SSR

reynardfan1
Posts
821
Joined
7/28/2014
Location
Gretna, NE, USA
Edited Date/Time 5/10/2021 6:27am
I've been a motocross guy since 1989...I've always stuck with the major brands from Japan and more lately European models (lots of Orange in my garage)

I walked into the local dealership the other day and saw some of those little SSR mini bikes sitting there, My kids have even raced a couple around here locally(nothing like Loretta Lynn's)...

Anyone have any experience or understanding of this company...are they trying to become legit? mostly just looking for a pit bike to goof around on...was kind of shocked that a honda/kawasaki dealer would have them...

love to hear what you guys think. I thought they were just chain saw engines on frames...
1
|
alphado
Posts
4084
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Erie, PA, USA
5/4/2021 10:39am
SSR, Pitster and Pirhanna are pretty legit now.
2
4
ATKpilot99
Posts
10444
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI, USA
5/4/2021 10:50am

They have some pretty cool looking full size bikes too . This is the 300S . Not an mx bike despite its look . Power and weight comparable to an XR 400 at least according to the spec sheet. There's some pretty good reviews on YouTube.
4
skeef
Posts
1448
Joined
7/18/2018
Location
USA
Fantasy
5/4/2021 11:06am
ATKpilot99 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/04/491162/s1200_25.jpg[/img] They have some pretty cool looking full size bikes too . This is the 300S . Not an mx bike despite its look . Power...

They have some pretty cool looking full size bikes too . This is the 300S . Not an mx bike despite its look . Power and weight comparable to an XR 400 at least according to the spec sheet. There's some pretty good reviews on YouTube.
I got to demo this bike. For the price is was actually pretty decent. I rode the living piss out of it on a track and on a trail ride. Held up well, I blew the chain out (to be expected) and pushed some raidiator fluid out of it. Besides that, it was a decent bike.
3
skeef
Posts
1448
Joined
7/18/2018
Location
USA
Fantasy
5/4/2021 11:07am
They are cheap bikes. They aren't going to hold up and be anything "legit" anytime soon. But for a kids pit bike that isn't too serious about riding, it's great.
1
11

The Shop

fourfourone
Posts
3045
Joined
10/14/2017
Location
86oh, CT, USA
5/4/2021 11:19am
Friend had a 900 dollar SSR 110 with a clutch. While you can tell the build quality was cheap, that thing held up to some serious abuse.
5
gt80rider
Posts
7050
Joined
4/19/2008
Location
Boulder, CO, USA
5/4/2021 11:39am
Which ssr is a good bet for adults to screw around on? The 125? Who's got a really trick one? Let's see some pics
1
2
slipdog
Posts
10054
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
5/4/2021 12:43pm
I got the 170 last year to ride with my kids on their 65s. They liked it so much I made softer springs, put on a KX65 seat, and added Pro Taper schoolboy lo bars to it. My son goes just as fast on it as his YZ65, the suspension is just not up to the quality of the KYBs on the YZ.




16
LungButter
Posts
8684
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID, USA
5/4/2021 1:09pm
I've been thinking about picking one up for the my wife to ride with the kids. Several people I trust have told me they hold up pretty good.

For the price "Name Brand" 125-140 4 strokes are going for these days I just can't justify it for her to ride 5-6 times a year.
4
5/4/2021 1:26pm
I picked up two Thumpstar TSR 140 s and we beat the heck out of them and they keep going. Most fun I have had in a while and this is two 180lbs guys ripping around on them so we flog them pretty hard. Cool Cool
2
JMCR250
Posts
433
Joined
8/26/2018
Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
5/6/2021 5:47pm
Maybe they've gotten better, but a few years ago a friend who owned a cycle shop made a good side living out of taking the wheels off of brand new SSRs and other China bikes and replacing the floppy wheel bearings with something decent. The dealer had so many failures and fear of liability that he just routinely sent the brand new wheels to my friend's shop before the bikes were sold to customers.
1
bpaderta
Posts
62
Joined
4/23/2018
Location
Fontana, WI, USA
5/6/2021 6:41pm
You get what you pay for. Chinese is Chinese. Not sure what size you are looking for but the older crf50/70/80/100 will pretty much run forever with no maintenance at all
6
LungButter
Posts
8684
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID, USA
5/6/2021 7:08pm Edited Date/Time 5/6/2021 7:09pm
bpaderta wrote:
You get what you pay for. Chinese is Chinese. Not sure what size you are looking for but the older crf50/70/80/100 will pretty much run forever...
You get what you pay for. Chinese is Chinese. Not sure what size you are looking for but the older crf50/70/80/100 will pretty much run forever with no maintenance at all
I'm not saying you're wrong, but in most parts of the country those bikes are almost impossible to find and selling for damn near double what they are worth.

