Is the GasGas ES700 the perfect trail bike? 

Ah, that's a shame. What year did you have?

Thank you. I totally get that, although, to be honest, I'm more than happy to throw the GasGas down. It's been down a few times already. But when I had a T7 I hated dropping it. It's all a state of mind, I like to think that it's a tool for adventure, not an adventure bike, that mindset helps me. Rode safe mate 😎👌🏻

😂. Yep, it's exactly as you image it

Yep, really impressive on both road and trail 👌🏻

Ah, that was you! I flipping loved that bike, you bought a cracker. Yep, that started the spiral that has wound me up here, looking at them again 😂

Nice round up dude, thanks.

@@lightweightadv No problems, did you buy it? There was a sold sign on one at the end, was that a subtle clue or a red herring?

Haha, well spotted. Not so subtle. It's being run in as we speak 👌🏻

@@lightweightadv Excellent, you won’t regret it 👍👍

Ah, that's awesome about the handguards 👌🏻

@@lightweightadv Had them put on mine before it was delivered.

Biggest disadvantage of the gasgas is that it comes with ugly silver wheels 😂

The 500 is a beast, but I need it to be able to sit on the road still and not need nurturing every 2000 miles. I'm not knocking the 500 by any stretch, it's just not for me👍🏻

Yeah, just experimenting with the 360 👌🏻

That sounds like an awesome bike! The WR is an awesome bike, I enjoyed mine, but it's a chunky monkey 😂

Haha, brilliant. Years of working on aircraft makes you know the tricks of working with circlips I guess 😅. Yep, veeery excited about the ES. What stopped you getting the WR?

Thanks for replying 👍 I made an offer on a wr in January this year at the dealer in folkestone in Kent. They refused and the same bike is still sitting there now. Glad they refused tbh. Love the t7 but I just continued to ride my 300l. I was looking on FB marketplace while walking the dog and a 23 model es700 popped up just up the road from me in as new condition with some nice extras fitted. Seat, bash plate and proper hand guards and practically no miles. When I collected it the bloke couldn't touch the floor. Hence he never used it. Cracking machine. Be good to see how you get on with yours. I'm going to get some trackers on it soon. Great tyres that I've enjoyed on the 300l. Cheers

It's a bit of a beast, isn't it 😂

Me too that exhaust gets so hot , I’ve had a wings titanium one nowhere near as hot and bout 3odd kilos lighter

That's interesting 🤔. The engine really was the jewel in the crown for me. It's a bit peaky at low speeds for sure, but once it's wound up, it's a treat. Shows that it's not for everyone I guess! They're a little bit marmite for sure

I’m thinking the new CFMoto 450mt twin might be a good bet 👍

It's going to be an interesting proposition for sure. Much like the Himi450 is (albeit a bit lighter). I'm looking forward to trying one. I'm not exactly sure who it's aimed at to be honest. It's not weekend/green lane riders and possibly not adv riders either. Like I say, excited to try one.

Agreed but I was looking at a T7 but I’ll hold off until I’ve seen and ridden the 450 as the T7 is tall and about 4K more expensive. From what I’ve seen of the 450 it looks capable of the type of trails I’d take an adventure bike down so it’s got my interest.

I'm not sure I entirely agree. The CRF is a little mule, able to carry 2 people, let alone me and my kit. This is a race horse in comparison. They're different tools for different jobs I think. I'm going to get one for a little longer term I think 😎👌🏻

​@@lightweightadv I've just sold my crf250l and I was up looking at the husky version and I'd have one, just need to get a test ride, off road, I agree with you, but getting places on the little donkey is slow going and a right pain....

Yeah, you know, I think I enjoy that aspect when I'm travelling. Less so when I'm out for a weekend of riding. Ride either the 690/700/701, they're all virtually identical and will let you know if they suit you 👌🏻

What T7....? 👌🏻

Agreed. Perhaps when I have a spare £1500 I'll try. I like the idea of it 😎

Dr350 is were it's at in that price range

Oh, that's interesting. I was aware of the seat height, but didn't consider the seat to bar position as a result. Thanks man 😎

Shame. We have 2 of them, so I expect they will feature more

I found this out at my peril 😂. It's amazing, but only when it's under control

I've found that the 500 has more low end torque but the 700 has far superior mid range torque. Honestly I haven't been happy with my ES 700. It's not the motor but more the transmission ratios and ergos. The seat height is 1" taller than the KTM and the bar to seat height is very minuscule even with bar risers. I didn't realize it had a different seat height when I bought it. I would of got the KTM had I known. The gearing ratios are spaced too close IMO. Too tall for singletrack and too low for highway. It's a odd choice because if you change your gearing more towards one or the other it really impacts the other. So it's best to just leave the stock gearing unless you only ride singletrack. Then that would beg the question if you've bought the wrong bike if you only ride singletrack because a 300 2 stroke is far better in that regard. Regardless, I own one and wish I opted to go a different direction with my purchase.

@@WadeMade Change the sprocket out. Get a sprocket with 6 less teeth. That's a good starting point.

Why?

You got to spend £1k + to get it off road capable . You’ve already noticed it needs bar risers. Then you’ll need dongles,exhaust because it melts the plastics, tougher rear break lever,because it will break,proper hand guards , rear rack , better petrol cap,because the key is known to break inside.. List goes on! My Speedo broke changing the time. Abs on/off is annoying. Clutch broke. Clutch fluid rots O rings . Doesn’t come with rim locks . Just an all round bad bike .

​@@gazgilfhuntersounds like normal mods for any bike😂 Love my 701, it's the 🦄

@@SupermotoCentral we did uk north tet 2 lads on 690’s both needed clutches . It was only a weeks riding . Glad you’re happy with yours . I’m glad I got rid of

That's cool, just experimenting 👍🏻