The Ossas are coming
By TMX Archives on 15th Oct 10
OSSA importer Nigel Birkett visited the factory last week in Gerona, Spain, and came back buzzing as he had not only had the pleasure of a first test ride on the TR280i - and made suggestions on set-up before production - but had also witnessed staff preparing for that production - and the big news is he is certain that he will have bikes here in early November.
The all-new Ossa is a radical departure from standard design with the fuel-injected two-stroke engine featuring a reversed, laid-back cylinder and a crankcase design that allows withdrawal of gears and crank without splitting the cases. The fuel tank runs down in front of the engine and the exhaust is all set to the rear of the bike.
Said Nigel, "It was great to finally be able to try the bike and I'm now more convinced than ever that it will be an amazing new model. Yes, I wanted to ride the bike but I was just as interested in the design, quality and how near to production the bike is. I spent a long time in the factory checking-out all the parts and how they go together and I came away very impressed.
"Staff were working on build-up of components like the engines, swinging arms, etc and when I spoke to the factory this morning I was told that they worked the whole weekend on build-up as the final components arrived at the plant.
"I can also now release the price and the bike will go on sale for £5,499 which I think everyone will agree is more than competitive for a bike that to my mind sets new standards.”
"The factory will be entering the World Championship with new signing Jeroni Fajardo and a special Factory model, with increased engine capacity, will be unveiled at the Milan Show later in the year. The standard bike weighs in at just 64.5 kilo (less than the current FIM minimum weight limit) and the Factory special will be a whole lot lighter still.”