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Should I Buy An Ossa Explorer?


chantalbc
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Hi there current OSSA Owners.

 

I'm struggling with the decision to buy a little OSSA explorer...I test drove it, loved it, but have been advised by many against buying an OSSA.

 

I'm trying to figure out how much of the negativity (i.e chews through gear box) is still lagging from the 2011/2012 issues and if folks that own newer (2013/2014) bikes still have problems.

 

Truth is, if OSSA was still in business, I would possible even buy it with the transmission issue, I though it was one of the smoothest powered trials moto's I have been on (owned a Gas Gas 300, named the devil, a beta Rev 3 2003 and we also have a 2015 beta evo 200)....a bit difficult to start when cold, but once its warmed up it purred just fine and kicked over with one whimpy kick...

 

 

If you have had a transmission failure, what actually happens...does the engine seize up ? or do you simply use the upper gears? is it something you feel happening over a few rides or is at instantaneous ??? I guess the last thing I'd want is be 20 miles out on a trail ride and have a seized engine

 

Thanks for all the input in advance....sure is a beauty of a bike

 

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Ossa no longer In business>>>>> best to stick to something else.

I don't know if you're qualified to say this with a Gas Gas and a Fantic?

 

Just kidding.

 

I love my Ossa because it's just that bit different

 

I know they've had issues so if you're looking for Honda like reliability forget it;

 

Apparently the 14 is the one to have and I've had no problems that were the bikes fault.

 

Plus points are the way it fuels which I would describe as sublime,air filter which never needs attention and the radiator stays clear. Plastics great too.

 

Minus takes a right kick to fire up bushed suspension linkage bit cheap and cheerful.

 

Decider to me would be having a local dealer who knows his way around them.

 

Cheers the noo as we say up here.

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Yes indeed I know they are done - talking to the dealer it appears that besides the whole cassette gearing they expect to find pretty much all aftermarket .. And I guess the actual frame of it broke .. Which I read some stuff about swing arm failure but I assume that's pretty random

Just trying to figure out what my risk for transmission failure is and more importantly what exactly that means - I.e stranded on the side of the trail or limp out on a single gear

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I can tell your drawn into the purchase despite what we are saying. You'll always be able to find stock.

I'd imagine importers still have gearbox stocks.

I was recently at the factory and I saw a shelf of Ossa assembled gearbox shafts ready to slot in .I'll post some pics up shortly. Getting them might be more difficult , but they'll end up some where.

Edited by gasgas249uk
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I have a 2014 OSSA Explorer (over 200 hours now) and have had excellent results.

(See other threads)

Parts are still around and I think OSSA will be back running. Lots of companies go into bankruptcy and return to service again. Plus they are trying to remove themselves from GasGas and back to on their own.

Where are you located?

I would certainly buy. 2014 OSSA.

Mark

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I'm In BC, Canada but assume as available could get parts in the US....indeed I did very much like the bike and am looking towards those that have some for feedback on issues they may have had...

 

My biggest concern is have a dramatic failure where I will be 20 miles out in the bush with a broken down bike..I know there is always a risk of that, even with a Honda...

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I'm In BC, Canada but assume as available could get parts in the US....indeed I did very much like the bike and am looking towards those that have some for feedback on issues they may have had...

My biggest concern is have a dramatic failure where I will be 20 miles out in the bush with a broken down bike..I know there is always a risk of that, even with a Honda...

Well they're is more of a risk of it happening with an ossa than a Honda. If your tuned in with your bike id have thought you'd hear or feel something going wrong before it does.... so you've at least got a hundred yards of notice before the break down...... Ouch. Just buy one stop worrying. My garage is full of bikes I can't buy anything for of the shelf too easy. It doesn't put me off.

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If I was going to break down 20 miles in the woods I would rather be on a 160lb OSSA than a 250lb Honda any day. I was really close to buying an OSSA but ended up going with the Sherco X-ride. The thing that I liked about the OSSA was you can convert it into a pure Trials bike. I wouldn't have converted it but like the idea that geometry is fundamentally the same. It is really just a Trials bike with a seat. Good maintenance is the key to not having any bike break down. What swung it for me was dealer and importer support - I really try to support my local shops when possible. If there had been a local dealer who had one sitting on the floor I would most likely have bought it. Lewisport USA would most likely be a good source of parts and they are just down the coast from BC in CA.

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I'm just over on the Olympic Peninsula in PA- I have the software/cables to do the TPS and other electronics.

Also have some spares.

I did buy a few things to have, just in case. But the bike has been really reliable.

I did break a suspension part once, but that was my fault.

The linkage bushings are higher maintenance than sealed needle bearings, but they are cheap and easy to service. (Wish they had zerk fittings)

I ditched the stock rear brake setup, I kept bending the rather heavy caliper mount. The TR one works a lot better and is a lot lighter to boot.

Starting is easy 99% of the time. If the plug is too dirty, aftermarket spark arrestor clogged or you give it throttle it doesn't start easily.

Conversion to full Trials is easy- maybe 15 minutes one you have the parts and make a mount foe the easy start box (assuming you leave on the headlamp).

Oh yeah, the stock rear brake pedal is awful, but the TR one bolts right on and is great.

Mark

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Spoke again to a very trusted friend in the trials community who also happens to always fix my bike and although he had originally advised me against, when he saw how much I liked it - he basically also said...if the price is right just get it, he is sure he can fix it if it breaks, and there is a dealer in Mission (about 1.5 hours) , as well as Vancouver island who has all the cables and stuff to do the diagnostics...

 

so price wise...its advertised at 6400CAD, which I guess would be around 5100-5200US....its at most has 20 hours of riding, its pretty much brand new, not even a scratch in the plastic....thoughts on counter offers are appreciated :)....I doubt he will move it easily..its definitely a specialty item

 

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PS...I'm 5.11 so I plan to add risers ..anybody else put a pair of risers on their Ossa Explorer? did it affect the handling much..I did really like the handlebar sway , just want a bit more height for comfort..

 

If I do actual trials riding I'd take them off....

 

Also the conversion to a trials bike - does it require a different set of plastics ? I guess it would....since the ones one don't seem to work with the trial low seat base....I doubt I would do it often, but we do have a few places that only allow trials moto's and I wouldn't want to create trouble for thee local organization to ride there with something that looks closer to a mini dirtbike then a trials bike

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If I had just a few extra bucks ( and bringing into the US would be such a hassle) I would buy it myself foe that much!

I have bar risers and twisted engineering flex bars on mine.

Yes, you need the TR plastics and move the Easystart box. The cables are long enough to mount on bars.

Yes, I thing the lower, stock bars give better control, but my kneck hurts on long rides and I'm just a novice trials rider that has only gotten to one even this year anyway.

Not a very good pic

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But I'll be happy to show more if you like.

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Edited by lotus54
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