GAS GAS PAMPERA 250 (2001 - 2005) Review

The Gas Gas Pampera 250 MK III is one of the great trail motorcycles of modern times. It’s particularly suitable for shorties and more inexperienced riders, thanks to its combination of easy manners and low seat height (for a trail bike). Spanish factory Gas Gas has a good history of making quality off-roaders and they have a string of world titles to their name.

Because it’s so short and light the Gas Gas Pampera feels almost like a trials motorcycle. The dimensions work well whether you’re pottering along on standing on the pegs, with a decent reach from both pegs to bars. The Gas Gas Pampera's Marzocchi forks and Boge shock can cope with quite tricky trails easily and flatter the abilities of newer riders.

With just 103kg to haul about the Gas Gas Pampera's 250cc, two-stroke motor has an easy time of it. Forget ideas of peaky, hard to ride motocross motorcycles – the Gas Gas Pampera has good torque, a gentle, progressive power delivery and it’s quite reliable, too. It runs on pre-mix, so remember to carry a bottle of stroker oil with you on longer journeys.

Gas Gas aren’t well known in the UK outside of the specialist off-road motorcycle market. But they do have a decent dealer network (visit /www.gasgasuk.com for details), a good reputation and a healthy spares stock. Being a two-stroke the Gas Gas Pampera is cheap to fix should any engine woes raise their head.

Compared to something like Honda’s CRF230 or Yamaha’s TT-R250 the Gas Gas Pampera does well. It’s cheaper and better than the other two in sheer terms of rideability, especially for anyone new to off-roading. Prices are lower than its Japanese rivals, but in terms of build quality the Gas Gas Pampera gives little away. Find a Gas Gas Pampera for sale.

The Gas Gas Pampera doesn't have many creature comforts, but it is fully-road legal and you do get quality component names like Marzocchi and Boge.