2009 Gas Gas Raga is pure black gold!
By TMX Archives on 2nd Jul 09
THE Gas Gas Raga Replica is the closest thing to a factory bike that you will find in a showroom. That's a fact. The unique black and gold 2009 Raga has everything as standard that you could hope for on a trick trials bike. When you rock up at your trial and unload the Raga you sure won't confuse it with anything else. What other machine offers features like magnesium crankcases, a titanium and carbon fibre exhaust as standard, trick machined cylinder head, the list goes on and on just read the accompanying spec on these pages! And it's available in all the Gas Gas engine sizes 125/ 250/ 280 and 300. T+MX usually tests the mighty 300 Raga but for 2009 we've opted for the sweet 250 because as tester WOODY HOLE says It's as much as you'll ever want...
AS Sod's Law dictated that we landed the worst, wettest day this summer to test the 2009 Gas Gas Raga Rep the first thing I'll say is that it really brightened my day! The black and gold beauty does look better in the flesh than in pictures and I reckon it looks real class, the Raga totally stands out. I personally like the gold frame and the touches like the titanium coloured rims are absolutely right.
The 250 model was chosen for our first impression because it is, rightly, the really popular rider option . Firing it up, the exhaust sounds so crisp and the power is as smooth as you like. The 250 Gasser really is a totally sorted motor. And with the six-speed box you've got four genuine options for the sections, fifth for the moors and top cog for the road. The machined, red cylinder head is a nice factory touch and it is claimed to improve cooling.
There's not much point me trying to tell most of you how a Gas Gas rides! The Raga is like the standard model only more so, which is very light and lively. Lively is the best way to describe the suspension. It is quick in action and encourages you to get flicking and hopping. Both ends feel so light. But if you want to blip up a six foot rock step you'd better be up for it - becase the Raga sure is.
The engine is soft but lively without being aggressive. It is what made riding the bike so effortless. If you ride a powerful bike continually in sections you soon get tired, they start to boss you. I felt like I could just ride all day on the 250 simply because it delivers such smooth power.
It is very, very difficult to criticise the bike because I never found anything I didn't like. Straight from the box it just feels so right and I just jumped on and enjoyed myself. The controls are all silky smooth, feather-light in operation and the bike does exactly what you want. Throttle, clutch, brakes - just caress the throttle or lever and the bike responds, instantly. With such a light bike the brakes are as sharp as you want yet still offer plenty of feel.
The latest Marcocchi forks are very plush and supple yet I never bottomed them when jumping off some of the big rocks in the quarry.
It steers near perfectly with no pushing or tucking and the balance is as good as you'll get, either in a straight line or on full lock - and there's plenty of lock.
I know that the 280/300 Raga will have plenty of fans and buyers simply because they are the ultimate when it comes to packing power in a trials bike. Fill your boots boys and I'm sure you won't regret your choice for a second, but the 250 option really is more than enough for 95% of riders. It is just so effortless to ride. If you don't believe me just try one...
The 2009 Raga is simply a fully-sorted trials bike with absolutely everything that I can think of in the standard spec. Instant Bling!
2009 RAGA REPLICA SPECIFICATION
Pro125R, Pro250R, Pro280R & Pro300R models
* Raga sticker design
* Gold tubular frame
* Gold magnesium crankcases
* Gold magnesium clutch cover
* Black swinging arm
* S3 titanium front pipe
* JT7 Carbon fibre silencer
* Keihin carburetor on Pro280R/ 300R with Raga reed block
* Dell'Orto carburetor on Pro125R/ 250R
* New higher water volume red anodised cylinder head with insert to alter compression
Pro250R/ 280R/ 300R
* New crankshaft on Pro125R with improved bottom end power
* Changes to gear cluster
* Vertex piston on Pro300R only
* New stronger radiator with better position for thermostat
* Titanium colour anodised rims and spokes
* DID rear wheel
* Raga design black front mudguard
* S3 aluminium footrests, titanium colour
* New black Marzocchi forks with revised settings
* New design 'antislide' sump plate
* New chain tensioner
* New longer clutch lever, titanium colour
* Gold anodised brake calipers
* S3 grips
* Raga bend Handlebars, titanium colour
Specification:
