If you’ve read the post regarding my Maroc trip in Dec 2023 you’ll know that the GasGas Rally is the bike I intended to use. Having previously done the trip on my Honda CRF300L I felt it was lacking in performance for cruising on the road and no wind protection. The GasGas adresses both these issues. Having researched the type of bike I wanted, searched for one on line and then done a seven hour round trip to buy one it was a massive disappointment that I wasn’t able to use it for the trip. This was due to the registration documents getting lost in the post and without them I wouldn’t be allowed in to Maroc. Fortunately I had a back up plan which worked out very well. In fact the most fun I had was riding the sand dunes at Essaouira on my KTM, which I think would have been too risky on the GasGas (on my own).

Having returned from the trip I started to wonder where the GasGas fitted in my now quite extensive bike collection. And the conclusion was that it doesn’t. I still believe it is an ideal lightweight “adventure bike” – but don’t have any trips like that planned in the near future and although I plan to be in Maroc next year I’m not at all sure how I will get there.

I do have a trip to Spain for the VINCE in September, where we are planning to ride there on the back roads rather than take the vans as usual – a trip known as “Dougie’s Tours”. The GasGas would be great for the road trip to get there but I’m not sure about the off road aspects of the VINCE itself. I’m sure the bike would be able to cope, but am not sure my skill level would be up to it. I’m much more comfortable riding my KTM enduro bike in any off road situation and it is supremely capable in this role. Where it is much less able is on the road, but for me I think it is a better compromise. We will be covering the road miles in convoy with most people on CRF300Ls so it should be able to hold its own. So the GasGas had to go…

Below is the text for the ad in Le Bon Coin.

First reg : 29/06/2023
3000 Km
Ready for adventure ? This bike has been fully prepared as a lightweight adventure bike. 160 Kg 74hp/55kW and a fuel range of 250-300 Km. This bike is the same as the equivalent KTM 690 Enduro R and Husqvarna 701 Enduro. It was manufactured in the KTM factory in Austria using KTM parts. The biggest difference is the colour of the plastics. In the future Gas Gas models may be diferent to their KTM equivalents but for this bike they are almost exactly the same. The bike is covered by the 2 year Gas Gas manufacturers warranty which runs until 29/06/2025.

The bike is in excellent condition and has mostly been used for road riding around my local area. I have done some gentle off road riding to check the capability of the bike ready for the trip, but it has never been dropped and has no scratches or damage.

Standard features on the ES700 include :

  • gear position indicator
  • switchable engine modes for on and off road
  • switchable ABS and traction control
  • gearchange quickshifter and blipper for up and down changes

Modifications

The bike has been prepared for adventure touring with the following modifications:

  • Rally navigation tower in Carbon from Rade Garage with LED headlights and a USB port (1500 Euros)
  • Rally foot pegs (100 Euros)
  • Engine/radiator protection bars (75 euros)
  • Heavy duty aluminium engine guard (100 euros)
  • Carbon engine case protectors (50 euros)
  • Handebar risers and cushion grips (50 euros)
  • Rear luggage rack (150 euros)
  • Wings exhaust (400 euros)
  • Graphics kit (170 euros)
  • Tail tidy

Over 2500 euros of parts

Servicing

The GasGas service schedule requires an initial service at 1000 Km and then at every 10,000 Km.
The 1000 Km initial service was completed on schedule by GasGas.
The next service will be due at 10,000 Km.

Tyres

The bike has been fitted with new tyres – Pirelli MT21 front and Continental TKC80 rear. Heavy duty tubes fitted and filled with anti-puncture liquid.

Lots more pictures here :
https://v2xs.com/ES700/