Quick Ride

Quick Ride

GAS GAS PAMPERA 250 Bumper bike from outer space!

Jimmy Lewis

WHAT DO YOU GET when you cross an enduro bike with a trials mount? Wait, here’s an even more difficult question: What’s a Pampera? Okay, the name may sound like an adult undergarment designed to protect its wearer from an “accident,” but in reality, this new two-stroke from Spanish bike-maker Gas Gas fills a lot more niches than you might think.

This little whateveritis starts with a competition-spec, liquidcooled 238cc trials motor-heavy flywheel, six-speed ultra-wideratio transmission and all, its expansion chamber altered only to improve free-range running. Most of the chassis bits mimic Gas Gas’s enduro models, what with the 1.8-gallon gas tank, full-size seat, big disc brakes, and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels. Then things get goofy with a trials-like swingarm and short-travel suspension. That certainly shrinks things down!

In fact, with its 33.6-inch seat height, the Pampera sits nearly as low as a minibike. And at 211 pounds, it’s pretty light. It takes a firm though not overly powerful kick to get the engine’s weighty flywheel spinning, then it’s puttputt city. The torque is amazing, and the “bogability” rate sets new standards for slow-speed lugging-especially with the low, low first gear. You want to ride so slowly that it’s almost bothersome to pick your boots off the ground. When you do, though, you instantly fall in love with the trials-bike-like balance. The hydraulic clutch and instant-on brakes make acts of equilibrium a breeze. Then, its time to try second gear! The six-speed transmission isn’t made for rapid-fire shifts, but you don’t need to change gears much, thanks to the boatloads of torque. And by the time you’re into top gear, you’re going nearly 80 mph. That’s a wide-ratio tranny.

Ergonomics are perfectly suited to sitting or standing. Since the motor is hardly ever revving, you get great gas mileage, and most of the lights and wires are there to make getting a license plate a snap; even a horn is standard equipment. About the only complaint we had was with the non-adjustable super-soft suspension. For crawling around checking a fenceline on the north 40 or running to the RV store for a bottle of holding-tank juice, it’s about perfect. For serious offroad riding, however, you’ll bottom out big-time. Same story for those moments when you get cocky with trials moves.

So, what is this bike’s best suit? With a little suspension work, it could be a great trailbike for a really short rider. Or a beginning trials bike. If your girl wants an unintimidating dualpurpose ride, the $4949 Pampera is perfect. Even if you just figure it’s time to upgrade the Honda step-through or Kawasaki KE100 hanging on grandpappy’s motorhome, this Gas Gas is a match made in Spain.