In case anyone is interested, OSSA's warranty support is FANTASTIC. My Explorer's plastic fuel tank (the additional plastic auxiliary unit in the conventional position) had two thin spots that were clearly rotomoulding defects. Within ten days of sending my email (with photos) explaining the problem, I had a new tank delivered to my door by the UPS man... directly from Girona. That is what I call first-rate service. It does not get any better than that.
I too have just purchased the new Ossa Explorer. Mine came from the same shop as Know Fear. Mine does not have the pure trials suspension as his does. It really is a great bike. It has the same power delivery as my "08 250 Gas Gas. With a little more punch . I've changed mine around a bit to adapt to my riding position. Changed the bars and added adjustable risers. The grab handle was the first thing to go, as it gets in the way when you get your butt back negotiating steep downhills. Mine now has only 3 hours on it. The first time out I stalled it in approx 25 inches of water, give or take a few inches. No damage. Funny thing is that I did the same thing 35 yrs ago with a brand new Yamaha 250 IT. Go figure. The Ossa is a very cool bike to ride. Very similar to ride as a trials bike, with the added plus of a seat. The power is very smooth and starting off in any of the first 3 gears is a breeze. This is a crossover type of bike that would do well in trials up to the senior or sportsman level. As a tight single track/ technical trail bike you can't go wrong. A lot of our trail riding here on the Pacific North West is of a technical nature. This bike was made for this type of application. That's not to take away the fact that any rider in any region would benifit by riding or owning this bike. It would make you a better rider. I'll add a little more to this thread as time goes on. I'm very exited to be an owner and hopefully this bike will live up to the reputation of the OSSA's of the 60's-80's.
I like the look of the OSSA Explorer and it sounds like a great bike. Maybe I missed it if someone already posted it but I can't seem to find anything that indicates we can get them in the US. I do see gas gas has something kind of like it we can get in the US now... Thoughts? http://www.gasgas.com/2013_randonne.htm
According to these guys, they should be at the dealers.... http://www.ossaworld.com/LearningResources.aspx?ItemID=550&page=1
The Randonne has a nice look, but the website says it is a 123cc 4 stroke. At sea level you might have some fun with it, but it strikes me as kinda underpowered for the american audience. and Probablly lacking the pop to do much in the way of trials. Be a great bike for your loved one to putt around a morning loop on though. The explorer seems to be the trials chassis and engine with a seat. Sounds like they are available in Washington state based on posts above?
That's the tried-and-true, venerable Yamaha TT-R125 engine shoehorned into what looks to be their standard latest trials chassis, and then a soft/large seat fitted to it. It's the go-to engine for all "learner" bikes in Europe, or so it seems - just about every manufacturer over there that makes a small motorcycle uses that engine somewhere in their lineup. GasGas is using Yamaha fourstroke engines in their enduro bikes now, so it's no surprise they contracted to use Yamaha's smaller mills in a trials hybrid. Scorpa built something very similar to the Randonne called the SY-125 Longride, using the same engine and their trials chassis, again with a big soft seat on top of their standard trials chassis. I rode one a few times and they were so light that they weren't as underpowered(below ~4000 feet elevation) as you might think, and I would expect the Randonne to be the very similar. You can pump those little motors up pretty hot, probably 15-18hp - but then you have to make the clutch survive, and go to a bigger carburetor, etc. You'd have another $1500US and a lot of labor in doing so: http://www.bjracing.com/sy125.html http://www.bbrmotorsports.com/Products/ProductGenerator.aspx?Prod=411-YTR-1201&Print=true They aren't even all that bad stock, you just have to rev them hard a lot, and the 5 speed gearbox makes them gappy between gears. I don't know if GasGas is spec'ing different internal ratios, but it's unlikely as Yamaha has sold millions of those engines with what seem to be all the same internal ratios. Regardless, the Ossa Explorer will have more motor in all cases, most likely. You still need to mix fuel, though, and also you will still be dealing with the close-ratio 1st thru 4th gears, then biiig gaps between 4th-5th and 5th-6th. Changing final drive gearing to make 6th worth more than maybe 40mph will make the gaps seem even worse, too, but will make 1st-4th a lot more practical for trail riding, etc.
Thanks for the extra information, this helps me a lot to know what the diffrences are and what I might expect if I was to ever get one. :)
I just watched a video of the 2012 Scottish Six Days Trial. There was some footage of a guy riding an Ossa Explorer and in each section he was filmed, he cleaned the sections on it. I'm impressed!
