Ossa Explorer v KTM Freeride

**Ocean1** · 13th October 2013, 18:13

They do have a penchant for weird zorsts. I like that.

**Lotus54** · 15th October 2013, 10:44

To service the air filter- just a few screws and tilt up the upper tank.

**george formby** · 15th October 2013, 18:25

Bajillions of wee star shaped fasteners & very compact design. Keep us up dated, I'm keen to see how your new relationship develops.

**NordieBoy** · 16th October 2013, 13:38

I like it

**gwynfryn** · 17th October 2013, 18:28

Is that a Ferrari?

**Lotus54** · 18th October 2013, 01:15

Originally Posted by gwynfryn

Is that a Ferrari?

Lotus Elan

**Lotus54** · 22nd October 2013, 14:01

http://youtu.be/96nIDXOkOt8

**george formby** · 22nd October 2013, 19:46

Originally Posted by Lotus54

http://youtu.be/96nIDXOkOt8

Shertainly sounds like a trials bike. I love trails like that.

**Lotus54** · 29th October 2013, 12:49

Bike is running great and I really like it so far.

Did a 53 mile trail ride in the mountains here on the Olympic Peninsula.
It as excellent on the tight trails, with rather narrow and steep side hills.
Used 1.5 gallons of fuel (US gallons)

The brake pedal is dumb, I'm changing to the trials bike one- it should have come with it in the first place. The stock one is too far forward and the tip doesn't fold.

Mark

**Lotus54** · 12th November 2013, 09:21

The OSSA is working fantastically!

A 43 mile ride Saturday.

**andy mac** · 12th November 2013, 11:46

That was nice flowing singletrack that your 300 would be great in also. What were the other bikes you were riding with?

Last week I tried a Freeride 350 and after 15 minutes I was riding up steep climbs that are challenging on my 300. I really enjoyed it but question if the Freeride or Explorer are too specialised?

**Lotus54** · 12th November 2013, 12:01

Yes, I've ridden that with my 300 and it worked great.
But I had more fun on the OSSA.

Various bikes
300 (x2) 450 KTM, 410 Husky, 250 Honda F, YZ Yam

All much bigger, more powerful bikes with at least twice the suspension travel.

So far I can climb at least as hard hills with my 300, but it is really setup for nastily tight hills. I'm getting better on the OSSA though- I think on e I figure it out I will be able to do much more difficult stuff.

It isn't that great for really fast stuff, but I moved right along on the quicker two- track. Just didn't slow down too much.

A bit more even for the gearbox might be nice. But so far it really isn't an issue.

Think about 75 lbs less than a 300!

(I do miss the e-start sometimes and the LHRB)

The 300 has a LOT More power, but the guys with all that extra power were not leaving me...
I think I was going about the same speed as my 300- but maybe a bit quicker in the super tight stuff. Of course I was trying to learn the bike and also keep my feet on the pegs all the time and keep in total control.
I think I did that much more than I would have on the 300 for some of the tricky places.

Mark

Originally Posted by andy mac

That was nice flowing singletrack that your 300 would be great in also. What were the other bikes you were riding with?

Last week I tried a Freeride 350 and after 15 minutes I was riding up steep climbs that are challenging on my 300. I really enjoyed it but question if the Freeride or Explorer are too specialised?

**Lotus54** · 25th November 2013, 10:23

I went on a 50 mile ride yesterday (I think 4.5 hours actual running time, I'll check).
Started on HWY 101, off to power line, gravel roads, single track, tight single track, NO track through clear cuts (lots of log hopping etc), ice, hills - great day!
The OSSA did fantastic! Cruised down 101 easily, 50mph was around 4500 rpm in 6th, I'm sure 55-60 would be easy. Harder to shift sitting down (trials gear lever, move your foot to shift- works great standing, not as well sitting).
Of course it was the best in the places where there was no trail at all- the more difficult the better. I'm getting to know the bike more and trusting what it will really do. I had by far the easiest time (I think) in the really nasty sections.
The low fuel lamp came on just as we got back, so 50 miles with a small reserve. I brought a litre of fuel along, but never used it.

For fast, rocky sections, it certainly isn't as easy to ride fast as my 300, but I did just fine. Some places I'd be a little faster on my 300, but as I get used to the bike more I don't think much of the time it makes any difference. I try to ride about 60% of my max anyway! number one rule- don't fall down! (I was the only one yesterday that didn't.

I installed some KTM adventure plastic handguards- I used them on my Ducati and liked them. Quite light, flexible and not expensive. Worked great for the brushy sections. Before I kept doing stoppies as brush hit the front brake and clutch. Plus probably a bit warmer for my hands.
I am planning of getting some of the twisted Engineering flex composite bars, so these should flex ok with those bars (I think).

I really like the peg location and weight distribution of the bike. Even with modest power output it is easy to loft the front wheel at speed- a quick preload of the front and weight shift with a bit of a tug and it pops right up over mud holes, ditches etc. the rear seems to do just fine hitting those as speed, I haven't noticed any bottoming yet. Forks work darn well also. Lewisport fixed me up with the trials rear brake lever- perfect! Nice hinged pedal and in the perfect location. If you buy one of these, buy this lever also.

I'm very happy with the bike so far. Incredibly fun to ride and I feel like I'm improving my skills. Standing properly on hills most of the time now. The bike really rewards standing, since it is so much easy to move weight around and absorb shocks from logs, rocks etc.
It runs super clean, the guys behind say it is like riding behind a 4-stoke, except it smells great!

I'll pop up a short video later.
But I would encourage anyone to check these out. The light weight is fantastic!

Mark