Have Enduro bikes evolved in the past 20-years?

Fuel Injected 2-Stroke! [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]

The #1 Reason Manufacturers do not support 2-stroke development and do not import more 2-strokes into the US: Emissions.

The Ossa EFI direct into the cylinder is a significant development: EU emissions compliant! [/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica]http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/04/16...eturn-feature/

Support the Ossa initiative:

We really hope the new Ossa technology takes hold. Snowmobile manufacturers developed the 2-stroke technology to address high unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emissions from carburated 2-strokes. The technology does exist and is mature, and we hoped a mainstream European manufacturer like KTM/Husaberg + Husqvarna would take the initiative. Most of the European 2-stroke initiative is driven by the Trials manufacturers (GasGas, Sherco, Beta) that require light weight and torque. Emissions compliant 2-strokes would open a completely new alternative.[/FONT]

If these Ossa EFI models do well in the USA it may be a harbinger of a viable market and the other manufacturers may quickly follow suit. It's interesting that the same dynamics affected the outboard motor and the snowmobile industry.

There were three Ossa Explorers at the PITS event at Frank Raines OHV this weekend. Very cool. I had the chance to catch up briefly with Adrian Lewis of LewisportUSA He is the US importer for Ossa, and recently brought in and sold most of his Ossa Explorer inventory. General opinion on riding the new Ossa: felt narrower and lighter than the GasGas.

Shameless plug for LewisportUSA: Convince your local dealer to carry Ossa!

We discussed his plans to import the Ossa 300i... now this is too cool: 2-stroke EFI running 120:1 premix ratios to meet EU emissions.

Strong F1 influence: The engine cants backward, Intake is in front, exhaust is behind the engine (a la Cannondale 440) and isn't vulnerably exposed. Cartridge gearbox. Crankshaft and conrod accessible from side.



Here's the 2011 concept bike: <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OiD3A89RiYI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

Other than my GasGas Trials bike, I've been fortunate to own a GasGas EC300 that I was able to transform to Fantic TR300ES specs and get California street license plates:

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By 20-years, I meant since 1993 when we already had liquid cooling, reed valve intakes, exhaust power valves, linked (or PDS) rear suspension, cartridge forks, CDI, and 2-stroke oil that stayed suspended in gasoline (remember emptying your gas tank and float bowl after every event?)

I'm with you - I'm still very nostalgic on the : air-cooled, piston port, twin-shock/damper rod technology I grew up with.

Yah,I ended up with a 93 RMX250 here cause it was cheap and fresh,1 ride and it was put aside for the KTM's Ive ridden for many years.
No comparison what so ever between old and new.

Riding a 125 off road is an aquired art and not for everybody,they're light and work great if you can run the clutch and engine as they are intended to be run. I ride a 09 KTM200XCW currently and it works for me on the tight trails around here. It may not be that much lighter then a current 250/300 but it feels lighter and changes direction instantly.

A KDX is ok if you like that sort of thing,slow and heavy come to mind,then antiquated would be next.

What is the strong need for DI about? 2 strokes run fine with carbs and the barest know how of jetting them. They are simple beasts.

Out of the box the 01 motor had no bottom a weak mid range and a huge rush on top. Not very usable unless you are road racing. Also the jetting was a nightmare.

I immediately ordered up a new cylinder and head from Eric Gore who used a lot of epoxy to increase the volumetric efficiency and also reworked the head. Boysen reeds and some flywheel weight helped smooth things out. An FMF fatty put the CR ON par with my YZ.



I still think the best bang for your buck is a 06 plus YZ 250 or 125. You cannot beat SSS suspension

Epilogue: Sold the CR125R to fund a current KTM200MXC "Cheap Bast'd" project.

The new owners ran the CR125R without pre-mix oil; damaged the piston; then traded it to the current owner for a pool-table. The CR125R was last seen listed on CL after a Namura piston replacement by the current owner for $1500: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/3843190452.html

1998 KTM 125 for the win. No better than the 2014 KTM 125SX model per Shane Watts.

http://youtu.be/qyEeIhf0j88

Mostly for emissions and MPG.

Great vid... I think I will keep my 04 250 exc

The only attraction for me is the apparently vastly improved fuel usage rate.

That is my only complaint about two strokes, and I would use my Gas Gas on a few outback trips except for the need for a huge amount of fuel to cover small distances.

All my four strokes used under 6l per 100K, my 2 strokes seem to use 10l per 100, DI apparently brings fuel usage more inline with the four strokes.

I would be more interested if they were comparing standard EXCs with standard EXCs...

I thought it just showed the factory bikes are 15 years ahead of what we get.

No man, the 1998 production bike was said to be ON PAR with the 2014 production bike. Motor wise anyway.

I have been on the fence about replacing my 10 year old 2T for awhile. Mainly because I really thought I would benefit from the latest / greatest in the suspension /handling & power delivery. Also I just wanted the damn button. Now I may just keep it & look for some newer forks & shock. I will just have to keep kickin it to life. Just at the end of a long hard day in mud you can barely stand on, its nice to be able to hit the button & go.

That 98 "production" bike was still a factory works bike.

It would be far superior to anything available at the time, so I still say it only shows that works bikes are 15 years ahead of what we get.

The way I understood it was a 97 works bike and a 98 production bike. Of course frame geometry and suspension have improved but point from video (at least my understanding ) was that the 98 motor seemed just as good as the 14.

At 1:14 he says something like "The other bike is a 98 model, ISDE overall winning 125cc machine, which again is a factory machine, but just not as a special of an engine because it's not such a one off."

It says it in the blurb as well.

I had a '00 200EXC that had a great versatile motor. Per my butt dyno it felt as-good as a new bike. Now I have a new bike. Its motor is also excellent and I can tell the power range is very wide - but after all it is a 300cc smoker.

I like the older smokers for their value but not gonna lie - newer brakes, geometry, and suspension is worth it for a primary bike. Especially when it's a Husqvarna at nearly half the price of the new KTM.

My 1981 Yamaha IT465 goes everywhere team orange does and back.

I have the added bonus of never worrying about boiling over.

you also have the bonus of not riding behind a 465. when my yz490 was my main ride, i used to think i must be pretty damn fast, because rarely was anyone close behind. had little to do with the speed, a lot to do with the constant roostertail of rocks and small boulders that'd keep riders far back.
man, i miss that bike

NO..just seizures