used 10 times gas gas 450 atv mint..used a few times bye shop to make aftermarket parts...Worchester, MA (11/4/2009) -Recently, ATVriders.com was invited to a private practice track to throw a leg over the 2009 Gas Gas 450 Wild. Now it is hard to call this model new when it was originally released in 2004, however Gas Gas has brought the 450 to new levels with some changes and updates that have this model ready to go head to head with most any 450cc machine on the planet!Gabriel Racing, a Massachusetts based ATV retailer and parts supply shop, has an eye on the Gas Gas and has done the leg work to bring this model into the United States from it’s manufactures home in Spain.

Gabriel Racing has brought the Gag Gas Model into the United States from Spain

Gabriel’s feels like this ATV has a place in the mix of the 450 market and hopes to get buyers excited about what it offers and be able to supply both the ATV and OEM/Aftermarket parts for them as their numbers grow. They have also already put the Gas Gas on the track in racing conditions just to prove it can compete and to start the process of finding any weaknesses it may have. The first race was the day after our ride and even with virtually no seat time, the Gas Gas was piloted to a respectable finish in basically bone stock trim.

Gabriel Racing's Eric Hooper raced the Gas Gas Wild 450 at several New England ATV MX Racing Events

Arriving at the track, we got our first glimpse of the new ride as it sat sulking in the sun just begging to be turned loose. It has styling that actually looks a lot like a mixture of several top brand machines. Now that isn’t a bad thing in our opinion and it definitely has its own unique look. We did get the low down on how this model is set up in countries that allow ATV’s on the roads however when imported into the States, it will be short the turn signals but the horn button remains! I know, that sounds kind of cheesy but you have to admit, being legally allowed to pilot your ride on paved city streets would just be way to cool!
I hadn’t taken two steps towards the quad when I muttered “it’s too tall” and it does look that way. Immediately I figured it wouldn’t be that strong on the MX track but could be a contender in the world of XC riding and racing. Walking closer and looking at this and that soon had me taking notice of a whole lot of machine, way more then what I expected.he frame appears to be designed after an aftermarket Honda style chassis that boasts Chrome- Moly construction. Yes, a factory ATV with a race inspired chassis made of a material that you can only find on full aftermarket frames. Geez, folks in the industry have been calling for something like this for years, I guess Gas Gas was listening! Now I don’t mean looks almost like an aftermarket chassis, I mean for all intensive purposes, if there was the Gas Gas frame and a common aftermarket frame on the bench, you would have trouble picking the two apart. And the frame isn’t the only component that derives its design from race engineered parts.The Chrome-Moly control arms are the spitting image of aftermarket units sold the world over and even include the heavier, replaceable and adjustable Frap style ball joints. Yes sir, no crappy stock joints built into the arm, this is an aftermarket design with construction that should be up to the test for most any rider.

Adjustable Chrom-Moly arms with long journey shock absorbers and variable damping, that even iclude replaceable and adjustable Frap style ball joints.

Out back we find the standard cast aluminum swing arm that looks more like a Yamaha unit but from initial testing, may indeed accept most Honda 450r parts. Even the stock front bumper has its design based on popular aftermarket units.

In the rear of the Gas Gas, there is an Aluminum swing arm, along with Progressive single shock absorber system.

