Hall of Fame

Kevin Schwantz

Kevin Schwantz was the 1993 World Champion in 500cc Grand Prix road racing (the precursor to MotoGP). Although perhaps not well known in the trials world, Kevin actually began his rise to motorcycle stardom by competing in trials as a child.

Roland Sands

Also not well known in trials, Roland was the US AMA 250cc Grand Prix road race champion in 1998. Presently Roland heads Roland Sands Design, a purveyor of custom motorcycles, parts, and gear in Long Beach, California. Roland thinks these photos were taken outside a motorcycle show. (If you were the photographer, let me know and I will credit you.)

Roland Sands aboard an early TR280i.

Roland Sands, testing brakes.

Peter Boettcher

Peter is a life-long trials rider and was the New Zealand importer for OSSA. He had a close relationship with the factory in Spain and traveled there to overcome some issues with the early bikes. The photo shows him at the factory measuring gearbox parts.

I can not thank Peter enough for the OSSA assistance and friendship he has offered over the years.

Peter Boettcher at the factory in Girona, Spain.

Curtis Leaverton b. 1964, d. 2025

Curt Leaverton

It's with great sadness that I report the untimely passing of Curt Leaverton. Curt died in 2025 at the age of 61 as the result of injuries suffered in a freak bicycling accident when a water-logged tree fell on him.

Curt was always passionate about the OSSA brand. As a child, a 250cc Pioneer was his first motorcycle. When OSSA started manufacturing trials bikes again in 2010, Curt jumped at the opportunity to become the US importer and set up a small dealer network.

An insider recalls that Curt's OSSA USA imported roughly 30 to 40 trials bikes and Explorers from 2011 to 2013. Sometime in mid-2013 a deal was struck with Lewisport to take over importation of the modern OSSAs and parts, so Curt could focus on selling vintage OSSA parts and his own modern aftermarket parts.

Curt Leaverton: mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, businessman, passionate OSSA owner, role model.

Let this be a reminder to us all. Live each day as though it could be your last.

Left: Previous owner of my 2011 TR280i cleaning a section.

Right: OSSA development rider Dani Oliveras Carreras at work.

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