high beam) mounted on the left bar, doesn't interfere with anything, a "real" kill button, the ignition advance switch (250/280/300 only) interrupter on the right, and a tiny racing headlight, that along with the switch itself can be easily unplugged and removed. That's all.... hooray!! To top this off, gone is the "auto retract" kickstand for European regulations, which should really have been called "auto retract and watch the bike fall over at the worst possible time" kickstand. Just put the kickstand down, and it stays there...another hooray!! Add to this proper jetting now standard on the 26mm Dellorto (36 pilot, 118 main), there is no need to change the too small pilot and too large main that were standard in previous years, S3 No Arm Pump Grips and pegs (the plated steel versions) standard, and the 09 Pro is absolutely out of the box ready to ride.
  Starting is easy, the usual two quick prods gets the bike going, and if you happen to be used to the 300, it seems like kicking a 125, very easy compression. The sound is typical Pro but less poppy than either the 280 or 300 and there's a difference as the power is more electric, velvety smooth. Going through the gears, the soft pull mineral oil clutch circuit is another feature of the Pro that has evolved to be extremely consistent, with very little pressure. The Pro clutch has always had, like the short shift lever with the long travel, a unique feel, that may take a little time to get accustomed to, but both are very easy to use. The clutch is never grabby, has a lot of feel, not on or off, just a very broad engagement, with no drag. The shifting too, although the travel is long, the shifts are always positive. Even in freezing temps, firing the bike up, all that is needed is to pump the lever a couple times and snick the bike in gear, no lurching or anything.
  Out to the sections and the first noticeable change is immediate, it's a little wider, not only in the footpeg area, but also the tank seat area because of the round tube design. The Pro has always had a unique, high rear fender, low bar feel, quite unlike all the other brands, but the 09 is different. There is still no mistake this is a GG Pro, but the footpegs seem lower, as does the rear fender and the bars although the same Hebos, do not feel quite as high. Also the fork rake seems just a little more pulled in. The bike balances better, now it seems like you can just about take a nap while paused in a section and stay balanced like the bike is on a stand. It's very confidence inspiring, as is the 250 motor. Very smooth, there are no surprises. It took about one and a half hours time on the motor for it to really smooth out off idle, as has been our experience with previous Pros, but then it just went into electric mode. Make no mistake though, there is no lack of power with this bike, it has plenty, there is just not that surge, that pulling of the arm feel one can get when grabbing a bit too much throttle with the 280/300 models. No wonder the 250 is also the choice of some top riders such as Ross Danby of the UK. It's easy to ride, but has more than enough power. One of the test days was extremely cold, just below freezing. The test sections developed that frozen top crust where it's fine the first or second pass, but after that the crust is gone leaving the frozen glaze, much like the "black ice" on roadways, where traction and grip just disappears in an instant. This is where the 250 really came into its own. The 300 Raga along for the test would spin the back wheel much easier, the 250 was easier to manage as it was possible to get carried away with the throttle on the 250 and the margin for error was greater, it was just easier to ride. This is a reason why, as Dale Malasek explained, the most sales of the 250 are east of the Mississippi, the 280 and especially the 300 are favored more by riders in the west, the higher altitudes needing more power, as well as the drier terrain and sandpaper rocks providing more traction for the larger motors.
  The gearing is the standard eleven teeth front and forty-one rear sprocket, and this comes down to a personal choice. Some like this gearing as you can use first for just about everything except for steep climbs, but the majority of riders favor the ten teeth front because it just seems like then you can just go along so slow in first with still enough pop to get up anything the standard gearing can. Since the Pro really revs out, the gears "stretch" very well without working the motor hard. With this you can also use second much more even in just about every situation as first, or choose second or third in climbs. We changed to the ten after the first two hours of riding and found it more to our liking. The controls and brakes are so similar on all the brands these days and work so well, there is really no point in mentioning them, although in the case of the standard Pro, the small body clutch master cylinder is used with the old style large body front brake. This means there’s the shorty lever on the clutch, while the front brake has the older long lever. Both work very well but it would be nice if one or the other designs would be used together as the case with the Raga model using the small front brake master cylinder as well, because it’s impossible to switch one or the other AJP brand levers, because of the center and offset pistons of the two different master cylinders.
  While riding the new 09 side by side with the 07 Raga, we were able to really see the advantage of the new frame. The footpeg mount holes are about one quarter of an inch farther away from the swingarm and this half inch total really makes a difference, one that you can feel, the bike just has a more stable platform, and because of the extra width, the newer angle of the brake pedal is easier to find. The other main difference is noticeably more weight on the front end. In traditional turns, the front wheel stays planted better. GGs have always been one of the best traditional steering bikes out there and the 09 Pro is even better. Although just as before, the plastic bolt on fork stop could be thinner to allow more steering lock. But, it’s very simple to mark where the bottom triple clamp meets this stop, take it off and remove material from it (we did this with 100 grit sandpaper) to make it thinner. There is a section in our practice area that has a left turn up a bank going off camber. With the old frame, the Pro had a tendency to push the front end in loose or slippery conditions if proper technique was lacking, say not weighting the outside peg, the bike might have a tendency to go straight. The 09 would easily steer up and around this turn without thinking about it really. Floating turns and flicking the front wheel around require a bit more effort than the old frame, but the benefit to this is in rocky sections where the front isn't deflected as much and holds it's line better, as mentioned before, staying more planted. The suspension is excellent, the Marzochhi front forks are very predictable, and they work just as well being subtle on the small stuff as well as absorbing big impacts without any bottoming. The rear Sachs shock has the same trait, and they complement each other. While not as plush, giving that pillow soft feel as, say Showa or some Paioli suspension, the GG set up gives great feedback to the rider with more of a sensation to what is going on at both ends. It's almost as if the terrain is felt more through the hands and feet. Part of this of course is the light weight of the bike. If not set up this way the bike could have too much of a pogo stick effect.
  Even though the 09 Pro is so easy to ride traditionally, advanced riding is where it really shines. It is so easy to move the front or back end. Even someone with limited experience at this can soon get the hang of it. Anytime the bike is airborne, from jumping off banks, to getting up that ledge never tried before, this bike can do it. Using the zap technique, the rear wheel will lift off the ground even if improper technique is used. Need to get up that ledge? Just crank it, hold on and the Pro will take you there, giving the confidence this type of riding needs. This is also where the 09’s frame geometry is noticed as the front end will not come up so quickly at the top of steep climbs or ledges. During the test the comment Dale Malasek made to me after asking him what the Pro was like when it first came out back in 02 kept coming to mind. He had said, “You really have to relax while riding the bike because of the light weight”. This is so true, because the bike is so light, the natural tendency is to get fired up while riding the Pro and try to muscle and flick it everywhere. But, if riding it this way, you will be constantly correcting, and over correcting mistakes and it will just plain take more effort and tire out the rider. But, learn to relax and this bike will reward you with, well there’s no way to put it other than, effortless success. This may well be the best way to sum up the 09 GG Pro, effortless.

Matt and TrialZone can be found at ...
515 Fillmore St. Herndon, VA 20170-3316
703-926-2646