Not content with having one of the most comprehensive off-road motorcycle line-ups going, GASGAS, just last night, announced that they?re releasing a pair of actual road bikes? well, sort of. Say hello to the GASGAS SM 700 and ES 700.

This is a pair of red-hot singles that?s definitely doing it for me. I mean look at them. Phwoar. And having previously ridden KTM?s version (which does look quite similar to this), I?ve got a feeling there?ll be plenty of wheelies, skids and laughs to be had on the new GASGAS SM 700 and ES 700.

I suppose it ought to come as no surprise that GASGAS are edging ever closer to releasing a ?proper? road bike, since they?re already balls-deep in tarmac-based GP racing. Whilst these two new models are, on paper, road bikes, to me they?re actually in that middle-ground between off-road and on-road bikes. That fantastic middle-ground that every motorcyclist should spend some time in.
Each one of these little beauties has got a 692.7cc single cylinder, four-stroke motor that makes 74hp and 74Nm of torque. Nice and easy to remember then. You get modern electronics with a couple of riding modes, quickshifter, Bosch ABS and a PASC slipper clutch.

The 13.5 litre fuel tank is integrated into the ?polyamide? subframe which keeps the centre of gravity nice and low to help with the bikes handling. That, along with the lightweight chromium molybdenum streel trellis frame ?ensures razor-sharp cornering? according to GASGAS.

ES 700

...