Mash motorcycles?

[.Chris.]

Interesting - thanks for sharing your experiences. I have to confess that I quite like the styling and specification (I'd prefer a carb rather than FI, but presumably emissions regs make it a must). Not sure I'd buy a new one, mind....

Although it's good to hear that the importer has parts available now, as others have said the real question is whether you can get bits for it in 5-15 years time, when you're more likely to need them. The answer to that question will only really be known when the time arrives, at which point it's too late if the importer has long vanished and/or the parts are out of production (both possibilities, I would have thought).

Likewise, the quality and reliability of the bike will only be properly known a few years down the line. The fact that the bike runs and rides well when it's new is something that I'd hope could be taken as a given for any car/bike and is not necessarily indicative of its long-term reliability.

To my mind, its price is also getting a bit too close to that of some offerings from the Japanese manufacturers, which, with the best will in the world towards the importer and dealers, come with rather a lot more reassurance of reputation and long-term back-up.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[linuxyeti]

Eh?? Well, if, you struggle to ride a bike that has very benign handling characteristics, that corners well, has enough grunt to overtake other vehicles, is nimble enough and narrow enough to filter through heavy traffic, then I might suggest you return for more training where you did your cbt, rather than brag about it
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[G]

Oh and pre-reg SR400 for £4881. Suspect that'll have considerably high residuals if nothing else.

[linuxyeti]

Hi Chris

Yeah, I do agree with you, and I also agree I've taken a bit of a risk taking a new bike to the market. However, as far as parts go, the switchgear etc are pretty generic, due to the origins of the engine, no doubt, there will be pattern parts that will also fit, should there be a need to in the future, likewise with the exhaust as well, and many other parts. Especially if you comapre the Mash to the Honda CL400RS

So, I'm not overly concerned

Cheers

Tony
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[linuxyeti]

[G]

Ok, relative residuals.

How much heavier is the SR400? Seems like it'd be pretty similar.

There's a difference between 'struggling to ride' a bike and being able to detect 'flaws' in it. I have ridden many deeply flawed bikes fine. That doesn't negate the flaws.
My 'daily ride' when I had such a thing used to be a K6 GSXR1000. That was narrower, had a lore more effortless power for a lot easier overtakes, 'better' handling I'd be willing to bet, probably better brakes too. I still wouldn't describe it 'flawless'.
(It also didn't cost much more than this bike - I got it at four years old.)

[linuxyeti]

OK, well, a simple check will reveal the SR to be about 20KG heavier, which makes alot of difference when it comes to attaching the bike to the back of a motorhome.

As for for ride qualities, yes it handles flawlessley, as per what it's designed for. Is it as quick as your GSX? Well, of course not, will it have the same acceleration as your GSX? Of course not, would you expect it to handle the same as a GSX? Of course not, are the 2 bikes aimed at the same demographic? Of course not. My 'daily' ride is my Triumph America, which I have to admit is pretty nimble for its size, but there are riding situations, where the Mash will be a more suitable bike to ride, and vice versa. I too have ridden big bikes, my VTX1300, was a beast, weight and size wise, an amazing motorway bike, not so good at pottering around, and certainly not so good at filtering, however, for what it was designed for, it too handled flawlessley, however, like any bike, take it out of it's design envelope, then it won't handle so well, but then, you wouldn't expect it to, for example, I'm sure the Mash would be pretty hopeless at greenlaneing/off roading/MX, but it's not designed for that, so it would be unfair to judge it's ride and handling qualities in that situation.

Simple really, or am I missing something really complicated?

And, back to the bike in question, as I've said previously, I did my research, of all the reviews, the SR400, gets the most laclustre response, the Enfield and Mash fair far better in the reviews. I already have a Bullet 350, and I like the look of the Mash, liked the look of it in the flesh, enjoyed the test rides I had, and I'm still enjoying riding the one I've bought, no matter what the road surface, or terrain has been. As I said, if I wanted and SR400, I'd have bought 1, I don't and I didn't, and I can't see a time in the future where I will.
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[G]

[linuxyeti]

OK, well, as we're heading off topic somewhat, On motorways, the VTX was brilliant, and on numerous occasions had ridden over 500 miles in a day. I also think you'll note, that I did say it had shortfalls in other areas. As for the C90, I couldn't answer honestly, as I've never ridden one, I can't say either way.