Hard to justify $2,500-$3k for a 10 year old "name brand" 110 when I can buy a brand new SSR for $1k.
10
1
B Lenny
Posts
883
Joined
9/20/2020
Location
Inglewood, CA, USA
5/6/2021 7:47pm
slipdog wrote:
I got the 170 last year to ride with my kids on their 65s. They liked it so much I made softer springs, put on a...
I got the 170 last year to ride with my kids on their 65s. They liked it so much I made softer springs, put on a KX65 seat, and added Pro Taper schoolboy lo bars to it. My son goes just as fast on it as his YZ65, the suspension is just not up to the quality of the KYBs on the YZ.




Wink
4
outerlimits
Posts
271
Joined
9/23/2016
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
5/6/2021 8:45pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/04/491162/s1200_25.jpg[/img] They have some pretty cool looking full size bikes too . This is the 300S . Not an mx bike despite its look . Power...

They have some pretty cool looking full size bikes too . This is the 300S . Not an mx bike despite its look . Power and weight comparable to an XR 400 at least according to the spec sheet. There's some pretty good reviews on YouTube.
That particular engine is used in a bunch of different bikes worldwide, it may be the highest produced 250-300 on the planet. That said, these bikes are for fun and not competition. The engines make decent power, good low end torque and are very reliable. About the same price as a CRF250F but everything else is better.....except maybe resale.
pkiczuk
Posts
404
Joined
6/1/2018
Location
Colchester, CT, USA
5/7/2021 4:32am
My buddy sells these through his shop as well as raced one in a series called the masters of mini's last year. he did change out the suspension and did some mods, but he said it was almost all SSR's, COBRA's and Pitsters racing the series. No complaints from him, and he's been racing since he was 5 and is 35 now. He even tried to sell me on one but i didnt need another bike. From what i hear, really good value on the bikes and a lot of parts are interchangeable with the well known brands.
2
5/7/2021 4:45am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2021 4:48am
I have sold hundreds of these things, and can tell you they are light years better than they used to be. It isn't a Japanese bike, but for the money they are hard to beat. If you actually take the time to keep the bolts tight they will last a while. I am a big man, and we have tortured tested the 189. We have rode the piss out of this thing, and it is still running strong. My son has even ripped it on the moto track many afternoons, lol! It is big and heavy but a blast to ride! Has that magic button too!

We've had kids buy these things, go across the street fill up with gas and ride them home WIDE OPEN 30+ miles. Blows my mind.

The warranty and parts dept are great, how many bikes comes with a full 30 day warranty?

IMO, they are perfect for people getting into the sport. They can spend half the money to get started and see if they actually like it.

The YCF's are even better. They are close to being as good as the Japanese bikes, especially for the money!
13
Irwinmoto
Posts
52
Joined
1/14/2016
Location
Calamus, IA, USA
5/7/2021 4:59am
I have had a SSR 125 for about 7 years. I doesn't get rode heavily or real hard, Mostly just messing around the yard but it has held up surprisingly well. I believe I paid $670 dollars for it new in the crate and can say I have definitely gotten $670 worth of entertainment out of it. I would reccomend Right when you get it put in quality oil and change it regularly, get a quality air filter and chain, and magnetic drain plug to extend the life of it. You get what you pay for and the quality definitely isn't there of the Japanese but my experience has been that its still a fun little machine for the money.
2
resetjet
Posts
2546
Joined
3/16/2012
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
5/7/2021 5:10am
All bikes break. Where do you get parts?
2
LungButter
Posts
8684
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID, USA
5/7/2021 5:22am
resetjet wrote:
All bikes break. Where do you get parts?
Looks like any dealer that sells them can get parts according to their website.
1
5/7/2021 5:52am
Yes they have parts readily available! Very reasonable as well. Everything from complete wheels, engines, to levers...
2
1
Johnny Depp
Posts
6435
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX, USA
5/7/2021 5:53am
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/Full-Newbie-Entry-Level-…

The Orion branded bikes are a steal. A 150 and a 250 with consistent upgrades every new batch, and they have held up well for me. Too much fun, I thought I was teaching a grand daughter to ride, instead it ended up lighting a fire in me about getting back to the basics of having fun.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/266537600940716/?ref=group_browse Orion RXB Riders
1
LungButter
Posts
8684
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID, USA
5/7/2021 5:57am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2021 5:58am
sgrimmxdad wrote:
Yes they have parts readily available! Very reasonable as well. Everything from complete wheels, engines, to levers...
Do you guys ship or only sell locally?

