GasGas get set for a mini adventure: New Dakar-inspired 400cc prototype spied during testing

GasGas have their sights set on the low-capacity rally raiding top spot, developing a new road-legal Dakar-inspired 400cc single. From these spyshots it’s apparent that the new machine is inspired by the desert racer on which Brit Sam Sunderland won this year’s Dakar Rally. It’s also the firm’s first new road-legal adventure bike and follows the KTM 690-derived SM700 and ES700 supermoto/enduros unveiled in April.

The new bike is expected to enter production in 2024, and is expected to spin-off further supermoto and enduro variants – and could form the basis of other capacity versions ranging from 125 to 700cc.

Spanish brand GasGas started life in 1985 specialising in trials and enduro machines. Jordi Tarres then Adam Raga won the world trails championships in 1993-1995 and 2005-2006 respectively while British rider Paul Edmondson, most recently seen doing the stunt riding in Bond flick No Time To Die, won the 125cc enduro world title in 1994 then took the 250cc class win in 1996, too.

Since then, however, GasGas have struggled, were taken over in 2015 and finally sold to Pierer/KTM two-years-ago.

That KTM link was a factor in Sunderland’s last-minute GasGas Dakar ride and also, as with other ‘sister’ brand Husqvarna, explains much of the new bike’s specification.

At its heart is an all-new – likely 399cc – liquid-cooled single that’s being developed by KTM and has already been spied in the new 390 Duke expected next year. The 40bhp lump is also set to power an expected new Husqvarna Norden 401.

The new GasGas also uses KTM-owned WP suspension at the front and rear along with Bybre brakes, as is standard fitment on KTM’s smaller, Indian-made models.

While, road-legal the new GasGas is a serious off-roader with its 21in spoked front wheel, knobbly Metzelers and sturdy aluminium swingarm. The frame is a familiar KTM-style tubular trellis affair.

All-new bodywork is inspired by Sunderland’s racer complete with high, steeply-angled screen and, as is the case with Husqvarna’s street models, expected to house bespoke instruments.