GAS GAS HALLEY 450 [2009 - 2009]: A Dual-Personality Thumper for Street and Dirt

Introduction

The GAS GAS HALLEY 450 (2009) stands as a fascinating oddity in the motorcycle world—a bike that wore two helmets in its single model year. Offered in both Super Motard (SM450) and Enduro configurations, this Spanish-built machine catered to riders who demanded either razor-sharp street agility or hardcore off-road capability. While short-lived, the HALLEY 450 carved a niche with its lightweight design, punchy single-cylinder engine, and race-bred components. Let’s dissect what made this dual-sport chameleon tick—and why it still turns heads in 2024.

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Design & Ergonomics: Form Follows Function

The HALLEY 450’s visual language screams purpose. The Super Motard variant arrives in stealthy black, with a compact 17" wheel setup wrapped in sticky 120/60 (front) and 150/60 (rear) street rubber. Its Enduro sibling swaps to aggressive red livery, towering on a 21" front/18" rear spoked wheel combo shod with knobby 90/90-21 and 130/90-18 tires. Both share a minimalist bodywork approach, dominated by a narrow fuel tank (7.4-7.5L capacity) and a no-frills seat.

Standover height tells the tale of two bikes: the SM’s 860mm (33.9") seat is approachable for a supermoto, while the Enduro’s 890mm (35") perch demands long legs—or a willingness to slide off-cheek on technical trails. Both models use GAS GAS’s signature Deltabox frame crafted from chrome-molybdenum steel, triangulating stiffness and flex for precise handling.

Ground clearance diverges sharply—245mm (9.6") on the SM vs. 270mm (10.6") on the Enduro—reflecting their terrains. The SM’s lower stance aids corner carving, while the Enduro’s skid-plate-ready underbelly laughs at rocks.

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Engine & Performance: Single-Cylinder Savagery

At the heart of both variants lies a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 449cc (27.4 cu in) single-cylinder engine. Bore and stroke measure 97mm x 60.8mm (3.8" x 2.4"), favoring a rev-happy character with a claimed redline near 9,000 RPM. The EFI system (a rarity in 2009 for dirt-focused bikes) delivers crisp throttle response, though some riders might yearn for a carburetor’s tunability in extreme off-road conditions.

On the SM450:
The supermato’s gearing prioritizes wheelie-friendly torque. Expect a violent surge from 4,000 RPM onward, lofting the front wheel effortlessly in the first three gears. The 6-speed box’s tall sixth gear allows 130+ km/h (80+ mph) cruising—though windblast turns you into a human sail.

On the Enduro:
Retuned for low-end grunt, the Enduro version digs trenches. Its 443cc displacement (via slight bore reduction) and revised mapping make it a tractor on hill climbs. The same 6-speed gearbox features shorter ratios, with first gear reserved for crawling over boulders.

Both models share a hydraulic clutch—a luxury in this class—that lightens lever effort during traffic jams or technical trail sections. Vibration is ever-present but manageable below 7,000 RPM; invest in aftermarket bar weights if planning long hauls.

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Handling & Suspension: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Supermoto SM450:
The SM450 is a hooligan’s dream. Its 1440mm (56.7") wheelbase and 119kg (262 lb) dry weight let it flick between corners like a deranged wasp. The 45mm Sachs USD fork and Sachs rear shock (220-230mm travel) are stiffly sprung for pavement, resisting dive under hard braking. Nissin’s 2-piston front caliper bites a 220mm disc—adequate for street use, but consider upgrading to a wave rotor for track days.

Enduro 450:
The Enduro’s 1450mm (57.1") wheelbase adds stability at the expense of flickability. Suspension travel matches the SM, but damping is softer to absorb moon-crater trails. The 21" front wheel rolls over obstacles like a trials bike, while the single-piston front brake offers modulated stopping power in mud.

Both models suffer from narrow footpegs—replace them with wider aftermarket units for better control.

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Competition: How the HALLEY 450 Stacks Up

Supermoto Rivals:
- KTM 450 SMR: More power (55hp vs. HALLEY’s ~48hp) and a legendary chassis, but heavier at 128kg.
- Husqvarna SM450: Similar specs, but the HALLEY’s hydraulic clutch gives it an edge in stop-and-go traffic.

Enduro Rivals:
- Honda CRF450X: Bulletproof reliability, but carbureted and 10kg heavier.
- Yamaha WR450F: Softer power delivery, better for beginners, but lacks the HALLEY’s razor-sharp reflexes.

The HALLEY’s trump card? Weight. At 119kg, it undercuts most rivals by 5-10kg—a massive advantage when muscling through tight trails or knee-dragging on canyon roads.

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Maintenance: Keeping the HALLEY Alive

Owning a 2009 HALLEY 450 in 2024 means embracing its quirks. Key considerations:

1. Engine Longevity:
2. Service intervals: Oil changes every 15-20 hours (use JASO-MA2 10W-50).
3. Check valve clearance every 50 hours—shim-under-bucket design requires patience.

4. Upgrade to a high-flow air filter (foam-type recommended for Enduro riders).

5. EFI Tweaks:

6. The stock fuel mapping leans conservative. A programmable ECU (available at MOTOPARTS.store) unlocks hidden power and smoothness.

7. Suspension Refresh:

8. Sachs shocks benefit from annual oil changes. Consider MOTOPARTS.store’s rebuild kits with upgraded seals.

9. Chain & Sprockets:

10. The O-ring chain lasts 8,000-10,000 km with proper lubrication. Swap to a DID 520ERV3 chain and steel sprockets for longevity.

11. Brake Upgrades:

12. SM450 riders: MOTOPARTS.store’s sintered brake pads improve bite. Enduro models benefit from a braided stainless line.

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Conclusion: A Cult Classic Revisited

The 2009 GAS GAS HALLEY 450 remains a compelling choice for riders who value lightness and versatility. Its split personality—street-scalpel SM or dirt-devouring Enduro—ensures it never feels out of place. While parts support requires diligence (hello, MOTOPARTS.store!), few bikes from this era deliver such raw, unadulterated fun. Whether you’re backing it into hairpins or conquering single-track, the HALLEY 450 proves that sometimes, the best bikes are the ones you’ve never heard of.

Ready to resurrect one? MOTOPARTS.store has the oils, filters, and upgrades to keep your HALLEY howling for another decade.

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Specifications sheet

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