Would you buy one?

[iansoady]

I don't know if it'll be any better - the pics I've seen are just a tarted up road model but there may be another on the way.

I did find it bouncy as I said but pleasant enough on smooth roads.

Bad road surfaces are one reason I tend to go for the big(gish) trailie type these days - apart from being better for ageing knees and wrists.

[timbo]

The latest edition of Real Classic has a six page write up on the Mash by Frank Westworth. He borrowed one of Dave Angel of F2 fame, in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The page after the write up features an add for the Mash Dirtstar 400. IMHO, easily the best looking of the range, too much crome on the basic Mash, and too much bling on the Von Dutch version 

[guest1964]

yes, at the right money...cracking  bike

[Propellor]

I'm deeply skeptical regarding Chinese quality, so no. Not at any price. In fact, the cheaper it is the more skeptical I become.

The one thing which might mitigate my feelings would simply be the fact that a lot of us, me included, don't really do the miles anymore, especially through a winter. I know that some do on here though, so no offence.

[iansoady]

Yes, read the review by Frank - "damning with faint praise" was the impression I got and I must say that is similar to my view.

I don't think there's anything significantly wrong with the Mash but I do feel it's overpriced for what it is. There is a thriving French forum for the marque: http://www.mash70-75.com/index.php which is worth a look.

I have to say I'm also sceptical about the quality although some of us will remember when that was said about Japanese products......

[Andy M]

I want to see one that's been used all winter. I don't care if the paint drops off (they all do that, Bavarian and Anglo-Thai paint just costs more), but I want to see one running with no more that the listed service requirements.

It would be good to see a list of priced spares and availability too (copy Fowlers website, they'll sell more Guzzis to proper riders than all the coffee shop boutique places). The Japanese are bad for model changes and not keeping any stock which is bad for a reliable bike, but add Chinese quality, old tooling and the chaos caused by an inability to give anyone bad news and it could be really bad.

Anyone seen a dealer running a blog (hint hint)?

Andy

[timbo]

Its only a matter of time before the Chinese produce competitive bikes in the world market. I reckon Mash, along with the Sinnis range are getting pretty close. The big names now manufacture some of their range in China anyway, and there are very few bikes that can cope well with our winters. How any bike copes with the winter commute is down to how the owner maintains it. If neglected the bike will be a shed come spring, if washed once a month and covered in WD or similar, then no problems. I really hope Mash do well, as I think they're a cracking looking wee bike  Also, good to see your letter in RC Ian 

[Andy M]

OT, it's odd how truck parts last up to ten years bolted to basically an open chassis, exposed to all the crud and salt but the bike manufacturers still can't manage it, so we have to **** about with ACF50 and the like. They are ripping us off.

Andy

[Propellor]

.....I have to say I'm also sceptical about the quality although some of us will remember when that was said about Japanese products......

Fair point. And one I've pondered myself. I've come to the conclusion (just my opinion) that this isn't the same thing, with regards to the Chinese. The Japanese WANTED to make good products to a decent specification, engineering wise. Their ethic was to learn and then improve, on a continuos basis. I just don't see that with the Chinese. I believe that, if you're waiting for the same process to happen with the Chinese as happened with the Japanese, you may be waiting forever.

?

[iansoady]

I had my test ride at Chas Mann motorcycles in Kings Norton, Brum. This is an old established company* but has recently changed hands and the new owner, though a nice and helpful chap, seems much more interested in the "lifestyle" customer (lots of scooters, stylish waxed cotton jackets etc) than the more traditional rider. That's fine as no-one is going to make a living out of people like me who take every opportunity to save a few bob.


*one thing that did disappoint me a little was that it's trading to some extent on its previous history which is a bit misleading.

[guest564]

I don't know if it'll be any better - the pics I've seen are just a tarted up road model but there may be another on the way.

I did find it bouncy as I said but pleasant enough on smooth roads.

Bad road surfaces are one reason I tend to go for the big(gish) trailie type these days - apart from being better for ageing knees and wrists.

I meant this one:



http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/mash-adventure-400.1055782/

[guest564]

The Mash bikes are made by Shineray who sell the Adventurer as the Kougar 400. two Shineray bikes including the earlier carb version of the Adventurer were ridden 20,000km from China to Germany

http://monkeykings.jimdo.com/bikes/

[Andy M]

Oil change every 3000 km? Is it a 2-smoke 

Andy

[timbo]

Two points, although the Mash are built in China, its a French company, so perhaps quality control and standard of manufacture will be OK. Also a fair point a friend made was that, perhaps Rowena H would have been a better person to do the RC test write up as she probably has a more open mind and experience of bikes from the far east, were, much as I'm a big fan of Frank W, he has a bit of prejudice towards bikes from over that way. Just a thought 

[guest7]

Oil change every 3000 km? Is it a 2-smoke 

The Honda XBR has similar oil intervals (if you want the cam followers to last)