I bought a 2014 OSSA Explorer new as soon as that year was avliable. I’ve been riding the heck out of it ever since, some trials, mostly trails. Even some road.

I have almost 400 hours on it, so I decided I’d better pop the cylinder off and check out the piston/rings/cylinder. (I also suspected I may have a head ‘O’ ring leaking a little).

I couldnt’ believe how good it looked. I’ve seen 2-strokes with 40 hours look way worse.  Hone marks still clean in the cylinder, no scoring, just a bit of ‘staining’.  The piston looks great, a little blow by on the sides, none on the thrust faces at all.  I have not measured the ring end gaps yet. The rings seemed to be a bit ‘gummed up’- but it is also quite cold in the garage.  Perhaps the 100:1 was a bit too much? (I ran the full synth Motorex since new).  Or maybe once it warmed up there was no issue at all.

For 400 hours I was very impressed.  I have a new piston kit- I’ll measure the rings and decide what I want to do.  Might change it and keep the original as a spare, or just clean it up and put it back in for another 400 hours.

 

I did get a Beta 300 Factory 4T - I wanted to keep from running up TOO many more hours on the OSSA. I still like the bike more every time I ride it, but the Beta is great fun also and I like the 4-stroke fuel mileage. (the OSSA isn’t bad, but the Beta is better).   Power on the two bikes is actually quite similar.  Torquey, smooth delivery, very controllable.  The 4T does have a LOT more engine braking, sometimes I really like it (long, steep downhills) sometimes I don’t (along the flats with throttle on/off). With the longer range tank/seat on the Beta they weigh about the same (OSSA is street legal and plated).

Mark

Edited October 13, 20187 yr by lotus54

Did you get rid if the 14 factory r. 

I still have the 14 Factory 300r

   I don’t ride it very much, but it is super fun.  Much better bike than I am a rider!   (Well, I actually *could* ride a lot better and harder stuff, but I’m scared of getting hurt, even just a little. At my age things don’t heal so quickly anymore!)

If they don’t start making them again, I could always install the tank/seat on the factory and use it.  That is sort of in the back of my mind.  (Unless someone comes along that really wants it and will use it- then I’d sell)

 

mark

Edited December 1, 20187 yr by lotus54