The 2025 GASGAS MC85 has been refreshed significantly with its all-new frame, striking all red bodywork and WP XACT shock. These changes ensure that the bike delivers confidence inspiring handling and superior stability. Recommended for 11 to 15 year old riders, this new generation model has been developed with serious input from a global team of young test riders. The all-new frame is said to improve stability and create a lighter feel through the turns.
The WP XACT shock helps to deliver better traction when getting on the throttle. There is a new, lighter swing arm, and new footpegs too. Changes to the engine include a new cylinder head, ignition, exhaust, spark plug, and settings inside the Keihin carburettor, in addition to the revised airbox for increased airflow. New radiators, made by PANKL, keep the motor running cool.
The motor is repositioned in the frame to help balance the bike out even more. The side panels on the new all red bodywork are now even slimmer than before too, so kids can move around much more easily.
THE REVIEW – INDI HOOPER:
What a way to start a cold and wintery Thursday morning! After an early wakeup call and 2.5 hours on the road, we finally turn into a long driveway, and make our way down to an awesome private track. It makes me smile knowing that my classmates at school are probably in the middle of an English lesson! I jump out of the car; the weather isn’t looking the greatest and the track is a little wet and muddy but I am looking forward to seeing the brand new 2025 GASGAS MC85 in the flesh!
My first impressions of the bike are it definitely looks a little bigger than what I am used to riding as I currently ride a small wheel GASGAS MC85. Visually the bike looks great! Obviously, I am a bit biased as I already own a GASGAS but I love the red plastics, they just pop!
The thing that I don’t like about the 2025 GASGAS is the black writing on the red plastics. White writing on red plastics is my preference, but all this can be changed with a custom sticker kit anyway, so not a game changer at this stage! Overall, the bike looks neat and tidy with an edge of toughness and I can’t wait to ride it!
I feel a bit uncomfortable at first, my nerves start to kick in and I am definitely out of my comfort zone, but at the same time, I am excited to ride a brand-new bike and stoked that I have been given this opportunity. It doesn’t help my nerves, that I am in the company of Seth Thomas, the Australian 65cc and 85cc Champion! Seth has travelled here today to help me out with this bike test/review. Seth will also be riding this amazing new bike and giving me his opinion on it.
Now to the fun part! It doesn’t take me long to gear up and get ready, and by this time the bike has already been started by Seth and I can hear the sweet sound of a brand new two-stroke engine!
Even though I normally ride a small wheel MC85, I sure had a lot of fun on the MC85 big wheel! When I first jumped on, I thought to myself, this bike is big and it feels so much bigger than my bike. I tried starting the bike at first and it stalled, but on my second attempt, it started. After warming up the bike, I was ready to roll.
My first thoughts were that the bike felt heavier and the seat felt slimmer than the 2023 model. The 2025 MC85 felt more powerful than my stock 2023 MC85.
The suspension on the 2025 MC85 felt stiffer compared to my bike, this was expected as I am test riding a brand-new bike that isn’t set up for my weight. Overall, I enjoyed riding the bike and the suspension felt good. If you are my age though, I would recommend having the suspension adjusted to suit the rider.
The chassis on the 2025 felt slimmer compared to the 2023 model that I ride, which made the bike easier to grip, I really think that this helped me get through the thick mud and slush at Briggsy’s track on the bike test day! This to me feels like a big improvement on the 2023 model. The seat on the 2025 felt stiff, but it takes a little while to feel comfortable riding a new bike, so this was to be expected.
My overall thoughts are I loved riding the brand new 2025 GASGAS MC85. So much that I wanted my Dad to buy me one on the way home!! I loved the look of the bike, the feel of the bike and I enjoyed riding a big wheel compared to a small wheel. It might take a little while to feel comfortable, but I would definitely recommend buying a 2025 GASGAS MC85. And you know what they say… red goes faster!! Get on the Gas!
WHAT THE CHAMPION HAS TO SAY: SETH THOMAS
First impression of the 2025 GASGAS MC85?
The bike looks sick. The tank seemed bigger, and the front plate looked different. I liked riding it, it felt a little bit smaller and it felt a bit lighter that the 2024 MC85.
Did the seat height feel smaller or the overall size of the bike?
Just the overall size of the bike. The tank felt bigger, and the whole bike felt a little bit lighter.
How did the suspension feel?
It felt good but obviously I prefer my suspension on my 2024 MC85 done by Josh Robinson but it still felt pretty good. The standard suspension felt a little bit soft.
Overall power of the bike?
Yes, it was pretty good for a stock bike but my race bike is definitely better.
If you had to say if one part of the power was better, would you say top, middle or bottom?
The top end power.
What would you do to the bike before racing it?
I would have JR Factory Services Suspension play around with the suspension and it would have Matt Boyd’s race engine in it.
Did the clutch or the brakes feel any different compared to the 2024 model?
No, they felt the same.
Favourite thing about riding the 2025 GASGAS MC85?
Doing whips on it!
Least favourite thing about riding the 2025 GASGAS MC85?
That I couldn’t take it home with me.
Would you tell your friends to buy a 2025 GASGAS MC85?
100% I can’t wait to run one myself.
Is the 2025 MC85 an improvement on the 2024 MC85?
Yeah definitely!
2025 GASGAS MC85 BIG WHEEL
ENGINE
Type Single-cylinder two-stroke
Displacement 84.9cc
Bore & Stroke 47mm x 48.95mm
Cooling Liquid-cooled
Compression ratio NA
Fuel metering Keihin PWK 28
Tank capacity 5.4L
Transmission Six-speed
Clutch Wet, multi-disc clutch, Formula hydraulics
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1.282 mm
Seat height 871mm
Ground clearance 308mm
Claimed Weight 69kg (dry)
SUSPENSION
FRONT 43 WP XACT USD fork, 278mm travel
REAR WP XACT PDS mono shock, 289mm travel
BRAKES
Front 240mm disc
Rear 220mm disc
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Tapered aluminium 28/22 mm dia
Front tyre 70/100-19
Rear tyre 90/100-16
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $9,730
BROWSER gasgas.com
BLOWER 1800 644 771
Warranty 1 month
WORDS || INDI HOOPER
PHOTOS || JOSH EVAND AND MITCH LEES
