Ossa Explorer v KTM Freeride

[NordieBoy]

Now the Ossa vs the new 250 FreeRide?

[Oscar]

Gas Gas Pampera, man!

[Lotus54]

The Pampera is lighter than the 350 free ride (I think about the same as th enew 2-stroke Freeride) but much heavier than the OSSA.
Of course it is probably more rugged also...

[george formby]

Gas Gas Pampera, man!

Good ones are like hens teeth. But, yeah.

[Crasherfromwayback]

And last time I worked at a franchise Suzuki dealer I'm pretty sure the boss was trying to get me to sell them new valves at the same time as the slug was renewed at 12 hours

When I left there was still a nice full box of new ones nestling hopefully in the corner

I used to do 'em every 12 when I was road racing the thing...but never in the dirt. Doing the valves springs is fucking important though!

[Lotus54]

Here is the new air filter setup. Looks good.
There is a kit to upgrade older ones, it moves the ECU out of the airbox, so I don't know how much (new wiring)



Mark

[Lotus54]

I just got my new 2014 Explorer.
What a blast!

Air filter very easy to service, a few screws, tilt the upper tank back , one wing nut and out comes the filter.
From what I see so far most things will be easy to service.

I Can post up impressions if anyone is interested.
Mark

[NordieBoy]

I Can post up impressions if anyone is interested.

Do Tim Shadbolt. Always good for a laugh.

[george formby]

Do Tim Shadbolt. Always good for a laugh.

Quick, very quick.

Post away Lotus, I'm keen to read your opinion on it.

[Lotus54]

Only one mild break-in ride.
Very much trials bike with gearing, geometry etc. BUT a seat if you mess up (or ruts are too deep to stand) and more fuel.
I've been riding with a Rekluse and LHRB, so I have to remember how to use a foot brake and the clutch.
Fortunately the rear brake has a lot more feel than my KTM has.

The bike ran perfectly, very smooth, linear power and of course very responsive I engine and chassis. Starts very easily. I like it!

What I don't like;
Fuel cap. Small and leaks.
Can't tell how much fuel is in it- although I think it may have a low fuel lamp (?)
Need to add a rear damper guard to keep the mud off.
Rear subframe could be recessed a bit better. Maybe nobody else notices, not a huge deal.
That's about it!

Here it is muddy.

[george formby]

Is that the exhaust under the rear guard, behind right side, side cover?

[Lotus54]

Is that the exhaust under the rear guard, behind right side, side cover?

Yes, it is full width.

[george formby]

How do you reckon that will handle streams & thick, gloopy, wet clay? I have a bad habit of finding the biggest puddle or deepest rut..

[Lotus54]

How do you reckon that will handle streams & thick, gloopy, wet clay? I have a bad habit of finding the biggest puddle or deepest rut..

I think it will be fine- the air intake is quite high and exhaust is high. I suppose going too quickly through a crossing could tend to toss it up on the exhaust outlet.
It wouldn't take much to add and extension out the side or a deflector.
The green thing is a spark arrestor I added.

Mark

[Ocean1]

How do you reckon that will handle streams & thick, gloopy, wet clay? I have a bad habit of finding the biggest puddle or deepest rut..

Same detail as the TR280, works fine.