Spain has a long history of building off-road bikes, especially trials machines, but now GasGas, one of the most successful, is to relocate production to Austria. GasGas was founded in 1985 after Bultaco closed, and ex-employees Narcis Casas and Josep Pibernat decided to strike out on their own. Concentrating on trials bikes at first, the new venture did well, expanding through the 1990s and early 2000s into the enduro and motocross markets, but financial problems saw it taken over by KTM in 2019.

KTM’s own financial tribulations of recent years, which saw it pause motorcycle production in 2025, is behind the news. KTM says it will transfer production of GasGas motorcycles to its own factory in Austria, though the plant will carry on making electric mountain bikes. “This allows us to consolidate our expertise, optimize production processes and strengthen efficiency within the company,” stated a KTM official. Or it could be seen as a sad end to Spain’s proud tradition of making competition off-road motorcycles.

At the BMF, chair Jim Freeman said, “Corporate rationalisation, if one worked in the Spanish factory I’d be optimistic, getting rid of a niche motorcycle brand and retaining electric bike production looks like a much more likely bet for the future.”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of GasGas