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Mikej
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 08:48 am: |
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Okay, I was running late to a meeting last night and kept playing cat and mouse with some guy on a moped in traffic, looked like a very interesting bike. It had some sort of Italian name on it, a rear hugger type fender, a monoshock rear suspension, an obvious aftermarket exhaust, some possible aftermarket cafe racer handlebars, and it looked like it could flat out handle the corners. The guy would get up ahead in traffic and then start doing a slalom down the road, looked like he could hardly contain himself while riding it. I've got no idea what brand it was. Had some Italianated type name and either some fad/trendy stickers or a progressive company logo on the tank area. Didn't look like a regular gas tank, but not a step-thru frame either. And it appeared to have gearing of some sort, or else the rider was doing a good impression of going thru the gears while accelerating. I almost want to say it is maybe a Moto Morini but I haven't found anything on this site yet that looks like it: http://www.motomoriniclub.nl/motorifrancomorini.ht ml I guess I should have either snapped a cell phone pic or at least written down the name on it. Looked like a fun bike. Gotta figure out what it was now, this is going to bug me all day long. |
Mikej
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 08:57 am: |
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I think this might be it: The "madass" might be what I saw on the gas tank area. = = = = = edit to add: Dang it, now I want one, bad And it's a Sachs too. My dad had a Sachs when I was a kid. (Message edited by mikej on May 07, 2008) |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:22 am: |
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Awesome! I wanna know more about this. But why can't I find an official Sachs website...? ~SM |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:27 am: |
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The best part is that looks like it has the small Honda engine in it - same as in the 50cc dirt bikes - which means there are TONS of aftermarket go fast goodies for it, and big-engine kits up past 200cc. Looks fun and capable. |
Carparts009
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:30 am: |
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Mike, if you want one check out Moto-Scoot.net. They are on water street downtown Milwaukee. They've also got some pretty nice cafes. |
Mikej
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:41 am: |
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Michigan dealership where I googlesnagged the images from: http://www.proactioncycle.com/madass50index.html Sachs UK site: http://www.sachsmotorcycles.co.uk/ Thanks for the link to the Milwaukee shop, I'll have to head down there and see what they have. Looks like a fun place. If Buell built a moped I wonder if the Madass is close to how it would look? |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:51 am: |
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Hey, it is fuel-in-frame. It just needs belt drive and an underhung exhaust...
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Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:45 am: |
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Man, that's a sweet little machine. Read a review that said replacing the stock sprocket with an 18 tooth yields 65 mph. Someone else said they were getting ~130 US mpg (listed in Imperial, I converted it. I'm assuming it's the 50cc). Another said he bought one (125cc)in Panama City for $1600. Sounds like a freakin' STEAL. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on May 07, 2008) |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:46 am: |
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I know I want one bad. |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 11:35 am: |
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Heh, did someone request underslung exhaust? Already there. Now where's that belt...? http://store.moto-scoot.net/index.php?productID=12 3 |
Mikej
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 11:36 am: |
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That's the pipe the guy had on his last night. Sounded pretty good too. |
Greenlantern
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 12:34 pm: |
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Dear God! That is to cool for words! I have got to have one NOW!! |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:15 pm: |
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I've already put in a call to the nearest dealer to find out hours and whatnot. I'm REALLY curious about top speed/mpg for the 125cc version. They even make saddle bags and cargo racks for it! ~SM |
Wolfridgerider
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:23 pm: |
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Just think how much fun that would be at the Dragon! |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:25 pm: |
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I think you may have started something, Mike! ~SM |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:32 pm: |
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SM- That's cool! I'm just not sure I could ride something with an Asspipe on it.... Good page on the 125 here: http://www.peirspeed.com/madass125.htm (Message edited by hughlysses on May 07, 2008) |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:46 pm: |
