Scooter Review Sachs MadAss 125 Since when is an urban naked runabout a scooter?
Words by JEREMY BOWDLER, photography by KEVIN LING You’re kidding, aren’t you? That’s no scooter.
Okay, you’re right. It’s not a scooter. But then what is it? The 50cc version [$2390+orc] is automatic, and therefore qualifies for the 50cc automatic scooter licence set-up, but the 125 – on test here – is fully manual, like a motorcycle. Or a PX Vespa.
I’m listening, but I’m not convinced.
Okay. Forget the normal scooter practicality of having underseat storage, luggage hooks and legshields. None of these applies. It’s bare-bones basic, shag on a rock nakedness. Very Bauhaus. Very less is more. It’s also in competition with stuff like the Bolwell PMX Naked, the Peugeot Ludix range and other “radical” entry-level machinery designed – and we mean designed – to appeal to da yoof ov tudday.
 I’ll agree it’d have street cred in the high school carpark. What about in the street?
The 50 is, of course, slow. The 125, on the other hand is pretty good. Where the MadAss suffers is in that people expect from its looks that it is a rocketship. It’s not. It’s a good, basic 125 than goes well, handles well and looks spectacular.
It sure looks sharp, and that’s important. Practicality?
You’re not going to buy this for its capacious storage. Of which there is none. If you can fit it in a back-pack you can carry it. You’re going to buy this because it looks great, it’s so small and narrow you could ride it through a turnstile, it’s fun and because it looks great. Did we mention it looks great?
I get it. It looks great. Can it live up to the looks? Or should I buy a postie bike?
Yes, Honda’s CT110 postie bike is an obvious competitor though, judging by the double-takes and looks of absolute envy I got from any Australian Post riders I saw, I reckon I know the answer to that question...
Real world performance?
The chassis would take a 250cc engine no worries, but it’d be a tight fit. It steers and handles sweetly enough and is a ball in traffic. The brakes are a little soft until you get used to them – but nothing a change of pad material wouldn’t cure. More go would be nice, but I say that about everything.
Value for money?
The MadAss is bolted together very well. There are a lot of nice touches that make the bike look – and feel – like a hand-built special rather than a die-cut, pressed and stamped mass produced item. An ex-Australia Post CT110 probably makes financial sense, but the MadAss hits a spot the CT doesn’t and it’s well on the way to cult status if the SMAC* website is anything to go by. Check the MadAss out if you’re after something different.
For more up-to-date information on the Sachs Madass
Go to www.sachsbikes.com.au
Find a Sachs Dealer - Go to http://www.sachsbikes.com.au/dealers.php
Sachs Madass Now available in Blood RED
As published in TW SCOOTER MAGAZINE - 12/10/2007
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