Suspension Front: Adjustable arms with long journey shock absorbers and variable damping Rear: Aluminium swing arm, progressive 1-shock absorber system The suspension is fully adjustable on both the front and rear and from the machines tall stance, looked to be ready for desert racing! I was wishing we had scheduled a ride on a few miles of gnarly XC terrain but here we were almost ready to turn it loose on a sandy MX track.A few questions were being asked as the engine fired to life and a throaty rumble took attention over the small talk. The engine sounded strong and given Gas Gas’s reputation in the two wheeled world, we expected a strong and controllable power curve and it would only be a few minutes before our questions would be answered by seat time instead of gum smacking. 2009 Gas Gas Wild 450 Engine: 4-stroke, single cylinder engine with 4-valve cylinder head, wet-type crankcase Now this model enters the country fitted with a twist throttle, and was the main reason for the questions prior to our ride. Gabriel Racing should already have a thumb throttle conversion in place by the time you read this if you are not comfortable with the twist model. The Spanish Gas Gas enters the United States fitted with a twist throttle (left), but Gabriel Racing offers a thumb throttle conversion for the model. It also includes a Hydraulic multi-disc Clutch, Electic Start, and six-speed transmission. The Gas Gas 450 Wild comes stock with high quality Renthal handlebars The Gas Gas 450 Wild also features a steering stem lock anti-theft device Ergonomics of the machine were about the same as most, but felt more like a comfy stock trail machine as the bars met our hands. Coupled to the stock bars was what else…..an aftermarket inspired anti vibe stem! So far, the positives were adding up just on how the machine was built but the proof is on the track not on the spec sheet. The front fenders are on the slender side and probably won’t provide trail riders or XC type racers much protectionA few quick runs on the Gas Gas 450 Wild to get accustomed to it and then the next 2 hours would be spent riding and evaluating how it all worked. The power was definitely there for a stock engine, and running in the sandy soil was keeping us from feeling all of its potential we felt. The clutch engaged smooth and it shifted positive, but we felt a gearing change would have really brought us into a better place and helped with the bottom end grunt. Power was broad and smooth and it pulled clean to the rev limiter as it shredded the sand and the fuel injection never missed a beat.The model comes equipped with larger, consumer styled stock tires that we all have been used to however they were swapped with some MX sized meats that would be more in tune for the riding session we had planned. Nerf bars are stock equipment as well and provide ample protection. Now even after our initial thoughts on ride height, the reports back in from the rider was that it was plush, soaked up everything thrown at it and cornered very well. I even asked if the other riders felt that it was “Tippy” and all reports were negative, that it did not have that feeling at all. With the 50 inch wide front end stock, getting this machines ride height down a bit more for hard pack tracks might just find this model railing corners like one would expect it should. The reports back in from our rider was that the ride height was plush, soaked up everything thrown at it and cornered very well. The steering was reported as being just a touch on the twitchy side and that a steering stabilizer would handle that problem. It was light feeling and handled well in the air as it responded well to rider input. Steering was positive and carving turns was no problem at speed. Width aside, our rider felt this would make an excellent platform for XC style riding and racing. It was very stable at high speeds over rough terrain and turned on a dime. Braking was strong and responsive and the seat allowed a lot of movement and was comfortable. Most of the changes we would make would be based solely on rider preference and the addition of a stabilizer to handle the twitchy feeling our rider felt.Good power, good handling and equipped with basically an aftermarket style chassis, this one deserves a hard look. Now the price tag isn’t too easy on the wallet as it sells in the mid $9k range but what ATV is cheap these days. And I too was scratching my head as I tried to justify the cost but its all there when you think about buying another model, adding suspension and such and here you have a Chrome-Moly chassis stock!Of course, the parts supply has to be in place if this machine will ever have a chance of it being accepted here on a large scale, and Gabriel Racing is but one source for Gas Gas parts. I asked repeatedly about getting replacement parts and was assured that the basic items are stocked and special order items are a day away. That settled some of my concerns however if you are considering this model, be sure to ask your dealer about parts and how involved they are in helping you when you need it. The Gas Gas Wild 450 was very stable at high speeds over rough terrain and turned on a dime, and the braking was strong and responsive and the seat allowed a lot of movement We pulled out of the track and had a lengthy discussion about the Gas Gas 450 and its big bore brethren soon to be available with a 497cc power plant! Both the 450 and 515 models will be available through Gas Gas dealers all across the country soon. We would love to have a unit to test further and in conditions we are used to. The 2009 Gas Gas Wild HP 450 front view (left) and side view (right) Aluminum Nerf Bars with built in heel guards come stock on the Gas Gas Wild 450 ATV The Gas Gas Wild 450 also features a large front bumper similar to popular aftermarket bumpers This model has potential and might do very well in desert and XC style racing as long as width isn’t a major concern. Other models of similar width are raced in these venues so I don’t foresee a big issue unless you plan on buying one and narrowing it up which would negate the stock components which aren’t typical of stock parts we have become used to. With the reputation Gas Gas has, the engine should be strong and sound as well. The Gas Gas ATV includes a display screen at an easily viewable area in front of the handle bars (left). And a view of the wiring for the ATV under the Gas Gas seat (right) A closer view of the left side of the Gas Gas Wild 450 and the right side of the ATV Long term testing is under way thanks to the folks at Gabriel Racing and we hope to hear good things. Another player in the mix can only strengthen the marketplace as long as it is up to the task.