Hi everyone. I'm new to twin shock trials and having ridden a few borrowed bikes I'm now ready to look at buying my own bike.

I'm being drawn to the Ossa Mar and would like to know if this bike would be suitable?

I'm 49yrs old

5ft 6 tall

Weight is 9 1/2 stone

All comments welcome

Thanks

I had a 75/76 MAR for about 14 months and apart from a broken rear wheel spindle it was completely reliable. There are are number of solutions to this common problem, look on Ossa forum.

I would say it was not quite as competitive as a Bulto of the same era, but should not be an issue at twinshock trials.

I know a very small rider who also had one, he did OK on it but found a 200 montesa more suited to his size.

I am very pro to the Ossa, I have had my gripper 25 years now but I would have to say the MAR is better to ride overall against my gripper.

Once set up right they are very bullet proof and your size and weight will be fine. I think the only problem for some riders is the left foot kickstart. Go for it!

Steve.

I'm biased i love the MAR always have and i agree with Bisbys comment re the Gripper too.

As above 'go for it' the OSSA MAR is a good bike. I have a TR77 which is basically similar to a MAR, parts and advice from Steve Sell Marlimar OSSA.

I find the MAR a better bet than some of the other early to mid '70's bikes like the Cota's and Sherpa's, they are a nice handling bike with plush suspension and a tractor of an engine.

Though they did run out of steam towards the end of the '70's and didn't (or couldn't) really compete when other manufacturers moved things on, which is a bit of a shame.

They do seem to be making a bit of a twinshock come back of late, there seems to be more and more out and about than there used to be (four or five locally to me), probably due to the eye watering amounts of money most other twinshockers go for these days.

Parts aren't too hard to source (plus Steve Sells is a top bloke to deal with), with a few tweeks they are as competitive as anything else in it's class.

BTW, (a naughty plug, but.......) my '76 with a reed valve conversion might be available soon, most of the hard work has been done (rebore, rechrome/rebuilt forks, Mikuni carb, foot rest lowered etc)

Thanks for the comments. As you say goudrons other twinshock bike like Fantic etc are getting daft money. All I'm in it for is the fun not the glory so all the daft expensive mods mean nothing to me.

keep me informed about your bike for sale