Back to riding the Mash, whether it meets your description of flawless or not, is largely irrelevant, especially, as you haven't actually ridden one, and as such are hardly qualified to make any judgement whatsoever.

I say as I find, I have not had a single incident riding the bike, when used in the manner it's designed to be used, that has caused me to question it's capabilities. Basically, a commuter bike, capable of maintaining national speed limit, as the engine frees up, easily makes 65 without straining.

In which case, I would say, that my riding experience, thus far has been flawless. Now, if, for example, the bike was cutting out, or the brakes weren't working, or a cable snapped, then the ride wouldn't have been flawless, however, that has not been the case.

As for the SR, first of it's a Yamaha, I've not had much luck with the Yamahas I've tried

XVS650, overweight and under powered
XV535 Skittish, particularly on wet roads, although, to be fair, pretty nippy

As already said, I don't want another kick start only bike, which would rule out the SR, regardless of weight. Also based on the reviews, the SR, is generally seen to be over priced for what it is, and something of a missed opportunity for yamaha.
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[Rogerborg]

[linuxyeti]

Hi
I do agree with you. I also like to give people the benefit of doubt, and as they are new, to the UK at least, I can give them time to populate the website. As you can see what I said above, quoted below:, I don't think finding parts that will fit, aren't likely to be too much of a concern, even if Mash don't succeed, however, I hope they do.

[Polarbear]

Each to their own and that's why the world is an interesting place.

From my point of view, having heard the horror stories about Chinese bikes. Having seen my son's incredibly powerful (not) 125 snap it's chain on him and having seen the sell on prices I wouldn't go anywhere near a £4000 pound Chinese bike.

It is going to take people like you to change the perception the majority of the biking world have about Chinese bikes. Once you, and many others, come back and say 'Here's my Mash (or whatever), it's done 20000 miles over 5 years, still runs fine and hasn't disintegrated into a pile of rust people might take a pop.

Most will take an awful lot of convincing though.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[linuxyeti]

Hi

20000, in 5 years !! I expect to have done that within 3. Actually, before they got nicked, the chituma had 15000, and the Jinlun had ~22000 on the clock

But yeah, I do know where you're coming from, however, if I'd had bad experiences with my other chinese bikes, I certainly would have been alot more wary about about spending £4000.

I guess one ride I'd like to do again, is another ride up to John O'Groats, did this a few years ago with my stepson, both of us on Lifan LF400's
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[Rogerborg]

Mmm, I remember that from houniao-owners (I moderated there in a previous life).

[linuxyeti]

Me too, although there is the advantage that Mash has a good mainland europe presence, although, probably more Sinnis like than Lexmoto
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[Rogerborg]

Is there an actual company called "Mash", or is that some other outfit's brand?

IMO, no brand, whether Chinese, India, Korean or European, is really going to sell well above 125cc unless there's a single company controlling the whole sales chain from factory, shipping, sales and support.

You can (again) buy Hyosungs in the UK, but they're not sold by Hyosung, just a new two bit UK importer that's licensed the name as well as the bikes, until they get bored of it like Barrus did.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Mudshark]

fork gaiters
just need a sensible mudgard now

would like to see it after a UK winter mind

https://www.mashmotorcycles.co.uk/assets/uploaded/images/VON_DUTCH_Exp_gb_03.jpg
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R1250RS
XT660X

[Rogerborg]

[linuxyeti]

Hi

I hear what you are saying, however, Royal Enfield are investing in R&D in Redditch, also, I seen some of the Mash merchandise that's on it's way, helmets etc.

There should be a write up on the Mash 400 in the August edition of Classic Bike magazine.

Oh, I doubt many of the Von Dutch, will see much of the British winter weather !! Does look nice, in the flesh as well though.
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[Rogerborg]

[G]

[andyscooter]

[linuxyeti]

Maybe I remembered the place wrong, but yeah, sorry, Leicestershire, now it's been mentioned, does sound more familiar
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[Musketeer]

[linuxyeti]