Per Ossa USA (515) 402-8000, the Ossa Explorer is now available in the USA for an MSRP: $7995. They were unable to get a blanket "street bike status" on a National level but your ability to register locally could vary. The good news is that Ossa USA confirmed that it does come with a headlight, blinkers, and taillight but they may not be installed at delivery. A review of spec sheet at my semi-local dealer shows some key changes from the similar, but trials specific Ossa TR280i as follows: Ossa Explorer (USA Spec): 1.47 gallons (vs. 0.8 gal for 280i), 162.8 lbs dry (versus 148 lb dry 280i), 40 mm Marzocchi fork, less adjustable (non-Ohlins) shock, 2-piston front brake (280i has 4-piston front caliper), EFI with Lithium battery assist (280i is battery-less); dual sport kit with blinkers, plate holder, head and tail lights included (not installed); best of all the $800 lower MSRP is $7995 (TR280i is $8795); the two-year warranty as standard is just a bonus. My KTM 300XC may be going bye bye!!
New info from GGUSA indicates a 170cc version of the Randonne will be offered this year. Supposedly. you can buy them with the European homologation kit (street legal in Europe) as well - so in States like NH, you could register it for street use. Not sure if it will have the needed stamps on the COO - to get it reg'd in strict states like Ca. Or Ma. My guess they will sell the 170 bike with the kit for under $6K - hopefully much less.
Doesn't look like a Randonne is much of a handicap,I would bet Takumi is riding a 170cc version though.Other pics show the electric start still in place. <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e2uvIe_wobQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>
170 is making it a little more tempting, not quite sure if I am going to get a pure trials or something like this yet, but at least I have my wifes 125 to play on in the mean time. That is when she lets me...
I really want one! I've been riding my 2002 GasGas TXT Pro up on the trails, it is great fun. The gearbox gap is a bit of a pain, but it has so much bottom end it doesn't matter as much as it might. In Washington State it would be no big deal to plate. I have my KTM 300 XCW legally played with the new law. I certainly wouldn't want to ride it on the road very far, but would be excellent for connector FS roads etc. Now I just need the money. Mark
I sold my Aprilia RS250 and gasGas 280- so I'll be getting the new model explorer as soon as they are here. I'll post up some reviews/video. Should be great fun on the mountain trails! Guys in Victoria, come on over and we can take a ride on some fun stuff! Mark
This bike is fantastic! I've been out doing trail rides, some with some rather difficult sections, some just plain single track. I didn't have trouble keeping up with the other guys, and had a much easier time in thought stuff. Highly recommended! I put 2" bar risers on it, pegs are good now- rear brake pedal is crummy- get the trials one. Easy to start, seems decent fuel mileage. Plated! http://youtu.be/JDwfk8Ud89c
I'd love to see the Explorer also offered the 300cc top end. I rode one of the 300i models. Really gutsy, fun motor! But that's a detail. Another nice one would be, say, a 320cc 4 stroke in a similar format as the Explorer and Sherco X-Ride. I love 2 strokes, but a big draw for me is also street legal. I think in the US a 4 stroke will be required to not get filtered out by the EPA.
I'll bet you could order one with the 300. I haven't needed more power yet. One of the biggest features for me is the light weight- the KTM Freeride 4stroke is a LOT heavier (of course so is their 2-stroke). Mine passed EPA- but wasn't classes as 50 state legal or anything. I do have it plated in Washington state. It runs very clean. Well, I have not put an exhaust analyzer on it, so maybe I should just say no smoke.
Yup. Real bike. One of the hardest hit areas in the world regarding an economic contraction is southern Europe, with Spain as a big example. As with the US, Spain has had lots of money chasing real estate and other bubbles. Unlike the US, they don't have their own fiat currency and can't simply print their way into the appearance of a recovery. May the smaller startups like Ossa and Jotagas survive.
I guess I never did post pics or anything. Mine is a 2014 Explorer, it is great! I've been trail riding it where it shines the most is the tight, gnarly single track. The more difficult the better. Still fun even on two track, just have to ride it a bit differently than my 300. Whoops are not that fun, unless you can time them just right. Plated, 2" bar risers,removed rear pegs and grab bar. I also installed a Tubliss system on the rear so I ca run lower pressures. So far I don't like the Pirellis as much as the X11 Michelin. It is better on the street though- I only plan to do quite short street rides, just to access trails. The tank flips up and gives easy access to the quite high air filter (good sizes also, not the usual tiny trials one)