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Holy crap! Look at this 3-1/2 year old story from the kneeslider: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2004/12/06/sachs -madass/ OK, who's gonna be the first to shoe-horn a Blast engine into one? |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 01:51 pm: |
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Just heard back from the dealer. I'm not entirely sure he knows what the heck he's talking about. He said the bike is Chinese built. Could be, I guess... Germany outsources too. Top speed on the 125 is 55-ish. MPG is 70-100, depending on driving habits. According to this guy, there have been quality issues, and difficulty getting parts because apparently it's hard to get them for Chinese built stuff. He also claimed they were pricey, and that you could get a Ninja 250 for nearly the same price as the 125cc. Which is dead wrong, by about 33%. So I dunno. Make of it what you will. I'm not sure how he plans to sell any if he keeps pushing people to buy Kawasakis instead...? EDIT: They ARE Chinese-built. "U.S.-market Sachs will be the manufactured in China and sold under Cobra’s “Peirspeed” name (with Sachs branding also intact)." From what I can gather though, Sachs is a reliable product. The same cannot be said for some of the other vehicles Cobra Powersports imports, but anything Sachs and TGB should be good to go. I think maybe the local dealer was making some broad generalizations, lumping Sachs in with the other Cobra machines. More info: http://2strokebuzz.com/index.php?p=3945 ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on May 07, 2008) |
Mikej
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 02:13 pm: |
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I'll just put this into my craigslist watch list, should be a few pop up once summer begins to wind down. Still looks like a kick to ride. I'll have to see if the Milwaukee dealer offers test rides. Could be fun. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 03:27 pm: |
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nice naked bike, perfect for throwing across the back of a jeep when camping, of course it needs knobbies |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 03:32 pm: |
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I found another neat bike they make at the Peirspeed site: http://www.peirspeed.com/xroad.htm Sort of a mini-Monster/supermotard type. This one has a Moto-Morini designed 125 cc engine. That front disk looks like it came off of a tuber. |
Midknyte
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 03:35 pm: |
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I'm jone'sing for that scoot and this Sachs XTC 125 as well
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Mr_grumpy
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 03:59 pm: |
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Ah the joys of living in the good ole US of A, see If you came to live here in Europe like real people you'd have so much choice of weird & wonderful stuff you'd explode with frustration at not being able to decide what to have first. I'm sure you've heard of Piaggio who make Vespa scooters, amongst other things, well they're Doctor Jekyll, & Gilera is their Mr Hyde! Check out the Fuoco 500 3 wheeler, or the GP800 scooter with a 850 twin. Then come back & tell me which one you want first. http://www.uk.gilera.com/_vti_g2_1.asp?brand=GILER A&country=GB&language=EN |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 04:21 pm: |
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damnit man, my garage wasnt ready to have me see that xroadbike.... it gives me needs. |
Swordsman
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 04:29 pm: |
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Grumpy, Hey, we got the Fuoco 500 in March, thank you very much! (as the Piaggio MP3 500) But yeah, I get your point. The US businessplace is full of head honchos that "know the market". Phooey on them. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on May 07, 2008) |
Mr_grumpy
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 04:56 pm: |
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I'm glad you're getting some of the mad stuff. Those Gilera boys must have a whale of a time! Picture the scene, the Piaggio developement facility, two Gilera developement engineers are peeking over the wall, " what have they come up with now?" "looks like a scoot with 3 wheels" "Well get in there & steal one & we'll see how big a lump we can cram in it." "There's a flash looking beam frame scoot there too" "We'll have that as well, I've got an 850 twin lying under the bench, that should pep it up a bit." They're just barking. |
Glitch
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 05:13 pm: |
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Sachs is cool, this one anyway...
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Midknyte
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 05:14 pm: |
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CPI GTR 150
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Midknyte
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 05:17 pm: |
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Derbi GP1
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Swordsman
| Posted on Friday, May 09, 2008 - 01:32 pm: |
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Whoa, the Derbi looks more sportbike than scooter! Cool! ~SM |
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