Well tomorrow I'm doing a trial on a borrowed 250 mar to see how I like the bike before buying one. Already had a little play around the yard on it and was impressed on how smooth it was compared to the fantic iv been riding. The power comes in so steady with no snappy jumpy movement which also made it great to turn tightly.

Hopefully the weather will turn for the best and the trial won't get cancelled.

Will post how I get on and how the bike rode.

So today's trial was wet and slippy to say the least but was still great fun.

How was the Mar? I'm buying it.

I found it so much easier to ride than the Fantic mainly because of how the powers delivery.

I'm a very novice rider and the Mar brings the power in slowly which makes it turn smoother and the bike nicer to ride,and because I'm not worrying about the bike lurching forward it's one less thing on my mind as I learn to ride.I was suprised by how hard the Mar is to stall meaning I didn't need to use the clutch as much. Both front and rear brakes work spot on just as good as the Fantic.

I took the chance between sections to practice full lock turns and again found them easier to do and keep balanced. I'm sure from today's outing I'm going to enjoy this bike alot. Watch out Dougie Lampkin ???

Pleased that you enjoyed your ride on the OSSA MAR. In my opinion the OSSA is a real gem yet overlooked by so many people.

Edited March 29, 201511 yr by trialsrfun

Must agree. Iv only seen one other ossa at the few trials in attended and after riding one I Carnt understand why.

The bike got alot of attention today and some commented how they've had a Mar and loved it.

Suppose it's down to fashion, at the moment it seems to be Fantics that's the bike to ride.

Edited March 29, 201511 yr by marty66

Congratulations, I remember enjoying mine in the 70s.

If you have an Ossa MAR with brakes as good as a Fantic you have indeed an outstanding example on your hands. Back in the day they were known for failing to provide any significant retardation not only in wet conditions but if the sun so much as went behind a cloud.

Would have to admit the bikes had a few mods Inc work on the brakes which to say again worked great. Iv read plenty on here ref the poor braking of the Mar so was very suprised when on a day like today braking was the least of my problems

Some say that a TY is just a better version of the MAR.I,ve only ridden one MAR and it was in need of some attention,but other than the clutch and brakes I thought it was better handling and liked the power spread better than my TY250A. OK...let the pounding begin.

Never ridden the ty but it's a bike that's never floated my boat. You don't tend to see too many on the trials either but again I suppose that's down to what's in and what's not. The clutch on the Mar is light and easy to use so I'm betting that's had some work as well.

One of the MAR's disadvantages, which holds true today (and perhaps more so than in the 70s) is its relatively wide motor and lack of ground clearance.

Also, that soft and gentle power delivery simply doesn't suit the preferences of many of today's riders who work best with something lighter and more responsive.

A Fantic is a whole generation ahead of the MAR in so many respects, hence it's popularity among those who ride to win.

I have been toying with the idea of buying a bike around the 1974/75 age to fill a gap in my mini collection, and the Ossa Mar and the Ty 250, 434 are on the hit list. Although its going to be bought to trundle down to the Patisserie/ Boulanger on a Sunny morning here in the Dordogne, it might get some use in the sections. I agree the ossa is a sometimes forgotten gem , but then so is the Yam... thoughts.

One of the MAR's disadvantages, which holds true today (and perhaps more so than in the 70s) is its relatively wide motor and lack of ground clearance.

It actually had a lower center of gravity and a short wheel base (as far as the earlier models) which meant it handled better. It has as much ground clearance as the modern bikes. Lack of understanding how to use the power vs blasting through a section is totally different styles. Nothing to do with winning or not.

Yes, the power delivery does suit some riders, and I would probably put myself in that camp. But the fact remains it is "outdated" in the minds of many riders.

The old adage is true: a good rider can do well on anything, and that applies in the twinshock class. It's what he chooses to ride that's most telling, and the facts show that these days it ain't an Ossa MAR.

Edited March 31, 201511 yr by cleanorbust

I have been toying with the idea of buying a bike around the 1974/75 age to fill a gap in my mini collection, and the Ossa Mar and the Ty 250, 434 are on the hit list. Although its going to be bought to trundle down to the Patisserie/ Boulanger on a Sunny morning here in the Dordogne, it might get some use in the sections. I agree the ossa is a sometimes forgotten gem , but then so is the Yam... thoughts.

You'd need to consider the fact you're really comparing three different bikes.

The 1974 TY250 is the A model and the '75 onwards were either BCDE models depending on year, and the A compared to the rest are pretty much poles apart, engine wise.

The '74 had what was then considered a "snappy" engine compared to similar offerings of the competitors and some riders didn't like it.

So Yamaha revised the engine from then on and it became more docile and torquey.

Then the trials bike in general moved on and some started to considered it a bit of a "flat lump" towards the later years.

I had the chance a few years ago to jump from my old "C" to an "A" to see how they compared, and it sounds strange to write, but after I started to consider the "A" a competely different bike altogether from the later models.

Sure they looked similar, but rode completely differently.

Over the years I ignored the Ossa, they didn't quite hit the "Twinshock" radar like Fantics and TLR's.

It was only in the last few years I picked up a later MAR and it does feel very much like the "C" model TY I had, which didn't come as a shock really!

There was little development on the Ossa so all are pretty similar.

Though they did keep altering the rear shock, upper mounting positions over the years until eventually canting them over almost flat (then back up for the final Verde models)

When comparing to buy, it's a bit of a trade off when considering plus points.

One has points, the other eletronic ignition.

Where the one with points has brakes, the other hasn't!

The Ossa nudges it on engine and suspension for me, but parts can be more difficult.

If it was me (and due to the fact I already have a MAR) I'd be tempted by a TY "A".

Then put it back to stock with the big high bars and sort out the lighting kit they left the factory with.

Would make a nice hack to pick up "de pan" on.

Thanks for the reply, thats exactly the plan will just have to see what wins electronic ignition or brakes...

I go to a trial for the fun not to chase points or the admiration of others. I look at each section and if I feel it's beyond me I don't ride it. It's not a world championship it's a Sunday meet. Not everyone likes the same thing and what works for one may not work for another.

A Fantic may be a better bike than the Mar but so is a 2015 Gas Gas, it's all relevant. I like the Mar, for me it works and surely that's all that matters