Not parts, full bike.
1
ElliotB16
Posts
1127
Joined
6/10/2019
Location
Cairo, GA, USA
5/7/2021 6:06am
They’re decent for the price. I had a SSR 150, pretty strong motor, always started on first kick and never had any problems with it. Don’t expect it to last as long as a jap bike
1
1
Richy
Posts
3093
Joined
7/18/2020
Location
UK, GB
5/7/2021 6:20am Edited Date/Time 5/7/2021 6:21am
Bit of an essay, so apologies.

I got one of the Lifan four powered stroke pit bikes from the same factory for my nephew recently, new. It has CRF plastics so graphics are about to get it to his taste and he only has interest in fields / fun.

To give them their due, I sorted an older one out that I got from a friend when he bought a CRF 110, full size dude and the thing was 4 years old and beat to shit and had stopped running and sat for the past 6 months.

I put a new terminal on one of the stator wires and cleaned the carb out, re-tapped a clutch cover hole, changed the chain and loctite'd the sprocket bolts, changed the fluids and did a bolt check, just usual stuff.

After that, it kicked over second kick stone cold. The kid next door has been riding it around for a few weeks since without missing a beat and he picks the front wheel up in 3rd with no effort.

No you're not gonna race one, no it isn't a motocross bike, it's a totally different deal, but if you acknowledge that and take it as a bit of fun or just learning how a bike works and basic skills, it's fair enough. For an outlay which almost makes them disposable compared to a similar Honda/Kawi, I think it's reasonable although the proper bikes still have their place and hold their money.

There was even a dude on one of the full size Chinese bikes at a practice day recently and yeah it looked noticeably cheaply made and was a little sketchy, suspension was clearly as you'd imagine it to be, but it did go round all day for whatever that's worth. I'd draw the line at adult bikes myself, but just wanted to mention it.

As you were gentlemen...
2
1
kijen
Posts
1224
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
5/7/2021 7:36am
I'm old and sentimental, i really wanted a 77 xr75, but the money to buy restored or to restore one, ehh.too much time and money, i want something to play around on now. This will doSmile (i did make it red though) to be honet better than anything the big four make, keep in mind for a play bike not full MX race bike.

3
1
LungButter
Posts
8684
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
Yellow Pine, ID, USA
5/7/2021 7:39am
kijen wrote:
I'm old and sentimental, i really wanted a 77 xr75, but the money to buy restored or to restore one, ehh.too much time and money, i...
I'm old and sentimental, i really wanted a 77 xr75, but the money to buy restored or to restore one, ehh.too much time and money, i want something to play around on now. This will doSmile (i did make it red though) to be honet better than anything the big four make, keep in mind for a play bike not full MX race bike.

Looks factory!
1
1
reynardfan1
Posts
821
Joined
7/28/2014
Location
Gretna, NE, USA
5/7/2021 7:42am
Update.

I picked up an ssr 150 and an ssr 70 (semi)

We race ktm’s/Suzuki’s...the 150 if for the wife to start learning and the 70 is for the kids to abuse(whatever keeps them off electronics)...

So far so good, you can tell the difference between the Japanese/Austrian machines but for their purpose and price. Happy so far. Motorsport.com is now carrying parts.

I’ll post a month review later...

12
1
kijen
Posts
1224
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
5/7/2021 7:45am
kijen wrote:
I'm old and sentimental, i really wanted a 77 xr75, but the money to buy restored or to restore one, ehh.too much time and money, i...
I'm old and sentimental, i really wanted a 77 xr75, but the money to buy restored or to restore one, ehh.too much time and money, i want something to play around on now. This will doSmile (i did make it red though) to be honet better than anything the big four make, keep in mind for a play bike not full MX race bike.

LungButter wrote:
Looks factory!
Works connection clutch take off from my yz, replaced most bolts with nickle bolts. It does look nice up close tooSmile
1
5/7/2021 11:39am
sgrimmxdad wrote:
Yes they have parts readily available! Very reasonable as well. Everything from complete wheels, engines, to levers...
LungButter wrote:
Do you guys ship or only sell locally?

Not parts, full bike.
We can ship a full bike yes sir. DM me for more info!
1

Post a reply to: SSR

The Latest