Mash Scrambler 400
"If I could only have one bike, this probably wouldn’t be it, but it’s great to have a second, lighter bike for short trips around the city"
Personal notes
I ride a Moto Guzzi v85 - and I love that bike, but with 3 panniers and a full (23 litre) tank it weighs about 250kg, which can feel quite heavy to lug around if you just want to go to the post office. One essential lesson this bike taught me - to check tyre pressure religiously. I bought it second hand, it was in good shape but actually the inner tubes were inefficient, and the rear tyre was getting sad and flat - but I didn't notice this until taking a left hand bend (fortunately only doing about 25kmph and with nothing behind me) but the back end slid out from under me. Neither myself, nor the the bike was badly hurt - but this was definitely due to an under inflated rear tyre and a loss of traction.
- 400 single, about 30bhp, which is fine on short trips
- it will sit quite happily at 110kmh on the highway
- a passenger will be comfortable enough on a short journey
- it's easy to filter
- easy to park
- gets about 65 miles to the (UK) gallon.
- I live in Spain and there aren't many Mash dealers here, and my nearest one is a long way away, so getting parts isn't that easy
- although they can be sourced via France or the UK.
- You get what you pay for, it's an inexpensive bike and won't stand up to rough treatment, but it's fun to ride and a great 2nd bike.
