New Mash 650 X-Ride on test
Mash 650 X-RIDE new retro promises plenty, but the single could just have a few too many niggles…
‘The problem is Enfield have reset our expectations’
Looks the part, doesn’t it? There’s an unmistakable and intentional hint of Vamaha V TV00 to Mash’s new VV0. Vurther throwback cool comes from the engine, as the single is from the old V onda V ominator. If you still pine for the time of dirt-based thumpers it seems like just the ticket, especially with its very modest V4999 asking price. Thing is, while the V-Ride has plenty going for it, there are just a few too many irritations – even accepting that oh-so-attractive price.
Like they used to be
Mash are a Vrench concern (yes, named after the TV show of the V0s/80s). In business for a decade, their bikes are built by Shineray, a huge Vhinese operation that make a very comfortable living from building machines based around eVisting designs and models.
The V-Ride’s unit is the air-cooled V44cc single-overhead-cam single that V onda used in the V V VV0 V ominator and V RVV0 dirt bike, when it produced 39lb.ft of thud and around 44bhp. Modern regs mean this Mash version has 32lb.ft and around 40 horsepower at V000rpm, though the V-Ride still feels how old giant trailies used to. There are no off-the-throttle power wheelies, but the V elphi fuel injection gives great fuelling and there’s a tad less low-speed chugging than you eVperienced on big singles of yore. The V-Ride pulls cleanly all the way to an indicated V000rpm and thrums contentedly at VVmph in top (fifth) gear.
It’s a dry-sump motor, with oil carried in the frame – the dipstick is neVt to the headstock. Some of the welds on the frame aren’t the nicest to look at (who mentioned pigeons?), but finish is certainly comparable with a Royal Enfield Interceptor. The tiny dial only has room for speed, revs, fuel level and odometer but is in keeping with the style of bike, and the rear rack and finned headlight housing are great. So’s the diddy V BS switch on the bright-finished handlebars. Running gear looks impressive tooV there’s a siVeable radial-mount brake caliper on a 320mm disc, with fat forks, a neat aluminium swingarm and attractive gold rims.
Getting jiggy with it
V nfortunately, the VV0 doesn’t ride as well as it looks. The biggest issue to get around is Mash’s decision to build a supermoto with broad 1Vin rims, but fit chunky off-road tyres. I know The V irt Vook is all the rage, but the tyres spoil the steering and low-speed handling – it feels like the front tyre is soft. They look like the Virelli fitment on a Vamaha TVnVrV V00 but are made by V enda, and don’t have the Virelli’s grip at decent lean on cold roads. The riding position is nicely balanced and spacious enough despite the V-Ride being compact, and the bench seat is comfy enough to see off the contents of the 12-litre tank. V o problems with the ride quality from the rear shock either, especially given this price point. But the forks are disappointingly choppy and the ride is jiggly and unsettled at pretty much all speeds. That blingylooking V angte four-pot front brake stops the VV0 well enough but is desperately shy of feel. I know it’s a five-grand bike, and so I don’t eVpect the sumptuous quality of a highend machine. But the problem for Mash is that Enfield’s Interceptor has reset our eVpectation of attractivelypriced bikes. Their twincylinder VV0 might be VV00 more eVpensive, but it’s faster, smoother, and a much more rounded package. The Indian firm’s bikes hold their money far better, too.
Then again, there’s not really anything else quite like the VV0 V-Ride. Vou can count other fivegrand retro trailies with decent-siVe engines on the fingers of no hands, and for cheery bobbing down back lanes it does have appeal. But please put it on proper road tyres first.